Refurbished iPad 2 and original iPad models sold through Apple have had their prices cut by between $20 and $50 recently. Here's the new breakdown.
iPad 2
- 16 GB Wi-Fi: $319, down $30 from $349
- 32 GB Wi-Fi: $399, down $50 from $449
64 GB Wi-Fi: $499, down $50 from $449
16 GB Wi-Fi+3G: $449, down $30 from $479
- 32 GB Wi-Fi+3G: $529, down $50 from $579
- 64 GB Wi-Fi+3G: $629, down $50 from $679
Original iPad
- 16 GB Wi-Fi: $279, down $20 from $299
- 32 GB Wi-Fi: $349, down $50 from $399
64 GB Wi-Fi: $449, down $50 from $499
16 GB Wi-Fi+3G: $379, down $20 from $399
- 32 GB Wi-Fi+3G: $449, down $50 from $499
- 64 GB Wi-Fi+3G: $549, down $50 from $599
So, for the cost of a brand-spanking-new Retina iPad, you could get a gently-loved iPad 2 with four times the storage and possibly a lot more battery life. These are solid price cuts, but unless you're already heavily invested in the iOS ecosystem with apps, music, movies, or books, I'm unconvinced that a first-gen refurbished iPad is worth $80 more than the Kindle Fire or BlackBerry PlayBook. What do you guys think? Could you find a use for a cheap original iPad, or is it even worth the trouble at this point? If you're interested in picking up one of the recently-discounted iPads, you can pick 'em up over here.
Source: MacRumors
Reader comments
Refurb iPads get $20 - $30 price cuts - original 16 GB iPad now $279
I don't see any iPad 1 wifi 16GB on there.
Nvmd, just hit refresh a bunch of times and it finally popped up. Just ordered one for mi madre. Happy Mothers Day!
Thank you iMore! -- the refurb 16GB iPad 2 I ordered over the weekend was just delivered about 2 hours ago. I called up Apple and they credited me $30.
Original ipad all the way over the playbook thats for sure. The playbook is still an overpriced paper weight if you ask me. Without the access to the variety of apps that the appstore offers, its a waste of money. Yes iPad 1 is slower and resolution may not be up to par with the playbook nor does it have a camera but for education purposes, every day apps that don't require fast processor speeds or retina display, its far more advanced than the playbook. Don't know much about the kindle fire so I can't comment but screen size alone on the iPad is a great selling point. Not to mention the ability to Jailbreak.
I maintain that for everyone other than those that have the utmost desire to be on the bleeding edge of technology, the new iPad is such a minor upgrade over the Gen 2 that it is not worth the extra money. A much better feature set would be needed other than a better screen and minimal memory upgrade to compel me to fork over the extra dough. If I thought my wife would use it, I would get her a refurb iPad 2 with lots of memory. I sadly got the 64GB+4G new iPad and realized I could have saved a few Benjamins and been just as happy with the performance.
Well, there's no way I can tell you what's right for yourself or your family but I wouldn't just judge the iPad by what it can do now as compared to the previous model. It's got another ten months before the new model comes out and hopefully much longer before it's obsolete.
Many apps could be created (or discovered by you) in that time, which require more memory or processing power or a better camera or whatever and you will be one iterative cycle ahead of the game. And it only cost an extra hundred dollars for that convenience and "security."
Of course, one hundred bills is not chump change, exactly, but when one misses out on twice the storage or built-in data or more memory or ... for just one hundred dollars, it can feel like an error in judgement - especially a year later.
iPad 2
"64 GB Wi-Fi: $499, down $50 from $449"
Other way around, no?
iPad or Kindle? Original iPad totally worth the cost. I'm still using my original iPad (16GB plus 3G). A way to look at this: Would I exchange this old iPad for a Kindle plus $179 cash back? Not a chance. Then instead of a great, capable, amazing general purpose machine, I'd just have some cash and a Kindle. What good would that be?
The original ipadnis still a nice device for that price. My dad just bought a used iPad 1 from another site he gor the 64 gig 3G model for $249. He's the type to download 2 apps and surf the web so it will be perfect for him since there's no need for high end games or apps. We also got him set up with a 4s recently so he's got a great camera available and the original iPad will make viewing those pics a nice experience.
Honestly, I'd get my mom an original iPad before I'd get her a Kindle Fire. The Fire would have to drop to $99 for that to change.
I respect your opinion and all, but as someone who owns a Fire, Playbook, and iPad 1, I'm astonished at your assertion that the first gen iPad is in some way inferior to either of those devices. The Fire is underpowered, the UI is a little Kindle-centric to say the least, and the apps available for it make it feel less like a tablet and more like a color Kindle. The Playbook is nice and totally adequate for entertainment content playback, but unless you can take advantage of the persistence between the tablet and your Blackberry phone, there's little that makes it hold a candle to what you can do with an iPad 1 and the App Store.
Care to explain your position? I'm genuinely curious.
must have sold very quickly- can't find 16 GB Wi-Fi: $319, only with 3G for 449