The reason why this works for Macs (and for cars) is that when the new model comes out, the old model is no longer manufactured and sold. Once it goes out of stock, it's gone.
With the iPad (and also the iPhone), Apple has been employing a strategy of continuing to manufacture and sell the previous year’s model along side with the latest model. Next year, when Apple brings out the 4th generation iPad, how will consumer’s be able to tell what it is that they’re buying? Apple will be selling a $400 3rd gen iPad, next to a $500 4th gen iPad. How will the consumer know which to choose?
That’s why I’m not sold on the new naming scheme for the iPad. We’ll have to see what Apple does in 2013.
This is one of the cases where a car analogy is actually pretty good. Car dealers frequently have left over inventory that they sell at a discount. The difference is that Apple continues to manufacture the previous year model. I don't think this "previous model" concept is very difficult for consumers to grasp though, and it's certainly better than an arbitrary numbering scheme.
Sequential numbers are not arbitrary...
The "previous model" issue seems relevant to me too: "do u want the new new ipad, or is it the new ipad from last year? Oh, you mean the ORIGINAL new ipad..." (jerry, the apple genius, 2014)
Regarding the car dealers, they rarely have more than ONE "previous generation" in stock (as far as I know...)
I don't think it's hard for consumers to understand that the 3rd gen iPad is $400 and the 4th gen iPad is $500.
Plus, if you just think about it from a feature checklist perspective, there will be a few clearly differentiating features that will also guide consumers on their purchase.
With the iPad (and also the iPhone), Apple has been employing a strategy of continuing to manufacture and sell the previous year’s model along side with the latest model. Next year, when Apple brings out the 4th generation iPad, how will consumer’s be able to tell what it is that they’re buying? Apple will be selling a $400 3rd gen iPad, next to a $500 4th gen iPad. How will the consumer know which to choose?
That’s why I’m not sold on the new naming scheme for the iPad. We’ll have to see what Apple does in 2013.