Apple Gearing Up for 'iPad 2 Plus' Release Later This Year?

[res1233]

If they really released a "premium version" with a higher resolution screen but with the same CPU and graphics, wouldn't it affect performance and battery life?

Yes and yes. Driving more pixels is going to be harder on the GPU. This doesn't really make a whole lot of sense in my opinion. All those new iPad 2 games that come with higher detail graphics are not going to be able to upgrade to a retina display without bringing the detail back down again.

In my opinion, a retina display should only come with a GPU upgrade.

 

[Jim Boonie]

I want to see the refreshed MBA

Agreed. We're making brown in our Hanes over this rumor and we haven't got a lick of proof that the MBA is actually getting updated in a week!

 

[firewood]

If they barely can keep up with demand now, why would they release a new super hot product right at the start of the x-mas shopping season? Doesn't add up.

If a company can't keep up with demand, they are leaving money on the table.

So Apple could release a much higher priced iPad 2+, in addition to still selling the iPad 2. The 2+ will take some of the demand off of the iPad 2; and a much higher price for an iPad 2+ will better control any added demand. The extra profits will just roll in.

Because of the higher profits to be made from a 2+, Apple could even drop the price of the iPad 2 to simply destroy any competition, while still keeping the overall margin (and thus total profit) for their 2 combined iPad products the same.

 

[nutmac]

If a company can't keep up with demand, they are leaving money on the table.

So Apple could release a much higher priced iPad 2+, in addition to still selling the iPad 2. The 2+ will take some of the demand off of the iPad 2; and a much higher price for an iPad 2+ will better control the extra demand. The extra profits will just roll in.

Your argument is true only if the margin will be greater on iPad 2+ and sales of existing models don't suffer as a result. As it stands, Apple is selling every iPads it can build at a healthy margin.

My theory is, Apple isn't going to segment iPad with "low" resolution and "high" resolution versions. There just isn't the need. Creating yet another product variation increases the inventory. It will wait until it can bring high resolution version across the board.

 

[danmills8]

Who?

Who really thinks Apple will release another iPad this year? Who? It's not just about Steve saying 2011 is the year of the iPad 2. Its common sense. Apple doesn't need to release another iPad. And those of you talking about the "right time" to release one. Is this the right time? Is later this year the right time? Of course not! iPad 2 plus? What a joke! Anyone who follows Apple and has any sense knows another iPad won't happen this year. Apple still has to release iPhone 5 in the fall. Between that, Lion, and other Mac hardware releases there simply isn't room in Apple's marketing to sustain another iPad release this year.

Macrumors, you guys should know better than to post all of these worthless rumors that you know won't happen.

 

[sexualchocolate]

Stand back, specification whoring might cause heads to explode and wallets to return to their pockets.

I was just curious to know. If it is just a small difference I wouldn't even care if performance and battery life suffered a bit. Just wanting to to if somebody has a good guess about the implications.

 

[Lesser Evets]

The speculation makes sense...
but it is still just a RUMOR.

I wouldn't be surprised to see the retina-revision iPad.
I wouldn't be surprised to see Apple do d--k all and sit on its hands until March.

 

[macUser2007]

Needs a larger screen version

9.7" is too small for magazines and PDFs.

The higher pixel density is "shrug" feature for most.

 

[nagromme]

Since it would need more powerful computing specs to drive that massive screen, a simple “2+” designation wouldn’t make sense (except as an informal/code-name).

Releasing such a thing this year also doesn’t make sense... UNLESS it lets them increase manufacturing capacity. There’s a production bottleneck, and if the “2+” (or whatever) is so different that it doesn’t cannibalize iPad 2 component supplies, but in fact allows whole new sources to begin manufacturing iPads, then that means more iPads being made total. That’s the only reason it would make sense—and I doubt it’s the case.

It does make sense to have a dual-tier product line at first (since the retina display and its chips are likely to be costly). But this year? I say 2012.

9.7" is too small for magazines and PDFs.

The higher pixel density is "shrug" feature for most.

The higher density is AWESOME. I love my iPhone 4’s screen so much I can almost not stand the display on laptops, other phones, anything! I do love my iPad (including for PDF and document viewing on the big screen) but then going back to the iPhone 4’s screen feels like a relief in some ways. One day (2012?) this will come to iPad and it will be great. The sharpness and the vivid colors (resulting from the pixel “mesh” becoming near-invisible) are fantastic.

 

[Chwisch87]

Oh here we go again.

THERE WILL BE NO iPad 2Plus/2s/3 or whatever the hell these idiots wanna call it in 2011.

Also Dear Macrumors... Mac"Rumors" should at least be plausible.

 

[res1233]

9.7" is too small for magazines and PDFs.

The higher pixel density is "shrug" feature for most.

For most people, higher pixel density increases the overall feel of the device, like it does with the iPhone 4, even if most users probably don't know enough about the device to know WHY it feels so much better than others. This is true no matter what you do with the device. You're constantly reading some sort of text somewhere, watching some sort of video, or viewing images possibly of higher quality than can be displayed accurately on a non-retina display. The difference should be extremely noticeable.

 

[pmz]

9.7" is too small for magazines and PDFs.

The higher pixel density is "shrug" feature for most.

Not sure how you could possibly conclude that and also be serious.

Simply wrong. 9.7 is the perfect size, and everything is zoomable. The iPhone is certainly too small for magazines and PDFs, but that doesn't stop people from using it, since they can Zoom.

Higher pixel density would be enough to sell a brand new revision of the iPad, by itself. Hardly a shrug. If you've ever seen an iPhone 4 screen (I'm going to say for certain you haven't), then you'd know precisely why this is the single most sought after feature for the iPad.

 

[Spanky Deluxe]

If it has a retina display then I'll sell my one week old iPad 2 immediately and buy the newer one. I'm happy with my iPad in every other way but I find the display a real step down compared to my iPhone's one. So much so that I find it uncomfortable to read on so I still use my iPhone as my primary reading device.

 

[rdstoll]

"But with Apple actually having made fairly substantial improvements in the iPad 2...."


I laughed out loud when I read this.

 

[bbeagle]

If you've ever seen an iPhone 4 screen (I'm going to say for certain you haven't), then you'd know precisely why this is the single most sought after feature for the iPad.

For the past year, I've owned both an iPhone 4 and an iPad 1. I do not notice a difference in regular use.

Sure, if I put the iPad to my face, I'll notice it, but I use my iPad from about 2-3 feet, and my iPhone from about 1 foot or less.

Retina display is a non-issue for a lot of people. We're both different. I'm sure you would notice it, but I would not run out and get an iPad 3 for a retina display.

 

[hayesk]

Wow. These analysts are just embarrassing themselves now.

Here's a prediction: iPad 2 successor in 2012 - it will be better in some ways than the iPad 2.

 

[pmz]

For the past year, I've owned both an iPhone 4 and an iPad 1. I do not notice a difference in regular use.

Sure, if I put the iPad to my face, I'll notice it, but I use my iPad from about 2-3 feet, and my iPhone from about 1 foot or less.

Retina display is a non-issue for a lot of people. We're both different. I'm sure you would notice it, but I would not run out and get an iPad 3 for a retina display.

While that may be true for you, many many many people would flat out disagree....and many early iPad 2 adopters would be putting theirs on Ebay.

Also, if you cannot easily and completely see the obvious difference with even the slightest of glances between those two devices, you very well may need reading glasses. Not trying to be funny, but I've never heard anyone say that they can't see the difference.

 

[Eidorian]

I was just curious to know. If it is just a small difference I wouldn't even care if performance and battery life suffered a bit. Just wanting to to if somebody has a good guess about the implications.

Lower voltages from newer steppings might be just enough.

While that may be true for you, many many many people would flat out disagree....and many early iPad 2 adopters would be putting theirs on Ebay.

And fighting it out with the refurbished models.

 

[ckd]

The iPad ][+? Will it come with Applesoft BASIC and be followed by the iPad //e?

 

[msb3079]

Some of you are so negative and talk as if you know all. You don't. Neither do I. There may or may not be an iPad 2 Plus. Who knows. But do give all your annoying reasons as if you KNOW, is really annoying.

Simple fact is... there is evidence that points to this possibly happening. Is it possible? Yes. Could Apple pull it off? Sure, why not. Might none of this happen in 2011? Sure, why not.

Grow up.

 

[paul4339]

For the past year, I've owned both an iPhone 4 and an iPad 1. I do not notice a difference in regular use.

Sure, if I put the iPad to my face, I'll notice it, but I use my iPad from about 2-3 feet, and my iPhone from about 1 foot or less.

Retina display is a non-issue for a lot of people. We're both different. I'm sure you would notice it, but I would not run out and get an iPad 3 for a retina display.

i notice a difference when reading (characters aren't as crisp).. for video & pics it's ok.

(edit: if I had an option of either upgrading 16GB or a better display for say $100, I'd probably choose the better display)


.

 

[baryon]

What's wrong with calling the 3rd iPad "iPad 3"? I mean it's the third iPad, regardless of how little un upgrade it is.

The iPhone 3G and the 3GS were stupid names. iPhone 4 is the first name that made sense. It's the 4th iPhone, therefore "iPhone 4".

 

[Day48]

who knows...doubtful!

I could see them coming out with a high end iPad, please not iPad 2+. maybe Pro, but not +! I just hope that it takes the place of the current iPad pricing scheme and the original gets cheaper. For me if I am going to spend $1200 I am going to get a powerful iMac. An iPad is not worth $1000. Especially with network restrictions.

 

[tinman0]

Guys and gals,

An iPad 2S makes perfect sense. Apple need an iPad refresh before Christmas, not after Christmas. It's exactly what they do with iPods - make sure people get whats the latest kit before Christmas and give it a bit of a life after Christmas.

 

[bushido]

all those rumors about a new iPad by the end of the year makes it damn hard to buy one by september and not just wait