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Apple Winding Down iPad 2 Production After Three-Year Run

I still have my iPad 2 since the day it came out, and it's been working fine even through iOS7. I'm amazed how well the A5 can keep up with the latest software, there really is no need to upgrade until the system is no longer supported. And even then it would probably last for years to come.

This machine may rightfully be called the iPad Classic :D
 
DCJ001 said:
It would run better with iOS 7.
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robjulo said:
I'd keep it that way because it runs awful on iOS 7.
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I had to laugh seeing these two posts almost one right after the other.

We still have an iPad 2 with iOS 7 and have not had the issues others have reported. Not saying those with issues are "holding it wrong", just that we have not had any issues.

I will be glad to see it go though. Time to finally phase out the 30 pin connector. It has been a long good run, for the connector that is.
 
Bitch, please, I'm still on the iPad 1 and still runs like a champ.
 
Tiger8 said:
But remember, Apple over the past two years changed patterns for many products, starting with iPad 3, iPad 4, iPhone 5. I wouldn't be surprised if come September, they discontinue iPhone 4s, October, the drop the iPad 2 and iPad Mini (maybe release an A6 version of non-retina iPad mini), and this would really mean that iOS 9 does not have to support A5 at all.
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Apple killed iPad 3 long time ago, they also killed iPad 4 and iPhone 5, but I think these device probably will supported until iOS 9, unless these device are not capable running iOS 9. They probably will kill iPad 2, iPad mini. I am highly suspect they would stop supporting A5 devices because there are too many A5 devices out there.
 
Wasn't it only the LA Unified School District buying these outdated things up?
 
Still have my iPad 2 and it runs great on iOS 7. Everything works perfectly. Unfortunately, all great things must come to an end sometime. Soon I'll be getting the Air though!
 
ilikecorn500 said:
Not only is it very outdated, but it's only $100 cheaper than the iPad Air. Technology that's over 2 years newer for just $100 more than the iPad 2 is a no brainer.

It's also a better idea to get the Mini Retina over the 2, which are the same price, because it's faster, lighter, and has a more preferred screen size (for many people).
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Walmart has the 16GB WiFi iPad 2 for $299. My buddy used that to get Best Buy to price match (he had BB gift cards).
 
What I don't understand is, let's say there is a need to keep a legacy product (30-pin dock connector). Why can't Apple at least update the innards from the aging A5? I'm sure there are plenty of A6 and A7 chips that are not up to spec during manufacturing. Can't Apple put those, either underclocked or maybe have some of the GPU cores disabled, on a refreshed iPad 2 so it can keep up with the new APIs and iOS7? I'm sure even a gimped A6 or A7 would still be faster than the aging A5.

When Apple refresh, let's say, the Macbook Air, Apple doesn't just put the latest spec on the top end, leaving the last year hardware on the lower end. Apple refresh the whole lineup. I wish Apple would do that, at least for the iPad 2. This will help developers too as they are not stuck having to make their apps for the lowest common denominator.
 
pika2000 said:
What I don't understand is, let's say there is a need to keep a legacy product (30-pin dock connector). Why can't Apple at least update the innards from the aging A5? I'm sure there are plenty of A6 and A7 chips that are not up to spec during manufacturing. Can't Apple put those, either underclocked or maybe have some of the GPU cores disabled, on a refreshed iPad 2 so it can keep up with the new APIs and iOS7? I'm sure even a gimped A6 or A7 would still be faster than the aging A5.

When Apple refresh, let's say, the Macbook Air, Apple doesn't just put the latest spec on the top end, leaving the last year hardware on the lower end. Apple refresh the whole lineup. I wish Apple would do that, at least for the iPad 2. This will help developers too as they are not stuck having to make their apps for the lowest common denominator.
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Apple does not usually do binning like Intel, AMD do. They use generation difference to differentiate lower and higher end product.

But I think binning is better and efficient way. There is no reason for Apple open up different product for different processors. They can continue sell pervious generation iPad on their refurbished store or use remaining inventory as warranty service
 
still use mine on a daily basis (sending this message from it in fact). It's a great device, and had distinct advantages (weight, thickness, heat) over ipads 3 and 4. But, as compared to the Air, it looks pretty dated. Surprised it lasted this long. I wonder what the new low cost ipad will be?
 
Rest in peace. This was the first (and only) Apple device I ever waited in line for. I'm still friends with the people from my vicinity in line (I was 2nd). What a fun day that was. :)
 
pika2000 said:
What I don't understand is, let's say there is a need to keep a legacy product (30-pin dock connector).
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Since when was this something Apple cared about? But in any case, the Lightning-to-30-pin adapter can probably handle some (most?) of these cases.
 
They are charging too much for a product that is a number of generations old.Its a good tablet,but it should be less expensive.To me a hundred dollar difference,its a no brainer.There is no way I would consider buying it.
 
ValSalva said:
Is the iPad 2 the last version of a device still in production that Steve Jobs introduced?
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I think in its current version. The AppleTV and iPod Touch are close, but there have been some minor revisions to them. The 4S was released the day before he died, but Tim Cook introduced it. My guess is that if the release was two weeks earlier Steve might have been in the audience, but not on stage. The MacBook Air has the same form factor as the one Steve introduced on stage, but the internals have changed.

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luv2seaters said:
They are charging too much for a product that is a number of generations old.Its a good tablet,but it should be less expensive.To me a hundred dollar difference,its a no brainer.There is no way I would consider buying it.
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My guess is that it was priced to avoid cannibalizing the more expensive models. I.e. if they gave it away for $199 fewer people might have purchased an iPad mini (with or without Retina) or iPad Air.
 
I have one since launch and still gets great battery life, even better that my ipad mini (not retina).

Will see if i snatch a retina ipad later this year.
 
It's a great product. Mine had been in daily use for 3 years. Battery still great, the kids use it all the time. It has been dropped numerous times. Never had a case on it so it's a bit beat up, but it just keeps running. Never felt the need to upgrade, as I never experienced an app it can't run. Bought a refurb MacBook Air instead if a new iPad. Couldn't be happier. Still on ios6 though. Might throw 7 on it
 
CarlosQG said:
Bitch, please, I'm still on the iPad 1 and still runs like a champ.
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I still have my iPad 1 and an iPad mini. I still use the 1 to watch TV and movies while on my cross trainer plus a few other light tasks but it is clearly in need of a wipe and reinstall because it is pretty crashy at the moment. Going back to iOS 5 is a bit jarring now my phone and iPad mini are on iOS 7. Wish I had just waited a couple of months more and got the iPad 2. They literally only sold the 1 here for about six months before it was replaced, but on the other hand I've had over three years of use out of it and when I bought it I figured that would be the usable life but the iPad 2 should get at least iOS 8 since they can't drop support for the non-retina mini and the two devices are largely the same.

I suspect the iPad 2 was more a victim of the arrival of the non-retina mini at a lower price since it gets people into a genuine iPad for even less and the form factor is nicer. Going back to my full-size iPad is pretty hard work.
 
iLLUMI said:
Mine still runs extremely well too! Unlike my iPad 1 which crashes often (only use this extremely rarely though). I have iOS 5.1.1 running on my iPad 2 (2,4). Been tempted to upgrade to iOS 7 but I think I will keep it as is. :)

I don't think my 2,4 still has the 11.7 hrs battery life though. It's much closer to the standard 10 or even less. But thats probably because I dont follow the recommended charging cycles. But thats cool.

iPad 2 has had a good run. I'm guessing iPad Air will become the iPad 2 of the Apple product line once iPad Air 2 comes along.
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I have an iPad 1 with 64 gigs and cell from att. It works great but since you can't upgrade past 5.1.1 I can only run old apps. It took forever to find a way to get old ibooks and other standard apps that run in iOS 5.
 
My iPad 3 has served me well. It is now in the hands of my son, who will abuse it for a while longer. Now, I know the article is about the 2, but the 3 is the same thing (with a retina display). Honestly, had I known that at release time, I'd never have gotten it.

Now I have the iPad Air and I'm REALLY happy with it. Doesn't stutter or miss a beat. It's a great device.
 
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