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Apple now selling refurbished iPads starting at $449

Apple, for the first time since the iPad went on sale, is now offering the hardware refurbished with a $50 discount from its online store, as availability of the product continues to improve.

Currently, just refurbished Wi-Fi-only iPad models are available, though all capacities can be purchased, with a shipping time of between one and three days. The 16GB model sells for $449, the 32GB offering is $549, and the highest capacity 64GB device is $649.

Like other refurbished sales, the iPads come with Apple's one-year limited warranty, and the AppleCare Protection Plan is also available for purchase. The site also notes that supplies are limited.

Since the iPad launched in April, Apple has not offered the touchscreen tablet for sale in a refurbished capacity. Orders of new models, for months, had wait times of days and weeks, while many retail stores were completely sold out for months.

But in late August, shipping times for new orders improved to 24 hours. Since then, Best Buy has revealed it will expand sales of the iPad to all of its U.S. stores by Sept. 26, while other retailers, like Target, are rumored to also carry the device in the near future.

However, 3G-capable refurbished iPads are not yet available for purchase via Apple's online store. All three models are listed as out of stock, and will also sell for $50, starting at $579 for the 16GB model.



49 Comments

anonymouse 16 Years · 6990 comments

I'm not really sure that this has any bearing on whether, "Apple is now producing enough iPads to meet demand". It's not like they could have been selling these as "new" before. It sounds more like it just took them a while to start doing this. I just don't see what logic leads to the conclusion that this has anything to do with production and demand levels.

joe hs 15 Years · 487 comments

Quote:
Originally Posted by anonymouse

I'm not really sure that this has any bearing on whether, "Apple is now producing enough iPads to meet demand". It's not like they could have been selling these as "new" before. It sounds more like it just took them a while to start doing this. I just don't see what logic leads to the conclusion that this has anything to do with production and demand levels.

Couldn't have said it better myself.

bagman 15 Years · 349 comments

Yeah, usually refurbished models just take time to build up enough returns to make it worthwhile to offer them for sale. What is the legality of selling a return item as new, vs refurbished, and what is the exact definition of refurbished (is it industry specific, or is it governed by law?).

rbonner 18 Years · 635 comments

Quote:
Originally Posted by anonymouse

I'm not really sure that this has any bearing on whether, "Apple is now producing enough iPads to meet demand". It's not like they could have been selling these as "new" before. It sounds more like it just took them a while to start doing this. I just don't see what logic leads to the conclusion that this has anything to do with production and demand levels.

Was just going to write the same. This might also be a good indication of quality, since there were probably not enough returns to justify getting started. I had an apple appt. today for the iPhone, he indicated that the replacement rates for the iPhone 4 are extremely low at our store.

utnvols1 15 Years · 8 comments

Quote:
Originally Posted by AppleInsider

... However, 3G-capable refurbished iPads are not yet available for purchase via Apple's online store. All three models are listed as out of stock, and will also sell for $50

Hope they have lifted the 2 / lifetime restriction, $50 isn't bad, still not sure if it is worth it without USB and HDMI...