Close
  • Latest News
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
Read Down
Sign in
Close
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Read Down
Password recovery
Recover your password
Close
Search
Logo
Logo
  • Latest News
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
More
    Home Applications
    • Applications
    • Cloud
    • Mobile
    • PC Hardware

    Apple iPad 3: 10 Reasons You Shouldn’t Buy It at Launch

    By
    Don Reisinger
    -
    January 18, 2012
    Share
    Facebook
    Twitter
    Linkedin

      Speculation abounds thatApple will be announcing and launching the iPad 3 at some point in the next few months. Some reports claim it could happen as early as February, while others sayit’s more likely to happen in March or April. Still others claim we might not see the iPad 3 until much later in the year, due to some issues with the device’s display and a change in launch cycles at Apple headquarters.

      Of course, Apple isn’t saying what’s really happening, and the company has stopped short of even admitting that it will introduce an iPad 3 in 2012. But it’s not a stretch to say that it will, indeed, be hitting store shelves this year. It’s also not a stretch to say that for the vast majority of consumers, buying it on launch day might not be the best idea.

      Yes, there will be some Apple fans and early adopters who will disagree with that logic, but there is quite a bit going on in the tablet market right now. What’s more, there are really innovative products that are also scheduled to ship this year that could attract consumers.

      Read on to find out why you shouldn’t buy the iPad 3 at launch:

      1. It might not be a major update

      Each year before a new iPhone or iPad is announced, the rumor mill suggests Apple is building in major enhancements to the new model. But in the last year or so, that just hasn’t been the case, as Apple has shown off iterative updates, rather than revolutionary upgrades. In that case there’s a good chancethe iPad 3 won’t be a major update. If it’s not, would it really be best to invest at least $500 in a new device that, if you’re already an iPad owner, might not do much more than the device you have now?

      2. The iPad 2 might be available at a cheaper price

      Apple is widely expected to continue to sell the iPad 2 after the iPad 3 is announced. Like the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S, the company might sell the iPad 2 at a discount and then start the iPad 3 out at the standard $499 price tag. The iPad 3 might be a highly desirable tablet, but considering the iPad 2 is worth buying in its own right, why not save a couple bucks and buy last year’s model, rather than this year’s?

      3. Wait for Android tablets

      Although it’s something Apple fans wouldn’t even consider, some consumers might want to see what kind of Android tablets are launched this year before they decide to buy the iPad 3. Sure, many of them might not appeal to consumer desire, but there’s a chance that some just might. In fact, one of the most anticipated rumor devices is a Google-branded tablet. Find out what that’s all about before buying the iPad 3.

      4. Windows 8 is looming large

      Windows has so far been unable to capture any tablet market share. But toward the end of this year, Microsoft plans to launch Windows 8, and slates running that operating system will follow close on its heels. Will they be high-quality options? Will they fall short? For now, there’s no telling. But waiting to see what those devices are like could be the best move before buying the iPad 3.

      Consider the Amazon Kindle Fire or Ultrabooks

      5. Maybe an ultrabook would be better?

      Tablets are great, and there’s little question that the iPad 3 will appeal to consumers. But there are other form factors available to customers looking to go mobile. Chief among those form factors is the ultrabook. Those lightweight, thin devices are ideal for mobile consumers and come with a full physical keyboard to improve productivity. Plus, their prices are expected to come down this year, making them even more affordable. Consider them before buying the iPad 3.

      6. Let the kinks get worked out

      Being an early adopter is fine for folks who don’t mind suffering through odd hardware and software quirks, but for the rest of us, it’s a pain. The smart move with any product-Apple or not -is to wait a month or two to see if owners are complaining about issues. If they are and they haven’t been addressed, move on to another device. But if there aren’t any major flaws to speak of, feel free to buy the iPad 3.

      7. Your office might get one for you

      It’s often overlooked, but consumers looking to buy an iPad should keep in mind that the enterprise is increasingly warming to Apple’s tablet. In fact, there’s a good chance that after the iPad 3 launches, many more enterprises will start equipping employees with iPad 3s.

      8. Wait to see what Amazon shows off

      If there’s a solid No. 2 in the tablet space right now, it has to be Amazon’s Kindle Fire. And that device, which is just $199 and comes with a 7-inch display, is scheduled to be updated at some point this year. Even better, Amazon is expected to launch bigger versions of the tablet. Consider waiting to see what Amazon shows off before jumping at the chance to buy the iPad 3 at launch.

      9. The best idea is to spend cash now

      There are many consumers out there right now who really want to get a tablet, but after hearing the rumors, are waiting for Apple to launch the iPad 3 before they do so. That’s a bad idea. Apple’s iPad 2 is an outstanding tablet, and so is the Kindle Fire. Spending cash now and thenwaiting to see what Apple shows off in the iPad 3 is unarguably the best move for consumers to make.

      10. Maybe you should wait for the iPad 4

      Those who already own an iPad or another tablet that works well should wait for the iPad 4. After all, that slate will be the most likely to come with all the features consumers are after, and it frees up some cash this year to be spent on other devices. The iPad 3 might be great, but if you can wait a year for the iPad 4, you’ll probably be quite happy you did. The last thing consumers should do is get caught in the consumer trap of buying a new tablet each year.

      Follow Don Reisinger on Twitter by clicking here

      Don Reisinger
      Don Reisinger is a longtime freelance contributor to several technology and business publications. Over his career, Don has written about everything from geek-friendly gadgetry to issues of privacy and data security. He became an eWEEK contributor in 2009 producing slide shows focusing on the top news stories of the day. When he's not writing, Don is typically found fixing computers or playing an old-school video game.
      Get the Free Newsletter!
      Subscribe to Daily Tech Insider for top news, trends & analysis
      This email address is invalid.
      Get the Free Newsletter!
      Subscribe to Daily Tech Insider for top news, trends & analysis
      This email address is invalid.

      MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

      Latest News

      Zeus Kerravala on Networking: Multicloud, 5G, and...

      James Maguire - December 16, 2022 0
      I spoke with Zeus Kerravala, industry analyst at ZK Research, about the rapid changes in enterprise networking, as tech advances and digital transformation prompt...
      Read more
      Applications

      Datadog President Amit Agarwal on Trends in...

      James Maguire - November 11, 2022 0
      I spoke with Amit Agarwal, President of Datadog, about infrastructure observability, from current trends to key challenges to the future of this rapidly growing...
      Read more
      Applications

      Kyndryl’s Nicolas Sekkaki on Handling AI and...

      James Maguire - November 9, 2022 0
      I spoke with Nicolas Sekkaki, Group Practice Leader for Applications, Data and AI at Kyndryl, about how companies can boost both their AI and...
      Read more
      Cloud

      IGEL CEO Jed Ayres on Edge and...

      James Maguire - June 14, 2022 0
      I spoke with Jed Ayres, CEO of IGEL, about the endpoint sector, and an open source OS for the cloud; we also spoke about...
      Read more
      IT Management

      Intuit’s Nhung Ho on AI for the...

      James Maguire - May 13, 2022 0
      I spoke with Nhung Ho, Vice President of AI at Intuit, about adoption of AI in the small and medium-sized business market, and how...
      Read more
      Logo

      eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site’s focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

      Facebook
      Linkedin
      RSS
      Twitter
      Youtube

      Advertisers

      Advertise with TechnologyAdvice on eWeek and our other IT-focused platforms.

      Advertise with Us

      Menu

      • About eWeek
      • Subscribe to our Newsletter
      • Latest News

      Our Brands

      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms
      • About
      • Contact
      • Advertise
      • Sitemap
      • California – Do Not Sell My Information

      Property of TechnologyAdvice.
      © 2022 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

      Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.

      ×