They're not going to change the hardware. You might be thinking about the PS3 Slim, the DSi, the Gameboy Advance - but even if you are, those were many, many years into their cycle.

As has been said, they would never redo a product with different hardware unless there was a catastrophic issue.

The only time I've really seen a development change was in the Xbox 360 units, they made minor changes to the chipset, but because of how compacted the iPad is, I cannot imagine them swapping anything out.

Simply put - either buy now or wait a year and a bit to get the upgraded version.

Originally Posted by PTRACER

So I could/should buy one now and use it until iOS4 comes out, then just update it, like all current owners will do? Or shall I buy one after iOS4 comes out just to be sure?

Its up to you really, we are all going to tell you to go ahead and get it now since we love ours so much

But iOS4 is just software so if Apple installs it for you from the factory, or if you update it yourself if you get one before iOS4 comes out its really no different. Good luck!

There could be a OS update before iOS4 comes to the iPad. However, it is not likely that there will be any major changes to the hardware until next spring. While we all want the latest and greatest, Apple plans on the estimated depreciation of components as new products chips are developed. To meet their price point, a 512 mb chip set must come down to the price of a 256 mb chip set within the year beween models. The same with going to an OLED screen and/or Retina display. Apple may know years in advance about the general specifications of any device, but they have to get the individual components manufactured.

My guess is two software flashes, one this fall and one early next year, then we will see a new version of the iPad. The mystery is,, what will the next iPad bring us??? A camera for sure, but what else?

Originally Posted by PTRACER

I know Apple have their life cycles on these products and don't tend to update these things until they've been out for a year, but I've been reading about the problems people have been having with the iPad, especially over the Wi-Fi and I'm wondering whether Apple will discretely release an updated one that fixes these problems when iOS4 comes out.

I was also wondering if they might release the iPad with 512MB of RAM to cope with multi-tasking, especially now that the iPhone 4G has 512MB RAM.

The reason I ask is that I've never owned an Apple product before, not a Mac, not an iPhone, not an iPod. And when I buy an iPad (and I am going to buy an iPad), I want it to be something that I'll keep with me for many years to come, I don't want to have to keep buying the next generations when they come out...

iOS 4.0 should fix the existing issues and probably create new ones. Hardware update is sometime away.

Buy it now and enjoy it's versatility.
The killer punch is it's convenience. Light, portable and instant web access.

Everything gets superceded in time so have fun now and to hell with delayed gratification........

The next generation iPad will be better but it's probably 18 months down the line and your current model will make a great gift to a niece or nephew when the time comes.

There will always be a new XXXXX coming in the next year or two. Steve Jobs said a long time ago he wanted people to buy a new iPod at least every year to have the latest and greatest and he has held to that principle in every Apple product line. Does the ipad do what you want it to do as it is right now?

Yes it does. So I've ordered one.

Remember that the iPad is literally still being released in a number of markets. We here in Ireland still haven't had our official release of ver 1. If apple were to release more hardware say in the US this would mean large numbers of potential buyers holding out until version 2. Apples yearly upgrades have worked until now I can't see them changing anytime soon.