iPad Seen as 'Weakest Link' in Stagnating Tablet Market

[AppleScruff1]

The issue with ipad sales is that they really made it TOO good from the get go and only improved it from there. People have no need or desire to upgrade. Their first purchased ipads still work amazing and given the cost why would you buy another until you need to?

I'd hardly say that the early iPads still work amazing. The original iPad was slow when it was released. Each model except for the iPad 3 was a noticeable improvement in performance.

 

[smorrissey]

I'd hardly say that the early iPads still work amazing. The original iPad was slow when it was released. Each model except for the iPad 3 was a noticeable improvement in performance.

Exactly, ipad 1 pretty much belongs to a museum nowadays. I don't know about 2 and 3 but 4 retina is pretty usefull still but yes is waaaaaaaay heavy.

 

[AppleScruff1]

Exactly, ipad 1 pretty much belongs to a museum nowadays. I don't know about 2 and 3 but 4 retina is pretty usefull still but yes is waaaaaaaay heavy.

IMO, the iPad 4 was the first to work like it should. The Air would be near flawless if not for the tab reloading. I haven't kept up with the Air 2 to see if the problem has been taken care of.

 

[smorrissey]

IMO, the iPad 4 was the first to work like it should. The Air would be near flawless if not for the tab reloading. I haven't kept up with the Air 2 to,see,if the problem has been taken care of.

Well problems with the ipad air 2 are different:

1) iPop. A random loud static noise.
2) Device vibration because the device is too thin.
3) Screen distortion when holding the device with your fingers.

Yes it is lighter and has 2 GB of RAM positive points.

 

[JCrz]

Watch this

iPad is the weakest link? How about the Apple Watch? No one is gonna buy a silly calculator watch with a band that costs hundreds of dollars (and $3 to make). This will be a disaster and their 2015 numbers will kill the stock.

 

[sigmadog]

Most of the time I'm on my desktop (I also prefer desktops over laptops).

Me too. I liked the basic sketching capability in iPad, but translating it to my Adobe and/or Corel (Painter) software on my desktop was problematic. It just seems more streamlined to work in the same operating system on both devices, so I now have a 13" rMBP to complement my MP 3,1.

So instead of sketching on my iPad, I go old school: Pencil and paper. Then I either scan it or take a photo from my phone to input it to my software. I'm learning to love paper all over again.

 

[cwwilson]

I only recently upgraded to Air 2 from an iPad 4 (which I had since 2012) and the speed of this device has absolutely surpassed it and even my iMac running Yosemite.

This is probably the best thing I've ever bought when it comes to tech. It's super thin and light and blinding fast...I'd hardly say it's a dying breed.

 

[AppleScruff1]

Well problems with the ipad air 2 are different:

1) iPop. A random loud static noise.
2) Device vibration because the device is too thin.
3) Screen distortion when holding the device with your fingers.

Yes it is lighter and has 2 GB of RAM positive points.

Describe the vibration and screen distortion. Those are two I've never heard of. I've never heard of the popping, but I understand what it is.

 

[wikiverse]

It's so cut and dry simple that it blows my mind that the media and analysts keep spewing this garbage. I don't expect much from either group, but this crap again and again is just sad and pathetic.

It's not garbage. The analysts are saying the exact same thing - Apple's market share will not grow.

You can put any reasoning you like around it, like people using iPad2 for longer, or new entrants into the tablet market choosing windows because they want a laptop replacement, but the expected shipment analysis says the same thing.

More people will purchase new Windows or Android tablets rather than iPads.

 

[xaqt93]

HOnestly in my own opinion, one of the iPads greatest flaws is that it lacks the ability to run two apps side by side. If the iPad gained this ability which I think it might in iOS 9, then it would be the worlds perfect tablet in my opion.

 

[brianvictor7]

iPad is the weakest link? How about the Apple Watch? No one is gonna buy a silly calculator watch with a band that costs hundreds of dollars (and $3 to make). This will be a disaster and their 2015 numbers will kill the stock.

Doom. Doom has come.

Now, seriously, millions of people will buy the AppleWatch. Here is my personal prediction. At the point that both Mac and iPad sales start to decline, Apple will finally release something like the Surface Pro: a notebook/tablet hybrid.

 

[rowspaxe]

"Creative Types" as your refer to them already use the iPad. Have you any idea how many music artists alone use the iPad for creating music or as a scratchpad for songwriting?
Surface Pro is playing catch up to iPad in the artist community. So far it's claim to fame is that it is full function computer for Windows users in a tablet form.

I stopped buying ipads when I got a surface. The pen is really the differentiator that made me switch. But working with a full file tree in x86 apps is a huge plus. The ipad is slicker--but less useful--imho

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So instead of sketching on my iPad, I go old school: Pencil and paper. Then I either scan it or take a photo from my phone to input it to my software. I'm learning to love paper all over again.

lol!

 

[rowspaxe]

Even during the original iPad keynote, Steve Jobs demonstrated it while sitting on a couch. That was the original intended use case-- you're just sitting on your couch, casually reading or watching videos. It was never intended to "replace" a computer, though for a number of people it has.

A few years later it turned into a content production machine, and many people use it as such, but as for me it's still my couch device.
iPad.

It a productivity device for people determined to compromise their productivity to make it so. Even with all the work arounds your left with a dramatically inferior experience.

And the "steve on sofa" reference is completely on point--the biggest benefit of this device is to surf, you tube and read while lounging. How is that not worth $500?

 

[Michael CM1]

Depends on how much someone uses their iPad I think.

I first bought 3rd gen, then upgraded with first Air, still using the Air with no desire to upgrade but when I bought Air, 3rd gen felt slow as hell and that was my reason for upgrade.

Same exact scenario here, except DAMMIT I would've loved the Touch ID and extra 32GB of storage at the same price. But I got this about a year ago heavily on sale, and my iPad 3 was slloooooooooowwwww.

 

[Max(IT)]

I don't think Sam is arguing market share relevance. I think he's just pointing out the futility of using the anecdote Well, I only see X when I'm out... The tablets could simply be used in a home.

Those devices could very well be cheap crappy tablets. Whether a person purchases 1 cheap one or 10 and never uses it, they still contribute to an iPad not being purchased.

Like many, I think market share, as a stand alone barometer of anything, means little to nothing.

You are right, but "incidentally" Android supporters always bring market share in.

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Well problems with the ipad air 2 are different:

1) iPop. A random loud static noise.
2) Device vibration because the device is too thin.
3) Screen distortion when holding the device with your fingers.

Yes it is lighter and has 2 GB of RAM positive points.

I don't know about the first, but 2 and 3 are absolutely not true.
The iPad doesn't vibrate. Its case resonates if you use internal speakers, without any sound distortion. Hardly an issue.
The screen also doesn't distort when holding. That's just not true. You can see distortions only if you deliberately try to demonstrate it.

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Describe the vibration and screen distortion. Those are two I've never heard of. I've never heard of the popping, but I understand what it is.

Typical MR forum's non existent issues...
At least in properly working devices (There could be defective units as usual).

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iPad is still the best tablet. Though Safari still tends to be buggy at times

Sadly, Safari is by far the app that ruined iPad user experience more....

 

[H2SO4]

I only recently upgraded to Air 2 from an iPad 4 (which I had since 2012) and the speed of this device has absolutely surpassed it and even my iMac running Yosemite.

This is probably the best thing I've ever bought when it comes to tech. It's super thin and light and blinding fast...I'd hardly say it's a dying breed.

Speed of it doing what?

 

[ggf]

The iPad is a computer. Jobs did not say the tablet would replace the "computer." He spoke of the post-pc era which is exactly what we're in. People are doing an enormous amount of computing on their phones and tablets. Things which they would have previously done on a desktop or a laptop.
Jobs likened the desktop to a truck, needed for heavy lifting and said many people don't need a truck. He was right. The iPad does replace a computer for some folks. If I didn't do home recording (and use Logic) I could get by without a laptop or desktop.
BTW, Microsoft has lost a ton of cachet, not to mention users, because they were unprepared for the mobile, post-pc market. They are still playing catch up and may never attain any foothold in the smartphone market.

Exactly right
If you have older people who only are interested in browsing email and Facebook - or if you want to give small children access to learning materials or games - what more do they need, If you can afford more than one device the iPad is ideal for the media consumption bits on a bus, on the couch or in bed.

If you want/need more buy a different/additional machine that suits your needs - Apple sells those too.

Most people in first world companies have at least 2 devices (phone plus computer) many like me have multiple devices (phone, iPad, laptop, desktop)
Of these devices the iPad has the longest replacement cycle - but I still wouldn't be without one

 

[Keirasplace]

It's not garbage. The analysts are saying the exact same thing - Apple's market share will not grow.

You can put any reasoning you like around it, like people using iPad2 for longer, or new entrants into the tablet market choosing windows because they want a laptop replacement, but the expected shipment analysis says the same thing.

More people will purchase new Windows or Android tablets rather than iPads.

And... So, what? Its the conclusion and tone that's a total absolute garbage.

Same argument as for the phone, from the same usual suspects.
Apple has a 18% worldwide market share of smart phones, lets see who is winning that battle... who has 93% of profits... with all but 2-3 other OEM losing big big money... This company starts with the letter A. Many of those OEM will go broke soon; guess winning has a cost...

So, how many of those tablets makers with an ASP of 1/3 the Ipad are making money? How much are they making? Does near zero ring a bell?

A real analyst, if such a thing exists, would actually care about profits?
You know PE ratio has earnings in there somewhere.

But, not those "analysts" like IDC whose shipment/sales numbers have been demonstrated as totally false (if not falsified) in Apple vs Samsung trials.
They've been on the Apple doom train for 5+ years BTW. Maybe once they'll be right by accident, a stopped clock is sometimes right.

 

[AlecZ]

Apple is doomed....

Now haters are happy

You guys are going to get that phrase banned here.

 

[Keirasplace]

Well problems with the ipad air 2 are different:

1) iPop. A random loud static noise.
2) Device vibration because the device is too thin.
3) Screen distortion when holding the device with your fingers.

Yes it is lighter and has 2 GB of RAM positive points.

This seems like some list you pulled by Googling some Android whiner forum. Although, their list is even longer, you could have pasted their whole list instead of sampling it. This sounds like the "'bending" issue..

Have you actually handled one? You can go to an apple store to do. There's plenty there to test your "widespread" issue. I'm going to call it right now that if those thing exist, they're marginal at best. I've actually handled quite a few of those tablets (10+) in two Apple stores to specifically verify that they didn't have those problems. That's what I do before buying a product.

 

[AlecZ]

I wonder if the people saying tablets were going to replace the PC market are now saying here that the tablet market is merely saturated. Yeah, so is the PC market.

 

[CE3]

Describe the vibration and screen distortion. Those are two I've never heard of. I've never heard of the popping, but I understand what it is.

I upgraded from Air to Air2 about a month ago. I've never heard a popping on mine. I've seen a video with the screen distortion issue. I keep mine in a hardshell case but I tried to duplicate the issue when I first got it and had no screen distortion.

I agree with Max(IT): the sound of the internal speakers resonates (more bass frequencies) but doesn't distort. I preferred the sound of the previous model, but it's not terrible by any means.

The battery life of the Air 2 is shorter than the Air 1, but it also has a significantly faster CPU and more RAM. The 64GB Air2 is also the same price as the 32GB Air1 I bought a year earlier. Double the processing power and double the storage space for the same price is a win for me.. so I'm glad I sold mine and upgraded.

I don't care what these figures say about the iPad being the weakest link in the tablet market, because I know it's one of the best tablets on the market and they aren't going anywhere anytime soon.

 

[n-evo]

Honestly, I don't see Windows 10 doing much for Microsoft's market share. Windows 8.0 didn't do anything. Windows 8.1 didn't do anything and Windows 10 really isn't that big of a deal at this point.

 

[smoledman]

Honestly, I don't see Windows 10 doing much for Microsoft's market share. Windows 8.0 didn't do anything. Windows 8.1 didn't do anything and Windows 10 really isn't that big of a deal at this point.

It's not the OS that's the problem, it's the lack of tablet apps. All the major tablet app developers that have iPad apps have no desire to implement Windows Universal apps. Where is the ROI when nobody is buying WinTabs?

 

[Jambalaya]

Yet another story about how the next Windows release is going to transform Microsoft's fortunes. We've been there done that many times before and the company continues to slide.

FWIW I upgraded my iPad1 last Autumn for an Air2 and my parents use the 1 now. It is true there is a degree of saturation as people are buying and keeping their iPads but they won't be switching platforms as the iOS and OS X integration gets stronger and stronger