The iPad "4" is an upgrade to some extent, yes. But really it's only a faster CPU with lightning ... and the "HD" iSight 
At least the 4S brought double the RAM, a faster CPU, Siri, and a better rear camera, along with iOS updates exclusive to that model ... and even then the 4S was hailed as a "lazy" update.
But I really don't feel that the iPad 4 is going to be the only iPad until next Fall for a few reasons.
I think the iPad 4 was purely released to pre-emptively strike the Surface and Nexus 10. More importantly, Apple has made it clear they want 30 pin DEAD and lightning on everything as of the iPhone/iPod event a month ago. I think this mini event was meant to fully move all of their product lines in sequence together before year end for uniformity.
I would expect a redesigned chassis (because the current one is identical, and slightly thicker, than the iPad 2 of almost 2 years ago), in-cell technology with even further improved internals due for the Spring. We may even see the patented smart-er covers to combat the Surface.
I also think that October is too late in the Holiday season to update ALL of their products. They have too many supply issues, and waiting to ship all of their profitable products (iPhone, iPad and iPhone) for the last 6-8 weeks of the year isn't a wise business decision. They would have better spread sales if they staggered product releases, which leads me to speculate this was a one-time deal.
That said, if there is no update until next Fall, for the first time ever with iPads, I will definitely be skipping out on the update (iPad 4). There are virtually no improvements other than the A6X, which is clearly a beast, but I've never had issues with my A5X, where as my A5 in the 4S started to slow by the time iOS 6 dropped.
At least the 4S brought double the RAM, a faster CPU, Siri, and a better rear camera, along with iOS updates exclusive to that model ... and even then the 4S was hailed as a "lazy" update.
But I really don't feel that the iPad 4 is going to be the only iPad until next Fall for a few reasons.
I think the iPad 4 was purely released to pre-emptively strike the Surface and Nexus 10. More importantly, Apple has made it clear they want 30 pin DEAD and lightning on everything as of the iPhone/iPod event a month ago. I think this mini event was meant to fully move all of their product lines in sequence together before year end for uniformity.
I would expect a redesigned chassis (because the current one is identical, and slightly thicker, than the iPad 2 of almost 2 years ago), in-cell technology with even further improved internals due for the Spring. We may even see the patented smart-er covers to combat the Surface.
I also think that October is too late in the Holiday season to update ALL of their products. They have too many supply issues, and waiting to ship all of their profitable products (iPhone, iPad and iPhone) for the last 6-8 weeks of the year isn't a wise business decision. They would have better spread sales if they staggered product releases, which leads me to speculate this was a one-time deal.
That said, if there is no update until next Fall, for the first time ever with iPads, I will definitely be skipping out on the update (iPad 4). There are virtually no improvements other than the A6X, which is clearly a beast, but I've never had issues with my A5X, where as my A5 in the 4S started to slow by the time iOS 6 dropped.
