I basically saw some good deals during Christmas shopping season, I held off because I heard people saying in January post-CES12 prices will drop again….
but it didn't.
These things are selling like hotcakes, are they really trending down? Is there a release date for the Asus Transformer Prime in Australia yet? I'm still waiting for my $300 Transformer vanilla
Moved to Cheapskate Intelligent Agency forum as it discusses future trend on Android tablet pricing.
As @alebox has said, the general trend will be down. However CES is mainly product announcement, but from announcement to availability there is still a big gap. Last gen Tegra 2 based tablets would certainly drop in price, when newer tablets with faster CPU, full HD screens are flooding the market.
Obviously as new models are introduced, prices on the older models will decrease, but I don't expect to see new models released at prices lower than the $350-400 mark that we're seeing now until there is a breakthrough in display technology that causes display prices to crash.
You''ll see faster CPU/GPU combinations and incrementally more internal storage and RAM, but that $400 range has to be reasonably close to the cost of covering parts, manufacturing, R&D, distribution, taxes, and profit margins for manufacturer/distributor/retailer.
If anything, I would expect prices to rise somewhat as Android matures and becomes a better competitor to iOS.. therefore reducing manufacturers' need to price their Android devices at a sizeable discount to the iPad to attain some sales.
I didn't mean the new low end product would drop in price, but rather last-gen high end tablets would be discounted to make room for newer tablets. Iconia A50x, Xoom, Transformer TF101, Galaxy Tab 10.1 etc. Actually they have been dropping price for the last 6 months already so there might not be any more discount when the new products are the shelf.
so far, the A500/A501 had an awesome sale (GoodGuys, Officeworks) but they never stayed at that price. Any other tablets with price drops ??
Xoom 32G $299 Wifi
good because its already ICS
I am waiting for ICS in Australia :(
Do you already have it?
See, after decades of living this world, I reckon this is how it usually works in the technology industry:
1 - new product(s) range is announced
2 - hype product(s) until there's a frenzy
3 - release product at a price range slightly just below consumers' Max WTR (wallet tolerance range)
4 - wait 4-6 months
5 - hint new upcoming newer product
6 - wait 4-6 months
7 - reduce product price range to Mid WTR
8 - stop producing this model
9 - repeat step #1
So you'll never get a price you want with the latest/greatest technology gadget, unless you are willing to pay the price the manufacturer sets. ;)
I never buy the latest. I just the replacement at reduced price.
Xoom 32gb at $299 is an fantastic deal, i need to get another for my mum and dad. They can fight over it.
Where abouts can you get a motorola xoom for 300?
From this Retravision offer here: http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/60489
I am not sure whether you can still get the Xoom for $300. Otherwise I'm also interested.
just picked up a 2nd hand TF101 for 270$, extremely happy with it. seems to be barely used (seller said they couldnt figure out how to use it so wanted to sell it and buy an ipad hahaha)except for fingerprints.
bargain !
ps. got it off gumtree..
technology will always trend down over time. just depends how long you are willing to wait. a better question would be, are you willing to pay an extra $50-$100 for having it in your hands 1 month, 2 month, 3 months early?
is that extra 50c per day worth it?