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I'd buy the 2, then sell it and buy the 3.
Yep. These things have incredible resale value. Used iPad 1 16GB WiFi still go for over $300. If you are comfortable selling things on eBay, get the iPad 2, enjoy it, and sell it when you're ready to buy an iPad 3. Even if you lose $150 off what you paid for it, that's only $30/month for the use of the iPad if you keep it 5 months. Can't go wrong really.
 
unless you're terminally ill I dont know why you'd buy an iPad now because it makes no sense. The next revision will be the most dramatic since the iPad was introduced -- and I guarantee there will be a flood of people trying to unload low resolution iPads the day the iPad three is released.

Low resolution ??? I guess resolution could always be increased, but I hardly consider the current iPad 2 a low resolution unit. Some people are hung up on specs, but I have used both and find them excellent units. Watching netflix on them looks as good as any tv does( to me at least).

The most dramatic revision??? Possible I guess, but we really don't know. I think people expect too much sometimes, especially when it came to iPhone 4s. All thought there was a redesign coming.

I think the cameras will be better, but who cares. The resolution will be better, but for some, that is not an issue.
I went from an iPad 1 to an Ipad2, and even with the apps running a bit snappier, I wasn't all that impressed. I actually returned my iPad 2 and am Ipadless at this time. the iPad 1 was heavier, but I liked the back much better. The Ipad2 looks terrible with the pinholes for the speaker on the back. Bought a macbook Pro 13 and like it much better.

I guess if the Ipad3 comes out with some gotta have features, I would consider getting another one, but if the only difference is the resolution and better camera, I wouldn't bother.

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I'm waiting for iPad 3 and maybe even iPad 4.
I don't mind waiting as I have an iPad 2.

I agree. It all depends on what you use it for. I just don't get all that hung up on the "retina" stuff. A marketing term created by Apple.
Some here are too hung up on specs. What counts is the experience one has when using the device.

ALso, for many that use the iPads for a surfing device and to watch video on it, the iPad 1 will still work just fine for that and the price is about 1/2 of the iPad 2 now.
 
I decided to go with an iPad 2 White for that only cost me 80 bucks more than my iPad 1. The Warranty is until Sept... I'll just skip the iPad 3 big sales RUSH that happens every year... or buy one and hock it for a small profit... :D and stick until later in the year when I can sell my iPad 2 and get a used-ish iPad 3 for cheaper. :)

Also it's within the realm of possibility that the iPad 3 will cost slightly more than the 2. They did it with the iPod Touch (from 199 to 229 for the 8gb) when they put in the Retina Display... not saying it's fact... just saying it's possible.
 
Since iPad 3 is not arrived yet, iPad 2 for sure is the best christmas gift that you can give to anyone (i recommend to give it to someone special). Well i am waiting this time for the upcoming iPad 3. as per the rumors it will be available in Feb 2012 so its not a big time gap left now.


http://www.i-padnews.com
 
I was dealing with this same dilemma last week. My signature will tell you what I decided to do. :D

A few things to consider:

1) Who knows when iPad 3 will actually ship. Even if it ships in March/April, it'll be summer before a wide variety of cases are out. Apple's Smart Cover is not my idea of protection.

2) Will the price go up?

3) It's utilizing new technology. Potential for bugs/issues/problems/etc. Let the dust settle first.

4) iPads hold their value pretty well. It's not like you're buying a new car that depreciates 50% the second you take it off the lot.
 
Buy refurb or used iPad 2, then buy iPad 3 when it comes out. Sell iPad 2 before the release. Why wait? :)
 
ITT:

People who recently bought or own an iPad 2 justifying their purchase by telling OP to buy one now

&

People who don't own an iPad justifying their delay of purchase by trying to convince OP to wait.


Humans are silly sometimes.
 
A few things to consider:

1) Who knows when iPad 3 will actually ship. Even if it ships in March/April, it'll be summer before a wide variety of cases are out. Apple's Smart Cover is not my idea of protection.

2) Will the price go up?

3) It's utilizing new technology. Potential for bugs/issues/problems/etc. Let the dust settle first.

4) iPads hold their value pretty well. It's not like you're buying a new car that depreciates 50% the second you take it off the lot.

1) True. Cheap TPU and silicone cases will be on eBay within a week which can tide you over until the good stuff comes out.

2) Unlikely. Probably more features at the same price and possibly the iPad 2 will stick around with a price drop to compete against the cheaper tables (similar to the iPhone 3S and 4 still being sold).

3) True.

4) True unless they continue to sell the iPad 2 at a significantly lower price (say $299 for 16GB). That would drop your resale value significantly.

Greg
 
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After much consideration, and a lot of help from other members in my "Why iPad" topic, I think I am going to go ahead and buy an iPad 2 after xmas. I can get one at a discount with all of the sales going on currently.

IF the iPad 3 is some amazing upgrade, I'll just simply sell my iPad 2 and put the funds towards a 3!

It will be my first iPad purchase, so I am pretty excited either way.
 
I'm waiting all the way, have the iPad 1, still working well after a year and half, really got my money's worth on this product as I use it every day. Since it will be for myself, I'm waiting for iPad 3.

If it was for someone else for christmas, I would get the 2 for them just so they would have one.
 
i was thinking of using some of my Xmas bonus money to buy an iPad 2, but some friends are telling me to wait for the iPad 3.

what would you guys do? :D

thanks.
I would recommend buying the iPad2 (or waiting until 6 months AFTER the iPAd3 is released). You don't want to rush out and buy an iPad3 when it is first released since there seemed to be some hardware issues with the iPad and iPad2 when they were first released.

It took about 5 months after the iPad2 was released before Apple acknowledged the lightbleed issue... and another month or two after that before devices were produced without the issue.
 
Problem is that nobody knows when iPad 3 will be released. It could be February, or it could be summer. Assuming that you don't mind the low-res screen, iPad 2 is a great device, and has a very high resale value. I'd say go for it and enjoy it. Waiting for the latest, greatest is a loosing game, unless something is JUST about to come out.
 
ITT:

People who recently bought or own an iPad 2 justifying their purchase by telling OP to buy one now

&

People who don't own an iPad justifying their delay of purchase by trying to convince OP to wait.


Humans are silly sometimes.

When it comes to gadgets.....you are correct!

SOmetimes it is tough not always getting the latest thing out there.

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I would recommend buying the iPad2 (or waiting until 6 months AFTER the iPAd3 is released). You don't want to rush out and buy an iPad3 when it is first released since there seemed to be some hardware issues with the iPad and iPad2 when they were first released.

It took about 5 months after the iPad2 was released before Apple acknowledged the lightbleed issue... and another month or two after that before devices were produced without the issue.


mmmmm...ok
 
They say "Misery Loves Company". If so, you and I are both miserable and in good company. I also have my bonus money in-hand and am eager to purchase an iPad 2. According to a recent post, you may have made up your mind to buy an iPad 2 after Christmas. Since it's not Christmas yet, I will give you my opinion which isn't worth much.

I want an iPad badly but I have decided to wait. Why:

1. I want a Retina Display (even if it costs more).
2. I want a better camera.
3. I want a better processor - A6 would be nice.
4. I want the most recent iPad and not the last version.

Analyists and Bloggers say that the new iPad 3 will have a new form factor. Well, maybe so - maybe not. Irregardless, there will be a lot of people like you and me wanting to off-load their fairly new iPad 2 on the eBay or Craig's List.

I'm a Buyer's Remorse type of person. Are you? The iPad 3 might release in March or April. If it does, am I willing to wait three to four months? I had to decide that yes, I was willing.

I am going on vacation the first week of January and February. I really want/need that iPad as the iPod Touch I have just isn't the same. I know that the iPad 3 I want won't be released that early, and yet I am willing to wait. I don't love my job that much that a 500+ purchase isn't a major purchase.

Remember also, that even if the iPad 3 isn't what it's reported to be, the iPad 2 will be on sale for as much as $100 less. This means you could get the 16GB for $399 or spend that extra $100 on the 32GB model.

I'll wait, but I wouldn't be human if I didn't admit that it's difficult.
 
If you need the iPad now, then no further justification needed - go ahead and buy it.

If you want retina display and better processor for your iPad, and you don't need an iPad now, then no further justification is needed for that either - then you wait.

If it's worth buying an iPad 2 now and sell it with a minor loss to spend the money towards an iPad 3 (providing you x months of use in the meantime) then fine - just do that.

What country do these posters come from? Can't be a free one, given the need for public approval for their own desires. What it all comes down to is: "is it worth it for me?" How the heck is an Internet forum supposed to answer such a question?

Here are some better suggestions to questions:
- "What would you pay for a used iPad 2 after the iPad 3 comes out if the latter has retina display and A6 processor?"
- "What kind of apps will be harder to run on iPad 2 than on iPad 3?"
- "Which shortcomings of the iPad 2 are likely to make the iPad 3 a better device, and to what extent?"
 
it's nice to talk with people before making a purchase. social approval helps you feel better, too. we pretend we are individuals making this on our own, but really you have to have a community to have consumer culture, and buying is as much a social as an individual act. i sympathize with the op's dilemma.

anyhow, you can sell a used ipad quite easily, and often for a significant amount, so ot isn't like you are throwing away 500. buy now, sell later, and enjoy everything the ipad2 has to offer.

unfortunately, we also tend to hand off old gadgets to our wives, and i am running out of wives, so i am going to have to sell the ipad2 at the same time as all of you!
 
it's nice to talk with people before making a purchase. social approval helps you feel better, too. we pretend we are individuals making this on our own, but really you have to have a community to have consumer culture, and buying is as much a social as an individual act. i sympathize with the op's dilemma.

Oh, I sympathize with his/her dilemma too (although the harsh tone of my post above may suggest otherwise) as I've been there myself many times. I'm just a bit puzzled about the vast amount of threads like this one.
 
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