Product Concepts

Apple products such as the iPad2 or the Macbook Pro can be considered both industrial AND consumer products as they are used both in professional fields as well as for personal use. As a business product it helps facilitate organizations operations. More often though it is used as a consumer product because it satisfies individual wants and needs.
The iPad 2 is a Specialty Product because people are reluctant to accept substitutes, although they do exist, and Apple has become a very important brand name. Apple is starting to develop a product line around the iPad 2 which includes its predecessor the iPad, iPad accessories such as the stand or the new magnetic cover for the iPad 2, and there will most likely be more variations of the iPad as time passes, furthering the product line similar to that of the iPod and iPhone. The iPad and accessories are only one small and rather new line in the larger product mix that Apple has created. In the mix are the Mac & Macbooks, iPods & touches, and the iPhone variations. They use somewhat different marketing strategies but utilize similar advertising campaigns and have a similar sleek image which is part of Apple's recent goal of "brand unity".
Apple has been very well known for utilizing product modification frequently which then causes planned obsolescence causing consumers to purchase the new product soon after the purchase of the last generation product by making it seem obsolete in comparison to the modified new product.
Apple has become one of the most successful examples of branding by simplifying its original image and name (Macintosh) to just Apple and white Apple outline for its logo. These have become instantly recognizable and are marked on every product in a way that does not clutter it. Apple has been very successful in creating brand loyalty by creating products that work perfectly with each other, as well as perfectly on their own which helps build consumer loyalty.