iPad deals / sales finder?
September 9, 2015 6:31 AM Subscribe
For a specific project at work, we will require an iPad in the near future (say, next week or two). We are only interested in new merchandise (NOT refurbished or used). I was tasked with exploring the best prices on iPads. We are not constrained to any specific vendors, but obviously need a reputable one. I thought the prices of Apple products were essentially uniform across retailers -- but are there deals to be had on new iPads? If so, how do I find them?
I have no experience shopping for Apple products, but yesterday when I was given this task, I thought to myself, “This will be simple – aren’t all new Apple products sold at the same price, no matter the retailer? Done and done!” But then I somehow ended up at Target.com and found (I think) a sale for $50 off one of the models (iPad Mini 2 16gb WiFi – I think). It also said, “Save additional 10% with in-store pickup”. At that point, I realized it might take a little more effort to find the best prices.
Now, this morning the Target sale seems to be over, and I can’t seem to find any reputable single place that shows “deals” for new iPads. Are there deals to be had on new iPads? If so, how do I find them? Google Shopping has proved essentially useless. I'm not good at shopping, and I am out of my element -- I’m hoping that I have just missed something obvious.
In case it is useful information, the application we need this for should not require a lot of horsepower or storage capacity – but I believe iOS 8 will be needed. We should only need WiFi – not cellular. Screen size isn’t critical, I don’t think – the app we need was designed with iPhone in mind. Therefore, I was mostly considering the iPad Mini 2 16gb, WiFi. But if I find something better at a really good discount, then I'd consider it. Only interested in iPads, though -- no other tablets.
Bonus question: did I hallucinate the Target sale I found yesterday? It was at the end of a long day, and my memory of it is fuzzy.
I have no experience shopping for Apple products, but yesterday when I was given this task, I thought to myself, “This will be simple – aren’t all new Apple products sold at the same price, no matter the retailer? Done and done!” But then I somehow ended up at Target.com and found (I think) a sale for $50 off one of the models (iPad Mini 2 16gb WiFi – I think). It also said, “Save additional 10% with in-store pickup”. At that point, I realized it might take a little more effort to find the best prices.
Now, this morning the Target sale seems to be over, and I can’t seem to find any reputable single place that shows “deals” for new iPads. Are there deals to be had on new iPads? If so, how do I find them? Google Shopping has proved essentially useless. I'm not good at shopping, and I am out of my element -- I’m hoping that I have just missed something obvious.
In case it is useful information, the application we need this for should not require a lot of horsepower or storage capacity – but I believe iOS 8 will be needed. We should only need WiFi – not cellular. Screen size isn’t critical, I don’t think – the app we need was designed with iPhone in mind. Therefore, I was mostly considering the iPad Mini 2 16gb, WiFi. But if I find something better at a really good discount, then I'd consider it. Only interested in iPads, though -- no other tablets.
Bonus question: did I hallucinate the Target sale I found yesterday? It was at the end of a long day, and my memory of it is fuzzy.
Best answer: The AppSliced iPad page might be what you need.
posted by The Deej at 6:55 AM on September 9, 2015
posted by The Deej at 6:55 AM on September 9, 2015
AppleInsider does this for Macs but I don't know anyone who does it for iPads. I do hear of one-off promotions occasionally on various Mac sites, but maybe they're not common enough to warrant a dedicated news stream.
posted by alms at 6:56 AM on September 9, 2015
posted by alms at 6:56 AM on September 9, 2015
Best answer: How much is your time worth? Just buy a new one from Amazon or apple and carry on, put the time you would have spent wandering the Internet for a marginally cheaper iPad to making your actual project better. The only thing you should do is wait to buy until after today's apple media event, since they may be announcing a new iPad and then there will be discounts on the marginally older ones.
posted by rockindata at 7:05 AM on September 9, 2015 [9 favorites]
posted by rockindata at 7:05 AM on September 9, 2015 [9 favorites]
Best answer: Note that there may be new iPads announced today, so everything may change overnight.
posted by General Malaise at 7:12 AM on September 9, 2015
posted by General Malaise at 7:12 AM on September 9, 2015
What is the reason for not wanting a refurbished ipad?
Apple themselves offer a really good refurbish program. These items will usually have been returned because of a minor fault, and since Apple cannot resell them as new they simply replace the faulty part and sell them as refurbished. You will find that most of their catalog of refurbished stuff are basically as good as new. You also get the usual Apple warranty with them. Worth a try.
The whole Apple store is down right now because of forthcoming announcements. I can't get past the 'back soon' screen.
posted by 0bvious at 7:12 AM on September 9, 2015 [2 favorites]
Apple themselves offer a really good refurbish program. These items will usually have been returned because of a minor fault, and since Apple cannot resell them as new they simply replace the faulty part and sell them as refurbished. You will find that most of their catalog of refurbished stuff are basically as good as new. You also get the usual Apple warranty with them. Worth a try.
The whole Apple store is down right now because of forthcoming announcements. I can't get past the 'back soon' screen.
posted by 0bvious at 7:12 AM on September 9, 2015 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: rockindata's point about value of time is well-taken. But, greater (and possibly silly) forces are at play (think: responsibe stewardship of grant funds, budget justifications, etc.) and I want to be able demonstrate that I am getting a better deal than just buying the first hit I found.
Follow-up question regarding today's Apple event: If new iPads are announced today, would a price drop on old versions happen soon after announcement -- or would the drop not happen until after the new version ships?
Okay, I'll stop thread-sitting. Thanks, everyone.
posted by mean square error at 8:17 AM on September 9, 2015
Follow-up question regarding today's Apple event: If new iPads are announced today, would a price drop on old versions happen soon after announcement -- or would the drop not happen until after the new version ships?
Okay, I'll stop thread-sitting. Thanks, everyone.
posted by mean square error at 8:17 AM on September 9, 2015
Very soon after announcement.
posted by AugustWest at 8:36 AM on September 9, 2015
posted by AugustWest at 8:36 AM on September 9, 2015
The AppleInsider page is what I have used and it seems to be updated frequently.
posted by rtimmel at 9:58 AM on September 9, 2015
posted by rtimmel at 9:58 AM on September 9, 2015
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posted by mean square error at 6:47 AM on September 9, 2015