iPad Need an iPad, any deals to be has?

[bcemail]

Wife wants an iPad, so that's what she's getting for Christmas. She will only need Wi-fi, and main uses will be streaming media (Netflix, HBO, etc.), web browsing, etc. Nothing too intensive as far as processing or storage goes.

I had been looking at the 8th gen 128Gb models earlier this year, but I know that the 9th gen just came out with a 64Gb base model. Do you think that 64Gb might be enough? I guess most of the streaming apps we use are pretty small since everything is not stored locally. Maybe here and there she would download something from Netflix for a trip, but not too often.

So what kinds of deals should I expect? Will there be deals on the 8th gen anywhere, or will everyone have moved on to just selling the 9th gen? Looks like 9th gen 64Gb is $329 on apple.com but not shipping until December. Bestbuy has in stock with returns through January 2nd. Maybe order now and then I can cancel/return if a deal pops up? Nothing on Costco yet.

Thanks!

 

[rui no onna]

Costco, Walmart and Amazon had the base iPad 9th gen for $299 ($30 off) at launch. Alas, supply seems to be pretty scarce at the moment.

I recently checked out Swappa for the 8th gen and was surprised to find even those are fetching close to original MSRP.

The 8th gens were already frequently Sold Out at Best Buy and Amazon even before the 9th gen was announced.

 

[sracer]

Wife wants an iPad, so that's what she's getting for Christmas. She will only need Wi-fi, and main uses will be streaming media (Netflix, HBO, etc.), web browsing, etc. Nothing too intensive as far as processing or storage goes.

I had been looking at the 8th gen 128Gb models earlier this year, but I know that the 9th gen just came out with a 64Gb base model. Do you think that 64Gb might be enough? I guess most of the streaming apps we use are pretty small since everything is not stored locally. Maybe here and there she would download something from Netflix for a trip, but not too often.

So what kinds of deals should I expect? Will there be deals on the 8th gen anywhere, or will everyone have moved on to just selling the 9th gen? Looks like 9th gen 64Gb is $329 on apple.com but not shipping until December. Bestbuy has in stock with returns through January 2nd. Maybe order now and then I can cancel/return if a deal pops up? Nothing on Costco yet.

Thanks!

Highly unlikely that there will be any deals on the 8th gen. Apple has optimized their supply chain to the point where there isn't a glut of unsold units at the end of that gen's shelf life. Depending upon the retailer, Apple "claws back" unsold units to be used for warranty fulfillments.

I was ready to break down and buy a 9th gen iPad, but there aren't any in stock anywhere that I've seen within a 100 mile radius of where I live.

64GB will be fine for how your wife will be using it. Since it's going to be a Christmas present, I suggest ordering it now to maximize the probability of it arriving before Christmas. If there's to be a sale, it won't go lower than $299. $30 over the potential sale price is a small price to pay for the peace of mind knowing that the gift will be there. The holidays can be stressful as it is, so anything that can help reduce it, is a good thing IMO.

 

[bcemail]

Costco, Walmart and Amazon had the base iPad 9th gen for $299 ($30 off) at launch. Alas, supply seems to be pretty scarce at the moment.

I recently checked out Swappa for the 8th gen and was surprised to find even those are fetching close to original MSRP.

The 8th gens were already frequently Sold Out at Best Buy and Amazon even before the 9th gen was announced.

Yeah I found some sold out sales so figured I had missed out. And the 8th gen don't look to plentiful. Thanks!

 

[bcemail]

Highly unlikely that there will be any deals on the 8th gen. Apple has optimized their supply chain to the point where there isn't a glut of unsold units at the end of that gen's shelf life. Depending upon the retailer, Apple "claws back" unsold units to be used for warranty fulfillments.

I was ready to break down and buy a 9th gen iPad, but there aren't any in stock anywhere that I've seen within a 100 mile radius of where I live.

64GB will be fine for how your wife will be using it. Since it's going to be a Christmas present, I suggest ordering it now to maximize the probability of it arriving before Christmas. If there's to be a sale, it won't go lower than $299. $30 over the potential sale price is a small price to pay for the peace of mind knowing that the gift will be there. The holidays can be stressful as it is, so anything that can help reduce it, is a good thing IMO.

Thanks, I'll probably just get one while I can. Haven't seen deals on 8th gens during my searching. Good point about saving the hassle later. I'll just deduct that $30 from her other gifts...

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Refurb Store?: https://www.apple.com/shop/refurbished/ipad Official Apple with full guarantee.

 

[rui no onna]

Refurb Store?: https://www.apple.com/shop/refurbished/ipad Official Apple with full guarantee.

Alas, it's pretty rare on the refurb store, too. Usually sells out within minutes when they get stock.

Note, I wouldn't recommend 32GB at this point in time. iPadOS + System Data uses around half the storage on 32GB models. Either go for 9th gen 64GB or 8th gen 128GB.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Just check every day.

They do come and go quickly but early bird gets the worm. As I write this it's all iPad Pros in all sizes with 128GB but 3 colors of 64GB iPad Air 2019 for $419.

I bet if you bookmark and check twice a day for about 10 days, the exact one you seek will pop in for you.

 

[rui no onna]

Just check every day.

They do come and go quickly but early bird gets the worm. As I write this it's all iPad Pros in all sizes with 128GB but 3 colors of 64GB iPad Air 8th gen for $419.

I actually do check everyday. I have the refurb link favorited in Safari.

The iPad Air is the 10.5" model with white spot issue. The iPad 8th gen hasn't made an appearance in weeks, iirc.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Yes, sorry for my generational confusion. I saw a comparison between iPad 8th gen and iPad Air and mis-assumed... but have since fixed it in the original post.

I'd keep checking while shopping around every other option. iPads sometimes show up as refurbs on Woot too.

Walmart refurb $329: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Refurbished-Apple-10-2-iPad-8th-Gen-Wi-Fi-128GB-Space-Gray/228673358

 

[bcemail]

Yes, sorry for my generational confusion. I saw a comparison between iPad 8th gen and iPad Air and mis-assumed... but have since fixed it in the original post.

I'd keep checking while shopping around every other option. iPads sometimes show up as refurbs on Woot too.

Walmart refurb $329: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Refurbished-Apple-10-2-iPad-8th-Gen-Wi-Fi-128GB-Space-Gray/228673358

Thanks, I'll keep checking the Apple refurb site.

I'm torn on whether to go 8th gen 128Gb refurb vs. 9th gen 64Gb new. Will I notice much of a performance between 8th and 9th gen? A little worried that 64 Gb will fill up, but part of that is my kids always filling up their devices with random apps. Thanks!

 

[bcemail]

I actually do check everyday. I have the refurb link favorited in Safari.

The iPad Air is the 10.5" model with white spot issue. The iPad 8th gen hasn't made an appearance in weeks, iirc.

Is that just the iPad Air with the problems? They have iPad Pros listed for $379 but I think they are from 2017? Probably safer to go with the more recent gen of regular iPad? Not sure how the performance would compare. Thanks!

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Thanks, I'll keep checking the Apple refurb site.

I'm torn on whether to go 8th gen 128Gb refurb vs. 9th gen 64Gb new. Will I notice much of a performance between 8th and 9th gen? A little worried that 64 Gb will fill up, but part of that is my kids always filling up their devices with random apps. Thanks!

Only you can answer these questions. You say it's for your wife. If she is using 70-75% or more of 64GB now, that's probably a strong argument for 128GB. Else, if she is using less, you can probably do fine with 64GB.

Performance differences are directly related to usage. For everyday tasks like checking email, Safari browsing, watching Youtube video etc. probably no noticeable difference. If your wife is a gamer, there's never enough power for games.

8th gen vs. 9th gen comparison: https://www.apple.com/ipad/compare/?modelList=ipad-9th-gen,ipad-8th-gen,ipad-7th-gen Third party: https://techpp.com/2021/09/15/apple-ipad-9-vs-ipad-8/ and https://www.pocket-lint.com/tablets/buyers-guides/apple/158403-apple-ipad-10-2-9th-gen-vs-ipad-8th-gen-differences-compared#:~:text=iPad (8th gen): 32GB/128GB Both the iPad 10.2,8th generation comes in 32GB and 128GB models. There seems to be many more third party comparisons available via search.

 

[rui no onna]

Is that just the iPad Air with the problems? They have iPad Pros listed for $379 but I think they are from 2017? Probably safer to go with the more recent gen of regular iPad? Not sure how the performance would compare. Thanks!

Both iPad Pro 10.5 and Air 3 are prone to the white spot issue. I think the regular 10.2" iPads are a safer bet.

I'm torn on whether to go 8th gen 128Gb refurb vs. 9th gen 64Gb new. Will I notice much of a performance between 8th and 9th gen? A little worried that 64 Gb will fill up, but part of that is my kids always filling up their devices with random apps. Thanks!

Performance-wise, I find A12 (Air 3, 8th gen) stutters less than A10X (Pro 10.5) on certain webpages (e.g. iPad Pro product page). However, I reckon you'd be hard pressed to notice a difference between 8th gen (A12) and 9th gen (A13).

As for storage, your kids probably install a bunch of games which can be huge.

Meanwhile, I think my mom only uses like 30-35GB of her 128GB iPad and I think my dad still has 10GB free out of his 32GB iPad. They both use their iPads for web browsing, streaming and social media. Of course, my mom has been using video conferencing a lot so if I were buying her a new iPad, I'd probably opt for the 9th gen with Center Stage.

 

[AJB1971]

You can set up an alert for refurbished stock availability on the refurb.me site. It's been a while since I used it so I can't vouch for it.

According to the following search, the gold iPad 8th gen 128GB Wi-Fi model was in stock yesterday on the US refurbished store -

Refurbished iPad 8 sold by Apple Store

Compare and buy certified refurbished iPad 8 among 12 offers from Apple Store and much more.

www.refurb.me

 

[ackmondual]

Costco, Walmart and Amazon had the base iPad 9th gen for $299 ($30 off) at launch. Alas, supply seems to be pretty scarce at the moment.

I recently checked out Swappa for the 8th gen and was surprised to find even those are fetching close to original MSRP.

The 8th gens were already frequently Sold Out at Best Buy and Amazon even before the 9th gen was announced.

Can confirm that Amazon had base iPad 9th gen for $300 (don't think it's currently available). Didn't know the deal was also on Walmart and Costco. The deal is hard to come by, but at least I'll have 2 other retailers to check in with.

 

[Richard8655]

I wouldn't eliminate a 32gb iPad from consideration (such as the 8th generation) if at a good price. My 5th gen 32gb has about 60 apps installed with only 18gb total used. OS and system data is taking just 8gb of that. More than enough space still left for my needs.

But if you plan on storing more data such as music, videos, files, etc., definitely 64 or 128gb.