Apple's (AAPL) iPad Mini Event Raises More Questions than Answers
Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) had a chance to capture the world once again and ended up looking a little amateurish today.
First, the company introduced a new 13-inch MacBook Pro. Notably, there is already a 13-inch MacBook Pro available, but the new version has Retina display.
Next misstep was debuting an updated iMac. The key theme with the new device is that it's "thinner" and runs on Intel's (Nasdaq: INTC) Ivy Bridge processor set (the i5 and i7). (Admittedly, it's a great-looking device.)
Then, confusion surrounding a new iPad, with one having just been released about half a year ago. The new tablet has an A6X processor, Lightning port, dual-band 802.11 a/b/g/n WiFi, and front-facing camera.
Finally, there's the iPad Mini. The device is great and is just what Apple needed to stick it to competitors who have been feasting in the smaller next-generation tablet market. Resolution is solid, performance is there, and the design is crisp. Apple just simply dropped the ball on pricing. At $329, it's only $30 more than the expected $299 price point. However, there's the psychological factor that goes into pricing and $299 looks bounds cheaper than $329.
The point is, where has all the creativity and innovation gone? Retina display is incredible, but the technology seems years old by now.
Following the iPhone 5 snafu and missed earnings expectations, some investors might start to wonder whether or not Apple sans Jobs is still capable of spewing the same magic it has over the last five years.
Apple is slated to release fourth-quarter results later this week.
Apple slipped over 2 percent following pricing of the device, but has since rebounded.
First, the company introduced a new 13-inch MacBook Pro. Notably, there is already a 13-inch MacBook Pro available, but the new version has Retina display.
Next misstep was debuting an updated iMac. The key theme with the new device is that it's "thinner" and runs on Intel's (Nasdaq: INTC) Ivy Bridge processor set (the i5 and i7). (Admittedly, it's a great-looking device.)
Then, confusion surrounding a new iPad, with one having just been released about half a year ago. The new tablet has an A6X processor, Lightning port, dual-band 802.11 a/b/g/n WiFi, and front-facing camera.
Finally, there's the iPad Mini. The device is great and is just what Apple needed to stick it to competitors who have been feasting in the smaller next-generation tablet market. Resolution is solid, performance is there, and the design is crisp. Apple just simply dropped the ball on pricing. At $329, it's only $30 more than the expected $299 price point. However, there's the psychological factor that goes into pricing and $299 looks bounds cheaper than $329.
The point is, where has all the creativity and innovation gone? Retina display is incredible, but the technology seems years old by now.
Following the iPhone 5 snafu and missed earnings expectations, some investors might start to wonder whether or not Apple sans Jobs is still capable of spewing the same magic it has over the last five years.
Apple is slated to release fourth-quarter results later this week.
Apple slipped over 2 percent following pricing of the device, but has since rebounded.