BestbuyBest Buy has slashed pricing on third-generation iPad models by thirty percent, bringing the price down to $315 for the 16GB Wi-Fi models. Comparable refurbished units are available for $379 directly from Apple.

However, the iPads are only available via in-store pickup and it appears that selection varies widely between stores.

Potential purchasers can check availability for individual models at their local Best Buy locations and reserve them for in-store pickup on the website.

The current fourth-generation iPad was a modest upgrade from the third-generation that Best Buy has discounted. The older model has a slower A5X processor, uses the 30-pin connector rather than Lightning, and has slower Wi-Fi capabilities.

Top Rated Comments

jdogg836 Avatar
155 months ago
Not true. I put in every model (16/32/64) in black and white, and found a few at various stores within 50 miles from my home.

There aren't many available - but there are some.

My zip code is 14219. For example, there are 2 stores with White 64gb AT&T models available at 9:00am EST on April 5. (You get another $100 off that by signing up with AT&T). I'm sure there are other models in other zip codes.

It's just Best Buy's way of getting rid of the last few they have. There were a lot more different models available yesterday in my area. They're going quick.

This. It's funny how quick people are to call bait and switch. There are 18 different models (2 carriers plus wifi, 3 sizes, 2 colors) out there and 1000+ stores. Probably more than a million dollars of dead stock inventory sitting in stores throughout the country, seems like a justifiable reason to put them on the website to me. Doesn't mean they were trying to be shady, it just means that there are iPad 3's in stock at a Best Buy somewhere when it went up. I know exactly why they didn't offer them for purchase online, when everyone tries to buy the 2 they have in stock they have no way to limit it at exactly 2 as the orders come in. So they take them off the web. Same thing happened back when the Wii's were selling like hotcakes during the holidays 3 years ago and made people go into the store.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nohaver Avatar
155 months ago
2nd This



However, I did find a very small selection of 3rd gens with limited availability at some Target stores, including the one closest to my house. I was able to get the 32GB wi-fi only in white (they had a couple left in black as well), price matched with the Best Buy print-out from the web site down to $384.99 (Target had it listed at $449.99), plus 5% off for using a Target RedCard. I think that's even a little better deal than Target was offering back in early Feb (although they marked their 16GB models down to $299 then, but, again, it was impossible to find one in stock, and it had to be picked up in-store/no online orders as well).


Thanks to this tip I just got home from Target after a successful price match on a 32gb white wifi only* for the wife. I thought it would be tough, but it was one of the easiest things I've done. FYI - They had to look in the back as none of these are on display.

*I don't know if they just goofed, but when my wife opened it at home we discovered that they gave us an AT&T cellular model. We're a Sprint family (unfortunately) but I guess it doesn't hurt to have...
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
szw-mapple fan Avatar
155 months ago
The upgrade from the iPad 3 to 4 isn't modest at all. The looks are the same, but the speed is more than twice as fast. That means the iPad 4 is going to have a lot longer useful life than an iPad 3 will.

But you have to admit the 3 is still more than sufficient (at least for now).
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
szw-mapple fan Avatar
155 months ago
Sounds pretty tempting... I have to remind myself that I have no use for one given I already have an MBA and an iPhone; I'd get limited new value out of one...


At this price, you should definitely consider it. iPads are much better at doing most stuff than iPhone, and there are things that you just can't get out of a MBA(gaming, ebooks, movies...). I have both the MBA and iPad and both are used frequently.:D
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jmw1480 Avatar
155 months ago
Aaaaand it's gone

The discounted prices are no longer advertised at Best Buy (as of Sunday, 7 Apr 2013) - 32gb wi-fi back up to $549.99.

So the best deal now is at Target - $449.95 (same price as the 16gb model at Best Buy), plus a $30 gift card (and an extra 5% off if you use a RedCard). Not great, but definitely not bad.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
charlituna Avatar
155 months ago
This probably means Apple is trying to clear out stock for the new models.

http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/2259336/ipad-price-cuts-hint-at-imminent-ipad-launch

Nope. It means what it means. That Best Buy had a bunch of previous generation iPads they couldn't get rid of and marked them down to dump them

If this had been the iPad 4 it might mean something
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iOS 18

iOS 18.4 Will Include These New Features for Your iPhone

Wednesday February 5, 2025 7:15 am PST by
iOS 18.3 was released last month, so the first iOS 18.4 beta should be coming soon. iOS 18.4 is expected to be a more substantial update for the iPhone, with several new features and changes related to Apple Intelligence and beyond. Apple's website suggests that iOS 18.4 will be released in April, following beta testing. Below, we outline what to expect from the update so far. Apple...
iCloud General Feature Redux

iPhone Users Who Pay for iCloud Storage Receive an All-New Perk

Thursday February 6, 2025 11:21 am PST by
If you pay for iCloud storage on your iPhone, Apple has a new perk for you, at no additional cost. iCloud+ is the official name for Apple's paid iCloud storage plans, which range from 50GB for $0.99 per month to 12TB for $59.99 per month in the United States. iCloud+ plans already come with multiple perks for free, such as Hide My Email and HomeKit Secure Video, and now there is another one...
iPhone SE 4 Single Camera Thumb

iPhone SE 4 Launching as Soon as Next Week

Thursday February 6, 2025 3:30 pm PST by
Apple's next-generation iPhone SE could debut as soon as next week with a launch to follow later in February, reports Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Apple isn't expected to hold an event for the iPhone SE 4, and will instead unveil the device through a press release. The iPhone SE 4 is expected to have an iPhone 14-style design, with Apple eliminating the thick bezels and Touch ID Home button of...
iOS 18

iOS 18.3.1 Update Coming Soon for iPhones

Thursday February 6, 2025 7:31 am PST by
Apple is internally testing iOS 18.3.1 for iPhones, according to our website's analytics logs, which have been a consistently reliable indicator of upcoming iOS versions. The software update should be released within the next few weeks. iOS 18.3.1 should be a minor update that addresses software bugs and/or security vulnerabilities. Apple Intelligence notification summaries for news and...
maxresdefault

An Apple TV Refresh is Coming in 2025 - Here's What You Should Know

Wednesday February 5, 2025 10:17 am PST by
Apple hasn't refreshed the Apple TV since 2022, but rumors suggest that we're finally going to get an update in 2025. We don't have a full picture of what to expect yet, but we have some hints on what's coming. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Updated A-Series Chip The current Apple TV 4K uses the A15 Bionic chip that was in the iPhone 13 lineup, and it's time for...
iCloud General Feature Redux

Apple Ordered by UK to Create Global iCloud Encryption Backdoor

Friday February 7, 2025 2:37 am PST by
The British government has secretly demanded that Apple give it blanket access to all encrypted user content uploaded to the cloud, reports The Washington Post. The undisclosed order is said to have been issued last month, and requires that Apple creates a back door that allows UK security officials unencumbered access to encrypted user data worldwide – an unprecedented demand not before...
Apple Leak Feature

Apple Leaker Issues Apology: 'Profound and Expensive Mistake'

Friday February 7, 2025 9:21 am PST by
Last year, we reported that Apple sued its former software engineer Andrew Aude for providing journalists with confidential information about the company's future plans, including details about the Journal app, Vision Pro headset, and more. As reported by 9to5Mac, the Superior Court of Santa Clara County on Thursday dismissed the lawsuit after Apple and Aude reached an agreement to resolve...
apple wallet drivers license feature iPhone 15 pro

iPhone Driver's Licenses to Expand to These 7 U.S. States

Wednesday February 5, 2025 6:27 am PST by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, providing a convenient and contactless way to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. Below, we outline which U.S. states and territories offer the feature, and additional states that have committed to rolling it out in...