A lot of complaining by third gen iPad owners about the timing of the fourth gen iPad. So I'm curious… If people could choose the average length of Apple's upgrade cycle for all products (Macs, iPhones, iPads, iPods, etc), what would it be? When answering, forget that some options, like the daily updates, are technically unfeasible! Imagine that for every option, the overall rate of change is the same as you would currently expect, so after 2 years, all the products look the same.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
If you could choose the average length of Apple's upgrade cycle
- Thread starter kalsta
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I really don't care. I only update my gadgets when they change the design.
However, just because the short cycles competition have on their products I think it should be between 6-12 months and not more... ALSO, if they have shorter cycles, they should lower prices too, otherwise many customers will eventually be pissed off.
However, just because the short cycles competition have on their products I think it should be between 6-12 months and not more... ALSO, if they have shorter cycles, they should lower prices too, otherwise many customers will eventually be pissed off.
I have an iPad 3 from launch day, and the update really doesn't bother me. I don't think there will be 6 month updates too often. I really see the iPad going into a Mac type of cycle where they update it with new internals when ready each year. I mean, just like the macbook pro or iMac, how often can you keep changing the exterior of it? Maybe once every 2-3 years?
I tend to sell and buy annually as well, and doing that every 6 months for iPhones and iPads would get pretty annoying. Of course I could wait a year anyway, but the iPhone/iPad would be devalued by having a more recent model around.
I tend to sell and buy annually as well, and doing that every 6 months for iPhones and iPads would get pretty annoying. Of course I could wait a year anyway, but the iPhone/iPad would be devalued by having a more recent model around.
I voted daily 
I love my iPad 3. I was going to upgrade to the iPhone 5 from my iPhone 4 but felt that my money would be better spent on a new MacBook. The iPhone 4 does everything I need it to do and my iPad 3 has become my primary gaming/couch lounging machine. I use the Mac Pro that I write this on a fair bit less due to the iPad 3's amazing screen. About the only thing that would have upset me is a significant upgrade in the screen quality.
I love my iPad 3. I was going to upgrade to the iPhone 5 from my iPhone 4 but felt that my money would be better spent on a new MacBook. The iPhone 4 does everything I need it to do and my iPad 3 has become my primary gaming/couch lounging machine. I use the Mac Pro that I write this on a fair bit less due to the iPad 3's amazing screen. About the only thing that would have upset me is a significant upgrade in the screen quality.Thanks for voting everyone… especially that one guy with the Power Mac G5.
I'd be happy to see more frequent updates if it were technically feasible (knowing that I can buy when it suits me, and not feel the need to wait for a major release), although we'd lose the excitement of those big product launches. However, it seems somewhere between 6 and 12 months is preferred by most. Maybe as humans we're programmed to expect a new product to take at least 9 months?
I'd be happy to see more frequent updates if it were technically feasible (knowing that I can buy when it suits me, and not feel the need to wait for a major release), although we'd lose the excitement of those big product launches. However, it seems somewhere between 6 and 12 months is preferred by most. Maybe as humans we're programmed to expect a new product to take at least 9 months?