Given that Apple has raised the price of the 9th Generation iPad to $549 on their website, and that the 10th Generation base iPad will now be considerably more expensive when released on the 26th of October 2022 ($749 for 64GB of storage), this seems like a good deal.
If you have eBay Plus you may be able to purchase one for $459.99 if you have been sent a unique code.
We could buy android tablets with less app compatibility and uncertain software updates?
It’s crazy, isn’t it.
Who in their right mind in a situation like that would go with any kind of Android device?
Whatever you say about Apple specs, at least you know what you’re getting. And that they’ll continue to be supported.
I’d take that any day of the week over a spec bump.
Samsung is pretty good at keeping devices supported, no? Otherwise wait for Pixel tablet, coming next year, could bring strong competition to Apple.
And here I was hoping the price of the 9th Gen would drop on announcement of the new model… Do they even have a reason for doing this?
Strong USD.
Simple answer is that they have no competition in the tablet marketspace, so there is no incentive to lower the price
Amazon have the 64GB Space Grey in stock for $479 if anyone is after a 9th Gen, before other retailers follow Apple's lead: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/731470
All of apple’s line up is designed to upsell you…
OOS!
Pretty upset with the recent iPad release. Not only is the 10th gen at a higher price but it only supports the first gen pencil, which means in order to charge it from the iPad, you need a USB-C to lightening adaptor. What on Earth.
It seems like the new iPad is just here to push you into buying the air for 'a little more' and they are keeping the 9th gen around to milk it even more.
Upsetting move by Apple.
Never buy RRP, that’s the Ozb’s spirit!
Oh for sure, the forbidden move, buying at RRP.
Without a laminated display, are you really going to get all the benefit of Apple Pencil 2? Anyone who can afford Apple Pencil 2 should go for iPad Air or better.
It has a screw you, EU feel, especially it is USB-C / USB 2.0 (which means no external display alt-mode?). So, Apple is doing USB-C on this unwillingly.
It shouldn't have had a non laminated display either. My point with the gen 1 pencil was purely on the complexity around charging it. It isn't as straight forward as just plugging it in anymore, it's a downgrade of an experience over the cheaper last gen model.
I don't think that's going to be a big deal. There will be 3rd party adaptors and honestly charging for Apple Pencil 1 has never been that great.
Apple is shrewd. 9th gen remains to soak up the low end. 10th gen to fill that gap between it and Air. The fact that Apple put USB 2.0 on iPad 10th gen clearly shows that had EU not put in that requirement, Apple would much rather continue with lightning.
@netsurfer: I do agree this is definitely a screw you EU USB move, but even with that they shouldn't have created this strange pencil situation. I was looking forward to grabbing the base iPad just for rough sketches and work, just to save on wasting paper and such. Now I am as confused as ever, the only thing I need an iPad for is iOS sketch apps + pencil, moving up to an Air with all it's additions is overkill for my purpose.
All they had to do was replace the last gen one with this one and add Pencil 2 and USB-C. Instead they screwed everyone by upping the prices and keeping the gen 1 pencil.
@Zylam Marex: It was not realistic to expect Apple Pencil 2 without the lamented display. Upping the price is due to AUD vs USD.
It was obvious that all the hype and wish list click bait sites and youTubers came up with is unrealistic for iPad 10th gen. Price for iPad 10th gen is the main issue, but I don't think Apple Pencil 1 is a big deal. It's still not ideal pencil experience and Apple Pencil 2 would only make charging it on the iPad easier. In terms of experience, it will still be subpar. Apple Pencil 1 is at least cheaper.
Man $750 for a base model with 64 gigs is daylight robbery