Overnight Obsolescence?
Wednesday, October 24, 2012 at 7:26AM So that shiny new 3rd Generation iPad that you picked up a mere six months ago, has been rendered obsolescent overnight by the untimely introduction of the new 4th generation iPad?
Except it hasn't.
Your 3rd generation iPad works just as well today as it did yesterday. Just because there's a new iPad doesn't mean you have to upgrade.
I have to say, I was one of the ones who were shocked by the unexpected introduction of the new iPad, but it's not a must have upgrade.
Yes, the front facing camera have been upgraded and there's a significant performance bump with the new processor. New connectivity and perhaps the most significant change for the UK is expansion of LTE support. But even with these new features, it's certainly not a no-brainer upgrade or even required. If you can afford it, go ahead, but really, your iPad 3 will give you sterling service for some time to come - probably until the next major upgrade to the iPad - the 5th generation.
We most likely won't see this now for another 12 months, so Apple might have done you a favour by not bringing out radically new machine in March ;-)
The iPad 4th generation is aimed at new customers and perhaps may give a push to those people on the fence about upgrading from the 1st gen iPad or iPad 2. It's really not targeted at 3rd generation iPad users.
So yes, it's always good to have the latest and greatest, but you don't need to fret about upgrading to the 4th generation iPad, there's plenty of life left in the old new iPad.
Reader Comments (10)
Of course my old new iPad 3 can do the same things as yesterday. But you missed one point. If I want to sell my iPad 3 - say in one year - to buy a shiny new iPad 5 potential buyers will prefer an iPad 4 for obvious reasons. Hence the rapid release of a significantly improved successor (CPU speed, connector) leads to a loss in value.
I have to say Don, I am absolutely amazed by this "obsolescence mentality" that I encounter among people and reviewers. I have an iPad 2 which I bought second hand on eBay with Apple warranty and I do not imagine buying the 4th generation iPad.
Sure, the retina display does make a difference for reading (and I read a lot) but is it worth spending an extra £300-400 (I would obviously resell the iPad 2) just for that and a few more bells and whistles? (no, I'm not factoring in the extra performance of the CPU as my iPad 2 is NOT struggling with ANY app available).
Let's be honest, not even the iPad 2 is obsolete, though maybe it's getting near that stage? For me personally, obsolete is when something is no longer practically usable. That's what my iPhone 3G is and that only happened about a year and a half ago. Now, I finally have enough savings to buy a new iPhone and will do so in December.
Marcus makes a good point. Certain recycle sites are offering £240 for iPad 3 and this is only going south with time. It'll be cheaper to move on now.
I perfectly reasonable assessment Don.
Now, what colour are you going to buy?
😏
Joking aside, I understand the emotion of wanting the newest device but not being able to justify upgrading too soon. But what I don't understand is why some people feel aggrieved by a product refresh that doesn't happen a full calendar year since the last iteration. Those people obviously have nothing serious to worry about.
I wonder if people's shock at the announcement of the 4th Gen iPad wasn't because they were so focused on the iPad mini they didn't see it coming? Seems possible that Apple wanted to 'bump' the iPad 'maxi' in order to further justify it's price differential to the new mini and keep potential maxi-buyers sweet?
As always, who knows how Apple think - we just have fun speculating!
If you wanted your assets to appreciate, you should have bought Apple stock instead of consumer electronics.
My wife and I bought our new 3rd gen iPads 3 months ago, finally upgrading our original iPads which were beginning to show their age, but are still in full use by our children, (much better value than selling).
Whether by accident or design we now seem to be in a bi-annual upgrade cycle in alternate years to our two year contract iPhones, which does help to spread the load.
I don't feel any regret about not waiting, who could have predicted the timing of this upgrade? It probably wasn't needed, but you can see the logic from Apple's perspective. This is the most popular tablet in the world and they have now shifted their upgrade cycle to perfectly fit with the start of the Christmas buying season. As a sales and marketing strategy, I think it makes perfect sense.
Meanwhile, I won't be worrying about an expensive Christmas, at least not this year!
Like most others, I have no intention of upgrading...I'll keep a stiff upper lip and wait it out until the iPad 5 release next month. ;)
I was excited by the iPad mini - I was thinking about my kid's Christmas presents. Then the iPad 4 came along - which allowed me to buy an "old, obsolete" iPad for $50 more than the mini. $379 for a refurb from Apple
The kids don't care about processor speed or heat.
Let's face it- iPads are not high computer processing vehicles -
Apple's track record since their beginning is to upgrade, upgrade, and upgrade to the next best thing
So new iPhone, iPad, iMac, iPod, etc should never be a surprise or a shock.
I don't understand this statement.
A new machine in March means iPad3 owners had a year to enjoy their purchase and then decide if they want to upgrade to whatever BS Apple decided to add that time. What would actually be more favorable is gif they still release a new model in March. Then let's see whether that does not spit in the face of iPad4 buyers.
Exactly!
Which points out the fact that the iPad3 was not a worthwhile upgrade in the first place.
And that is what is infuriating.
And if you will counter this, then you will also be countering your thesis on why you think that the recent changes to the iPad4 should be convincing enough for original iPad and iPad2 owners.
@mostlyjack
The ipad2 is not obsolete (marketing-wise) because what the ipad4 is replacing is the ipad3. Specs-wise, the iPad2 is a foolish purchase.