Why has the ipad 2 been kept in the line up?

[noddy]

And not the 3? My understanding is that the 4th gen has replaced the 3- why didn't Apple remove the 2 instead? The 3 has only been out since March.

 

[AQ_OC]

Because the 3 and the 4 are essentially the same; both are different than the 2, which can be made for less cost.

 

[scifan57]

Because the 3 and the 4 are essentially the same; both are different than the 2, which can be made for less cost.

The biggest difference in production cost between the iPad 2 and 3 is the display. The retina display of the iPad 3 costs significantly more than the non-retina display in the iPad 2.

 

[s2mikey]

iPad2 32GB WiFi / iOS 6.0

 

[buerkletucson]

Low cost budget alternative to the iPad with retina display (iPad 4).
I just wonder how many iPad 2 units they actually sell? I bet it's not many.

 

[Skull One]

Low cost budget alternative to the iPad with retina display (iPad 4).
I just wonder how many iPad 2 units they actually sell? I bet it's not many.

You would be very wrong. Every time I go into an Apple store I see one getting sold. Rough guess they are selling at least 1.5 million a year world wide, possibly more.

And at $400 it is a very solid device. Plus it fills a pricing gap that Apple wants to make sure they don't lose to Android tablets.

 

[Asharp]

They'll be popular with educational institutions that don't have the budget for cutting edge tech although the mini might also be another attractive option as well.

 

[kies99]

I just bought an Ipad 2 for my wife this past Saturday (I have my own Ipad 2). The 2 does everything we need and at a cheaper price.

 

[Nakedbabytoes]

I'd buy my son a 2 in a heartbeat. Retina is nice, as is 4g capabilities. But the faster charging time and same profile as my 3, he wouldn't care. He is hoping to get enough birthday/holiday cash to buy the base model of a 2 full size or a mini, both the smallest gig, wifi only.
I have a 3 now and had a 2 before, I can tell the screen is clearer and the rear camera is usable. But other than that, my 2 was just as good at web & app performance.

 

[buerkletucson]

You would be very wrong. Every time I go into an Apple store I see one getting sold. Rough guess they are selling at least 1.5 million a year world wide, possibly more.

And at $400 it is a very solid device. Plus it fills a pricing gap that Apple wants to make sure they don't lose to Android tablets.

Sorry but it sure sounds like a lot of guessing to me.......
I don't doubt they are selling some but in the grand scheme of things how many is that realistically?

They just sold over 3 million iPad 4's and Mini's in the first 3-days.

I suspect there is a huge profit margin in the iPad 2 compared to the retina models so unless sales drop off dramatically it makes sense to continue to manufacture and sell them.
IMHO the $100 more for the iPad 4 retina is well worth the cost over the iPad 2.

As mentioned.............schools and kids are a good market for the iPad 2.

 

[rogerde]

Nice discussion this.
I work in an electrical store (Currys) in the UK.
A lad I work with works in the audio/video section.
He told me that he sold 8 ipad2's compared to 3 iPad3's in the last 2days.
Seems to me the price of the ipad2 is more appealing than the spec of the ipad3.
Me I can't afford iPad3, reason I have iPad2.

 

[s2mikey]

Nice discussion this.
I work in an electrical store (Currys) in the UK.
A lad I work with works in the audio/video section.
He told me that he sold 8 ipad2's compared to 3 iPad3's in the last 2days.
Seems to me the price of the ipad2 is more appealing than the spec of the ipad3.

The iPad 2 just works and as others have pointed out, they fill a price point that some people are comfortable with. The retina display is nice but not life changing for many users. The iPad 2 will be around for a while. I know I love mine.