I suggest you go to an Apple Store or Best Buy, or some place where you can do a hands on comparison. Get a feel.

I had some idea of what I was thinking it would be like and when I picked it up, it felt right. The size especially. I am not interested in anything smaller. I'm getting older and my vision is not like it used to be.

I would like something lighter. Despite getting a really good case that allows it to sit up on it's own, many a times I am holding it flat with just my hands and given enough time, it does become weighty.

I honestly don't know where they are at in models now. I have an iPad 2. I think they have newer models. Same size? Lighter perhaps.

But until this one craps out on me, I'm very pleased with it and use it every day.

My son swears by the androids, but then again, if you remember, he told me to avoid these tablets and iPad thingies... They are just fads. 
He has since bought a small tablet. 

That being said, Apple does not fluctuate with pricing. You don't see them go on sale. I haven't. I just happened to be in a Best Buy, one day sale, unadvertised for $50 off. But the price of the case brought the total back up.

Good luck. Go put one in your hands and spend some time with it.

Best Buy now is honoring the competitive price. If you can prove by a legitimate company and price, they will match it. I could care less about the company, but this move has allowed me to actually consider Best Buy as a purchase shop. This is all we really have for electronics.

We have HHGregg, but that's a crap store. I went in once and have no desire ever to go back.

And with things like an iPad, I'll bet they are staying spot on price wise. They can't afford to pull crap over the consumer on that product.

Just a guess though.