Why would anybody buy a 16GB iPad 2 for $399?
For some reason, Apple's kept the iPad 2 around and is selling it for the rather ridiculous price of $399 for the 16GB version.
When Apple releases new iPhones and iPads, it typically keeps around a previous generous product. In the case of the recent iPhone launch, while Apple retired the
But in announcing the new
I'm not the only tech writer asking this question. For instance, Forbes contributor Ewan Spence suggests Apple is just offering the iPad 2 at that lower price to get people into Apple stores ("It's a common sales technique to have a low priced product to act as a gateway to an ecosystem") he says. Once in the door, they'll then be lured into buying the latest hardware -- either an iPad Mini Retina or iPad Air. "If they don't [buy the latest hardware], then I suspect the margins on the iPad 2 will be more than welcome in Cupertino," Spence adds.
As crazy as that all sounds, he may be right. The alternative would be to suggest that Apple thinks consumers are woefully ignorant and willing to grossly overpay for a 2.5-year-old product.
Then there's the "bulk" argument. Ryan Faas at CITEworld argues that the $100 savings adds up if you're a retail chain or a school district that's buying hundreds or thousands of units, but just needs the basics. OK, fine -- maybe there's an edge-case argument here.
But for individual consumers, the choice is clear. If you have any sort of urge to by a 16GB iPad 2 for $399, you should probably check yourself into a hospital and have your head examined. Or buy my 32GB iPad 2. I'll sell it to you for $250. Been in a case the whole time. Not a scratch on it. Mint condition. I swear.