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I'm kind of tempted to buy the new iPad - it looks like great value. And it would be my first iPad since buying an iPad 2 many years ago, which still gets used fairly regularly in our household.

However: The inability to have multiple users (and thus individual email accounts, safari password keychains, etc) is really holding me back. It makes the iPad hugely less useful in a family/household setting. I really hope Apple will finally sort this out in iOS 11.
But they did sort it out. They reduced the price to add a new user to $329. That might still seem steep, but Apple's multi-user feature, unlike others', allows for fully simultaneous usage!
 
Tim crook. Apple is not to be trusted. Now i know why they skipped out spring event...they had to tuck their tails.
 
Didn’t Steve say that Apple was in the business of making the best possible products, not in the business of racing to the bottom?

They are when iPad sales are in a steady decline. Apple appears to be getting desperate to reverse the decline, hence the near abandonment of Mac and absurd push for iPads and iPad Pros.
 
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Unfortunately Steve is dead and so is Apple's ability to innovate.
Aside from multi-touch what major innovations came from Apple under Steve? I guess buying PA Semi but the fruits of that are only now showing under the Cook era.
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All the bellyaching in this thread bugs me, how the hell would Steve run the company any differently honestly? He himself said that the desktop's days were numbered with the iPad.

The main argument for the switch to Chromebooks in the education sector was the price, which Apple simply didn't have.
Then when they release a low-cost iPad (probably to counter the Chromebook, since Tim's obsessed with positioning the iPad as an ultrabook replacement), people groan about it not being "innovative" enough.
Why are people over analyzing this product? It isn't intended to be anything more than a low cost iPad. The people buying this don't care if it has the latest and greatest display technology or the fastest Touch ID sensor. They just want a lower cost iPad. That's what this is.
 
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Aside from multi-touch what major innovations came from Apple under Steve? I guess buying PA Semi but the fruits of that are only now showing under the Cook era.
iPod, iPhone, Airdrop, Airport, Time Machine, iTunes, App Store, USB-1 standard (debatable), and an OS that's easy-to-use, stable, and functional.
 
Jobs would never have retrograded a product line just to compete on price. That was antithetical to his entire philosophy on tech business.

Just another example of how Cook's Apple, Inc. is most certainly not Jobs' Apple Computer.
 
The core iPad experience isn't going to be compromised by a slightly thicker body or a slightly less awesome display. Having an entry level iPad for those who won't take advantage of the special extras is totally reasonable. If you want an iPad as nice as the old iPad Air 2, you can pay extra for the iPad Pro 9.7.

Frankly I wish Apple would take a similar approach with Macbooks/Pros. The Macbook line is sorely missing a NEW (as in latest, or near latest specs) general purpose, entry level computer at around the $999 price point that could help attract new users to the ecosystem.
 
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I think in the future (two or three years) they will just have the iPad and this will be in three different display sizes. All iPads will have smart connectors and can be used with Apple Pencil.
It makes sense. But you know what Step One to a unified unfragmented platform would be? To include Smart Connectors and Pencil Support even in EVERY Ipad. Including the so-called $329 "affordable" model.


It's so frustrating to see bloggers excuse this new iPad by saying "It's perfect for Education" while ignoring the fact that an EDU aimed device benefits greatly from a keyboard. Apple was 90% of the way there with the Smart Connector and all they had to do next was create a blocky, durable, affordable keyboard to bundle with it. But instead they went backwards because.... profits.
 
Apple is to blame for creating fanapples always expecting better, thinner etc, that's what Apple always promoted.
But many buyers also complained about the Apple tax, so here is the cheapest new iPad ever, for a market with thinner demand and lower sales. It's a good business choice. Real innovations may come in the Pro line (but maybe not), we'll soon see...
 
It's so frustrating to see bloggers excuse this new iPad by saying "It's perfect for Education" while ignoring the fact that an EDU aimed device REQUIRES a keyboard. Apple was 90% of the way there with the Smart Connector and all they had to do next was create a blocky, durable, affordable keyboard to bundle with it. But instead they went backwards because.... profits.
I'm with you 1000%. Apple Pencil and keyboard should be standard bundled with at LEAST the iPad Pro, and should be compatible with the regular iPad. Who knows though, maybe they're working on this.
 
It makes sense. But you know what Step One to a unified unfragmented platform would be? To include Smart Connectors and Pencil Support even in EVERY Ipad. Including the so-called $329 "affordable" model.


It's so frustrating to see bloggers excuse this new iPad by saying "It's perfect for Education" while ignoring the fact that an EDU aimed device benefits greatly from a keyboard. Apple was 90% of the way there with the Smart Connector and all they had to do next was create a blocky, durable, affordable keyboard to bundle with it. But instead they went backwards because.... profits.
Apple already lost the war against Google Chromebooks in the EDU-sector, so I guess they just will stop to compete and bring something special and useful for schools.
In my personal opinion, with all this so-called "new" they losing many users especially all the pros, companies and schools. Even iPhone is losing more and more against his competitors and its just 1-2 years away to losing there as well. More Chinese companies are bringing better phones for much lower price and Apple can't compete anymore. They already "live" from the past and their service in the shops but not from new innovative products.
 
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Prices of components come down over time it would be interesting to see what the increase in profit is between this Ipad and if they had just lowered the price of the AIR2. I bet it isn't much
I'll bet the margin on this iPad is even bigger because they use an even older non laminated screen. Grab one guys before it's sold out :rolleyes:
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You are all missing the point of the product, which is a low cost iPad to help curb sliding sales. It's not meant to be an "innovative" product.
Considering it's still using old parts and priced above € 400 I'm not calling it a bargain.
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Lots of bitching, but I like this idea. Slap new components into an old shell to keep the price down.

I like having options when it comes to product line pricing. This is perfect for someone that doesn't need all the bells and whistles, yet requires something fast and usable. This is similar to what Apple does with they do small updates to the MacBook line. Keep it coming!
They should have done that with all the Macs too. If there ever comes a new iMac and it's not a total redesign it's bye bye for me
 
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The "air" line made sense back then when the iPad 4 was thick and heavy, though it clearly hasn't aged well when every subsequent iPad has been thinner and lighter.

I think in the future, we won't see an iPad mini line either. Just normal 9.7" iPad, 9.7" iPad pro and larger iPad pro.
The iPad mini is getting replaced by the phablets anyway, like the iPhone 7s and 7s plus (also only a processor swap, lol). Beats me why they haven't done the same thing with Macs. Minimal effort and customers would have appreciate it. Too late for that now.
 
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You are all missing the point of the product, which is a low cost iPad to help curb sliding sales. It's not meant to be an "innovative" product.
The point you're missing is that innovation is all Apple ever talks about. Reusing old iPhone and iPad chasis with minor spec bumps is hardly that.
 
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Tend to agree. . . the issue was that in the early 90's chip speeds were


let me know if you find one. . . . none available on the website or within 250 miles.
Jobs would never have retrograded a product line just to compete on price. That was antithetical to his entire philosophy on tech business.

Just another example of how Cook's Apple, Inc. is most certainly not Jobs' Apple Computer.

Let's not overlook that the Apple of Steve J is different from the Apple of Tim C. Steve's Apple was trying to survive. Tim's Apple is trying to maintain a position of dominance.
 
The haters and whiners are out in force. I suppose each has purchased multiple iPad Pros and is sitting on piles of cash he or she just can't wait to throw at Apple, hence the disappointment.

Newest iteration looks very functional. I expect it to sell well and make a lot of folks quite happy this coming Christmas.
 
I love how people see a product that doesnt meet their personal requirements and automatically jump to the conclusion that its useless. Sure it may be basically old tech, but given the small upgrade to the CPU and the much better price point, I think this particular iPad will find its niche with a particular demo of customers. Customers with even older iPads who could never justify the price of the air 2 or pros. Just because a product isnt for you doesnt mean it shouldnt have been made. You dont like it? Dont buy it. Simple.
 
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The iPad's naming structure has been such a mess. iPad, iPad 2, the new iPad, iPad with Retina Display, iPad Air, iPad Air 2, iPad

It looks so stupid but I like that they have finally sorted it out. Makes sense to have an iPad Mini line, an iPad line, and an iPad Pro line.
A better name for this device would be "Phil's Ass" - as apparently it could not be innovated.
 
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I like the idea of entry level systems. Like the Mac Mini for many of us that are not Pro (power) users. I purchased an iPhone SE and Apple Watch Sport. Not as powerful as the iPhone 7 and Watch, less expensive, does the job. Additionally Tech Specs are just specs, comes down too, does the product get the job done at a price point for the user.
 
However: The inability to have multiple users (and thus individual email accounts, safari password keychains, etc) is really holding me back.
I agree with you
But in Apples terms' they solved that dilemma: this one has had million users over the years
 
The reaction to this device is, like the devices themselves, very similar to the reactions to the iPhone SE over the 5/5S/6S which that was a hybrid of. Positive from people who value the low price option, negative from people who don't get that and seemingly only ever want ever-more powerful and expensive devices than anything released before.

I think it's great that Apple are bringing back proven hardware in a new combination at a lower price.

I would love a Mac Pro SE that took this approach - up to date specs in the old 5,1 form factor for a budget price... yes please.

And not to get into political stuff, but given the UK (where I am)'s political/economic situation, it's especially important if Apple wants to retain its level of sales here, because the price rises on existing products threatens to seriously damage Apple in the UK IMHO. Of course so does having ancient computers at those inflated prices too, but that's a whole other issue by itself.
The older form factor is not what gets me about this, rather the lack of an anti-reflective coating. It was introduced for a reason, because without it you will have a huge amount of glare outside on a sunny day or in a brightly-lit room. The iPads with the coating are bad enough, but much better.

If Apple wants me to spend money on replacing my iPad Air 2, the replacement must be an upgrade, not a mixed upgrade/downgrade. The only way iPad Air 2 owners can get an upgrade is to buy the iPad Pro.
 
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