Apple Replaces iPad 2; Resuscitates iPad 4th Gen. iPad As Entry-Level 9.7-Inch Model

As I suspected after my local Walmart recently dropped the price for the price-leader iPad 2 to Can$323, the old 2 was on the bubble, which Apple burst Tuesday with the re-release of the 4th-Generation iPad that was discontinued when the iPad Air debuted last fall. The 4th-Gen machine, available in only a 16 GB memory capacity configuration in either Wi-Fi-only or Cellular LTE models, is now Apple’s new/old entry-level full-sized iPad.

The iPad [4] with Retina display replaces iPad 2 as the most affordable 9.7-inch iPad at the $399 price point for the 16GB Wi-Fi model and $529 for the Wi-Fi + Cellular model.

Along with the Retina display, the new price-leader model, now officially called simply iPad with Retina Display is powered by the Apple-designed A6X chip, ultrafast Wi-Fi, a 5MP iSight camera which also captures 1080p HD video, a FaceTime HD camera, and support for LTE carriers worldwide, all while delivering up to 10 hours of battery life.

iPad with Retina display comes with iOS 7, featuring hundreds of new features, including Control Center, Notification Center, improved Multitasking, AirDrop, enhanced Photos, Safari, Siri and iTunes.

“Now for $399 you can get iPad with a stunning 9.7-inch Retina display, fast A6X chip, and 5MP iSight camera, offering a dramatic upgrade in power, performance and value compared to the iPad 2 it replaces,” says Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing.

The iPad line sets the gold-standard in mobile computing and all iPads have access to the largest and best ecosystem of more than 500,000 iPad optimized apps from the App Store, which offers more than one million apps to iPhone, iPad and iPod touch users in 155 countries around the world, and more than 500,000 apps are designed specifically for iPad.

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iPad with Retina display models in black or white are available for a suggested retail price of $399 (US) for the 16GB Wi-Fi model and $529 (US) for the 16GB Wi-Fi + Cellular model for either AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile or Verizon. Smart Cover and Smart Case for iPad with Retina display are available in dark gray for $39 (US) and $49 (US) respectively through the Apple Online Store, Apple’s retail stores and select Authorized Apple Resellers. iPad Air with Wi-Fi models are available in silver or space gray for a suggested retail price of $499 (US) for the 16GB model, $599 (US) for the 32GB model, $699 (US) for the 64GB model and $799 (US) for the 128GB model. iPad Air with Wi-Fi + Cellular are available for a suggested retail price of $629 (US) for the 16GB model, $729 (US) for the 32GB model, $829 (US) for the 64GB model and $929 (US) for the 128GB model.

iPad mini with Retina display Wi-Fi models are available in silver or space gray for a suggested retail price of $399 (US) for the 16GB model, $499 (US) for the 32GB model, $599 (US) for the 64GB model and $699 (US) for the 128GB model. iPad mini with Retina display Wi-Fi + Cellular models will be available for a suggested retail price of $529 (US) for the 16GB model, $629 (US) for the 32GB model, $729 (US) for the 64GB model and $829 (US) for the 128GB model. Additionally, the original iPad mini is offered at $299 (US) for the 16GB Wi-Fi model and $429 (US) for the 16GB Wi-Fi + Cellular model for either AT&T, Sprint, T-mobile or Verizon.

LTE is available through select carriers. Network speeds are dependent on carrier networks. Check with your carrier for details. Battery life depends on device settings, usage and other factors. Actual results vary. iTunes Radio is available with iOS 7 in the US and Australia.

For more information, visit:
http://www.apple.com/ipad/