Here's What the iPad Lineup Could Look Like in 2024

[JudoChop]

FWIW if they make the MK lighter it will be more likely to topple over due to the weight of the iPad.

sure, with the current design. I'm implying an improved design. I have a Magic Keyboard and it's not perfect. too heavy. has a weird oversized hinge, not very flexible use case. So I need to ALSO have a Smart Folio, and I swap between them. That's ridiculous.

I think the keyboard for the basic iPad is actually pretty good - more real estate for the keyboard/trackpad; more useable stand, and easy to remove the keyboard but keep the stand. better yet, take it a step further like the Surface tablet and integrate the stand and just remove the need for a back case. While we're at it.. get rid of the rear camera bump so it sits flat. Does anyone actually use those cameras on a iPad anyways?

 

[jimmy_uk]

I am amused at reading the endless criticisms of Apple's iPad lineup, calling it a "mess", "confusing", etc, especially where the iPad is concerned. Since when is having more size and price point choices a bad thing? I don't agree with every product that Apple sells or discontinues (proud owner of the now-discontinued iPhone 13 Mini), but I do realize that Apple has done very well with their product lineups over the years, and considering their success, I figure they don't offer a product for sale in the market for no good reason.

I own two different iPad products and am happy with both. I am glad I was able to choose each product I wanted from what was available. In other words, Apple has made much more money than me, so I will give them the benefit of the doubt that they know what they are doing when they offer a number of products at different price points.

There are many consumer studies (supermarkets especially) that show that if you offer too many choices, then the consumer becomes over whelmed and doesn't purchase for the fear of making the wrong choice. That's why you normally see Good/Better/Best (Budget/Standard/Luxury) price points.

 

[DavidSchaub]

There are many consumer studies (supermarkets especially) that show that if you offer too many choices, then the consumer becomes over whelmed and doesn't purchase for the fear of making the wrong choice. That's why you normally see Good/Better/Best (Budget/Standard/Luxury) price points.

Sure, but is there any real evidence that Apple, known for reducing customer choice as much as possible, actually has that problem?

iPads are easy:
- How much money do you want to spend?
- How much farther could you spend?
- Are there any specific features you care about?
---> done.

Really, nobody needs to tell Apple to offer less consumer choice.

 

[benmhall]

My wife - a total non-tech person - trying to find an iPad for her mother, summed it up earlier today:

"This is too confusing."

Clean the lineup Tim!

I am often asked which iPad someone should buy. Barring used ones etc., my recommendation tends to be:

* if you want small, buy a Mini
* if you aren’t sure and money isn’t a major factor, get a base 11” iPad Pro
* if you want big, get a base 12.9” iPad Pro

This keeps everyone on the good Apple Pencil. I have found that if people end out really using the iPad, the 64GB base of the lower end models tends to be limiting. Lots of people think they need more than 128GB; I haven’t seen an actual need yet.

The iPad Pros are luxuries, but they are undeniably nicer than the Air or oddball 10th gen iPad.

If a base level 11” Pro is too much $$$ for whoever is asking me, usually whatever is cheapest, new or used, is what they actually want.

For me, I like using an iPad with an external display, so an M1 or better are a requirement. If Apple comes out with a Mini with an M series CPU, I will upgrade my maxed out 6th-gen immediately. If they stick with A series CPUs, thereby limiting external display use, I will hold on to the current Mini until it runs out of support.