Get a 2-year SquareTrade iPad 2 warranty for $71.99
Psst: it's available for the iPad 1, too. SquareTrade's extended warranty includes drop and spill protection, unlike Apple's slightly more expensive plan.
Are you the proud owner of a new iPad 2? Let's talk warranty.
Apple backs the tablet for a year, of course, and for $79 you can add an AppleCare Protection Plan that extends the coverage to two years.
However, neither policy covers the most likely scenario: accidental damage. I'm talking dropping the iPad in the bathtub, rolling over it with the car (don't laugh--it happens), getting sand in the dock connector, spilling your coffee on it, and so on.
Enter SquareTrade, which offers an extended warranty that includes "accidental damage from handling" (or ADH). The regular price for two years of iPad coverage is $119.99, but right now you can get a 2-year SquareTrade iPad warranty for $71.99. That's after applying coupon code IPAD40 at checkout.
That's also 7 bucks less than Apple's plan, for a grand total of $36 per year of coverage. Given that you spent a minimum of $500 on your iPad 2, I think that's a mighty attractive deal on a total-coverage safety net. (And this from a guy who rarely opts for extended warranties. But I'm clumsy as a bull in a china shop, and butterfingering my tablet to the pavement is just the kind of thing I'd do.)
Another nice SquareTrade perk: If your iPad gets stolen (another unfortunate likelihood), you can cancel the policy and get a prorated refund.
This offer is good for all iPad models (1 and 2), including those from AT&T and Verizon. However, I'm not sure how long the coupon code will remain active, so if this sounds like a winning proposition, I'd jump on it fast.
While you're mulling it over, be sure to check out the latest iPad 2-optimized apps as well as 10 must-have apps for iPad 2 owners (they're great for the iPad 1 crowd, too).