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points by nakovet 3 days ago | 0 comments

Last iPad Mini I bought in 2015 was 32gb for $379CAD, one today 11 years later is $949CAD for 128gb, 2.5x over 10 years, I know there is different tech, inflation and times are different but I always though the mini as the budget option, now with this recent releases Apple is just going for: it's expensive because that's the only way we can keep growing....

[–] andjd 3 days ago

The mini is not the budget option, at least not anymore. The base 11" iPad starts at $450 in the US (and can often be found on sale for less). It is the cost-down with lower-spec components, and is probably a more compelling product for the consumer looking for the cheapest iPad option than a cost-down mini would be.

[–] ezconnect 3 days ago

Their budget iPad I think got 70% increased in price a couple of months ago. I was planning to upgrade my iPad mini to the normal 11inch iPad and when I checked the price it was nowhere near the price I remembered I last saw it.

[–] rjrjrjrj 3 days ago

Exchange rate is also a factor.

The iPad mini hasn’t been the budget iPad for quite a few years now. It is more like a small iPad Air now.

[–] __rito__ 3 days ago

It is a very rare event what is going on right now. The prices are mostly up due to memory shortage.

[–] al_borland 3 days ago

I wish this was somehow listed as a separate line item with the price, assuming prices will normalize at some point. I don’t want these prices to be considered the new normal, even after memory prices come down. I think transparency in the pricing would help with that.

[–] addaon 3 days ago

In 1974, soda prices spiked with a sugar shortage.

- They never came back down.

- Diet soda and seltzer prices spiked too.

[–] jachee 3 days ago

> I don’t want these prices to be considered the new normal

“Oh, ho, ho… you sweet summer child.” —Capitalism

[–] mahboi 3 days ago

Plenty of prices have risen and fallen before

[–] Barbing 3 days ago

> I always though the mini as the budget option

Keeping up appearances:

Lease from $14.99/mo. per month for 36 mo.months with Apple Upgrade Footnote ※

[–] r0fl 3 days ago

8.7% annual inflation is pretty high but most luxury goods have kept up with that

Check Porsche 911 / Boxster pricing in Canada over those years or Chanel bags

Luxury inflation > normal inflation

[–] paxy 3 days ago

Computers are a “luxury good” now?

[–] SkyeCA 3 days ago

Ones made by Apple? Definitely. There are other cheaper options.

[–] mahboi 3 days ago

The cheap ones have gone up in price even more as a %

[–] jkahrs595 3 days ago

In what world is the latest and greatest Apple product NOT a luxury good?

[–] r0fl 3 days ago

Yes, Apple iPad minis are luxury goods

[–] Grombobulous 3 days ago

If we remove the last year of AI-related storage/RAM cost increases, the rate of inflation is way lower if not flat.

The iPad is not the only device that has had price increases in the last year.

[–] mahboi 3 days ago

Luxury inflation is more than normal inflation, but this isn't a luxury even though it's not necessary, and the price isn't going up due to the steady cause of inflation (money creation).