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Apple discontinues iPad 2, replaces it with Retina display (iPad 4th gen) model

posted by Victor H. / Mar 18, 2014, 4:48 AM

Apple discontinues iPad 2, replaces it with Retina display (iPad 4th gen) model

Today, Apple has finally discontinued the iPad 2 on its official website, replacing it with the iPad with Retina display (4th generation) model. The iPad 2 used to be sold as the lower-cost, $399 alternative to the iPad Air, a price tier that is now taken by the Retina iPad. Currently, Apple is only selling a 16GB version of the iPad with Retina (at the aforementioned $399 price), with no expanded storage models on sale yet, but you can also get a cellular model of the 4th-gen iPad for $529.

The second-generation iPad seemed like a strange low-cost alternative to the iPad Air from the onset, as it was a few generations older - after all, Apple released the iPad 2 way back in 2011. So it’s only logical to finally see such an old product retired.

The Retina iPad also comes with the one important technological benefit - it is using the new Lightning to USB cable. Thus, by introducing this Retina iPad in lieu of the iPad 2, Apple is moving one step closer to a portfolio of mobile devices that are using only the Lightning cable. The only remaining device (that is still on sale) using the old, 30-pin Apple connector is the iPhone 4s, but - with the recent introduction of the 8GB iPhone 5c - Cupertino might be preparing to retire that last survivor as well.

Finally, if you want to get the $399 iPad with Retina, you can just hit the source link right below - it ships in just 24 hours.

source: Apple Store via TheVerge

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31 Comments

1. StraightEdgeNexus

Posts: 3689; Member since: Feb 14, 2014

Clap clap clap clap...... No really, they made a right decision for the first time after steve jobs' demise.

posted on Mar 18, 2014, 4:55 AM 5

5. fanboy1974

Posts: 1345; Member since: Nov 12, 2011

Right decision? The Retina ipad mini is still $399 with a faster processor, smaller form factor and tighter dpi. The ipad 4 should be $299 to $350.

posted on Mar 18, 2014, 5:21 AM 3

6. PorkyBurger

Posts: 585; Member since: May 18, 2013

$299~?! LOL you wish. iPad 4 is never going to be priced as same as 1st-gen iPad mini.

posted on Mar 18, 2014, 5:24 AM 0

7. UglyFrank

Posts: 2194; Member since: Jan 23, 2014

This is as close as apple can get to the right choice

posted on Mar 18, 2014, 5:34 AM 3

10. nctx77

Posts: 2540; Member since: Sep 03, 2013

I agree with you, but you have to think about it from a business standpoint. You don't want to sell the ipad 4 to cheap and cannibalize sales of your new product. It's about profit margins. The only way apple will sell a cheap tablet is if people stop buying them. The ipad 4 is only a little over a year old, so it's still a good tablet. It has a better processor than the iphone 5. It makes since to sell it at $100 cheaper than the new model. I agree that the mini retina is a better buy, but it really comes down to screen size or a faster chip

posted on Mar 18, 2014, 7:29 AM 0

11. Diezparda

Posts: 941; Member since: Oct 23, 2013

Smaller screen means cheaper right? And from my personal experience i don't think iPad mini retina was much faster unless you are playing heavy duty game.

posted on Mar 18, 2014, 7:30 AM 0

17. PapaSmurf

Posts: 10457; Member since: May 14, 2012

What? The A7 chip is definitely faster than the A6X. Trust me.

posted on Mar 18, 2014, 8:48 AM 0

22. Diezparda

Posts: 941; Member since: Oct 23, 2013

I own iPad 4 but i'm not so lucky when i visited Apple store in my country they don't install any heavy duty game on iPad Air or Mini 2, i speak only based on my experience and i can assure you i fell pretty much the same for daily used like browsing, play music or video and any simple not so graphic intense games. My friend and i wish to have iPad Air but now i'm not so sure anymore, but i love how light it is compared to my iPad 4 it's obvious difference of weight and dimension, but when it comes to performance? I think it's not so significant...

posted on Mar 18, 2014, 9:31 AM 0

25. PapaSmurf

Posts: 10457; Member since: May 14, 2012

It really is. Apps load a lot faster, games run a lot smoother without dropped frame rates and the benefits from the 64-bit architecture are worth it. If you use your iPad for casual uses, then it isn't.

posted on Mar 18, 2014, 11:25 AM 1

27. bigdawg23

Posts: 467; Member since: May 25, 2011

I am with Papasmurf. I went to an iPad Air in November and gave my wife the iPad 4. There is a noticeable difference on all fronts. My wife usually never notices but has asked why my Air is snappier. I really notice it in power points and spreadsheets.

posted on Mar 18, 2014, 3:11 PM 0

2. PorkyBurger

Posts: 585; Member since: May 18, 2013

They should have done this a long time ago...better late than never, I guess.

posted on Mar 18, 2014, 5:03 AM 1

8. Finalflash

Posts: 4063; Member since: Jul 23, 2013

Sales must have been crap of both the Air and iPad 2 for this to go down. Apple doesn't do anything out of the goodness of its own heart, money is the only reason.

posted on Mar 18, 2014, 5:46 AM 3

12. darkkjedii

Posts: 31034; Member since: Feb 05, 2011

That's any business Einstein. If they all operated out of the goodness of their hearts, the stuff would be free. In your never ending quest to bash apple, you make some of the dumbest posts.

posted on Mar 18, 2014, 7:39 AM 3

16. H3Drvr

Posts: 43; Member since: Apr 30, 2013

"Don't be evil" -Google But seriously...lol

posted on Mar 18, 2014, 8:46 AM 0

23. Taters

Posts: 6474; Member since: Jan 28, 2013

No you do actually. If you don't see the difference between Apple greed and general company greed, then you are more stupid than I thought. There is a huge difference......

posted on Mar 18, 2014, 9:45 AM 0

24. darkkjedii

Posts: 31034; Member since: Feb 05, 2011

And you're worse than he is. No intellect whatsoever.

posted on Mar 18, 2014, 9:47 AM 0

15. darkkjedii

Posts: 31034; Member since: Feb 05, 2011

http://appleinsider.com/articles/14/01/20/ipad-air-takes-top-tablet-spot-as-ipad-asps-begin-to-rise http://mobile.theverge.com/2014/1/27/5350106/apple-q1-2014-earnings For our resident apple hater: Finalflash

posted on Mar 18, 2014, 8:45 AM 0

3. Anshulonweb

Posts: 468; Member since: Feb 07, 2014

thank god..

posted on Mar 18, 2014, 5:05 AM 1

4. alrightihatepickingusernames

Posts: 474; Member since: Dec 29, 2013

Took long enough.

posted on Mar 18, 2014, 5:19 AM 0

9. Diezparda

Posts: 941; Member since: Oct 23, 2013

At least they are being reasonable

posted on Mar 18, 2014, 7:22 AM 0

13. good2great

Posts: 1042; Member since: Feb 22, 2012

if only they had a trade program for the iPad 2 to iPad 4... sigh

posted on Mar 18, 2014, 7:42 AM 0

28. mrblah

Posts: 577; Member since: Jan 22, 2013

eBay! you will get more than you think. just pay the eBay fees as soon as it sells and don't sell internationally! I ran a business doing nothing more than flipping craigslist iphones on eBay.

posted on Mar 18, 2014, 4:40 PM 0

14. darkkjedii

Posts: 31034; Member since: Feb 05, 2011

It cracks me up, how all these 12-17 year olds, who hate apple flood apple articles to try and run apples business for them.

posted on Mar 18, 2014, 7:49 AM 0

18. PapaSmurf

Posts: 10457; Member since: May 14, 2012

Right? As if they actually went to college, got a degree in a major that would land them a job at the tech giant and became wealthy.

posted on Mar 18, 2014, 8:50 AM 0

20. darkkjedii

Posts: 31034; Member since: Feb 05, 2011

Exactly Smurf

posted on Mar 18, 2014, 9:17 AM 0

19. bubbadoes

Posts: 1225; Member since: May 03, 2012

Big disconnect now with the ipad mini 2 priced at $399 and the ipad 4 priced at $399. Now what is the purpose of an ipad air priced at $499.00. The ipad 4 has a lightning connector, and a retina display. Why would anyone even bother to spend an extra $100 dollars for a few ounces lighter in weight for the air.

posted on Mar 18, 2014, 8:56 AM 0

21. PapaSmurf

Posts: 10457; Member since: May 14, 2012

A7 processor?

posted on Mar 18, 2014, 9:17 AM 1

29. mrblah

Posts: 577; Member since: Jan 22, 2013

Well, for starters, a new design, 100g lighter, it will get more iOS upgrades, another year or two you won't need to replace it, thinner so if you use a case it won't be as bulky, A7, M7, and the iPad 4 has a 5-megapixel sensor, the air also has a 5-megapixel sensor, but the sensor itself has been improved along with the processing engine to offer better image quality. "28% lighter, 20% thinner [and] 24% less volume."

posted on Mar 18, 2014, 4:51 PM 0

26. bubbadoes

Posts: 1225; Member since: May 03, 2012

Not significant enough! I've played with both A6 and A7 devices. The 64 bit is totally useless in the A7 chip coupled to 1 gig of Ram.

posted on Mar 18, 2014, 11:33 AM 0

30. mrblah

Posts: 577; Member since: Jan 22, 2013

False, 64 is faster, even without a ton of ram. If you had two of the same cpus, the same in every way except for the bits, the 64 bit one would win every time, even when processing 32 bit apps. There is alot that goes in it I'm afraid you don't understand, but if you are interested, there is a whole internet out there for you to learn.

posted on Mar 18, 2014, 4:55 PM 0

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