Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY -- Now that the third generation of the iPad has been announced, a lot of people may want to get a good deal on the reduced-price iPad 2. But, is this the best deal you can get on one? Some industry analysts say it might be.
Apple has reduced the price of the iPad 2 by $100. But, if you think you could get it even cheaper than that by waiting a couple weeks, you should think again.
"That's what Samsung and Motorola do. Apple doesn't do that," said KSL tech analyst Gregg Stebben.
Stebben said Apple drastically reduced the cost of an older version of their iPhone once and it sparked a major backlash among customers who bought it at a higher price. Apple isn't the kind of company that sells discount or clearance items.
So, now is the time to buy the iPad 2, right? Slow down, you need to ask yourself a question first. Stebben said you have to determine what you want to use it for. Employers who want to use it for its business applications definitely should buy an iPad 2, or even a refurbished iPad 1 to save some money.
Related:
Review: Prettier iPad retains familiar qualities
I have grown fond of my iPad 2 during the past nine months. So, I was curious if I would like my tablet computer any less once I saw Apple's new and improved iPad."There are so many business applications for the iPad. You walk in stores and they have one locked down so you can look at their online catalog. Companies are using them as cash registers," Stebben said.
But, those who want to buy it to play games, watch movies or post videos may have a serious case of buyer's remorse if they compare their iPad 2 with the updated tablet. Stebben said the processor and the screen of the newest iPad are far superior.
"When you buy something that is dated like that, you look at people [who have the new item] with envy and you think, ‘Oh, I wish I would have spent the $100 and it's too late."
However, if you're sure you won't be envious of the latest iPad, Stebben said you may as well get the iPad 2 now. He says Apple introduces new versions of their tablet often enough that people who intended to buy one never got around to it.
"You get in a trap where you think, ‘I'm not going to buy it because I'll wait for the next one,' and you never buy it."
Stebben also said beware of the websites that may pop up saying you can buy an iPad for around $100. He said this kind of a deal might be possible, but he doubts it.
