Apple Begins Selling Refurbished 10.5-Inch iPad Pro Models

[ackmondual]

I used to think refurbished were the best deals you could get on Apple products, at least here in Canada. I recently realized the best deal is actually to buy it the day it's released, at least if you plan to use them until they are obsolete.

For instance, this iPad has been released for 218 days. iOS support lasts about 5 years. So 218/(365*5)=12%. So buying refurbished in this case means getting 15% off a device that's already "12% obsolete". I'd much rather have it from the start and keep it for the full 5 years.

I've never updated my iOS devices... Ipod Touch 5 is still on ios7, while iPad Air is still on ios8. Never saw the need to. Works just fine, and most features were only applicable with Iphones.

I'd rather take a heavy discount years later, as I can still use it for a good 4 years anyways, and even beyond

 

[O.N.Y.X]

I used to think refurbished were the best deals you could get on Apple products, at least here in Canada. I recently realized the best deal is actually to buy it the day it's released, at least if you plan to use them until they are obsolete.

For instance, this iPad has been released for 218 days. iOS support lasts about 5 years. So 218/(365*5)=12%. So buying refurbished in this case means getting 15% off a device that's already "12% obsolete". I'd much rather have it from the start and keep it for the full 5 years.

If you want to have the latest & greatest and keep the cost "low" you can go from refurbished to refurbished. I skipped the 9.7" so I won't get as much for my ref. Air 2 but I'm happy about the availability of the ref. 10.5". Gonna upgrade soon.

 

[eyeseeyou]

You know, I love my 9.7" iPad Pro and I'd likely upgrade but I'm really bothered by the fact that the keyboard cover isn't usable with the newer 10.5" version. I'm not sure why it bothers me as much as it does, but it's one of the largest factors preventing me from trading up.

If you’re talking about the 9.7 Smart Keyboard then it absolutely works with the 10.5 iPad although It’s a little smaller and because of that the auto sleep function doesn’t work.

 

[TheShadowKnows!]

I used to think refurbished were the best deals you could get on Apple products, at least here in Canada. I recently realized the best deal is actually to buy it the day it's released, at least if you plan to use them until they are obsolete.

For instance, this iPad has been released for 218 days. iOS support lasts about 5 years. So 218/(365*5)=12%. So buying refurbished in this case means getting 15% off a device that's already "12% obsolete". I'd much rather have it from the start and keep it for the full 5 years.

Gimnet1, you are thinking the right way. But you got your product lifecycle wrong:

The five-year clock does not start until the device is last sold -- not from the day of first release.​

So it is not as bad as you think.

Specially with iPads, but not so good with MBPs, as MBPs see refresh once a year (although the refresh is inconsequential to the core design).

But your line of thinking is indeed correct -- refurnished has typically a shortened lifecycle of support which bears an economic impact, as the unit in question will see no new software upgrades once it is declared EOL.

 

[eyeseeyou]

Im electing to wait for the 2018 model.....too many kinks and quirks in the 2017 models....same goes for the 2017 IPX

There are quirks with the ipx but the 10.5 iPad Pro has been one of the most solid performing Apple devices I’ve used in a long time.

 

[krause734]

But I would rather much purchase refurbished iPad from Apple versus eBay. eBay has become such a playground for someone to fraud you over a product as a buyer.

I know eBay has 'buyer protection', but to me and the stories I have heard about sketchy sellers not responding, Products not as advertised, etc. I would rather pay the extra money for a refurbished iPad through Apple and know that I have a warranty attached, that they will make the situation right if something is wrong with it. In the end, you have to ask yourself, is it worth being scammed over to find a "Much cheaper" On eBay? I personally would pass.

Like anything used you buy, you need to thoroughly inspect it within the return window. I've had mostly good luck from highly rated sellers and saved much more than the measly ~15% from Apple. Black Friday deals (Brand new iPads) are often cheaper than Apple Refurbished.

 

[44267547]

Like anything used you buy, you need to thoroughly inspect it within the return window..

I don't disagree with that. However, it's the aftermath of dealing with the seller once they have your money that becomes a problem at times. That's what I meant that I would rather purchase from Apple knowingly I don't have to be concerned with any type of faulty sellers after the fact.

 

[zzLZHzz]

I used to think refurbished were the best deals you could get on Apple products, at least here in Canada. I recently realized the best deal is actually to buy it the day it's released, at least if you plan to use them until they are obsolete.

For instance, this iPad has been released for 218 days. iOS support lasts about 5 years. So 218/(365*5)=12%. So buying refurbished in this case means getting 15% off a device that's already "12% obsolete". I'd much rather have it from the start and keep it for the full 5 years.

that is very true especially when the price for the Apple device stay the same thru out the year.

i bought both my mbp within 2 weeks of launch. however for iphone, i hold back for a few months because supply was really tight during the launch month.

 

[Saturn007]

“For instance, this iPad has been released for 218 days. iOS support lasts about 5 years. So 218/(365*5)=12%. So buying refurbished in this case means getting 15% off a device that's already "12% obsolete". I'd much rather have it from the start and keep it for the full 5 years....”

Hmm... the sit could be even much better than that! Many of us keep our iPads for only 3-4 years, so the loss would be 218/1,095 = 20% !

Buy when first out from a local place such as Best Buy that is giving a discount. Plus, if there is a problem, you can return or replace it easily!

 

[NMBob]

Are cellular iPad deals still the same?: On my Verizon iPad Air (1) I can just purchase 1GB/1mo of service for $20 (2GB for $30, etc.). Is that still the deal with the new ones, or do you have to 'get a contract'? I just don't see it explained very well anymore. I wouldn't mind a 512GB one.

Thanks!

 

[Glmnet1]

Gimmet1, you are thinking the right way. But you got your product lifecycle wrong:

The five-year clock does not start until the device is last sold -- not from the day of first release.​

So it is not as bad as you think.

Specially with iPads, but not so good with MBPs, as MBPs see refresh once a year (although the refresh is inconsequential to the core design).

But your line of thinking is indeed correct -- refurnished has typically a shortened lifecycle of support which bears an economic impact, as the unit in question will see no new software upgrades once it is declared EOL.

The 5 years starts after they stop selling the device, so as long as it's still manufactured by Apple, they support it for 5 years. So if you buy only current devices as refurbished, you get at least 5 years support.

Ah yes, you're both right! With that in mind, if they remove the device from the shelves a year after it's released (which seems to be the trend for IPP) then this iPad is still about 10% into its supported lifetime.

I've never updated my iOS devices... Ipod Touch 5 is still on ios7, while iPad Air is still on ios8. Never saw the need to. Works just fine, and most features were only applicable with Iphones.

I'd rather take a heavy discount years later, as I can still use it for a good 4 years anyways, and even beyond

To each his own but I want my devices on the latest OS possible.

It's also much more fun to buy a device when it's just released and is still the latest and the greatest than having to wait months and then seeing a new one being released shortly after. Don't forget you're also not getting the fancy colourful box and you might have to wait more and keep track of what's available to get the right colour/specs (This gets even worse when buying a Mac). For a really good discount (about 25-30%) it wouldn't be that bad, but 15% IMO isn't that good of a deal when you take all those little things into account.
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Are cellular iPad deals still the same?: On my Verizon iPad Air (1) I can just purchase 1GB/1mo of service for $20 (2GB for $30, etc.). Is that still the deal with the new ones, or do you have to 'get a contract'? I just don't see it explained very well anymore. I wouldn't mind a 512GB one.

Thanks!

Yes, you can buy a refurbished iPad with cellular connectivity and simply put your SIM card in it.

 

[wiffle]

When are the Series 3 AW gonna go on refurb....

 

[jamface]

I REALLY love mine, but it will NEVER (again, NEVER) replace my MacBook pro.

Never? What if they add a built in keyboard (with a design which suits you perfectly), trackpad, enable it to run OS X and iOS (or whatever hybrid exists at the time) and add a couple of useful ports? Oh and it's just as slim and light as a current iPad.

 

[kwikdeth]

I'm still waiting for 2nd gen 12" iPad to go on sale in the refurbished store...

 

[sofila]

I'm curious to see how long does it take to see refurbished 10,5" here in Europe too. I would have waited for this but I've ended buying a 256 Wi-Fi version sold and delivered from Amazon instead, just before Christmas. It was a really good deal with limited pieces availability and I guess it had something to do with Apple/Amazon arrangements. It was something like a 12,1% discount for a brand new item.

 

[eyeseeyou]

Honestly the few comepletely brand new Apple products I’ve bought have been umm NOT through the Apple store.

Most of the Apple products I’ve owned have either been off of Craigslist or Apple certified refurbished and haven’t had any issues.

 

[Tech198]

I wonder what the time frame is from "new", to getting on refub. store ... I think this has increased.

 

[ratigator]

You know, I love my 9.7" iPad Pro and I'd likely upgrade but I'm really bothered by the fact that the keyboard cover isn't usable with the newer 10.5" version. I'm not sure why it bothers me as much as it does, but it's one of the largest factors preventing me from trading up.

Same here, but is there really any great reason to upgrade from the 9.7 to 10.5 version anyway?
[doublepost=1515531372][/doublepost]

Never? What if they add a built in keyboard (with a design which suits you perfectly), trackpad, enable it to run OS X and iOS (or whatever hybrid exists at the time) and add a couple of useful ports? Oh and it's just as slim and light as a current iPad.

We can dream, but I think we all know Apple well enough to know that if they ever make something like this, it probably won't have any ports. A single USB-C if we're lucky.

 

[ACG12]

Same here, but is there really any great reason to upgrade from the 9.7 to 10.5 version anyway

For me, the only reason would be to get a 512gb model which I may do in a few months.

 

[9081094]

I REALLY love mine, but it will NEVER (again, NEVER) replace my MacBook pro.

Unless iOS and OS X merge and become one productive OS.

 

[pdaholic]

I've never updated my iOS devices... Ipod Touch 5 is still on ios7, while iPad Air is still on ios8. Never saw the need to. Works just fine, and most features were only applicable with Iphones.

I'd rather take a heavy discount years later, as I can still use it for a good 4 years anyways, and even beyond

And this is the same attitude I'm taking with my Apple devices. I have an iPod Touch gen 6 on iOS 9, and despite its under clocked processor, it is still significantly faster than my iPhone 6 on iOS 11 (with a new battery). I don't think I'll be updating my iPad 10.5 or iPhone X past the last iOS11, and my 2013 MacBook isn't getting anymore updates after High Sierra. It does stink because eventually apps will stop being updated for the OS and you won't be getting security updates. At least you have a functioning, lag-free device for a few years, and usually the last update of a given OS is mostly bug-free (or bug-fewer). Cheers.

 

[Baymowe335]

Im electing to wait for the 2018 model.....too many kinks and quirks in the 2017 models....same goes for the 2017 IPX

Totally generalized and wrong, particularly for the iPad 10.5. Easily the best iPad ever made.

iPhone X is phenomenal.

Waiting for the next once is always an exercise in futility because the NEXT one will always be better, including after 2018.

Silly.

 

[radiology]

Never? What if they add a built in keyboard (with a design which suits you perfectly), trackpad, enable it to run OS X and iOS (or whatever hybrid exists at the time) and add a couple of useful ports? Oh and it's just as slim and light as a current iPad.

Your hypothetical iPad that runs OSX and that has built in keyboard, trackpad and a couple useful ports is called 13 inch MacBook Pro, which is almost as light and slim as an IPad Pro. Do you get it?
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Unless iOS and OS X merge and become one productive OS.

It is not just about the OS for me. The trackpad is by far the most important feature. That and the fact that I would hate to get that beautiful Retina display ruined by my dirty fingers.

 

[gwaizai]

And I bet they all have new batteries.

 

[djnigelchung]

I REALLY love mine, but it will NEVER (again, NEVER) replace my MacBook pro.

Agreed.. and same with me.