With the release of the new 10.2-inch iPad seventh generation, I am now concerned with Apple’s current iPad lineup. It’s not what it used to be and it’s not what it should be.
My biggest issue with the current iPad lineup and its “over-complicatedness” is that there are simply too many iPads to choose from now.
Let’s look at the current iPad lineup: iPad Mini 5, iPad sixth generation (because Apple will still be selling the discontinued model in Best Buy, Target, Walmart and Staples stores), the 10.2-inch iPad seventh generation, iPad Air 2, 11-inch iPad Pro and the 12.9-inch iPad Pro.
Right there, that is six different types of iPads, which is way too much for the average consumer to understand.
Even if you take out the iPad sixth generation, that’s still five different iPads for people to choose from. There’s virtually no difference between this the iPad Air 2. Sure, the specs are improved on the seventh generation and the iPad Air 2 has a slightly bigger screen than the seventh generation, but still, I think most consumers are going to be honestly confused and irritated by this.
So what should Apple be doing about this?
I think Apple needs to have four iPads. This means that you have the iPad Mini 5 and iPad Air 2 as two iPads that are entry-level and fluctuate in size. After that, you have the 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pros.
Right there, this makes it so that you have something for people that want the smaller size (iPad Mini 5) or people who want the size that’s bigger (iPad Air 2) but don’t have to go all the way up to an iPad Pro.
Additionally, you have the two iPad Pro models that are made for people getting pro word done, such as managing and writing a blog, editing photos professionally or simply getting schoolwork done.
If Apple really wanted to impress people like me, they have to start thinking about stuff like this more often. Steve Jobs always focused on the small things of products, as well as making them simple for the average person to understand (both in functionality and in their lineup). There’s no reason for Apple to not be doing this now.
