Buying iPad in a smart way

Learn from whom it makes sense to buy an iPad 

What iPad You want to buy?

In fact, there are different versions of the iPad. First of all, you can buy a new, refurbished, or used iPad, and all of them differ in price. We would recommend buying a new one. If your budget is really tight, you can try buying one refurbished.

There is too much risk involved with buying those iPads sold on eBay even if their warranty is still valid.

And, of course, features matter. Wi-Fi-only iPads cost less than Wi-Fi + 3G models. The second determinant of price is storage (hard drive) capacity. There are 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB models of the iPad. The cheapest (16GB, Wi-Fi-only) iPad costs $499 in the Apple online store, while the most expensive (64GB, Wi-Fi + 3G) costs $829. Note that the latter one will cost you just $599 refurbished (yes, you will save $330).

Good options

Apple forces its resellers to sell iPods at a full price, so it is highly unlikely that you will find any better price than the one Apple offers. Some resellers like Target manage to overcome this limitation by handing out instant gift cards for Apple accessories to their customers.

Anyway, the first source to buy your iPad from is directly from Apple. You can buy it from either an Apple store or from their online store. Both options are okay, but if you want a refurbished iPad, you must order it online. Another advantage of buying from Apple is their financing options. Yes, and there are free engravings if you want to surprise someone with an iPad as a gift.

If you are buying a 3G-enabled iPad, it makes sense to buy it at your service provider's store. Just drop in your local Verizon or AT&T store to buy an iPad along with a 3G plan. The price is the same as it is at Apple. If you are worried about lock-in, don't be; iPads cannot be tied to one network, although 3G-capable ones may be GSM or CDMA-based.

Checking out discount-hunting sites for good deals on iPads might be a good idea. Try Sam`s Club or Deals2Buy.com for some good offers and bundles.

Target. Yes, if they are providing instant gift cards with every iPad, then dropping by Target is a good idea. Maybe you will be able to buy some nifty accessories to go along with your iPad using these cards.

Not-So-Good options

1. Amazon - The site just has more expensive offers on iPads
2. eBay - Are a couple dozen bucks worth the risk?