iPad Cellular 128GB iPad Air 2 @ $460

[masotime]

Refurbished, but I've never had a problem with refurbished Apple products. These are sold by Groupon though.

https://www.groupon.com/deals/gg-apple-ipad-air-2-16gb-or-64gb-tablet-with-wifi-and-4g

Not sure if the various coupons floating around for Groupon can add additional discounts. If the iPad Pro 9.7" isn't quite what you wanted, I guess this might be a good deal for you.

EDIT: Then again, the warranty on these are only 30 days. Well perhaps it will be useful to someone looking for a bargain.

 

[s2mikey]

Not a bad price but for a fairly small amount of money you get an Apple refurb with a full 1 year warranty. Apple refurbs have always been good to me. I feel they are worth the upcharge. Just MO.

I believe an Apple refurb with the same specs is about $100-$120 more right now. That should slowly creep down even more when the new 9.7" Pro comes out next week.

 

[jbachandouris]

For $427.99 you can get the same model from AT&T. Their warranty is 90 days and Apple has already confirmed that AppleCare can be purchased for this unit.

Only catch is that is requires a contract, but if you're buying a cellular version, more than likely you'll be ok with that.

 

[stulaw11]

you know what they say about too good to be true.

If you look at the priced crossed off those are the old WIFI only original prices- 399/499/599.

The cellular models are never $99 at the end. They were 629, 799 and 829.

It looks VERY shady to me.

 

[powerbook911]

you know what they say about too good to be true.

If you look at the priced crossed off those are the old WIFI only original prices- 399/499/599.

The cellular models are never $99 at the end. They were 629, 799 and 829.

It looks VERY shady to me.

It claims free returns. However I'm leery of what kind of refurb these are.

 

[Newtons Apple]

Beware of the lowest prices deal.

 

[jbachandouris]

It's not shady. They're just refurbished units. I have no problem buying the AT&T one...if I can ever make up my mind to upgrade or not...

 

[stulaw11]

It claims free returns. However I'm leery of what kind of refurb these are.

certified reburbs from Apple come with a 1 year warranty. WELL worth they extra few bucks on something expensive.

I would never ever even consider a reburb device without a warranty and who knows what could go wrong in essence being used.

 

[jbachandouris]

Point taken.

iPad Air 128GB AT&T LTE is $539 with no contract. Directly from Apple's refurb store.

So, it works out to be cheaper through Apple as no contract is required ($427.99+240+45 activation fee=$712.99 before taxes.

 

[Ron21]

Point taken.

iPad Air 128GB AT&T LTE is $539 with no contract. Directly from Apple's refurb store.

So, it works out to be cheaper through Apple as no contract is required ($427.99+240+45 activation fee=$712.99 before taxes.

This is the iPad Air 2 which is $599 + Tax from Apple VS $460 from Groupon (minus to 1 year warranty).

 

[stulaw11]

Regardless. You have no clue what type of refurb you're getting through one of these no-name dealers. That battery goes out (wasn't so new as no-name reseller claimed) and no warranty, well Apple is going to charge you $99 plus a $6.95 fee, so $106.

Was saving that $130 such a good choice then? I would never ever buy and essentially used electronic without some type of warranty.

Notice the disclaimer of only a 30 day warranty. "30 day warranty from third party. Please contact Groupon customer support for details" Apple refurb is 1 year, new casing new battery.

Everyone's own choice. I personally wouldn't risk it on something that is a few hundred bucks and you expect to keep 1 year+

 

[Channan]

For $427.99 you can get the same model from AT&T. Their warranty is 90 days and Apple has already confirmed that AppleCare can be purchased for this unit.

Only catch is that is requires a contract, but if you're buying a cellular version, more than likely you'll be ok with that.

AT&T charges a $45 activation fee when you buy an iPad on contract, so $428 winds up being $473, which is more expensive than the groupon deal and requires a two year contract with a $150 ETF.

 

[jbachandouris]

AT&T charges a $45 activation fee when you buy an iPad on contract, so $428 winds up being $473, which is more expensive than the groupon deal and requires a two year contract with a $150 ETF.

Did you not read the follow up post?

So, it works out to be cheaper through Apple as no contract is required ($427.99+240+45 activation fee=$712.99 before taxes.

 

[Channan]

Did you not read the follow up post?

So, it works out to be cheaper through Apple as no contract is required ($427.99+240+45 activation fee=$712.99 before taxes.

Obviously it's going to be cheaper without paying for service, but then what's the point in buying a cellular iPad?

 

[masotime]

Obviously it's going to be cheaper without paying for service, but then what's the point in buying a cellular iPad?

(Didn't expect this thread to grow so much)

You can use T-Mobile's free 200MB/month mobile internet SIM card, or you can ask your carrier for an extra / shared SIM card from your main smartphone plan (I use both options - my iPad mini takes the shared SIM and acts as a hotspot with a large battery at times).

As a small aside - you can get those T-Mobile SIMs for $1/piece with promo code SIM99 - https://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com...mobile-prepaid-mobile-internet-3-in-1-sim-kit - not sure how long the offer lasts.

EDIT: Small addition, I believe Cellular iPads have built in GPS, unlike the WiFi-only versions.

 

[jbachandouris]

Obviously it's going to be cheaper without paying for service, but then what's the point in buying a cellular iPad?

The point is the contract. Of course, you'll want the data, but some users only use cellular when on vacation and not every month.

I still think going through Apple is the best idea. A one year warranty vs one month (or even 90 days) is tough to beat.

 

[Channan]

The point is the contract. Of course, you'll want the data, but some users only use cellular when on vacation and not every month.

I still think going through Apple is the best idea. A one year warranty vs one month (or even 90 days) is tough to beat.

My point is that the Groupon deal is the cheapest, even with signing a contract for AT&T because AT&T charges a $45 activation fee, bringing the total of the on-contract iPad without service up higher than the Groupon deal without a contract. It's also cheaper than getting it from Apple refurbished.

(Didn't expect this thread to grow so much)

You can use T-Mobile's free 200MB/month mobile internet SIM card, or you can ask your carrier for an extra / shared SIM card from your main smartphone plan (I use both options - my iPad mini takes the shared SIM and acts as a hotspot with a large battery at times).

As a small aside - you can get those T-Mobile SIMs for $1/piece with promo code SIM99 - https://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com...mobile-prepaid-mobile-internet-3-in-1-sim-kit - not sure how long the offer lasts.

EDIT: Small addition, I believe Cellular iPads have built in GPS, unlike the WiFi-only versions.

My reply is above.

 

[masotime]

My point is that the Groupon deal is the cheapest, even with signing a contract for AT&T because AT&T charges a $45 activation fee, bringing the total of the on-contract iPad without up higher than the Groupon deal without a contract. It's also cheaper than getting it from Apple refurbished.

At ok.... I didn't read the thread carefully. I never buy on contract, so I wasn't really clear about the discussion.

 

[stulaw11]

My point is that the Groupon deal is the cheapest, even with signing a contract for AT&T because AT&T charges a $45 activation fee, bringing the total of the on-contract iPad without service up higher than the Groupon deal without a contract. It's also cheaper than getting it from Apple refurbished

Again, 30 day warranty. If your battery dies in 45 days or 4.5 months, or some other issue with the device, expect a $100+ repair bill at the Apple store.

It makes no sense to get some shady 3rd party deal to save a few bucks up front.

You need to look beyond simply "cheapest" by sticker price.

To each their own, but I predict anyone who buys this deal will be the next whiny "Apple Sucks Wont Repair My Ipad For Free" thread expecting them to warranty a refurb device you got some a 3rd party

 

[Channan]

Again, 30 day warranty. If your battery dies in 45 days or 4.5 months, or some other issue with the device, expect a $100+ repair bill at the Apple store.

It makes no sense to get some shady 3rd party deal to save a few bucks up front.

You need to look beyond simply "cheapest" by sticker price.

To each their own, but I predict anyone who buys this deal will be the next whiny "Apple Sucks Wont Repair My Ipad For Free" thread expecting them to warranty a refurb device you got some a 3rd party

$80 is hardly a few bucks.

 

[stulaw11]

$80 is hardly a few bucks.

And when that battery replacement costs you $106, which is typically the first thing on most devices to go, then what?

Circular argument. Again, I predict people who take this deal within 6 months will have threads BUT BUT BUT APPLE WONT FIX MY IPAD FOR FREE THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME WAHHHHHHHH.

Always happens without fail.

 

[masotime]

And when that battery replacement costs you $106, which is typically the first thing on most devices to go, then what?

Circular argument. Again, I predict people who take this deal within 6 months will have threads BUT BUT BUT APPLE WONT FIX MY IPAD FOR FREE THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME WAHHHHHHHH.

Hmmm... are you certain the battery is also not replaced with refurbished iPads? Also, I've hardly seen any threads complaining about battery replacements. Dents yes, screen cracks yes, but battery replacement seems... rare?

 

[stulaw11]

Hmmm... are you certain the battery is also not replaced with refurbished iPads? Also, I've hardly seen any threads complaining about battery replacements. Dents yes, screen cracks yes, but battery replacement seems... rare?

Its a 1 year full warranty as if bought new when it's an Apple certified refurb. ANYTHING goes wrong that is not user damage and you're covered.

That's the perks of paying a bit more.

Again, you can't confirm WHAT was done to their 3rd party no-name refurbs. What was or wasn't refurbished and who did it. It wasn't Apple though.

So $80 yes, but in the grand scheme you could cost yourself a lot more than that too not knowing what was actually replaced/refurbished when some unknown company did it in who knows what country.

 

[powerbook911]

certified reburbs from Apple come with a 1 year warranty. WELL worth they extra few bucks on something expensive.

I would never ever even consider a reburb device without a warranty and who knows what could go wrong in essence being used.

It did not seem to claim it is an Apple Certified Product though. It simply says "Refurbished," and "30 Day Warranty."

Has anyone seen something to the contrary? They are pretty good prices to be honest if it was an Apple Certified and truly Cellular.

 

[Channan]

And when that battery replacement costs you $106, which is typically the first thing on most devices to go, then what?

Circular argument. Again, I predict people who take this deal within 6 months will have threads BUT BUT BUT APPLE WONT FIX MY IPAD FOR FREE THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME WAHHHHHHHH.

Always happens without fail.

In the 10 years I've been using Apple products, I've never once had a battery fail me, and certainly not within the first year. If I could save $80 every time I bought a new iPad, but lost out on the warranty and had to pay to get my battery replaced if and when that happens, I'd save a load of money.