I purchased the iPad2 despite being disappointed with the screen, but I knew I would use the device to death. I basically went into the purchase knowing I would be selling it in less than a year since apple products hold their value so well. So this upgrade does have a huge amount of value for me as the ipad2 display is very limiting.
I am sort of a 'gadget freak', but I force myself to be on a budget and that usually requires me to sell my devices pretty frequently. With that said, I will probably use the ipad3 for the 2 year cycle unless I'm not impressed with the ipad5 (doubtful).
I still have a 27" 2009 iMac that I absolutely love and probably won't be upgrading for a few more years (when desktop retina displays are common place). Once you get into the apple product cycle, if you buy early in the cycle and sell late, upgrades are not that painful. When I sold my netbook 2 years later I basically gave it away... that was painful.