iPad mini Friend diagnosed with cancer - Possible to find a returned iPad mini in-store at end of day?

[kp98077]

Just search for any color, 256GB, cellular, no engraving check local pick up for Austin Texas. I checked around a few times after they opened, then try again in a hour, and repeat, check mid afternoon. They do show up. As for 64GB, you don’t usually fill up a iPad mini storage, unless you just make all your GBs of images, or music, movies local to one device. Or go nuts downloading multiple games. Right now with my apps, files, and accessing online content, I’ve got 40+ GB free. You can always offload files to iCloud, or store then on UBC-C storage with that port now on the Mini. I guess I always used a MBP for storage, not the mini.

Check like 10x daily

 

[MareLuce]

Gah.

Yesterday I did see 3! 256 GB become available locally, but none had cellular.

I almost didn't catch it till I was puzzled as to why the price had dropped and looked hard at the description.

Cellular --> simplicity.
Not having cellular just will create too much friction. He will be on the go between appts it sounds like with 4 doctors.

I need to be happy with just giving him interim goodies + maybe a retro paperback book (an actual book) to take with him to appointments until the online iPad mini order comes in.

 

[0128672]

Gah.

Yesterday I did see 3! 256 GB become available locally, but none had cellular.

I almost didn't catch it till I was puzzled as to why the price had dropped and looked hard at the description.

Cellular --> simplicity.
Not having cellular just will create too much friction. He will be on the go between appts it sounds like with 4 doctors.

I need to be happy with just giving him interim goodies + maybe a retro paperback book (an actual book) to take with him to appointments until the online iPad mini order comes in.

What about a 64GB cellular with 200GB icloud storage (that you would pay for or give an Apple gift card for it)?

 

[MareLuce]

Hmm...

 

[Realityck]

Hmm...

iPad mini Wi‑Fi + Cellular 64GB - Space Gray at Austin Barton Creek currently

 

[rui no onna]

What about a 64GB cellular with 200GB icloud storage (that you would pay for or give an Apple gift card for it)?

+1. Assuming one can get good signal at the hospital, I would also prioritize cellular over storage. Got 28 days to return if ordering online for in-store pickup (14 to initiate, 14 to ship). If the 64GB proves insufficient, then you could just return it when the online order of 256GB cellular arrives.

 

[max2]

+1. Assuming one can get good signal at the hospital, I would also prioritize cellular over storage. Got 28 days to return if ordering online for in-store pickup (14 to initiate, 14 to ship). If the 64GB proves insufficient, then you could just return it when the online order of 256GB cellular arrives.

Yeah most hospital Wifi sucks

 

[rui no onna]

Yeah most hospital Wifi sucks

Problem there is cellular can suck as well especially in labs where they need to prevent interference with medical equipment.

 

[max2]

Problem there is cellular can suck as well especially in labs where they need to prevent interference with medical equipment.

True.

So local storage on the iPad or a portable hard drive is the only way then

 

[rui no onna]

True.

So local storage on the iPad or a portable hard drive is the only way then

Really depends on what you do. For something like novels, 64GB is plenty big.

 

[Realityck]

Problem there is cellular can suck as well especially in labs where they need to prevent interference with medical equipment.

Yes but a patient isn't going to remain in ICU areas. Hospitals usually have wifi access points across a building and likely on wards, and outpatient treatment area for that condition.

 

[rui no onna]

Yes but a patient isn't going to remain in ICU areas. Hospitals usually have wifi access points across a building and likely on wards, and outpatient treatment area for that condition.

Sure but this is highly dependent on the hospital/location. Theoretically, even 64GB wifi could work if the hospital has good, fast wifi.

Since time is of the essence, I’d prioritize cellular over storage so between 64GB cellular and 256GB wifi, I’d get the 64GB. The extra connectivity offers more options.

 

[TheIntruder]

It's possible for stores to have stock that isn't reflected in the online inventory.

When the Pros were subject to 1+ month order times last fall, I walked into a store on a chance visit and unexpectedly walked out with a new unit that day. The store actually had most of the models in stock, minus some color choices depending on particular model.

No guarantees, but perhaps worth a shot.

I believe all returns and exchange stock go into the pool for refurbishment. Apple doesn't offer them for retail sale again.

 

[Realityck]

I believe all returns and exchange stock go into the pool for refurbishment. Apple doesn't offer them for retail sale again.

IMHO they are mostly used internally (stores/employees/labs/partners), it was a good 85 days until the first refurbs of M1 24” iMacs showed up, but in much smaller quantities then I suspect were ever returned. Another observation is the lack of really anything new as far as iPads in refurbished products. Looking right now at US store I see a few examples of mini 5’s or 12.9” 4th generation, but no returns of current models.

 

[MareLuce]

OK. Here's the plan:

Saturday I'm going to:
- Wipe my 2021 1 TB 11" iPad Pro
- Package it with a bunch of small fun goodies
- Say I'm lending it to him till Nov 17... At which time it will be replaced by Something Else more permanent.
- Give it to him on Sunday

THEN on Nov 17'th, bundle the new iPad mini (256 GB + Cellular , Starlight or Space Gray)
inside a game of Candyland or Battleship.

He'll think I've gone nuts thinking he'd prefer a board game instead of an iPad.

 

[LibbyLA]

That sounds like a great plan! Please update us when it all comes together. Maybe you’ll be able to find what you want locally and move the timeline ahead a bit.