Apple preparing to drop iPad 2 after the iPad mini arrives?
updated 02:18 pm EDT, Fri October 19, 2012
Analysts suggests streamlined offerings
Apple may phase out its second-generation iPad after the rumored iPad mini arrives on the market, according to Evercore Partners analyst Rob Cihra. In a note circulated to investors, Cihra further suggests Apple may sell approximately 7 million iPad mini tablets in the fourth quarter, of approximately 26 million iPad sales overall.
The iPad 2 currently serves as the entry model a $399 price tag, though it lacks the third-generation iPad's Retina display and upgraded internals. Most analysts expect the iPad mini to be priced between $250 to $350, with specs that could match the iPad 2, aside from the smaller 7.85-inch display.
Cihra's analysis, which was published by AppleInsider, is slightly more optimistic than other forecasts. Piper Jaffray's Gene Munster expects overall iPad sales between 21 million and 25 million, taking into account the likelihood that iPad mini sales will cannibalize sales of the full-size iPads.
Apple is expected to unveil the iPad mini at a media event in California on October 23.
MacNN Staff
Joined: 08-04-01
I have been saying this all along. The iPad "mini" is not a new product -- it will replace the iPad 2 in the lineup (and probably cost less than the current iPad 2). It's just a question of whether Apple will improve on the feature set and set the price slightly below the current iPad 2, or if they will make some design changes (maybe no back camera, for example, or smaller capacities) and try to drive down the price really low ($299 or less).