Apple has annoyed a lot of people by updating its third generation iPad to the fourth generation model at yesterday’s new product packed event, despite the only real differences being a new processor and the Lightning connector.
The word “obsolete” — which means out-of-date or an old-fashioned design and/or features — has been laughably attached to the iPad 3, particularly by those who’ve just purchased one, however it must be grating to find out a newer model will hit the shelves very soon.
A browse through Apple’s discussion boards reveals many threads on the subject, with titles like “I want a refund,” “iPad 3 upgrade,” and even “Apple makes me sad.” The general feeling is that Apple has been too quick to update the iPad, and customers have been left feeling “cheated,” “annoyed,” and in one particular heated conversation, “screwed” too. Some members of the tech press feel the same way, with Mashable.com’s Christina Warren writing a lengthy piece on the subject where she expresses much the same emotion.
However, help could be at hand, as there are a few ways you may be able to swap your new iPad for an even newer iPad, or the iPad Mini if you’re so inclined. Apple operates a 14-day return system in most countries, so if your tablet is less than two-weeks old, head back to Apple for a refund or an exchange. This shouldn’t be a problem provided the tablet’s in as-new condition, you’ve got the receipt, and that it originally came from an Apple Store.
CNET is also reporting that some Apple Stores are extending this grace period to 30-days, opening the scheme up to a great many more people. It’s stressed that this is store specific, and the rule hasn’t been enacted by Apple, so it’s probably worth a telephone call before heading out with a 27-day old iPad 3.
In the UK, the iPad and iPad Mini’s newly updated 4G radio could help too, as both tablets will now work with EE’s 4G network. Considering the problems Apple had when it tried to advertise the iPad 3 as 4G in the UK, it may have some sympathy now it actually can provide those speeds. Again though, don’t expect anything over the 14-days, but this spec change could help you get 30-days if you try hard.
If your new iPad is over 30-days old, then it’s eBay or Craigslist for you. Just remember though, the iPad 5 will probably be along in less than six months time.
Also, at $329 the iPad mini is NOT worth it. Grab a nexus 7 at $199 instead!
And run phone apps? No way.
Omg… Enough already
@Richard Wills, what kind of moron would buy one without seeing what it’s all about first? My guess is You. If they are crap, why do 95% of iPad owners love them? And BJ Wallace, why do you let other people think for you? Windows-anything is just an Apple wannabe.
how about apple giving customers back their money?, ipads are CRAP…
Sad stuff…
WORD OF THIS YOU CAN’T GET OUT. READ OR DIE TONIGHT AT 10:35………. P.M. 9 years ago a person named Jerry got dared to sleep in a house that was believed haunted. The…. Next day his friends waited for him out side the house…………… They had to go inside and search for him. They went through every room except the attic. He wasn’t supposed to sleep there. He was supposed to sleep in the living room they went into the attic. They saw Jerry corpse and they just left because they were scared. But that night they all dead because of their friend. He killed them all for making him sleep in that house if you don’t send this to 11 comments you will die tonight by Jerry. Example 1: A man named Stewart read this and didn’t believe it. He shut off his computer and went through his day. That night while he was in bed he heard something outside of his door he got up to look. And now he’s dead. Example 2: A girl named Haley read this in the morning and she got scared but she didn’t send it. She wanted to know if it was true. She went to school ( she was only 13 years old) and that night she died. If you don’t post this on 11
like producr
Well we’ve now learned that Apple could discontinue a product just six-months after its release, they’ve never done that before, so now we’ve got to consider that when thinking about ordering the “iPad Mini”.
The “iPad Mini” is obviously a miniature version of the dated “iPad 2″, so that suggests its been in development when its features were current, and took awhile to get to market.
So why buy the “iPad 2 Mini” when in just a few months the “New iPad Mini” will be out with the faster A6x chip, GPS, Siri and the Retina Display for the same price, its well worth the wait.
Apple has discontinued the new iPad so The chance to upgrade it to 4th generation’s must be given for all buyers according to purchasing time. For example, free for users who bought less than a month. $30 for 2~3 months, $60 for 4~5 months and $90 for 6~7 months
I upgraded from the original model to the iPad 3 in July, and I’m still impressed by how much more responsive it is. I don’t really see the need to upgrade (especially since I’m clearly not eligible). Having said that, if I’d bought it in the past 2 weeks, I totally would.
That’s life. Like something similar hasn’t happened to most people at some point. Not Apple bashing, because it bought the iPod 2 a couple months before the 3 was released. I might have grumbled to self, but I sure the hell didn’t take to the Internet and whine about it. Wtf?
I have the Ipad 3 I see no use for the 4. The only difference is the processor and the connectivity speed. I was thinking of getting the Ipad mini until I saw the price. Now ill just get the Microsoft Surface.
I felt sad and feel like a fool to follow Apple buying the newest model when it was launched too…changing model with a few steps twisted would only lessen the brand image in the long run and soon to become a commodity brand…
An editor on Kotaku wrote an article bitching about how he felt cheated too..
…All Offense, but if you buy an Apple product, you are likely already doing it because it’s the “in” thing, and unless you have Alzheimer, you should know that Apple started this whole “buy the newest shiny every year or else you aren’t cool” fad that most tech companies have sadly followed. So when they release a “better” version painfully close to the original’s release, in almost a parody of itself, it’s your own fault for falling for it, and thinking it’s not just another money grab.
Diehard Apple Fans = Scientology. people with more money than intelligence.