The "New" Apple: 1k for an iOS Device???

[CE3]

I agree that those accessories are ridiculously priced. If the silicone case & smart cover were bundled together for about $50.. w/ mix and match color options.. it would be reasonable. But $120 +Tax for both? As others have said, there are lots of very nice third-party cases available for a fraction of the cost. As far as the actual iPad price is concerned, a red card preorder from Target will save you about $100 (5% + no sales tax online), or you can wait a few months for some sales to appear.

 

[rui no onna]

Now, I'm sure many can (and will) argue that this list is stoopid or that these aren't all essentials but the point still remains. As a computer replacement or as a new iPad then things got expensive.

$400-500 Windows notebooks were already available when the original iPad was released. Heck, netbooks were going for $200-300. Decent desktops could be had for $300-400.

When I bought my iPad 4 LTE 128GB ($929), I think you could buy a MacBook Air on sale for $799. However, I didn't want a laptop, I wanted a tablet. Sure, I could've bought the MBA but it would have been useless for my use-case. Apple has always charged premium prices for their products. You're either willing to pay the premium or you don't buy.

As for cases and accessories, I tend to hit Amazon for that. Honestly, I've tried Apple's cases and I think the $5-20 cases I got from Amazon were better. Also, it's not like Apple is forcing you to buy a case solely from them.

 

[tivoboy]

Well, the devices are truly a heck of a lot more functional and usable as true laptop replacements for probably a LOT of apple buyers. In conjunction with the increased features and functionality, it makes sense that the costs would rise as well. Also in comparison to the competition that apple has with other vendors of similar laptop replacement type of products. From a margin perspective, these more advanced models actually are LOWER margin than previous generations, but the buyers tend to buy MORE NAND STORAGE which is very VERY high margin. 100$ for a 8-10$ jump in chip pricing on a 600$ product does truly change the margin model.

That said, there's no 5K imac that one can get near for any of these models pricing. You're looking at a minimum of 1500$ just to start. And that's for the baby starter model

 

[cube]

This is not new. I already paid 1K for the iPad 1 alone (with low taxes).

 

[s2mikey]

One thing that really doesn't bother me is price. I really hate when companies charge too little for their products, it shows lack of foresight into just how much they need to produce quality products in the future.

Apple keeps their prices at a premium to allow them to make premium products. And nobody can argue Apple products are not premium products.

You talk about specs, but the fact is iPads are still the best quality tablets on the market (widely held opinion by most critics) and Apple will keep it that way with their sensible and correct pricing strategies.

I sort of agree with you here. The last thing any of us want is for Apple to cheap out and make run of the mill crap. Plenty of that out there now. But, at some point the value of the products has to be questioned. Things like skimping on RAM, USB 2.0, $100 price jumps for fairly dubious "upgrades". Not sold on all of this. And, quality products isn't the same as being a good value. There are plenty of well built items out there that are still poor values because they lack key features or skimp so where else. There's a balance here. Not sure if they nailed it or not.

 

[matt_on_a_mtn]

Jeez, somebody needs to tell these people that iPads aren't necessities. You aren't entitled to luxury items at a price of your choosing. You are however, entitled to not buy things.

This is 100% correct. If someone doesn't like the price of what is a luxury item for a majority of people, don't buy it. It's not Apple's responsibility to cater to the budget crowd that wants the moon and stars for a bargain basement price.

There's really a striking amount of entitlement from a lot of people when it comes to this and Apple in general, and it's a shame to see. it just screams of people who think they deserve everything for nothing.

 

[rui no onna]

From a margin perspective, these more advanced models actually are LOWER margin than previous generations, but the buyers tend to buy MORE NAND STORAGE which is very VERY high margin. 100$ for a 8-10$ jump in chip pricing on a 600$ product does truly change the margin model.

Hmm, Apple's target margin is minimum 40%. I've calculated margins on previous models based on teardowns and it goes up to 60-70% on top models. Another thing to consider is retailers do get a cut so it's not like Apple is getting the full MSRP. Those calculations are just based on manufacturing cost, though. Apple still has other costs such as R&D, marketing, product returns and warranties, etc.

 

[username:]

I sort of agree with you here. The last thing any of us want is for Apple to cheap out and make run of the mill crap. Plenty of that out there now. But, at some point the value of the products has to be questioned. Things like skimping on RAM, USB 2.0, $100 price jumps for fairly dubious "upgrades". Not sold on all of this. And, quality products isn't the same as being a good value. There are plenty of well built items out there that are still poor values because they lack key features or skimp so where else. There's a balance here. Not sure if they nailed it or not.

Sales will tell. it's funny, even the OP rages and then admits he will buy one. Sure it's expensive, but his actions show that the product is good value.

 

[12vElectronics]

Do I personally think these iPad prices are out of hand? Sure.

Do I whine about it? No. They are charging what they feel is right and it's up to the consumer to decide if they want to buy or not. You vote with your wallet.

 

[sunapple]

Apple overpriced? How is this any different to the "old" Apple? Just buy an old iPad mini if you don't want to spend so much money.

 

[burgman]

One fix is to wait a few months and buy used. Look at iPad Pro prices now, some very good deals.

 

[T5BRICK]

Before the first iPad was originally announced, most sources were assuming it would cost $1000. It started at $500. Now, a faster more capable variant had been announced and it starts at $600.

Entitled much?

 

[AFEPPL]

Makes the surface look a bargain and the most sensible direction...

 

[rui no onna]

Makes the surface look a bargain and the most sensible direction...

Until you use it and have to deal with the woefully lacking touch/tablet-optimized apps. Surface works great as a laptop replacement which could occasionally do tablet duty but if I wanted a full-time tablet, I still gravitate to the iPad.

Mind going back to profit margins, Apple's markup on iPads are actually much, much lower than on iPhones. Markup on iPhones are just insane and yet there are more people quite willingly forking over $650-950 every 2 years for iPhones while iPads are expected to last 4-5 years.

 

[StPatty33]

Makes the surface look a bargain and the most sensible direction...

I considered the Surface, and every review that I saw that compared using the pen with the apple pencil said it was no comparison. I watched the lines cut in and out on a surface, which makes it useless for the creative professional.

iPad Pro it is for me.

 

[tekchic]

I considered the Surface, and every review that I saw that compared using the pen with the apple pencil said it was no comparison. I watched the lines cut in and out on a surface, which makes it useless for the creative professional.

iPad Pro it is for me.

I also own a Surface Pro and I'm about to sell it for whatever I can. I've had it for about a year and a half and it can't hold a candle to iPad Pro with Pencil -- if you're into art, sketching, painting, graphic design, UX, etc. Parallax was bad on the Surface Pro, I couldn't get the cursor calibrated perfectly so things were always slightly "off". Photoshop CS6 was utterly unpleasant to try and sketch/paint in because the corners taps would lose accuracy. Battery life was abysmal, and it was lap-bakingly hot when trying to draw.

Got my iPad Pro 12.9" on launch day in November, the Pencil a week later, and haven't looked back since. In fact, I've got a 9.7" Pro coming next Thursday as well for my "plein air / urban sketch / travel" device. With AstroPad/DuetDisplay, I'm totally happy for what I use mine for (amateur sketching/painting, professional UI/UX interface design and mockups).

 

[StPatty33]

I also own a Surface Pro and I'm about to sell it for whatever I can. I've had it for about a year and a half and it can't hold a candle to iPad Pro with Pencil -- if you're into art, sketching, painting, graphic design, UX, etc. Parallax was bad on the Surface Pro, I couldn't get the cursor calibrated perfectly so things were always slightly "off". Photoshop CS6 was utterly unpleasant to try and sketch/paint in because the corners taps would lose accuracy. Battery life was abysmal, and it was lap-bakingly hot when trying to draw.

Got my iPad Pro 12.9" on launch day in November, the Pencil a week later, and haven't looked back since. In fact, I've got a 9.7" Pro coming next Thursday as well for my "plein air / urban sketch / travel" device. With AstroPad/DuetDisplay, I'm totally happy for what I use mine for (amateur sketching/painting, professional UI/UX interface design and mockups).

This is encouraging, considering I'm selling my Cintiq 22HD to pay for the cost of my new iPad. It's 1 of 3 monitors I use, and my desk just doesn't have enough room for me to bust it out into drawing mode very often. I believe the Pro, having the portability it does, will get a lot more use than my Cintiq.

 

[pika2000]

LOL. Another "Oh my Apple is so greedy but I am going to give them my money anyway."

I wonder which one is worst, paying $1k for a productivity tool, or $6-$10 for a cup of branded coffee. I bet most won't even bat an eye for the later.

 

[12vElectronics]

LOL. Another "Oh my Apple is so greedy but I am going to give them my money anyway."

I wonder which one is worst, paying $1k for a productivity tool, or $6-$10 for a cup of branded coffee. I bet most won't even bat an eye for the later.

I always use that analogy as well. For how polished iPads are, you can use them daily for years. You do get your moneys worth. I'm still rocking my 1st gen Mini with no hiccups (iOS 7 )

 

[Fuzzball84]

But if people keep buying Apple will keep selling at those prices. Have to admire Apple that they have, over many years, found very loyal customers who will keep buying and upgrading etc. I think they could increase prices a little more to be honest... their products generally last longer than others and customer care is great... people are willing to pay for that.

I just buy what I need and have a mix of technology products from various companies... no one is forced to buy Apple and they are not always the best option

 

[Ghost31]

I hate to sound like an old man here...

But back in my day when someone didn't like a product, they just didn't buy it. They didn't go online and talk about how much they felt they were getting screwed and then buy it anyway. Oh that's right...back in my day there was no online! Or "tablet computing" with multi core processors and 2 cameras built in that would rival any camera I ever had growing up. Or more storage capacity than every computer I ever had growing up combined. I remember when I would buy a computer with like a 2gb hard drive that ran so hot you could cook off it for a couple grand. Now you get this amazing mind blowing stuff that seems like something out of Science fiction a decade ago for less than a grand and it's like..."oh man this amazing technology is so expensive I might actually have to work for a living to afford the opportunity to use it bahhhhh"

Ok I ramble. But any older person will know what I'm talking about. Everything is amazing and nobody is happy. If you think you are getting screwed over by a company and feel that strongly about it DONT BUY THEIR PRODUCTS. I didn't see anything in your post that said you were swearing off Apple products forever. Maybe I missed it

 

[uwdude]

The top end LTE model with just the keyboard and pencil, no cases, and you're looking at a $1400 iPad, which I agree is a bit absurd. The only way you can really justify the higher end models is if you say that's your main computer (or you just have money to burn on toys).

 

[TrueBlou]

As everyone has been saying, after the last event from Apple, Im at a loss for words.
RUBBER Watch bands that cost $50, iPhone 5, (My fault) I meant "iPhone SE" with the same specs as the 6s released 6 months AFTER the original 6s was released. AND the iPad "Pro" with the same ram as the iPad Air 2, BUT WAIT! THERE MORE: Its starts at $599.99!! New screen, True Tone, New Processor! and a HUGE Camera Bump!! When the iPad Air 2 was released, it had a New Screen! Better Processor! 2gb Ram BUT WAIT THERES MORE, it started at $499.99!! So now we have a IPAD that costs more than a 2012 and 2014 Mac Mini and nearly the same cost as an 5K Retina iMac??? Im a die hard Apple fan and I was going to upgrade, but this is getting ridiculous! RANT OVER! OUT!

View attachment 623258

So maybe don't buy that configuration then. Leaving aside that iPads with that configuration have always been expensive.
Get a WiFi only device and use your iPhone as a hotspot, or buy a mobile hotspot. Then buy a third party case, massive savings and no need to whinge.

 

[Ghost31]

Before the first iPad was originally announced, most sources were assuming it would cost $1000. It started at $500. Now, a faster more capable variant had been announced and it starts at $600.

Entitled much?

I was gonna bring up the same thing. It's both interesting and disgusting to watch every time new tech comes. People appreciate it and marvel at how amazing it is and can't believe this thing actually exists. Then a couple years go by and people get complacent. It's not amazing anymore it's just any other piece of consumer tech and all they will compare it to is whatever is cheapest.

Consumers man. I wouldn't wanna deal with them. I would lose my mind

 

[AFEPPL]

I considered the Surface, and every review that I saw that compared using the pen with the apple pencil said it was no comparison. I watched the lines cut in and out on a surface, which makes it useless for the creative professional.

iPad Pro it is for me.

Tablet vs laptop replacement....