All iPads Has Apple finally done it this year?

[bobjonesco]

After the iPad ‘updates’, price bumps and what seems to be a deliberate manipulation by Apple to push people to more expensive devices (again) by gimping and purposely making thing less user friendly - I just feel like the value is diminishing rapidly.

Stuck between feeling like I’ve either paid too much for something, or I bought something that’s not quite what I wanted.

Most things work well in the eco system, and I’ve been an Apple for over 15 years. However - I really feels like they’re taking the absolute piss out of their customer base, now that they make more profit than ever before, have billions upon billions in the bank, and hardly any competition it seems.

So, how tricky would it be to leave the eco system behind and replace products and services while keeping maximum usability?

Some obvious ones would be switching to Google, who do phones, smartwatches and soon a new tablet - but for example replacing my MacBook Air m2…a surface pro? A Chromebook? An XPS?

YouTube Music, Spotify, Google Drive, Dropbox, HomePods, Google Nest Audio…

Apples makes a boatload of revenue on their relatively new servies business. Wouldn’t it be smarter to keep the pricing of their hardware somewhat in check and that way have more users to sell their services to?

From what I’ve seen in the past few years - this recent update has had 100% negative comments across a lot of Apple specific forums and some how it feels like the number of people who feel the same has reached a tipping point, where Apple might have actually found the upper limit of how much the general public is willing to pay for their products.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

It’s a year where I was upgrading the Apple Watch, iPhone and iPad and I haven’t bought a single ‘current’ 2022 device because I don’t think they offer enough value to command the higher price. I’ve decided to go a fourth year with my Apple Watch S5, bought a 13 Pro Max because it was a hell of a lot cheaper and bought my daughter a £299 iPad 9th gen after yesterdays shock £500 entry level offering. Apple have ended up with much less of my money than planned which is a positive from my point of view.

 

[MobiusTech]

Yes. It's all downhill from here for Apple. BRB, I'm selling all my APPL stock....

 

[BhaveshUK]

My perspective is the value of an iPad has always been the same. What may have changed for you is that the price Apple is requesting for these devices are no longer in-line with how you perceive them to be. Sales numbers will reflect that if that is the case for the general population as well.

For me personally, the price of the current iPad line-up is not reflective of what I feel they are worth, hence I am not spending any money on them. In contrast, when I purchased my M1 iMac it was because I felt the value proposition was in my favour — and its helped me generate a lot more income since.

In terms of leaving the ecosystem, I feel you are taking an all-or-nothing approach. You don’t have to be tied to only one company and it’s healthy to try other products. Despite what Apple will have you believe not everything coming out of other companies is utter rubbish.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Yes. It's all downhill from here for Apple. BRB, I'm selling all my APPL stock....

Apple like every company trading in consumer electronics at the moment is feeling the effects of public spending in decline. They’ve adjusted their prices to reflect inflation but the problem is consumers aren’t spending at the moment. When electricity bills go from £80 a month to £415 and everything you buy goes up 10% to 30%, it’s the nonessential products that suffer. When the market settles down in a couple of years hopefully we will see things back to normal.

 

[bobjonesco]

Yes. It's all downhill from here for Apple. BRB, I'm selling all my APPL stock....

That’s a shame. I was about to order a new Ultra to make me feel better.

 

[bobjonesco]

Apple like every company trading in consumer electronics at the moment is feeling the effects of public spending in decline. They’ve adjusted their prices to reflect inflation but the problem is consumers aren’t spending at the moment. When electricity bills go from £80 a month to £415 and everything you buy goes up 10% to 30%, it’s the nonessential products that suffer. When the market settles down in a couple of years hopefully we will see things back to normal.

I don’t know, seems that it works both ways and they’re probably getting more for their USD with their overseas production partners too.

 

[GMShadow]

I don’t know, seems that it works both ways and they’re probably getting more for their USD with their overseas production partners too.

Possibly, except raw materials costs are up, transport costs are up, and all these labor cost increases aren't handled in a vacuum.

 

[sracer]

After the iPad ‘updates’, price bumps and what seems to be a deliberate manipulation by Apple to push people to more expensive devices (again) by gimping and purposely making thing less user friendly - I just feel like the value is diminishing rapidly.

Stuck between feeling like I’ve either paid too much for something, or I bought something that’s not quite what I wanted.

Most things work well in the eco system, and I’ve been an Apple for over 15 years. However - I really feels like they’re taking the absolute piss out of their customer base, now that they make more profit than ever before, have billions upon billions in the bank, and hardly any competition it seems.

So, how tricky would it be to leave the eco system behind and replace products and services while keeping maximum usability?

Some obvious ones would be switching to Google, who do phones, smartwatches and soon a new tablet - but for example replacing my MacBook Air m2…a surface pro? A Chromebook? An XPS?

YouTube Music, Spotify, Google Drive, Dropbox, HomePods, Google Nest Audio…

Apples makes a boatload of revenue on their relatively new servies business. Wouldn’t it be smarter to keep the pricing of their hardware somewhat in check and that way have more users to sell their services to?

From what I’ve seen in the past few years - this recent update has had 100% negative comments across a lot of Apple specific forums and some how it feels like the number of people who feel the same has reached a tipping point, where Apple might have actually found the upper limit of how much the general public is willing to pay for their products.

Apple has been doing what you've observed for years.

As for leaving the ecosystem, I've done it... but that doesn't require ditching Apple hardware. I still have my 2013 and 2017 iMacs (the 2013 serves as my Plex server and 2nd monitor to my 2017 iMac). I have an iPad Mini 5, iPad 9th gen, and iPhone SE 2.

That's the key these days, IMO. Forget the FOMO (fear of missing out) of not having quad speakers, pro-motion, etc. and go for the entry level products. The iPhone SE and base iPad offer some of the best tech bargains available.

I have chromebooks, Windows laptops, Android tablets, and countless other devices in my regular mix, and these Apple products work well together. As a result, I have spent far less for far more tech than those who are all-in on Apple's top tier products and services.

But that's me... I'm a bit of an oddball. But if you'd like to get into the details of how something like this can work for you, I (and others in similar situations) would be happy to help.

 

[temende]

I'm thinking about swapping my iPad Pro for a Galaxy Tab S8 since it's a lot cheaper and I just use my iPad Pro for watching videos / web surfing. But I've never used Android before so I have no idea what the experience is like.

 

[sracer]

I'm thinking about swapping my iPad Pro for a Galaxy Tab S8 since it's a lot cheaper and I just use my iPad Pro for watching videos / web surfing. But I've never used Android before so I have no idea what the experience is like.

Based on what you posted, I'd say that there is no good reason to do that. You already have an iPad Pro. It doesn't matter how much a Tab S8 costs because that would be an added expense. Keep the Pro and enjoy it. Should there come a day when the iPad Pro no longer serves your purposes, THEN would be the time to consider an alternative.

 

[temende]

Based on what you posted, I'd say that there is no good reason to do that. You already have an iPad Pro. It doesn't matter how much a Tab S8 costs because that would be an added expense. Keep the Pro and enjoy it. Should there come a day when the iPad Pro no longer serves your purposes, THEN would be the time to consider an alternative.

Sorry yeah I should have clarified that my iPad Pro is starting to wear out a bit since it's 4 years old, e.g. the usb-c connector is a bit flaky and sometimes it won't respond to touches. It's still usable so I'm not in a huge rush to upgrade but since I don't have AppleCare I'll likely buy a new tablet instead of getting it repaired.

 

[MacRazySwe]

Pricing has gone absolutely nuts here in Europe, but as for leaving the ecosystem - I personally cannot do it.

My advice is to buy whenever there is a sale. Black Friday et.c.

Used or refurbished is another option.

 

[sracer]

Sorry yeah I should have clarified that my iPad Pro is starting to wear out a bit since it's 4 years old, e.g. the usb-c connector is a bit flaky and sometimes it won't respond to touches. It's still usable so I'm not in a huge rush to upgrade but since I don't have AppleCare I'll likely buy a new tablet instead of getting it repaired.

Thanks for the clarification. In that case, why not go for the 9th gen iPad? For the purposes you've stated, it is more than capable.

 

[MauiPa]

yah, fasstet, better devices is always a let down, I hear yah.

 

[TechRunner]

Apples makes a boatload of revenue on their relatively new servies business. Wouldn’t it be smarter to keep the pricing of their hardware somewhat in check and that way have more users to sell their services to?

They've done that, to a point. iPhone SE, 9th Gen iPad, M1 MBA and 13" MBP, M1 Mini, etc. allow users to purchase Apple products that aren't too crazy in price compared to the more top-of-the-line products they sell as a gateway into the services ecosystem. I'm not defending Apple here, just stating what my perception is of their product line pricing. They've positioned themselves as a premium brand and price accordingly, even if some of their strategies leave me and others shaking our collective heads.

 

[anthony13]

I feel like I agree with a lot of what you say logistically, but for me this is actually a very old conversation. I feel like we’ve been having this conversation for 25 years. Apple is just a premium brand with an expensive tag. The only product that every really crossed the line for me was the price tag on the AirPods Max, which I find ludicrous. But the fact is they keep the older products around at cheaper prices for a reason.

 

[MarkC426]

I'm thinking about swapping my iPad Pro for a Galaxy Tab S8 since it's a lot cheaper and I just use my iPad Pro for watching videos / web surfing. But I've never used Android before so I have no idea what the experience is like.

I would seriously have a look at one in a store before purchase.
I have had an android phone in the past, and personally found the OS horrible.

 

[Tozovac]

So, how tricky would it be to leave the eco system behind and replace products and services while keeping maximum usability?

Some obvious ones would be switching to Google, who do phones, smartwatches and soon a new tablet - but for example replacing my MacBook Air m2…a surface pro? A Chromebook? An XPS?

Like most “major” life decisions, one must consider which driver is bigger: is it 1) I am mostly escaping something I don’t like or 2) I am mostly heading towards something I do like/want. They sound similar but are actually very different in my opinion and some solutions that are great for situation 1) would not be good for 2) and vice versa. Sometimes 1 or 2 is a much bigger driver than the other, and sometimes they’re about the same.

If you liked the alternatives better, I think you’re on good footing considering leaving. If you’re trying to substitute something new that you hope you’ll like as much as you did living with AAPL devices because some things about AAPL devices are bringing you down, that seems more risky.

I think you and many could help your value proposition by being more patient and better shoppers. Watching deals at places like slickdeals.net, and considering AAPL refurbished has upped the value proposition for me several times. Loving my refurb’d M1 MBA with 16gb & 2TB for $1700, but would not have liked it as much at over $2100 new. Or my $100 iPhone 13 mini via my carrier on clearance instead of a new iPhone 14 from apple

Should there come a day when the iPad Pro no longer serves your purposes, THEN would be the time to consider an alternative.

Yep, where 1) and 2) may be about the same, or 1) really is greater than 2). It doesn’t sound like for the OP right now 2) is greater than 1).

 

[JacquesleMac]

Stuck between feeling like I’ve either paid too much for something, or I bought something that’s not quite what I wanted.

Most things work well in the eco system, and I’ve been an Apple for over 15 years.

I've been using Apple for 38 years. I've never a owned PC. I used to be an Apple evangelist. Now they are peeing me off on a regular basis. My biggest complaint (along with many other users) is Apple's attempt to replace the $2000 27-inch iMac with a $3500 ASD+Mac Studio (the Mini just won't cut it for my work).

Apples makes a boatload of revenue on their relatively new servies business. Wouldn’t it be smarter to keep the pricing of their hardware somewhat in check and that way have more users to sell their services to?

There's charging a premium for premium products, and then there's gouging the public to the position where they feel ripped off. What's next? Ads in the Music Store? (we now have them in App Store). This is greed, and it won't work, however Apple spin it.

 

[rui no onna]

Like most “major” life decisions, one must consider which driver is bigger: is it 1) I am mostly escaping something I don’t like or 2) I am mostly heading towards something I do like/want. They sound similar but are actually very different in my opinion and some solutions that are great for situation 1) would not be good for 2) and vice versa. Sometimes 1 or 2 is a much bigger driver than the other, and sometimes they’re about the same.

At least in the US, prices for iPad Pros have remained around the same since the 2018 release. I used to upgrade iPads more often but after the 2018 price bump, while Apple hasn't quite driven me away I sure am keeping my iPads longer.

That said, the iPad is my Apple splurge category. I'm perfectly happy with the iPhone SE and have no interest in buying another Mac.

 

[antiprotest]

I thought you loved your 14 Plus so much it'd make up for anything.

 

[msackey]

I don't understand Apple's iPad strategy. The lineup seems absolutely convoluted. They only need 3 main categories of iPad:

- iPad Pro (12 vs. 11 inch)
- iPad regular (if needed, can have 2 sizes)
- iPad mini (1 size)

That's it! What the heck is this iPad Air, iPad 10th generation, iPad 9th generation crap?

It's like we're getting back into that era of PowerPC when there were so many variations of beige Mac, even I as a long time user of Apple can't tell apart which one is which and why one would choose a over b, etc.

 

[RSB96]

Yesterday's event makes no sense to me.

In Europe the prices, again outrageous.

The ninth generation iPad, in Spain, 40 € more expensive.

The tenth generation iPad, 529€, when it still uses a screen without laminate, and the first generation Apple Pencil, with a botched sale of the USB-C adapter for 10€... Did it cost so much to kill the Apple Pencil 1 and put the second generation in all of them?

On the positive side, I like the keyboard, the Surface inspiration is noticeable (although it makes the most sense for a device of this style), but it has function keys and trackpad. The bad thing? Again, the price, 299€ seems excessive to me.

The iPad Air, in Spain, 90€ more expensive.

The iPad Pro, with minor improvements, 250/400€ more expensive than previous generations. The Magic Keyboard suffers an increase of 30€, without any improvement in its performance.

I honestly do not understand the iPad product range. And I think Apple is trying to touch all points without success. For my taste a more "logical" range would have been as follows:

- iPad SE (the iPad 10th). Like a fourth generation iPad Air. A14, laminated screen, Apple Pencil 2 compatibility, 64 and 256GB... 429€. New keyboard support.

- 11" and 8.9" iPad. The standard range. ProMotion display, A16 on the 8.9" and M1 on the 11", 128, 256 and 512 GB. 4 speakers. 589 for the 8.9" and 699 for the 11". Compatibility with the new keyboard, but not with the Magic Keyboard.

- iPad Pro 12,9" and 14,9". MiniLED screens (I would prefer OLED, but for the moment we will not see it), ProMotion, M2, design with thin bezels, dynamic island, 4 improved speakers, 4K cameras, Thunderbolt 4, 256 and 512 GB, 1 and 2 TB, compatibility with a new Magic Keyboard with function keys and improved in certain aspects, such as lightness and durability of the material. 949€ for the 12.9" and 1099€ for the 14.9".

And I would apply the same scheme to the rest of the product range.

iPhone SE (updated iPhone 11); "standard" iPhone in two sizes (6.1" and 6.7" and iPhone Pro 6.1" and iPhone Ultra 6.7".

Apple Watch SE, Apple Watch standard, Apple Watch Pro (the stainless steel one) and Apple Watch Ultra.

AirPods SE, AirPods, AirPods Pro and AirPods Ultra (instead of Max).

MacBook SE (MacBook Air M1), MacBook "standard" in two sizes (13" and 15") and MacBook Pro 14" and 16". An 18" "MacBook Ultra" with an Mx Ultra processor could be created for the most demanding users who want a notebook instead of a desktop.

Mac SE, 24" and 27" iMacs being the "standard" models, Mac Pro (instead of Mac Studio) and Mac Ultra (instead of Mac Pro).

In the end with four names, they could make a much more logical and concise range for customers.

SE as the entry level range. Good quality/price ratio, with somewhat older designs, but with good internal specs.

The "standard range without last name, the most mainstream.

The Pro for users who want "something more".

The Ultra range for the most demanding users, either in power, photography, music and audio quality or a super resistant watch.

 

[Isengardtom]

I’m just happy I replaced all my apple tech between Mid 2021 and early 2022 before the drop of the euro and subsequent price hikes in Europe so I should be good until the next iPad pro comes out.