Apple retires iPad 2 and puts an "affordable" iPad 4 in its place

by Mark Tyson on 19 March 2014, 11:36

Tags: iPad, iPhone, PC

Quick Link: HEXUS.net/qaccaf

Add to My Vault: x

Apple has discontinued the iPad 2 and replaced it in its available line-up with the 4th generation iPad. The iPad 4 slots into Apple's tablet offerings as the 'iPad with Retina display' and is available in the US starting from $399, just like the iPad 2 was. However the iPad 4 is quite a step up from the olde iPad 2; it has the much improved screen, a faster processor and better camera. Apple also released a cheaper 8GB version of its plastic backed iPhone 5C yesterday.

"Now for $399 customers can get iPad with a stunning 9.7-inch Retina display, fast A6X chip, and 5MP iSight camera, offering a dramatic upgrade in power, performance and value compared to the iPad 2 it replaces," said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. Another notable difference is the inclusion of the Lightning connector.

The US prices for the iPad with Retina Display are $399 for the 16GB Wi-Fi model and $529 for the 16GB Wi-Fi + Cellular model. In the UK those prices are £329 and £429 respectively. Buyers have a choice of black or white finishes. Unfortunately for budget buyers, 16GB of storage is pretty low (leaving about 12GB of user storage), with no SD card slot available.

As a reminder the iPad with Retina display has the following key specifications:

  • 9.7-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit Multi-Touch display with IPS technology with 2048x1536 resolution at 264 pixels per inch
  • Dual-core A6X chip with quad-core graphics
  • Dual channel Wi-Fi and Bluetoothe 4.0 (+ 3G/LTE option)
  • 5MP f2.4 iSight Camera , 1.2MP FaceTime HD camera, 1080p video recording
  • Measures 241 x 186 x 9.4mm and weighs just over 650g
  • 10 hour battery

iPhone 5C storage and price chop

Apple has introduced an 8GB iPhone 5C in Australia, China, UK, France and Germany. In the UK this means you can get an iPhone 5C for £40 less than the previous listed price. The UK prices are as follows; 8GB for £429, 16GB for £469 and 32GB for £549. It will be interesting to see if this new model of the iPhone "for the colourful" shifts some units thanks to its £40 price differential.

HEXUS Forums :: 15 Comments

Login with Forum Account

Don't have an account? Register today!
Posted by Chadders87 - Wed 19 Mar 2014 12:18
Don't get me wrong, I love tablets. I just fail to see why people actually buy these overpriced devices that restrict usability?

I would have thought even a technology layman would be able to compare an iPad to an android version and see that the ability to add your own SD card and customise the system is a no brainer.

I love apple for bringing smartphones and tablets to the market, but since Jobs is no longer, they have stopped innovating AND need to play catch-up all the time.
Posted by Frankenfurter - Wed 19 Mar 2014 12:24
Totally with you.

Although… I will admit that my nan loves her iPad. I was extremely skeptical when my granddad bought it for her as she's never used computers and has dementia, but turns out it's just simple enough that she can make the most of it and so far *fingers crossed* the only time I've had to ‘fix it’ is when she accidentally muted the volume. :P

To be honest, I think all the puzzles and things she's doing now are actually sharpening her back up a bit. She beat me at some puzzley word game the other day anyway! :D
Posted by herulach - Wed 19 Mar 2014 12:28
Chadders87
Don't get me wrong, I love tablets. I just fail to see why people actually buy these overpriced devices that restrict usability?

I would have thought even a technology layman would be able to compare an iPad to an android version and see that the ability to add your own SD card and customise the system is a no brainer.

I love apple for bringing smartphones and tablets to the market, but since Jobs is no longer, they have stopped innovating AND need to play catch-up all the time.
I think you overestimate the average layman. Maybe the average 20 year old (although you still have to factor in badge appeal) but, although more capable and customisable its a lot easier to balls up as well. We're an entirely android house, but i told my MIL to buy an ipad precisely because its locked down.
Posted by crossy - Wed 19 Mar 2014 13:19
Chadders87
I would have thought even a technology layman would be able to compare an iPad to an android version and see that the ability to add your own SD card and customise the system is a no brainer.
I thought that there was some dongle arrangement available from Apple that would let you plug in extra storage. Might have been some kind of SD card reader.
That out of the way, I'm in agreement with you - I wouldn't buy a non-budget tablet that didn't have some kind of storage expansion capability. So the likes of the Nexus 7 is a no-go for me - although I did buy a couple of HP Touchpads, (but at the price they were going for I was willing to compromise).
Chadders87
I love apple for bringing smartphones and tablets to the market, but since Jobs is no longer, they have stopped innovating AND need to play catch-up all the time.
Contrary to their claims they didn't invent the smartphone nor tablet. Heck, I've got an N95 sitting gathering dust that pre-dates the iPhone(1), (release dates March v's June 2007 if you believe Wikipedia). And, thought it pains me greatly to say this - are ANY of the major smartphone manufacturers innovating these days? Samsung definitely isn't - unless your idea of innovation is a slight size up and add more “value add” bundled software (bloat).
It will be interesting to see if this new model of the iPhone “for the colourful” shifts some units thanks to its £40 price differential.
Okay, so this cut equals about 10% discount. What I'm wondering is how the heck Apple feel they can charge so much, when there's “comparable” gear available for a lot less. Taking as one example, I just checked the Google Play store and I can get a 32GB Nexus 5 in red for £210 less than the equivalent 5C. I've got to ask … is there something about that 5C that I've missed that warrants the price hike? (And if anyone replies and uses the word “magical” then they deserve a thump). Is the iPhone two-hundred quid easier to use? I have my doubts.
Posted by burble - Wed 19 Mar 2014 13:35
Chadders87
I would have thought even a technology layman would be able to compare an iPad to an android version and see that the ability to add your own SD card and customise the system is a no brainer.

Maybe they don't want to be able to put an SD card in and mess about with the OS? My Mum has an iPad, on which she can do everything she wants to do and because the OS is locked down she can't really break it.

She tried an Android tablet and found it confusing, not as easy to use and a couple of times got it into a right mess when pushing buttons and ticking options.

For her an iPad is absolutely perfect. An Android device is a total non starter.

SEE NEWER »