Apple kills the iPad 2, replaces with iPad 4

It’s been rumoured for months, but Apple has finally ended production of education favourite, the iPad 2.

As expected, Apple has retired the iPad 2 from sale. The 2nd generation iPad has been a school favourite for a number of years despite being superseded by three further iPad models and two versions of the iPad Mini.

Rumours of the iPad 2’s demise have been swirling around like a fruity smog for several months, and the inevitable has finally happened. Originally released in 2011 — 3 years is a long time in technology — the iPad 2 has clung on as Apple’s low end iPad alternative and has become a go-to device for schools looking to maximise their budget.

The device is set to be replaced by the iPad 4, a significant improvement over the iPad 2, which includes Apple’s famous Retina Display, and significantly beefier internals. Aside from the higher specification of the iPad 4, it also means that the entire iPad range now uses Apple’s Lightning connector as standard, reducing charging compatibility problems for schools.