14 DAY TRIAL // Heavily discounted, first-generation iPads are still selling through Apple’s Special Deals area as refurbished products, one week into the announcement of a third-generation iPad.
Apple’s original tablet PC is currently selling at an all-time low price of $299 for the base configuration with WiFi wireless and 16 gigs of Flash storage.
Originally released in April 2010, the device boasts a 9.7-inch screen with a 1024x768 resolution. It features the same display as the one found on the recently obsoleted iPad 2, but certainly not the same display found on the newer (third-generation) iPad which packs 3.1 million pixels on an area just as large.
Still, the first iPad has a lot to offer. It lasts an amazing 10 hours between charges (used regularly, of course), has a killer design even by today’s standards, and supports the latest version of iOS (5.1).
Models with more storage capacity and / or 3G wireless can also be found as discounted refurbs, selling for slightly higher prices in accordance with their higher technical specifications.
For instance, a refurbished iPad with Wi-Fi 32GB goes for $399. A refurbished iPad with Wi-Fi + 3G at 16GB (Black - AT&T) goes for the same price. The compromise here is between storage and wireless capabilities.
Pretty much every configuration is up for grabs on Apple’s Special Deals site.
A refurbished iPad with Wi-Fi + 3G at 64GB currently sells for $599. That’s just $100 more expensive than the low-end third-generation iPad with WiFi and 16GB.
So, if you’re not much into Retina displays and just need a solid tablet computer that does Internet chores, plays movies, and occasionally serves as a gaming machine, you know the drill.
Naturally, there are some nifty iPad 2 units on sale as well. The iPad 2 refurbs start at $349 for Wi-Fi and 16GB.