Well, the iPad 2 was announced today. And I can’t get it until March 25th. If I was going to get it, that is.
Not that it isn’t an intriguing device, because it is. If I didn’t already have an iPad, I’d be all over it. But I don’t need the iPad 2, even though it is an upgrade — because I don’t need to upgrade.
I used to be one of those people that saw the newest and shiniest gadgets hit the market and salivate as I waited to save enough money to buy them.1 But as upgrades became more and more frequent, I started to see the folly of my ways. So instead of being “up” with early adopting, I’m now “down” on upgrade envy.
For example, I’m still running on my three-year old MacBook Pro. And it works fine for my needs. No need to upgrade…and I won’t be upgrading it until it kicks the bucket or until its uselessness to me outweighs its usefulness. When that happens, I’ll look at either picking up an iMac for the family to use or pick up a new Macbook2 along with a larger display so it remains portable. But I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it.
Same with my iPad. It does exactly what I need it to do. It may not have a camera, but I don’t need a camera on my iPad…front-facing or otherwise. It may not be as thin as the new one, but it’s thin enough. Not to mention the fact that I have two tremendous cases that will definitely not fit the new iPad 2.
I’ve watched countless devices that I’ve purchased see an upgrade within mere weeks of purchasing their predecessors. My Drobo is of the USB variety, bought only weeks before the Firewire edition was released. I’m fine with that…because it works. It may not be as fast as the newer model, but it still does the job. Just more eventually.
When the iPhone 4 was announced, I went out and bought a 3GS version. I saved money and got a phone that serves my needs just fine. And since I’m a lefty, I’m kind of glad I did.3
So, no iPad 2 for me. I don’t need it. And without upgrade envy clouding my sense of reason, I don’t want it.4
1 Sort of a hybrid of the “Leo Laporte Syndrome“, only without the financial concerns.
2 Whether it’s a Pro or Air is up in the, well, air right now.
3 Yes, they did fix the “left-handed phone-holding” issue, but I didn’t even have to deal with it on the 3GS.
4 Apple can only make me want it if they render my current device obsolete with iOS upgrades. But even that sort of tactic is wearing thin with me.
