I really hope we don’t get big price increases next week. Even if Apple don’t always see it, the iPad line works really well as their sub-$1000 computing line. Available in classic good/better/best configs the iPad 10 in particular is competitive against similarly priced Windows and Chrome OS machines. At that price the average consumer is willing to accept some loss of control for a more managed experience.

Some marketing might help! When was the last time we saw any actual adverts for the iPad? It’s a perfect machine for the less IT savvy, kids, teens, the elderly and well anyone who wants their machine to damned well just work.

They need to communicate this more. In a worldwide economic downturn they could do with investing more time in grassroots products instead of attempting to cannibalise and upsell weary enthusiasts.