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I'm with maddux2005 and batting1000 on this one. It's more affordable and opens Apple up to a bigger market. I'm a student and spending $519 + tax (in Canada) for a new iPad doesn't fit into my budget too well. And I'm totally fine with that because it's a discretionary item that I don't need. But when refurb prices on the iPad 2 were bumped down to $319 + tax in the States, I ordered one and am getting someone to pick it up for me. That's a sale that Apple didn't have before. It may be a slimmer margin but it's obviously working for them or else they wouldn't do it.

Also, Apple plans on getting people into their ecosystem which is something I can't personally put a price tag on, but they can. Get someone hooked on a discounted iPad 2 and maybe they'll upgrade to an iPhone next time their contract expires if they haven't already. They'll buy apps, love the device, etc. and get hooked on Apple products. It's worked on me and it'll work on millions of others.
 
Outside of Dictation, Retina display and improved camera the iPad 2 can do everything that the iPad 3 can do. The processors are essentially the same except the quad core graphics *MOSTLY* is there to support the ridiculous high resolution the Retina display puts out.

As far as value, one could argue that the iPad 2 is actually a better value in terms of price vs function. For one, some people can't even tell the difference betwen the two screens (which surpises me cause I can) and the app store is still relatively limited with apps that support the higher resolution.

For instance, I bought a iPad 3 64GB for $700, I could have had a iPad 2 refurb from Apple for $200 cheaper.

What is the benefit of the retina screen, other than the higher screen res? What is the screen res of the iPad 2?
 
What is the benefit of the retina screen, other than the higher screen res? What is the screen res of the iPad 2?

1024x768, 132 ppi - iPad 2
2048x1536, 264 ppi - iPad 3

It's easier on the eyes, specifically smaller text is much clearer and pictures/videos that are in high resolution are far clearer on the iPad 3 compared to the iPad 2. Unfortunately, at the moment, there isn't much that is taking advantage of the resolution increase right now. As time goes on, however, there will probably be a good portion of the app store that will take advantage of the screen.
 
1024x768, 132 ppi - iPad 2
2048x1536, 264 ppi - iPad 3

Wow, that's quite a difference, but as noted most apps don't support it, right? So what happens when the app doesn't support it? It shows in the 1024x768 resolution?
 
I have yet to see an app, a website or a book that has issues with the new Ipad.

I haven't owned the Ipad 2 or 1, so I can't compare how PDF books and websites look on them. If there's little or no difference then I would get an Ipad 2, especially if you can get "Ipad 2,4" with the newest processor that gives you like 12-14 hours battery time (on top of good quality, uniform screen, lower charging time and no heat issues).
 
Okay, so all you iPad 3 fans, what's the real difference between second and third generation?

The price.

Seriously, if I already had a 2 a 3 would not be very compelling in terms of added value for the costs. Since I don't have a 2 the 4g and screen were worth he marginal cost for the features.
 
iPad-share-graph1-550x340-240x148.png


Still the best selling iPad out of the lineup so far.

new-ipad.jpg



Maybe one the new iPad catches up they will disco the 2.
 
I wonder why Apple isn't keeping around the first iPad. I think if that was still around, at a lower price point that iPad 2, people will go mad over it. It's also good for schools and businesses.

Also, I wonder if they'll keep the iPad 2 when the next one comes around. I think that would just completely dominate the market.

If they still sold the first iPad at $300, everyone professional will be rushing to get it. I think the first iPad is more than suitable for schools and businesses.

I guess there would be a lot of confusion with the naming though. I suppose that wouldn't work. Oh well..
 
They still sell the iPad 2 because, like this poster, some people really are willing to settle for second best.

In a 2-horse race, with both first and second belonging to Apple, you can't go wrong.

2nd best? Funny how once iPad 3 came out the iPad 2 was considered "junky" by everyone that upgraded. :rolleyes:
 
2nd best? Funny how once iPad 3 came out the iPad 2 was considered "junky" by everyone that upgraded. :rolleyes:

Where have you been? Apple promotes this belief with their "...the best ever" taglines and its always been the case for every single instance of every release of every iDevice ever made.

The iPad 2 was the best tablet computing device money could buy. Until the iPad 3 came along. Now its second best. And second best against a product from the same maker is nothing to be ashamed about.
 
Okay, so all you iPad 3 fans, what's the real difference between second and third generation?

I'll be honest, The clarity is great but its not great enough to justify a $200 price difference. I kind of regret not getting a refurb. iPad 2 with 64GB.

Really dig dictation though it's incredibly good at understanding you, though I feel like a retard talking to the iPad, LOL.

I'm not sure if the A5X processor has any benefit over the iPad 2 other than powering the screen.
 
I'll be honest, The clarity is great but its not great enough to justify a $200 price difference. I kind of regret not getting a refurb. iPad 2 with 64GB.

Really dig dictation though it's incredibly good at understanding you, though I feel like a retard talking to the iPad, LOL.

I regret my purchase of the iPad 3 which is why I bought a refurbed iPad 2 from Apple. My eyesight is crap as i've gotten older and while the screen looks gorgeous I have to zoom in a lot to see things clearly.

But yeah there is little difference between the 2 and the 3 other than a better camera and retina display and a few other minor updates.
 
I regret my purchase of the iPad 3 which is why I bought a refurbed iPad 2 from Apple. My eyesight is crap as i've gotten older and while the screen looks gorgeous I have to zoom in a lot to see things clearly.

But yeah there is little difference between the 2 and the 3 other than a better camera and retina display and a few other minor updates.

The iPad 3 renders fonts at exactly the same size as the 2, only with less jaggies. Why did you need to zoom in? Might have been an outdated app.
 
Standard Business Model

Take some business classes and you'll understand.

compare it to auto manufacturing. You come out with design, and its sells like hot cakes. Why would you spend the money on doing a complete redesign every year (which entails - re-organizing the manufacturing process, new marketing, possible new machining, etc.). Cars come out with a complete new design approximately every 3 years. Think about the Camaro, for years they have the same design style, but just tweak a few things, fender here, hood there and different engine power but the same style. Then they stop producing it for a few years then come back with a new style. Standard business model.
With the ipad, you have all the manufacturing set in stone with one change. Memory. no extra money has to be put into the product. Easy sell and you pull in those people who are on edge of buying a tablet, especially if they are on a budget.
if i broke my ipad 2, i'd get another ipad 2. memory can be purchased afterwards....i have a wireless external drive for mine, it houses all my movies and tv shows.
 
The iPad 3 renders fonts at exactly the same size as the 2, only with less jaggies. Why did you need to zoom in? Might have been an outdated app.

Yeah you're right. I just got my refurbed iPad 2 from Apple and the scaling is the same except the fonts are blurry until you zoom in. I was hoping the fonts would be bigger with a 1024x768 resolution.
 
I brought my iPad 2 a few days before new ipad came out. My local shop was selling them at a cheaper price I guess making room for the new iPad. And I don't regret it. I'll admit iPad 3 has a nicer screen but iPad 2 has a gorgeous screen as well. And the battery life is great and pretty much does everything new iPad does.
 
Aside from all the valid points already made, the iPad 2 still surpasses all competitors. It is sexy, super sleek, slim, extremely productive, and super fun. I would have been surprised if Apple stopped selling it when iPad 3 was released.
 
Here is my take, as a relatively new Apple consumer. I bought my first iPhone (4S) in November and bought my first iPad 4 weeks ago.

The reason why I waited so long to buy an iPad was not due to lack of affordability, but rather due to the fact that I couldn't see the value of spending $500 on something that:

1) may do some things better than a netbook
2) at the same time, lacks the capability of many other things at the same time

As each iPad generation came out, the value of spending $500 increased due to new features, more and more apps, and business integration. I was looking for a sweet spot where I could balance the cost, the features, the functional capabilities as they relate to what I would do on a netbook, and thus achieve an overall sweet spot of balanced value. For me, that sweet spot was when 3 things happened

1) New iPad was released
2) iPad 2 price was reduced to $399 for the 16GB wifi
3) iPad 2 refurb was reduced to $319 for 16GB wifi.

When #3 happened I knew I had reached that sweet spot and I bought an iPad 2 16GB refurb for $319 and it's one heck of a nicely polished device. My Acer laptop has now become my desktop. It hasn't left my desk since Day 1 of owning the iPad.

So for people who are bashing the iPad 2 and questioning Apple's motives for still selling it, let my situation serve as evidence of why Apple made the right move. $500 with the latest features/specs did not sell me on purchasing an iPad, rather a reduced price with near-recent features/specs did the trick
 
Because-
6-better quality control-when I pad 2was released I exchanged 1 and happy ever since.
Some have exchanged 8 or more and no,they are not OCD- they just want what they are paying for,hyped up screen without all the dis- coloration
And yes there are acceptable ones out there
Too bad you have to play the exchange game

Please, when the 2 was released there were just as many people complaining about its screen, uneven backlighting, bad light bleed, etc.
 
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