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Sales have been declining since the year after the Air 2's release. The Air 2 is still a darned good tablet and honestly, unless one wants Pencil support, there's not much reason to upgrade from it performance-wise. The release of the 2017 iPad actually bumped up Apple's sales last year (higher units sold, but lower ASP).

Sure, it would've been nicer if this was $259 but since this is Apple, I was quite skeptical of the rumored price point.

Iirc, Apple made a push for iPads in schools circa-iPad 2 but I think that mostly flopped. Now they're just trying again. Whether they make any headway, who knows? I think it's still priced too high for the education sector but from a consumer standpoint, I find it a welcome refresh to the 2017 iPad. Certainly a good upgrade for anyone still clinging to iPad Air or older.
I seem to recall some controversy about Apple selling iPad 2s to schools (I think after they had been discontinued for general sale) and getting mud on their face from dropping support quite soon after that?
 
I seem to recall some controversy about Apple selling iPad 2s to schools (I think after they had been discontinued for general sale) and getting mud on their face from dropping support quite soon after that?
I don't think it was already discontinued when they made the push. It was when they dropped the price to $399.

I think one problem was they guaranteed 5 years support? Probably why it got firmware updates for so long even when hardware can barely cope. Besides, I don't think schools actually had a good program for using the iPads in the classroom. Really, I think most school kids were just playing around with their iPads instead of using them for actual school stuff.
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I don't get all the hate occuring. Seems like a nice update, what's wrong with this iPad?
In fairness, the 2017 iPad received the same "hate" (maybe more) back when it was released last year. Still didn't stop it from selling well to the actual target market (which seems to mostly be not MR forum goers). ;)

P.S. I got the 2017 iPad for my dad to replace his iPad 3. The 2018 model's nicer but I don't regret upgrading last year. I don't think my dad could've continued using the iPad 3 for yet another year. The 2017 iPad, he uses all the time now. :p
 
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I don't get all the hate occuring. Seems like a nice update, what's wrong with this iPad?

Probably more psychological frustration than hate, built over lengthy anticipation and exaggerated expectations. It might have its basis in the days when Steve Jobs would often announce dramatic technological breakthroughs at his annual live events.

It is a nice, measured upgrade, and worthy of this school-based event.
 
I think many will consider the use of the pencil to be an update. For some that will be the selling point.
I know the use of the pencil is an update but you have to buy the pencil separately, it would have been nice if they included the pencil, to me they are selling the iPad on its own for $329 with no pencil included, if you want to use this iPad with the pencil the iPad starts at $428
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Probably more psychological frustration than hate, built over lengthy anticipation and exaggerated expectations. It might have its basis in the days when Steve Jobs would often announce dramatic technological breakthroughs at his annual live events.

It is a nice, measured upgrade, and worthy of this school-based event.
I agree with this, I think you have hit the nail on the head, it’s getting frustrating that we aren’t really getting to see anything new with Apple, we are probably stuck with the iPhone X design for another 2 years now.
 
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I don't get all the hate occuring. Seems like a nice update, what's wrong with this iPad?
I agree, great update. The other question is whether this is helpful for education. I would much rather kids have cheap rugged laptops. I own the pencil and like it, but I think kids would be better served with paper notebooks, esp if encouraged to digitally archive via a phone.
 
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I know the use of the pencil is an update but you have to buy the pencil separately, it would have been nice if they included the pencil, to me they are selling the iPad on its own for $329 with no pencil included, if you want to use this iPad with the pencil the iPad starts at $428.

Well you can get it with Cellular but they do not include a cellular contract either.

Hard to make you happy about this, don't like, move on.

Most here, including me, think this is a nice update for a great price. They will selling a LOT!

It is what it is and Apple will not be changing it for YOU!
 
I agree with this, I think you have hit the nail on the head, it’s getting frustrating that we aren’t really getting to see anything new with Apple, we are probably stuck with the iPhone X design for another 2 years now.
What "new" are you expecting? The iPad is a mature platform. Apple has been trying to squeeze a bit more churn from customers by including things like ProMotion that are niceties not necessities. It's all a matter of perspective but I'm not going to get jazzed up about a faster processor, more RAM (when the current levels are more than enough for iOS as it is), smaller bezels, or a thinner and/or lighter chassis.

Wake me up when Apple produces a tablet that a foldable screen. ;)
 
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Well you can get it with Cellular but they do not include a cellular contract either.

Hard to make you happy about this, don't like, move on.

Most here, including me, think this is a nice update for a great price. They will selling a LOT!

It is what it is and Apple will not be changing it for YOU!
You know what I agree I now realise that this is a nice update, I just think I was expecting something cheaper and didn’t realise the main focus of this product is education and I get that with the latest education software this will be revolutionary in the classroom. I was a little hasty in hating on this product I was just disappointed there wasn’t any major design change or cheaper price. I apologise to anyone who thought I was hating on this product.
 
no pencil included, if you want to use this iPad with the pencil the iPad starts at $428
Not everyone needs/wants the stylus. Yeah, I wished they included it, but they didn't. Microsoft doesn't include it in their Surface Pro tablet either and people wanted that for free as well. The tablet itself is a nice update as far as I can see
 
Not everyone needs/wants the stylus. Yeah, I wished they included it, but they didn't. Microsoft doesn't include it in their Surface Pro tablet either and people wanted that for free as well. The tablet itself is a nice update as far as I can see
If you haven’t read my last post please do, yeah I have come round to understanding that this is going to be revolutionary in the classroom, and thinking about the 9.7 iPad Pro from a couple of years back this does pretty much the same as what that did for a cheaper price tag, I’m not going to be buying one but I’m sure this is going to be a great tool for students, artists or illustrators who don’t want to break the bank and go for an iPad Pro.
 
If you haven’t read my last post please do, yeah I have come round to understanding that this is going to be revolutionary in the classroom, and thinking about the 9.7 iPad Pro from a couple of years back this does pretty much the same as what that did for a cheaper price tag, I’m not going to be buying one but I’m sure this is going to be a great tool for students, artists or illustrators who don’t want to break the bank and go for an iPad Pro.
Sorry, but no. It isn't going to be revolutionary in the classroom. The thing preventing iPads from replacement chromebooks in the classroom is not price. It's one factor... but it probably isn't even in the top 5 reasons.
 
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Sorry, but no. It isn't going to be revolutionary in the classroom. The thing preventing iPads from replacement chromebooks in the classroom is not price. It's one factor... but it probably isn't even in the top 5 reasons.
I think it will be revolutionary for students.
 
I agree, great update. The other question is whether this is helpful for education. I would much rather kids have cheap rugged laptops. I own the pencil and like it, but I think kids would be better served with paper notebooks, esp if encouraged to digitally archive via a phone.

Agree about the update being valuable. I just don’t think laptops are the wave of the future, and see tablets as eventually overtaking that dated platform (if not already for many). I think tablets (iPads) are perfect for school children in ease of portability and use, and as the friendliest hands-on introduction to the digital world.
 
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I think it will be revolutionary for students.
Well see, chromebooks are still cheaper and given the tight budgets school systems are under.

I'm impressed with what apple is offering, but it all boils down to schools embracing it, and only time will tell
 
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This kind of looks like a joke...

DSC02976.jpg
 
I don't get all the hate occuring. Seems like a nice update, what's wrong with this iPad?

I absolutely want one for myself. But for the school district I work at? Absolutely not. It's not that there's anything wrong with the iPad, it's that Apple's whole education philosophy is SORELY lacking at the moment.

We give every student a Chromebook to take home for around $300 a piece with a 3-year accidental damage warranty. That includes a keyboard and a mouse. The management system is RIDICULOUSLY easy. G Suite is so far beyond iWork it's not even funny.

I don't know who Apple's trying to fool with a $10 price drop. $259 would've gotten me excited, but it's still too damn expensive at $299 with no included accessories. The thing that pisses me off the most from today is that Apple expects us to hand $89 pencils THAT CHARGE BY STICKING OUT OF THE DEVICE out to a bunch of 6 year olds.

I don't think Apple quite understands that not every school is exactly bursting at the seems with money for the arts. The Edu market doesn't care about editing 4K videos with your finger, they care about cheap, easy-to use devices that are easy to manage and easy to teach kids.
 
We give every student a Chromebook to take home for around $300 a piece with a 3-year accidental damage warranty. That includes a keyboard and a mouse. The management system is RIDICULOUSLY easy. G Suite is so far beyond iWork it's not even funny.
My kids don't get to take home the chromebooks, so I think that keeps costs down even more as that reduces accidental damages (somewhat). I agree with the G Suite, its light years ahead of iWork and the classroom suite of applications where my kids upload/manage their homework is quite effecient. I don't if Apple's classroom is going to be on par to that or not
 
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