Dear Aunt TUAW,
I decided to sell my iPad 1 and pick up an iPad 2 or 3. not sure which one yet. I will see what the [next iPhone] launch brings. Also, in your opinion will the iPad 2 be supported longer than the iPad 1 was? Just trying to decide what to buy next.
Your loving nephew,
Blake
Dear Blake,
The move from iPad 1 to iPad 2 was revolutionary; from iPad 2 to “new iPad” more evolutionary. Auntie’s pretty sure that some new tablet hotness will appear next Spring, but she’s uncertain whether Uncle John is right about an upcoming miniPad this Autumn– he’s been sounding the drums loudly, when he isn’t sneaking cookies from the pantry.
It’s hard to make buying decisions mid-year, when you’re out of phase from the normal delivery time, but Auntie (as always) has an opinion. She recommends buying a new or refurb iPad 2. (The refurb models are $130 off, and give you 3G and GPS for the same price as new WiFi models.)
iPad 2 models currently start at $399 and Auntie thinks they’ll retain a good part of that value come this Spring, when you can do the eBay-mambo-trade, and swap up to the newer new iPad, i.e. what the marketplace will call the iPad 4.
The “new iPad” a.k.a. iPad 3 (see what Auntie did there?) is a great device, and Auntie thinks it’s dripping with tech hotness, but we’re already almost 5 months into its life cycle. If you have the money, sure, go ahead and buy. The Retina display is brilliant — or it is when you can see it through your drool tracks — and who doesn’t love Siri? But most of us are counting our pennies these days and Auntie thinks the 2 is currently a better buy.
Will the iPad 2 be supported longer than the iPad 1? Given that the 3GS, which the iPad could beat into a jelly, is still supported, well, Auntie cannot say. Do not listen to the wind, and do not depend on Apple to support your babies longer than it must.
Hugs,
Auntie T.
Dear Aunt TUAW: Which iPad should I buy? originally appeared on TUAW – The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Sun, 29 Jul 2012 15:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Source | Permalink | Email this | Comments