Tablet Sales Slow Down; Microsoft Struggles

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stevew928,
User Rank: Ninja
10/16/2014 | 12:41:19 PM

Re: Stating the obvious

Device makers are probably going to release on some cycle, just like car makers produce new models each year. The customer doesn't have to buy one each time the company updates. I'm still using an iPad 2, though I might buy an iPad Air 2 (or whatever it's called) in the next year, just to get the performance gains because it's a device I use daily (so it's worth it to me).

Apple's releases have been fairly significant if one really looks at the details. For example, the iPhone 6 is a pretty big technological step up from the iPhone 5s (CPU, GPU, energy efficiency, camera, etc.). I'm also in the market for a smart-phone and had though I'd just wait until the 6 to get a deal on the 5s. But, the differences are substantial enough it would be silly for me to get thee 5s at this point.

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stevew928,
User Rank: Ninja
10/16/2014 | 12:36:38 PM

Re: Stating the obvious

I think very few people buy Apple for status symbol reasons. While there might be some, that stereotype is WAY, WAY overblown!

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Lorna Garey,
User Rank: Author
10/16/2014 | 12:30:52 PM

Re: Stating the obvious

Shane and I are both New Englanders. Maybe it's that Yankee frugality -- I also tend to drive cars until they become undependable and repairs become more costly than the vehicle. If a physical item that took natural resources to produce still serves its purpose, I say, do the Earth a favor and use it until it doesn't.

I think device makers would be smart to releease hardware only when there is a significant advance and pivot to doing more in firmware.

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Todder,
User Rank: Moderator
10/16/2014 | 11:32:59 AM

Re: Stating the obvious

When all you're really pushing is a change in form factor without any compelling feature/function all you're doing is producing tablet to keep the market fresh with an offering like the automotive industry does. In Canada we have a phrase, "It's the same, but different."

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Lorna Garey,
User Rank: Author
10/16/2014 | 11:08:56 AM

Re: Stating the obvious

Exactly, Shane. *Could* I buy a new tablet every other year? Sure. But why would I? Of course, I am an Android person. I get that iThings have the "latest and greatest status symbol" factor, but still. Don't get it.

Now, a new Chromebook is another matter ...

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Shane M. O'Neill,
User Rank: Author
10/16/2014 | 10:21:41 AM

Re: Stating the obvious

Even if the tablet is half that price, why toss it? Save the quicker turnover -- and investment -- for phones, which we beat up day after day. I think tablets got more use when phones were smaller and laptops were clunkier. But now their life expectancy is growing.

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melgross,
User Rank: Ninja
10/16/2014 | 10:12:48 AM

Re: Stating the obvious

Most people I know buy a new one every two years, but it's a more upscale crowd. I buy a new one every year, but my wife insists on my giving her the older one rather than me buying her a new one.

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Shane M. O'Neill,
User Rank: Author
10/16/2014 | 10:08:29 AM

Tablets getting squeezed

The tablet novelty is slowly wearing off. Personally I've had three phones in the time I've had my Google Nexus tablet, and each phone has gotten bigger. The tablet works well enough, but I use it less frequently than I used to when my phone was smaller. Tablets are in a tough spot. They're getting double dinged: by bigger, better phones on one side and by dynamic two-in-one options that can replace traditional laptops on the other.

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100%

Lorna Garey,
User Rank: Author
10/16/2014 | 10:01:14 AM

Stating the obvious

I am not sure why anyone is surprised that people don't toss their $700 tablets every 24 months. AmI missing something?

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