More on the Current State of iPad, CIRP’s Wacky iPad Upgrade Math, My iPad Upgrade Data
Hello everyone.
Last Friday, a new Above Avalon report, "iPad Pro and the Goal of Perfection," was sent out to all of you via email. For those of you with the podcast add-on, the audio version of the episode (20 minutes) came out on Friday as well – under the Above Avalon Reports podcast. For today's update, we will continue the iPad discussion.
More on the Current State of iPad
The newest Above Avalon report went over my thoughts and perspective regarding all things iPad.
For being 14 years old, the product category has had its fair share of ups and downs. In some ways, the iPad has seen it all.
While consensus, at least judging by tech-oriented social media, has been downbeat on iPad (iPadOS to be precise) for some time, my view is that the product category is in a good position. We don’t need to preface that with disclaimers and fine print either. While sales have been on the weak side post-pandemic, much of that is due to a slowdown in device – something that has unfolded across Apple’s products portfolio. Upgrading trends certainly weren’t boosted by the lack of iPad updates in 2023 (and 1Q24).
There are three overarching points anchoring my “iPad is doing better than consensus thinks” view (the report goes into each in much more detail):
An Above Avalon membership is required to continue reading this update. Members can read the full update here. (Members: Daily Updates are accessible via the archive. If you haven’t logged into the archive before, fill out this form to receive an invite.)
Choose either a monthly or annual membership. Payment is hosted by MoonClerk and secured by Stripe. Apple Pay and other mobile payment options are accepted. After signup, use this link to update your payment information and membership status at any time. Contact me with any questions.
Contact me directly if you would like to purchase multiple subscriptions (five or more) for your team or company.
An audio version of the newsletter is available to members who have the podcast add-on attached to their membership. More information about the podcast add-on is found here. Special Inside Orchard bundle pricing is available for Above Avalon members. Additional membership customization is available via the Financial Models add-ons.
iPad Pro and the Goal of Perfection (Above Avalon Report)
An examination of Apple’s iPad strategy as the new iPad Pro goes on sale.
Written by Neil Cybart – May 17th, 2024.
The state of iPad is strong as Apple moves that much closer to its long-held goal of having the iPad become a magical piece of glass. If there is such a thing as an ideal state – a state of perfection – for iPad, Apple sure seems to be getting close. Of course, the company will never get to that point. Perfection is not an end state but rather a state of mind.
Apple has rightly resisted calls to morph iPad into a Mac hybrid. Criticism that the iPad has somehow fallen short of its initial expectations fail to acknowledge the product category’s positioning within the Apple ecosystem. iPad is a touch-first computer offering more versatility than any other Apple product category.
With the iPad Pro cementing its place as the marquee iPad, a discussion regarding the new iPad Pro will inevitably evolve into a discussion about the current state of the iPad.
We begin such a discussion by looking at the iPad’s early days.
Table of Contents
History
The New iPad Pro
iPad Strategy
Criticism
My iPad Theory
Future
An Above Avalon membership is required to read this report. Members can read the full report here. (Members: Reports are accessible via the archive. If you haven’t logged into the archive before, fill out this form to receive an invite.)
Choose either a monthly or annual membership. Payment is hosted by MoonClerk and secured by Stripe. Apple Pay and other mobile payment options are accepted. After signup, use this link to update your payment information and membership status at any time. Contact me with any questions.
Contact me directly if you would like to purchase multiple subscriptions (five or more) for your team or company.
An audio version of the report is available to members who have the podcast add-on attached to their membership. More information about the podcast add-on is found here. Special Inside Orchard bundle pricing is available for Above Avalon members. Additional membership customization is available via the Financial Models add-on.