Many people are freaking out about when to get in line or if they'll even have enough iPad 2's for them. But the more I think about it the more I feel the iPad 2 launch will be pretty tame. Here's my reasoning:
1) How busy would an iPhone launch if they weren't subsidized?
On subsidy the most expensive iPhone still costs less than the least expensive iPad 2. But would people still line up for a $500-800 phone?
2) The Verizon iPhone Launch
Verizon iPhone sales didnt spike at launch, they were gradual because it's not really a "new" productfor the most part then an incremental update (Carrier for iPhone/Camera for iPad) isn't something you sleep in dirt for.
3) Phones are necessities. Tablets are luxury devices.
Its hard to live without our smartphones, but many of us sold our iPad in order to get the new one and you know what we did? We went to a computer and to do the exact same tasks and life goes on. We may LOVE our iPads but we don't really NEED them.
4) Refurbs, Discounts and Good Enough
Most of us never felt the iPad needed more speed or better graphics until Steve Jobs told us to think that then the best value out there is the last gen. $349 for the base model puts them right in line with Netbooks (where they should be). And if you've got a $500 budget then you're looking at either 16GB iPad 2 or 64GB iPad so the better value is in last gen.
5) The iPad isn't Old!
We say things like "last years model" or "the old iPad" but let's not forget that the iPad is only 10mo old.
6) The iPad 3
BOTH the iPad and iPad 2 are fantastic machines but both are also widely accepted as interim devices until the iPad 3. So why invest so much money into an iPad 2 when you're likely going to sell it next year... and lose half the value just like all the original iPad owners.
So there you have it. There's a chance it will be busy but I'm really feeling that this is a product that will sell millions but over a long period of time and not in one evening.
1) How busy would an iPhone launch if they weren't subsidized?
On subsidy the most expensive iPhone still costs less than the least expensive iPad 2. But would people still line up for a $500-800 phone?
2) The Verizon iPhone Launch
Verizon iPhone sales didnt spike at launch, they were gradual because it's not really a "new" productfor the most part then an incremental update (Carrier for iPhone/Camera for iPad) isn't something you sleep in dirt for.
3) Phones are necessities. Tablets are luxury devices.
Its hard to live without our smartphones, but many of us sold our iPad in order to get the new one and you know what we did? We went to a computer and to do the exact same tasks and life goes on. We may LOVE our iPads but we don't really NEED them.
4) Refurbs, Discounts and Good Enough
Most of us never felt the iPad needed more speed or better graphics until Steve Jobs told us to think that then the best value out there is the last gen. $349 for the base model puts them right in line with Netbooks (where they should be). And if you've got a $500 budget then you're looking at either 16GB iPad 2 or 64GB iPad so the better value is in last gen.
5) The iPad isn't Old!
We say things like "last years model" or "the old iPad" but let's not forget that the iPad is only 10mo old.
6) The iPad 3
BOTH the iPad and iPad 2 are fantastic machines but both are also widely accepted as interim devices until the iPad 3. So why invest so much money into an iPad 2 when you're likely going to sell it next year... and lose half the value just like all the original iPad owners.
So there you have it. There's a chance it will be busy but I'm really feeling that this is a product that will sell millions but over a long period of time and not in one evening.
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