When Apple unveiled the third-generation iPad earlier this year, it reduced the price of the iPad 2 to just $399 in an effort to provide fans with a more affordable option, and to stave off the competition from cheaper Android slates as much as it could. But with the iPad mini set to make its debut tomorrow, will there still be a need for the iPad 2?
One analyst thinks not.
The move makes a lot of sense. While it’s nice to have a cheaper 9.7-inch iPad option, Apple only continues to make the second-generation iPad to attract budget-conscious customers. But with a 7.85-inch iPad mini expected to make its debut tomorrow — possibly priced around just $299 — the iPad 2 is no longer needed.
And its demise is hardly likely to impact Apple’s sales. Cihra expects the Cupertino company to sell 7 million iPad minis during the fourth quarter alone, leading to a total 26 million iPads sold when you take into account sales of the 9.7-inch device.
Add 49 million iPhone sales to that, and Cihra expects Apple to announce $56.1 billion in revenue for the December quarter.
Via: Macworld
