refurbished

Faced with previously unmatched pressure from competitors, Apple will almost certainly cut iPad prices--but I don't think we'll see any "official" moves until January (at the earliest). In the meantime, it looks like the company is testing the price-cut waters with refurbished iPads.

Specifically, the online Apple Store has the 16GB iPad 2 Wi-Fi for $419 shipped. That's for the black model, though you can also get it in white. Either way, it's the lowest price to date on an iPad 2.

As I mentioned, these are refurbs--but don't let that give you … Read more

Hewlett-Packard will put its short-lived TouchPad tablet up for sale one last time. The fire sale $99 price will still apply--with a few catches.

The first major catch is that the offer will go exclusively to HP employees before going wide on eBay at $99 and $149, respectively for the 16GB and 32GB versions, on December 11 at 4 p.m. PT. The second major catch is that all units will be refurbished, according to a report on TechCrunch, thus the eBay venue.

"In an effort to give HP employees first chance at a very limited supply of refurbished TouchPads, there will be a short delay between when the product is posted live for sale on eBay and when the general public is notified of the sale," according to the letter, posted by TechCrunch.

The delay will only be a few minutes, so there should be an opportunity for the public to get a crack at $99 (16GB) and $149 (32GB) TouchPads.

Another catch is that there will be limited availability (if that isn't already obvious). … Read more

Currently, the iPhone 4S is selling at a rate of nearly 1,000 per minute, putting it on pace to quickly become the best-selling consumer electronic product of all time. That title is currently held by Apple's iPad; the company is now selling refurbished first-generation models at deep discounts.

If you've been eying an iPad, but don't want to drop the $600 or so to get one, head on over to Apple's online store and pick up a refurbished first-generation iPad at savings of $200 or more.

A refurbished iPad Wi-Fi 64GB can be had for $… Read more

Apple is now selling refurbished versions of the iPad 2 through its U.S. online store, a first since the popular tablet was launched in March.

Apple is carrying both colors of the device at different storage capacities, though all except for two of what's currently in stock are the models with either Verizon or AT&T's 3G networking built in, as opposed to the less expensive, Wi-Fi-only models. Apple is also not offering any of the entry-level 16GB capacity models.

As for the discount, which is one of the main reasons to purchase a refurbished product … Read more

It was just a couple weeks ago that I told you about a refurbished 16GB iPad Wi-Fi for $349, and now AT&T is offering something even better: a refurbished 16GB iPad Wi-Fi + 3G for $329 shipped. 3G!

Don't think 16GB will do? The refurbished 32GB iPad Wi-Fi + 3G is $429 shipped. (For what it's worth, I've been able to get by just fine with 16GB--but I don't stuff my iPad with a ton of music and video.) Curiously, the 64GB model is also showing a price tag of $429, which is particularly awesome, but it's currently out of stock.

Great as these prices are, there are a few things to consider. First, these are online-only deals, so you can't just walk into an AT&T store--not a big deal for most folks. Also, you'll probably be on the hook for sales tax, same as if you were buying from Apple.

But the real downside here is AT&T's warranty: 90 days, versus the one year you get on refurbished gear from Apple. Of course, Apple charges $479 and $559 for the 16GB and 32GB iPad Wi-Fi + 3G, respectively, so you're saving a considerable chunk of change by accepting a shorter warranty.

My thought? Totally worth it.… Read more

I'll be the first to admit this isn't news--Apple has been selling the refurbished 16GB iPad with Wi-Fi for $349 shipped (plus sales tax in some states) for the better part of a month.

So why am I posting it now? Because I have some thoughts to share, and because I don't think this deal will be around for much longer.

Indeed, now that the iPad 2 has arrived, Apple has only a finite number of original iPads left to sell. When they're gone, they're gone, meaning your only option will be the $499-and-up iPad … Read more

It was just two months ago that refurbished iPads first hit the Apple Store, bringing a $50 savings to all three Wi-Fi models. (Since then, Apple has added the 3G iPads to the refurb catalog as well, again at a $50 discount.)

If those price reductions weren't significant enough for you, how about this: Apple just lowered refurbished iPad prices even further.

Right now, and for a "special limited time" (Apple isn't saying how long, but my guess is until stock runs out), you can get a refurbished 16GB iPad for $429, a 32GB iPad for $499, … Read more

I'm a longtime fan of refurbished gear--especially Apple's refurbished gear, which looks and operates like new and comes with the same warranty as the new stuff.

I speak from experience, having purchased several refurbished iPhones and iPod Touches. But I've yet to land an iPad this way--mostly because Apple didn't offer them. Until now.

For the first time, refurbished iPads are available from the Apple Store (online only).

Like their smaller counterparts, they come with a new battery, a new outer shell, and a full one-year warranty. You also get all the same accessories (USB cable … Read more

When I buy stuff from Apple, I always, always go the refurb route. Know why? Because the company's refurbished gear is literally good as new, right down to the warranty. The only real difference: you don't get the same sexy box.

Update: Some have suggested that the warranty is only 90 days. That's not what I was told, but I'm double-checking and will post another update if I find out that's the case. Either way, you should definitely investigate yourself before ordering, as a $50 savings is not enough to offset a 9-month warranty loss. … Read more