Get an iPad Mini (64GB) Wi-Fi + 4G for $389
It's a refurbished, first-gen Mini, but Apple charges $529 for the same thing. The only difference? Warranty.
Apple's iPads may be grossly overpriced compared with other tablets, but it's obvious plenty of people don't care: the buggers sell like hotcakes. Give credit to shiny hardware, an intuitive operating system, and that certain je ne sais quoi.
I'm a Kindle Fire user myself, and as much as I like the device, I can't help feeling pangs of Mini envy whenever I see Apple's adorably shrunken iPad. (It's the je ne sais quoi, people!)
So, yeah, I want one, but no way am I going to pay $299 for a 16GB, Wi-Fi-only model. Ah, but here's a decidedly more attractive option: Today only, and while supplies last, DailySteals has the refurbished first-gen iPad Mini (64GB) Wi-Fi + AT&T 4G for $389 shipped. It's available in your choice of black or white.
This same model sold new for $659. That's nuts. And Apple currently sells it refurbished for $529 -- also nuts. But $389? That's pretty tempting for the top-end Mini (even if it's a first-gen). A similarly equipped Kindle Fire HDX 8.9 (64GB Wi-Fi + 4G) costs $579, and while the latter has some superior hardware specs, it's also $190 more.
First things first: I have no idea what kind of inventory DailySteals has, so there's a very good chance these will sell out quickly. Second, this being DailySteals, shipping could take 2-3 weeks, so don't order this if you're in a hurry.
Furthermore, while refurbs purchased directly from Apple come with a one-year warranty, this Mini includes just 90 days of coverage. My take is that any problems you might encounter will crop up almost immediately, but I'm curious: Has anyone ever experienced an iPad failure? If so, did it happen within the first 90 days? The first year?
Because this Mini is 4G-capable, you have the option of grabbing AT&T service for on-the-go Internet goodness. (No-contract data plans start at $14.99 per month.) If you don't think you'd ever use it, well, this is still a 64GB Mini for $389 -- a pretty decent bargain even if it lacked 4G.
I'm not saying there aren't better tablet deals to be had, merely that if you've craved an iPad Mini but couldn't stomach the price, this is perhaps the best deal to date. Thoughts? [Ducks under table to avoid Apple haters.]
Bonus deal: Hybrid, anyone? Today only, and while supplies last, Woot has the refurbished HP Split x2 hybrid PC for $479.99, plus $5 for shipping. Original price: $799.99. At first blush, it resembles your average 13.3-inch Core i3 laptop. But then: presto! The screen separates from the keyboard for full-on tablet duty. Granted, that makes for a pretty big tablet, but maybe you're into that kind of thing. Other specs include a 128GB SSD, Beats Audio, and a 90-day HP warranty.
Deals found on The Cheapskate are subject to availability, expiration, and other terms determined by sellers.
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