Microcenter has iPads on sale - $40 off

[Don Vito Corleone]

I know it's not a HUGE price drop, but since iPads never go on sale and it's a reputable vendor, I thought this was worth a post.

Microcenter has all current-gen iPad variants on sale for $40 off MSRP, at http://www.microcenter.com/site/brands/apple-ipads.aspx. In store pickup only.

I am buying one, and trading in my first-gen iPad to Amazon, because I have become enamored of the Top Gear and Evo magazine apps, and the non-Retina screen of my old iPad is really bugging me.

 

[exar333]

Not bad, usually you get a GC or something as a 'sale' for these only. Grabbed a 2012 iPad for my wife last month at BB on a 5x points weekend. Got $80 back! (just enough for a couple overpriced accessories that she wanted...*sigh*)

 

[MontyAC]

Too bad in store only.

 

[donfm]

$40 off ridiculously expensive is still too expensive.....lol....but thanks.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

$40 off ridiculously expensive is still too expensive.....lol....but thanks.

Obviously the iPad isn't cheap, though I will say that since nobody else makes a tablet with a screen even comparable to that on the iPad, and its closest competitor, the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1, costs the same amount, I find it hard to call it overpriced.

Frankly I am committed to the iOS universe and it would not be logistically convenient or cost-effective for me to move to Android or another platform, but I also feel the iOS devices are more evolved and offer a superior user experience, and their resale value is undeniably better (I can, for example, trade my iPhone 4 in to Amazon for $300, whereas I could only get $85 had I bought a Motorola Droid X). To each his own, though, and I love the introduction of the new Kindle Fire tablets because it's good for everybody (with the possible exception of Apple's shareholders) that Apple have competition.

I was thinking of holding off until next week's press conference to see what Apple's mini-tablet is like, but on balance I like the larger form factor for movies and reading.

 

[Geekbabe]

Obviously the iPad isn't cheap, though I will say that since nobody else makes a tablet with a screen even comparable to that on the iPad, and its closest competitor, the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1, costs the same amount, I find it hard to call it overpriced.

Frankly I am committed to the iOS universe and it would not be logistically convenient or cost-effective for me to move to Android or another platform, but I also feel the iOS devices are more evolved and offer a superior user experience, and their resale value is undeniably better (I can, for example, trade my iPhone 4 in to Amazon for $300, whereas I could only get $85 had I bought a Motorola Droid X). To each his own, though, and I love the introduction of the new Kindle Fire tablets because it's good for everybody (with the possible exception of Apple's shareholders) that Apple have competition.

I was thinking of holding off until next week's press conference to see what Apple's mini-tablet is like, but on balance I like the larger form factor for movies and reading.

I was given an iPad 3 four months ago & am addicted to it. The screen on this thing is fabulous, I read a ton of magazines, watch PBS & even run my blog on it. I like android devices too but seriously am very impressed with the iPad.

 

[donfm]

I was given an iPad 3 four months ago & am addicted to it. The screen on this thing is fabulous, I read a ton of magazines, watch PBS & even run my blog on it. I like android devices too but seriously am very impressed with the iPad.

It's undoubtedly a geat product....just expensive is all I was saying.

Geekbabe indeed! Pretty AND smart women like you are in short supply!

 

[rsutoratosu]

there's a ebay seller that has it for 40-60 off once a while, he had the deal one last month like 3 times.. basically you dont pay tax, so you'll be saving 40 + 40-60 depending on tax




No links to eBay


esquared
Anandtech Forum Director

 

[ControlD]

I know it's not a HUGE price drop, but since iPads never go on sale and it's a reputable vendor, I thought this was worth a post.

Microcenter has all current-gen iPad variants on sale for $40 off MSRP, at http://www.microcenter.com/site/brands/apple-ipads.aspx. In store pickup only.

I am buying one, and trading in my first-gen iPad to Amazon, because I have become enamored of the Top Gear and Evo magazine apps, and the non-Retina screen of my old iPad is really bugging me.

What is this trade in your are speaking of? I have been thinking about moving from a first generation to a iPad3 as well. My first thought was to sell my MBP to fund the purchase but if I can get something for my old one perhaps that is an option as well.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

What is this trade in your are speaking of? I have been thinking about moving from a first generation to a iPad3 as well. My first thought was to sell my MBP to fund the purchase but if I can get something for my old one perhaps that is an option as well.

Go to Amazon and search for "trade in." They are paying, if memory serves, $215 for a first-gen 32 GB wifi iPad (which is what I had) in good condition, and $240 in excellent condition. It's in Amazon credit, but I buy almost everything from them so to me it's as good as cash. They pay for the shipping. At this point I think this is the most lucrative way to get rid of an old iPad as long as you're OK with getting Amazon credit rather than cash.

 

[ControlD]

Awesome. Thanks for the information. I am a Prime member so needless to say Amazon credit is fine by me.

 

[kleinkinstein]

Ifad? Never in a bazillion years!!




If you have nothing positive to say in the thread. Please don't post.


From the rules:
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=323

What about COURTESY?

No thread crapping. If the subject matter of a deal does not interest you, do not post negative comments about it, or about other members, in the thread.


esquared
Anandtech Forum Director

 

[dualsmp]

Tracking is free.

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/380372/20120904/antisec-anonymous-fbi-data-breach-apple-udids.htm

 

[Geekbabe]

It's undoubtedly a geat product....just expensive is all I was saying.

Geekbabe indeed! Pretty AND smart women like you are in short supply!

Yes, the ipad is expensive but I have to say this device has brought me nothing but pleasure in the 4 months I've owned it. Besides, Microcenter is a great place to buy one & a $40 savings is still a $40 savings

 

[Binarycow]

To each his own, of course. To me that screen alone is easily worth 600 bucks + tax I paid for it when it came out. I have had this thing since March and it is (to me) easily the best 600 bucks I have ever spent (and I do spend a lot every month on gadgets being a gadget junkie).

The build quality of the new Ipad specifically and iPads in general is phenominal. We have a bunch of iPad 2s at work under my care since the middle of last year and not one of them has ever given a problem as far as I know. Not ever even have to reset one for any hardware or software reason besides the last time that we upgraded the OS to the newest version.

 

[rsutoratosu]

ok

 

[PokerGuy]

It's a good deal for those in the market for an ipad. I have a first gen and second gen one, but I find them to be fairly useless other than as toys for the kids. Regardless, if you want to buy one, this is a good deal from a reputable vendor.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

It's a good deal for those in the market for an ipad. I have a first gen and second gen one, but I find them to be fairly useless other than as toys for the kids. Regardless, if you want to buy one, this is a good deal from a reputable vendor.

For me it's almost entirely a travel tool, and it serves admirably in that capacity. When I'm at home I normally just use my laptop, but on the road the iPad really comes into its own. I am 3 days into my experience with the current gen iPad, and the retina screen and faster performance make it wildly more fun to use than my first-gen one was. I have a 3-day work trip starting tomorrow, and look forward to using it for work and play on the road.

 

[jhansman]

$40 off ridiculously expensive is still too expensive.....lol....but thanks.

This. I'm supporting Samsung with my tech dollars these days. Excellent products at good to excellent prices.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

This. I'm supporting Samsung with my tech dollars these days. Excellent products at good to excellent prices.

I like Samsung and have several Samsung products, but in this particular segment they are not really competitive IMO - see, e.g., http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer...te+10.1+vs+Apple+New+Ipad+head+to+head+review

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Awesome. Thanks for the information. I am a Prime member so needless to say Amazon credit is fine by me.

To follow up on this:

The way Amazon's trade-in program works, you yourself rate the condition of your item. In this case, if memory serves, they were paying $240 for an "Excellent" iPad, $215 for a "Good" one, and ~$125 for a "Fair" one. If your item meets or exceeds what you have rated it as, the trade in is completed, and if it is better than you rated it, you will get the higher amount. If it's in poorer condition, they will send you back your item.

My iPad was always used in a case, with screen protector, but had a couple of little rub marks on the back. I had the original box with all papers and Apple sticker (I guess some people care about that) and the used charger. I thought it might qualify for "Excellent" but rated it "Good," because frankly I wanted to be rid of it and considered $215 passable money. I didn't really expect them to upgrade me to "Excellent."

I sent my iPad in by UPS Ground last Friday. Today I got word that it was accepted, and I was upgraded to Excellent condition. The $240 credit is now in my Amazon account.

I was very happy with the trade-in experience and will be doing the same with my iPhone 4 shortly.