Apple Products Obsolescence

CLY4911 wrote:
Has anyone experienced this frustration and problem?

Nope, no frustrations or problems here.

No frustration here, either. Obsolescence is just a part of living with technology. If technology didn't march on, we'd still be using Commodore 64s.

I usually give my old tech away but I might try selling my old iPad on eBay.

Your frustration is understandable but it is the price we pay for technology changes. While some changes may be to increase the bottom line, most changes that I have witnessed in more than 30 years of buying high-tech products have been for the better. What I try to do before I buy something is research on the forums to see if a new product is expected out. The iPad is a case in point. There were many, many credible rumors that a new iPad would be out early spring, so anyone buying within the last few months could have been aware of that. In addition, with some products, such as the iPad, you can easily sell your old one if you wish and make most of your money back. Personally, if I had an iPad I would not be rushing to buy an iPad 2. I see nothing in the new product that makes the old product obsolete. If Apple brings out iPad 3 this fall, as rumored, with a Retina display, that might be a big deal.

CLY4911 wrote:
I am then assuming you both have enough capital to throw out products without thought to cost. I just bought the ipad for over 1K and three months later, ipad2 comes out.

So, does this mean your iPad can suddenly not accomplish what it did when you purchased it? Why would you need to throw it out?

Stedman

I keep a product until it no longer meets the requirements I need. If you want to be a "latest and greatest" gadget chaser, you do need deep pockets and hope you can sell it on ebay or Craigslist to recoup some of the difference. And far from being "snarky" the Commodore comment was accurate, without advances, our cell phones would be the size of a brick, we would still be using 5" floppies, etc. Product improvements and advances have been a way of life in high-tech electronics for as long as they have been around. Frustrating, yes. But nothing to loose sleep over.

the 12 volt is obsolete, is is now charging on 5 amps

Incorrect. It used to be 12vdc FireWire 500 mAmps now it's 5vdc USB 500 mAmps.

another cable for the car and another sound dock needed

Why not simply use a $20 adapter such as made by Scoshe?

And changing from FireWire to USB was announced by Apple 3 years prior to the changeover. Manufacturers simply did not bother to follow Apple guidelines. Blame them.

CLY4911 wrote:
I just bought the ipad for over 1K and three months later, ipad2 comes out.

When you bought is really isn't relevant. Are you suggesting, perhaps that Apple stop selling iPads for six months so that there is no possibility that some one will have just bought one? How about those of us who bought an iPad when they first came out, should we have to wait for a new one just because you didn't buy one until a month ago?

There is always newer, better, cheaper tech just about to come out. That is a given, no need for additional announcements. More specifically, Apple tends to update products approximately once a year. A little research might have lead to a more informed buying choice.

I give my older devices to friends and family members who might not otherwise be able to afford them. It gives me a great deal of satisfaction.

CLY4911 wrote:
...MacBook Pro - new model coming out. If everyone is ok with technology being obsolete when you buy it, then i suppose i should just go back to the PC base where even old software works within Windows regardless of the version. PC software changes but it does not force you to purchase new accessories to even operate the device.

Odd. I have a MacBook Pro that is now 5 years old. Yet it runs the latest operating system, works with both new and old software, is still plenty fast enough to do everything that I need it to do (and I do some fairly processor-intensive tasks), and it works with pretty much all of the latest accessories. Even though there have been several new models released in the past 5 years, I wouldn't call it obsolete.

I think your definition of "obsolete" may differ from other people's definition.

Onceler wrote:
I think your definition of "obsolete" may differ from other people's definition.

Obsolete: Adj. That which is no longer the newest, shiniest, coolest toy on the shelf. Isn't that everyone's definition? 😉

CLY4911 wrote:
If everyone is ok with technology being obsolete when you buy it, then i suppose i should just go back to the PC base where even old software works within Windows regardless of the version. PC software changes but it does not force you to purchase new accessories to even operate the device.

This is the one point that I agree with to a certain extent. It has bummed me out in the past when Apple releases a cool new "doo-dad" as my dear departed mother used to say, and it would not work with the "older" versions of software like OSX Tiger 10.4.11. I realize in the Apple World that OS is archaic, but the newest Windows gadgets will still work with MS DOS.

OK - thats a bit of a stretch, and was said with tongue in cheek, but it does seem to me like some of the newer Windows devices will work with the older Windows OS compared to Mac systems and Apple devices. Now having said that, I will GLADLY trade the reliability of the Mac OS and the Apple devices for the additional cost to upgrade any day of the week - IF I truly want the device. Unfortunately, sometimes in the Apple world, you have to pay a little more, a little sooner ... but IMHO, as the saying goes, you only get what you pay for.

And in closing, like Stedman said - your original iPad still does everything it did when you bought it and still works for your needs. Don't get so caught up in the iPad2 envy going on out there these days. Use your iPad and enjoy it like you have for the past three months. It is NOT obsolete. BTW ... I have had my iPad only one month longer than you have had yours and I don't plan on dumping it any time soon.

Message was edited by: Demo