alas, poor iPad
February 5, 2014 4:33 PM Subscribe
Smashed screen on a two and a half year old iPad 2. Is there ANY hope that I'm walking out of an Apple Store with a free (or cheap) replacement? Is this even worth trying for?
They have no more reason in this situation to give you a new iPad than you would have to give them $400 because they walked up to your door and said, "Hey, you know how you bought that iPad from us a few years back? Well, we spent all the money you gave us, so can we have another $400?"
posted by tylerkaraszewski at 4:40 PM on February 5, 2014
posted by tylerkaraszewski at 4:40 PM on February 5, 2014
Response by poster: I'm aware of basic economics, yes. But when I've had to replace an iPad nano for similar problems I've been offered the new one at a steep discount. Has anyone had any experience with that with older iPads?
posted by gerryblog at 4:42 PM on February 5, 2014
posted by gerryblog at 4:42 PM on February 5, 2014
swappa has them going for $225-350 (16-64GB) (and is an all-around great source for used phones and tablets...and selling your old ones)
posted by sexyrobot at 4:46 PM on February 5, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by sexyrobot at 4:46 PM on February 5, 2014 [1 favorite]
From what I've read online about other people's experience, you should definitely bring your iPad to an Apple Store and let them take a look, but set your expectations low.
posted by applesurf at 4:49 PM on February 5, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by applesurf at 4:49 PM on February 5, 2014 [1 favorite]
It is possible to replace an iPad 2's screen, speaking from experience. It requires a heat gun, a significant amounbt of care, and a part that costs $80-100.
But I've also seen an Apple store employee outright replace an iPad 2 with a broken screen.
posted by JHarris at 5:23 PM on February 5, 2014
But I've also seen an Apple store employee outright replace an iPad 2 with a broken screen.
posted by JHarris at 5:23 PM on February 5, 2014
(I should note the replacement happened a couple of years ago, before they started offering a charged plan that offers device replacements, so my experience from back then might not be offered these days.)
posted by JHarris at 5:24 PM on February 5, 2014
posted by JHarris at 5:24 PM on February 5, 2014
I had a two year old iPad 3 replaced with a refurb for nothing due to a noisy headphone jack.
It's all in how you make the sale.
posted by spitbull at 5:46 PM on February 5, 2014
It's all in how you make the sale.
posted by spitbull at 5:46 PM on February 5, 2014
Let yourself be conspicuously sad. That will work a lot better than sweatily angling for a cheap solution.
posted by Quisp Lover at 5:50 PM on February 5, 2014
posted by Quisp Lover at 5:50 PM on February 5, 2014
Response by poster: I got a refurb for 2/3 the cost of a new one and no warranty, which I guess is their standard offer in these circumstances... Thanks all.
posted by gerryblog at 6:37 PM on February 5, 2014
posted by gerryblog at 6:37 PM on February 5, 2014
A few months ago I dropped my way-out-of-warranty iPad 2, and the screen cracked, and the frame bent a little. It still works and I'm still using it, but last month I had a genius bar appointment about my laptop. Since I was already there, I asked about my iPad. The genius said she could replace it for $150. So make an appointment, maybe they'll make you the same offer! You can make a genius bar appointment from the Apple Store app.
The complication that prevented me from getting mine replaced is that it was a gift to me and has a charming engraving. I mentioned this and she said if you call AppleCare, they can arrange to sell you an engraved one for the same price, but Apple Stores can't do that.
posted by evariste at 7:15 PM on February 5, 2014
The complication that prevented me from getting mine replaced is that it was a gift to me and has a charming engraving. I mentioned this and she said if you call AppleCare, they can arrange to sell you an engraved one for the same price, but Apple Stores can't do that.
posted by evariste at 7:15 PM on February 5, 2014
Screen is a pretty easily replaced part, and even getting it serviced should be under $150, maybe $100. Here's a local company that does it for $129-- they do mail service, but you can probably get faster locally. (Some friends have used them; I'm not affiliated.)
posted by Sunburnt at 7:40 PM on February 5, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by Sunburnt at 7:40 PM on February 5, 2014 [1 favorite]
I work for a school district with a student iPad initiative. We send iPads with cracked screens to this place. The listed screen repair price is $139 for an ipad-2. Turn around time is usually about a week.
On the other hand, while I've personally replaced a cracked screen on an iPhone with a kit from eBay, it was pretty hard for an amateur. Subsequent attempts to do the same thing on an iPod touch cost me two kits and a messed up iPod.
posted by tamitang at 1:11 AM on February 6, 2014
On the other hand, while I've personally replaced a cracked screen on an iPhone with a kit from eBay, it was pretty hard for an amateur. Subsequent attempts to do the same thing on an iPod touch cost me two kits and a messed up iPod.
posted by tamitang at 1:11 AM on February 6, 2014
Is it just the digitizer (looks like the front glass) or is the screen also damaged?
I'm pretty sure the iPad2 those parts weren't bonded together, so they can be replaced independently.
I have a friend who charges $75 for digitizer-only. The digitizer part is about $30.
posted by tomierna at 9:00 AM on February 6, 2014
I'm pretty sure the iPad2 those parts weren't bonded together, so they can be replaced independently.
I have a friend who charges $75 for digitizer-only. The digitizer part is about $30.
posted by tomierna at 9:00 AM on February 6, 2014
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by saradarlin at 4:35 PM on February 5, 2014