Ryan mentioned on the latest bombcast that he will probably be getting a new iPad in the next week or two. I thought this was weird since it is so close to new iPad release season (first gen = April, 2 and 3 = March) but then I remembered that Apple released that small, quiet refresh with the lightning connector when the mini came out. There are already rumors circulating about a new iPad coming in March but I'm not here to comment on that. I'm just wondering if you guys think that Apple is trying to move the iPad sales season to the holidays? In any case, I don't think Ryan should be buying anything right now. At lease wait until after march to see what happens. I know I would kick myself if I bought an iPad and a new one came out a few short weeks later.

I've been looking to buy one myself since Christmas but after the rumors about there being a new one in March I've decided to wait until that month passes in case something new is announced.

Rumour is they are moving to twice a year product refreshes.

Either way, Ryan is a big boy, he can make decisions like this himself. Maybe he doesn't want to wait for what is likely a small improvement, maybe his old ipad is broken, who knows.

I feel like the holiday refresh was only to maintain parity with the new Lightning connector. I feel like Apple will go back to the Spring refreshes, keeping the holidays focused on iPhone.

@alternate: This thread was less about suggesting to Ryan what he should do and more about discussing Apple's release cycle's and what that out of place holiday micro refresh means for the iPad. Ryan's comment just reminded me of this whole situation and got me thinking about the optimal time to buy. I tend to agree with @darthslughorn. I can't see them competing against their own products during the holiday season. Unless I'm thinking about this wrong and iPhone is a completely different market from iPad. I have both of them but I suppose that they are different devices and may appeal to completely different segments of the population.