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First Refurbished iPad 2 Models Appear in Apple's Online Store

Wednesday August 31, 2011 10:13 am PDT by Eric Slivka
Apple has just begun offering refurbished iPad 2 units in its online store, opening the way for modest price savings on available models. Discounts currently come in at only $50 off of pricing for brand-new units, and no low-end units are currently available.


Models currently available in the U.S. online store include:

- 64 GB Wi-Fi: both colors ($649)
- 32 GB Wi-Fi + 3G: all four carrier/color combinations ($679)
- 64 GB Wi-Fi + 3G: all four carrier/color combinations ($779)

All refurbished iPads carry the same return and warranty policies as brand-new units, and also include new batteries and outer shells. All other components are cleaned and tested during the refurbishing process, with defective parts obviously being replaced. Current stocks are listed as shipping in 1-3 business days.

Apple has been offering refurbished original iPad models at its lowest prices ever, with the 16 GB Wi-Fi model coming in at $299. Availability of the low-end models has been scarce, however, as stock has been quickly depleted by customers taking advantage of the deep discounts.

Related Roundup: iPad
Tag: refurbished
Buyer's Guide: iPad (Don't Buy)
[ 54 comments ]


Top Rated Comments

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toddybody
101 months ago
Id rather get $50.00 of a refurbished one, than $300.00 off a wooden one.
Rating: 15 Votes
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mms13
101 months ago

I'd rather spend $50 more and get a brand new shiny one...

Guarantee you wouldn't be able to tell the difference between a "brand new" iPad and a refurbished one. I pretty much exclusively buy Apple products refurbished (with the exception of iPhones cause they don't offer those). I've got a refubished MacBook Pro, Apple TV, and Airport Extreme. They all appear brand new when I get them and I haven't had any issues with them yet. And I've saved a lot of money.
Rating: 13 Votes
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hcho3
101 months ago
Blah.... 50 dollars doesn't mean much here.
Rating: 7 Votes
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jmpnop
101 months ago
I'd rather spend $50 more and get a brand new shiny one...

Id rather get $50.00 of a refurbished one, than $300.00 off a wooden one.


lol'd:D
Rating: 7 Votes
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Certinfy
101 months ago
Only $50 less for a refurbished unit :rolleyes:
Rating: 2 Votes
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notabadname
101 months ago

I'd rather spend $50 more and get a brand new shiny one...


But Apple's refurbished products are "brand-new, shiny". And with identical coverage/warranty as a "new", you really can't go wrong.

I have bought two laptops and one desktop now through the refurb program. Absolutely indistinguishable from new. Not a blemish or mark on any of the three. You might as well get the nearly
8% discount (in this case) by purchasing refurb and offset the similar tax rate of many states.
Rating: 2 Votes
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cvaldes
101 months ago

Not sure I understand how refurbished iPads work for Apple price-wise. I mean, isn't it just cheaper to just make a new iPad, than to take an old one apart (unglue everything with a heat gun, etc…), take the logic board and screen out, then place it into a bran new casing, reassemble and glue everything back? I understand that the most expensive part is probably the screen, the memory and the storage, but I'm sure the manual work involved and the new outer shell and battery is almost just as expensive. This would explain why it's not that much cheaper.

No, not all refurbished iPads were broken. Some were probably returned because the customer wasn't satisfied in one way or another ("I bought the 16GB WiFi version, but it turns out I need more space and 3G so I'm returning this.").

The point in refurbishing a broken unit is the fact that the components are rather pricey. The estimated bill of materials cost for the iPad 2 is $326, the most expensive component being the display/touchscreen panel at $127. If Apple junks the device, they lose $326 in BOM. If they spend a small amount in repair labor, plus the necessary replacement part, they can still sell it at a profit.
Rating: 1 Votes
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sswanky
101 months ago

do they swap the batteries on the refurbished models to new ones? (assuming that was not the problem to begin with)


Yes:

"We test and certify all Apple refurbished products and include a 1-year warranty.
All refurbished iPad models also include a brand new battery and outer shell."


Does anyone know if new "outer shell" means new glass?

Thanks.
Rating: 1 Votes
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lowbatteries
101 months ago
Apple should just knock the price of the new ones down to $99, they're getting their butts kicked by the TouchPad! :p
Rating: 1 Votes
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jreuschl
101 months ago
I know the general thought is refurbs may have have better quality control than a new one since they double check everything before going out, but I have to wonder if a lot of these refurbs are ones returned for light bleed issues that really don't have anything wrong with them.
Rating: 1 Votes

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