iPhone 4.0 and iPad, Worth Buying Now? or Should i Wait?

[LRitson]

For a while now i've been weighing up the decision to buy an iPad. For me the device would be endlessly useful considering i need something of its size and weight and mail/net capability.

But even since i saw Jobs and co unveil the new iPhone it got me wondering that, considering how soon the 1st generation iPhone became outdated, is it worth me waiting another 8 months or more for an iPad with a front facing camera, and a retina display? (two things i would rather have).

I suppose it depends upon how soon you all think iPad 2.0 makes it to the stores, and wether or not its going to feature many of the abilities of the new iPhone.

Thanks

 

[Marty Macfly]

iPad hardware 2 in March of next year. iDevices have a 1-year sales life.

 

[smiddlehurst]

Umm, there is no way you're getting a 'retina display' in the new iPad. This has been discussed in multiple threads around here today but to get up to 300ppi+ you'd be closing in on a resolution of 3072 x 2304. Not going to happen, period. You may see some of the technologies in the next screen though, the bonding process between outer layer and pixel layer springs to mind. But you will NOT get that ppi on a near-as-damnit 10" screen at a $500 price point next year, no way.

 

[kas23]

iPad hardware 2 in March of next year. iDevices have a 1-year sales life.

This will not happen. There will be a new device (maybe not changed much, but new nevertheless) before the Holidays. "iDevices" do not have a 1 year sales life as you say. iPods are updated less than every 365 days:

https://buyersguide.macrumors.com//#iPod

The only reason why the iPhone has a 1 year sales life is due to contract lengths.

We will be another iPad for the holiday season. Guarantee it. It may not be an iPad 2.0, but it may be a iPad 1.5.

 

[huskerchad]

I wouldn't be surprised to see a minor rev to the iPad later this year.

The bottom line is this though--IMO the only time you should be waiting for new hardware is if (a) you know it's coming, such as iPhone 4, or (b) the current hardware does not do want you want (or at least not enough to justify its price).

Does the current iPad do what you want? Yes, the next version will do more. There will always be a "next version" and it will always do more. That's not something that should stop you from making a purchase now.

 

[nwcs]

Honestly, I think it's worth it. I have the 32GB iPad and I'm going to get the new iPhone the first time I can. The real estate (not pixel dimensions) is still important and it's still a great device. Certainly there will be updates. Maybe this fall, maybe next year? But I tend to be a person who gets something when I want it rather than wait for something that I think will come.

 

[Marty Macfly]

This will not happen. There will be a new device (maybe not changed much, but new nevertheless) before the Holidays.

You seem awfully certain about something you cannot know.

"iDevices" do not have a 1 year sales life as you say. iPods are updated less than every 365 days

They're updated every year in September. Staggered launches for early models in the past, such as the iPod mini and early original iPods, have skewed the numbers.

The only reason why the iPhone has a 1 year sales life is due to contract lengths.

So you're saying they'd update more frequently otherwise? Why haven't they updated iPods more frequently, then?

We will be another iPad for the holiday season. Guarantee it. It may not be an iPad 2.0, but it may be a iPad 1.5.

Again, how can you know this? I pose it as a question rather than a statement because I cannot know either. I am just fairly certain that you are not privy to insider information, and the consistent year-update cycle that has been going on for at least the past four years gives weight to what I've said.

This looks fairly convincing to me:

 

[LRitson]

I do think its difficult to say, usually i'd agree, by March next year a new iPad would probably be circulating. Its just this new iPhone update seems to have thrown a bit of a spanner in the works as far as predictability, since i'm sure around the time a million people have one in their hands, iPad users will be screaming for the same treatment.

Thats why a pre-holidays update might not seem so difficult to perceive.

As for buying now, and upgrading, i'd be buying an iPad with the focus on skipping a generation between purchases like i would with an iPod (one every two years or so), Jumping aboard isn't the tough question (i'm gonna get one). It's just timing it right.

 

[newdeal]

...

Retina display is coo, but i honestly can't see it making any more than a simple cosmetic difference and in a screen the size of the pad its unlikely. It takes power and hardware power to get that many pixels going. I doubt they would do it and the cost would be too high right now. Front facing camera looks retarded to me considering I don't take pictures of myself, I never use the webcam in my MacBook pro, and i have no desire to video chat with people, especially only people who have an idevice and especially also since it only works on wifi. I bought the current iPad. Only thing that I would like is more ram, more speed, more features in the OS which should be coming in the next revision but by then i wick just sell mine and get the new one assuming the new one continues to be able to be jail broken

 

[Streethawk]

You should get both. The iPad will get more use than you might think. While the phone is great on the go, its not "fun" to browse on a small screen. It IS fun on the iPad.

 

[topmounter]

I'd expect the iPad hardware refreshes to more closely mirror frequency and significance of the iPod Touch hardware refreshes.

 

[Streethawk]

I'd expect the iPad hardware refreshes to more closely mirror frequency and significance of the iPod Touch hardware refreshes.

I agree. Also, if we see two cameras on the next iPod Touch then i think we can expect the iPad to get at least the front facing one.

 

[poloponies]

I don't care how many pixels are crammed into the iPhone display, I'm not going to be reading any books on it. Nor will I likely be surfing the web on it during my commute. That's why I find the iPad so useful, it has a large, beautiful display that makes reading more computer/print-like. I can scan a number of news articles at a time, clearly and legibly.

I'm still getting an iPhone. I skipped the last generation so having video will be nice.

 

[ArmCortexA8]

As for the current debacle, the fact is as Steve Jobs pointed out, the iPhone 4 has 78% of the real estate on the iPad display, and remember both displays are IPS, so there is no need to add the Retina feature to the iPad because its screen it so large and based on the same IPS technology.

Honestly, since using the iPad since release in Australia, Im going to find it challenging to go back to the iPhone screen size. I sold my iPhone 3GS 32GB off for $AU 700 on eBay and it looks like my timing was damn good.

 

[xraytech]

For a while now i've been weighing up the decision to buy an iPad. For me the device would be endlessly useful considering i need something of its size and weight and mail/net capability.

But even since i saw Jobs and co unveil the new iPhone it got me wondering that, considering how soon the 1st generation iPhone became outdated, is it worth me waiting another 8 months or more for an iPad with a front facing camera, and a retina display? (two things i would rather have).

I suppose it depends upon how soon you all think iPad 2.0 makes it to the stores, and wether or not its going to feature many of the abilities of the new iPhone.

Thanks

That's the bane of our existence isn't it? You buy something then a minute later it's obsolete.

I say go ahead and buy something you can use now over speculation.

 

[smiddlehurst]

One thought for those saying there'll be a new iPad by Christmas: The international launch isn't finished yet and will be progressing in nine more markets in July and more 'later in the year'. Are we seriously suggesting that they'll bring out a brand new iPad less than three months (for a christmas sale you'd need to launch in October, latest) after launching your product?

 

[LRitson]

That's the bane of our existence isn't it? You buy something then a minute later it's obsolete.

I say go ahead and buy something you can use now over speculation.

These releases make me feel like an ass with a carrot dangled in front of it. And the rider is wearing a damned turtle-neck. *shakes fist*

 

[xraytech]

These releases make me feel like an ass with a carrot dangled in front of it. And the rider is wearing a damned turtle-neck. *shakes fist*

Sad, but true.

To anyone on the fence... just buy the damn thing. A year from now we will be back here talking about the same thing.

Same thread title just a different post date.

 

[ditzy]

This will not happen. There will be a new device (maybe not changed much, but new nevertheless) before the Holidays. "iDevices" do not have a 1 year sales life as you say. iPods are updated less than every 365 days:

https://buyersguide.macrumors.com//#iPod

The only reason why the iPhone has a 1 year sales life is due to contract lengths.

We will be another iPad for the holiday season. Guarantee it. It may not be an iPad 2.0, but it may be a iPad 1.5.

iPods have been updated every September for years. It's a one year cycle give or take a few weeks. I don't know if the iPad will follow in that pattern, but you don't know that it won't either.

 

[xraytech]

Sad, but true.

To anyone on the fence... just buy the damn thing. A year from now we will be back here talking about the same thing.

Same thread title just a different post date.

As a matter of fact, the admins should just sticky threads like this because these threads always come up. Or maybe a separate board all together called, "Should I buy now or wait"

Wait minute... Nevermind...

https://buyersguide.macrumors.com//

 

[Sleazy E]

This will not happen. There will be a new device (maybe not changed much, but new nevertheless) before the Holidays. "iDevices" do not have a 1 year sales life as you say. iPods are updated less than every 365 days:

https://buyersguide.macrumors.com//#iPod

The only reason why the iPhone has a 1 year sales life is due to contract lengths.

We will be another iPad for the holiday season. Guarantee it. It may not be an iPad 2.0, but it may be a iPad 1.5.

wishful thinking on your part. but that is all it is. try posting your opinions as such instead of touting them off like they are fact.

 

[metropolitim]

As for the current debacle, the fact is as Steve Jobs pointed out, the iPhone 4 has 78% of the real estate on the iPad display...

Actually, Steve pointed out that the iPhone has 78% of the PIXELS -- far different from the real estate. The 960x480 pixels are packed into the same 3.5" display. The iPad's *real estate* is still 2.77 larger.

Every demo by every company stretches numbers into whatever shape they need to -- I used to do this for a living, including inside Apple's trade show booth -- but this one was one of the worst. I'm still excited by what I heard, and am still crazier about the iPad than any tech device I've ever owned...I'm just saying, there were a bunch of numbers that had nothing to do with anything.

And to echo others on this thread, buy when you want. Enjoy. While revs come out every year-ish, keeping your device 2 years will probably work out fine. (Does for me, ymmv.)

Dave Barry once wrote [paraphrasing] that the ultimate in high-tech efficiency is for the Apple store to put a big white dumpster out front, so that you could throw away your new devices on the way out - with how quickly things become obsolete, no need to even get the thing to your car.


Yr pal,
Timmy

 

[kas23]

wishful thinking on your part. but that is all it is. try posting your opinions as such instead of touting them off like they are fact.

Sorry, this MacRumors, not Steve Job's email. Opinions will be stated. And 90% of these opinions will be stated as fact.

And this is not wishful thinking, my wife already has an iPad. There's no reason for me to really want one to come out in the fall.

That said, there's a very good reason the iPods are released in September. This is right before the Holiday season. I don't know about Apple, but every other business makes a killing during the holiday season. It's in Apple's best interest to come out with a new device for this time of the year.

Furthermore, the next iPad OS is coming out in the Fall. Do you really think they would introduce such a big step (to 4.0) without a new device? If not, why wouldn't they just release OS 3.3? And why wat till Fall to release it? iOS is iOS. The iPad OS is extremely similar to iPhone OS, so do you really think they need a few more months to tweak it to run on the iPad?

 

[wyneken]

This is solely my own opinion, which is free and worth every penny.

I can't see any impetus for Apple to rush a quick upgrade to a device that is already wildly popular and is selling faster than the company can make them.

As things stand, there is no credible competitor on the market, and not much on the horizon but vaporware. iPad users are happy. The device will get a major boost in usability this fall with iOS4. There are dozens of international markets still to open.

Apple's upgrade strategy, in general, seems to be very much oriented NOT toward making small incremental product tweaks, but toward working methodically toward a big leap: a new product so different and compelling that (a) existing owners will want to trade in and upgrade, and (b) the rest of the industry, which has been racing to catch up to last year's model, will again be left in the dust.

Neither of these conditions would seem to support the idea of a pre-holiday upgrade. I, for one, am not going to trade in my iPad for some kind of half-baked version 1.5 just to get a camera or something. And as for the rest of the industry, I should think Apple would want to wait for some competition to actually materialize before decisively blowing it away.

On top of which, this is just a beautifully designed thing. It takes time and care to create a device like this. And Apple makes other products which also require time and attention. So I expect that everything will evolve at a steady and satisfying pace. No sudden, halfhearted changes of course. (And no Flash, ever.)

 

[kas23]

As things stand, there is no credible competitor on the market, and not much on the horizon but vaporware.

I do agree with many of your other points, except for this one. In fact, there going to be an avalanche of iPad-wannabees come late fall. We do know Google is working on one and they aren't ones to talk about vaporware, HP will have its Web OS based tablet supposedly coming out in the fall, the Dell Streak is right around the corner, and ASUS is coming out with their eee tablet. Then, there will be a bunch of crappy no-name devices running Android too.