9 Tips for Buying the iPad on eBay
1. Decide Which iPad Is Right for You
As with most tablets, e-readers, and electronics in general, the iPad comes in a variety of models. Ask yourself if you’re willing to use an older generation or if you want the latest, greatest version. Other factors to consider are color, hard drive capacity, and Internet connectivity options. Go to eBay’s iPad page.2. Search for Local iPad Sellers
If you’re like most people, you want to get your hands on your new iPad stat. To ensure speedy delivery of your device, search for sellers close to you—you can do this by clicking on the drop-down menu at the top right-hand side of any search results page and selecting “Distance: nearest first.” If you happen to find a seller within a few miles’ radius of your home or work—and you are comfortable with the idea—you should consider a local pickup. A local pickup not only gives you the opportunity to obtain the iPad the same day you spot it on eBay, but it also allows you to inspect it first-hand in front of the seller.3. Browse for Bundles
Most iPad owners discover the need for accessories like protective cases and docks soon after obtaining their tablet. Luckily, many sellers offer the iPad for a set price and throw in an accessory—or several—for free. If you want to get the most bang for your buck, type in the iPad version you’d like to buy and add the word “bundle” in the main top search bar. A list of various tablet bundles will instantly appear on your screen.4. Carefully Examine the Photos
You want to make sure you get exactly what you want—and since you can’t examine the iPad in person, looking at photos is unquestionably the next best thing. Good sellers, or top-rated eBay sellers, typically add several photos of various angles of the iPad, its packaging, and accompanying accessories. Take the time to meticulously survey the images to ensure that what you see is indeed what you get.5. Read the Listings Thoroughly
Just as you would carefully inspect the photos, you should thoroughly read the seller’s listing from top to bottom. Details that could easily be missed include whether the battery is new, how much (if any) of the warranty is left, the condition of the tablet, etc.6. Contemplate the Conditions
Sellers are required to denote whether the iPad is new, used, or refurbished (, but many go beyond that and explain the condition of the iPad in great detail. With used and refurbished iPads, you may come across listings that specify minor scratches or marks on the screen or at the rear. Ask yourself if this is something you can live with and whether the price—in your estimation—takes the wear and tear into account.7. Don’t Be Bashful—Ask the Seller Questions
While most sellers—especially top-rated ones—do an exceptional job explaining all the details and nuances of the product in the listing, you may find yourself left with a burning question you want answered before making your purchase. Rather than starting your search over again, simply reach out to the seller. To ping the seller, go to the top right-hand corner of the listing page and click on the seller’s name. Once on the seller’s profile page, click the “Contact member” link below his or her profile photo. You’ll be taken to a page that outlines different topics. Next, select “Other” and click the “Continue” button to send your question directly to the seller. You can also check eBay’s iPad page to learn about basic features.8. Be Smart with Your Bids
Want to get the best deal on your iPad of choice? Bid intelligently! For example, you can help keep the competition from outbidding you by bidding right before the auction-style listing ends. Place a proxy bid within a minute of the listing ending, so as to allow little to no time for other buyers to outbid you. Another way to help secure a great deal on an iPad on eBay is to look for listings that end at odd times, such as the middle of the night or on holidays, when the competition is substantially less.9. Keep Your Contact Info. Current
Once you’ve placed your iPad purchase, the seller may choose to email you. Keep lines of communication open by ensuring your email address is up to date. Also, check that any spam blocking software you may have installed on your computer doesn’t prevent a seller from communicating with you.What’s the Difference Between the iPad, e-Readers, and Tablet Devices?
Tablets, iPads, and e-readers are all mobile devices. They share a display, battery, and portable form factor but differ in many respects. Of the three, the e-reader is the most specialized (designed specifically for reading e-books), while the tablet is a multipurpose device that’s capable of being used for a wide range of applications. The iPad is Apple’s tablet, the sales leader and usually credited with launching the consumer tablet market.Go to eBay’s iPad page.
E-Reader
An e-reader is a mobile electronic device that has been designed specifically to optimize the experience of reading e-books. Compared to tablets, these devices tend to be smaller, lighter and less expensive, since the task of displaying text is much less demanding than running other software.While some e-readers use backlit color LCD displays, most use grayscale E Ink displays that require less power and offer a superior viewing experience outdoors or in bright light (although a reading light is required at night). Some e-readers are equipped with Wi-Fi, enabling users to buy e-books online, while others require the user to purchase e-books on a computer and download them via a USB cable connection. All e-readers have built-in memory that will store hundreds to thousands of titles. There may be additional features such as video games or a rudimentary web browser, but such functionality is typically limited.
Tablet
A tablet is an ultra-portable computer in a slate form. Its color touchscreen display is the tablet’s most prominent feature (with the processor and battery hidden within the case), and instead of a keyboard and mouse, input is through finger contact on the display. While variations of tablet computers have been available for decades, they only caught on as mass-market devices after the introduction of Apple’s iPad in 2010.Tablets are available from a range of manufacturers. Most run either a variation of the Android operating system or Apple’s iOS, and while they're usually bigger that an e-reader, tablets are considerably more compact than a notebook computer.
Prices for tablets range depending on capabilities and features. Among the factors that will influence price are:
- Display capability (higher resolution, bigger display size or advanced multi-touch capability will all mean a more expensive tablet).
- Battery life.
- Processor (the more powerful the CPU, the more costly).
- Connectivity (most tablets include WiFi, but 3G costs extra).
- Storage (the more memory available to store content, the more expensive the tablet will be).
A tablet is ideally suited to someone who wants to be able to play casual games, check e-mail, read e-books, watch movies, or surf the Web without lugging a laptop computer around. Compared to most portable computers, a tablet is lighter, offers better battery life, and is less expensive.
iPad
The iPad is Apple’s tablet computer. Originally introduced in 2010 (the second generation iPad2 was released in 2011), the iPad is generally credited with being the device that launched tablets as an in-demand consumer electronics category.The iPad is available only as a large screen model (definitely not pocketable) and only runs iOS, Apple’s proprietary mobile operating system. All iPads use built-in flash memory storage and connectivity options offered are Wi-Fi or 3G wireless, along with Bluetooth and a proprietary 30-pin docking connector.
All iPads have a brushed aluminum back case with a multi-touch glass display, featuring a bright, high-contrast LED backlit LCD screen. The first generation model set the standard for thin, user friendly tablets, while the iPad 2 added a camera, a new processor and slimmed down even further. All iPads feature a non-user-replaceable battery that should be good for a day of surfing the Web or watching up to four movies without recharging.
Apple’s iPad has a number of advantages over other tablet computers. Because of the popularity of the device, it has been the most popular platform for tablet software development with more than 140,000 apps made specifically for the iPad (and the ability to run most of the 500,000 apps on Apple’s App store) and has strong support among accessory manufacturers. Apple’s control over all aspects of the hardware and operating system tend to make for a polished user experience.
Go to eBay’s iPad page.
The Advantages of Owning an iPad
Apple’s iPad was the first tablet computer to become a runaway commercial success with both consumers and businesses. Although other companies were quick to offer their own tablets, Apple has continued to dominate the market. Buyers of an Apple iPad enjoy a device that offers a number of advantages.Quality Hardware
Apple engineers have gained a reputation for sweating the details and demanding high-quality components. The company’s iPad was no exception, and all iPad models are built to exacting standards. Owners of these tablets enjoy a high-quality LED-backlit multi-touch display that’s consistently rated among the top in its class. The battery is rated for 10 hours of use and its custom-designed processor is powerful enough to handle everything from gaming on-the-go to watching videos. The iPad’s case is made of aluminum, making for a solid device.User Experience
While most companies selling tablets manufacture their own hardware, then license an operating system (usually Android), Apple controls all aspects of the iPad. Because the iPad runs only Apple’s iOS operating system, the company is able to ensure a smooth user experience. There are no concerns about hardware incompatibilities or an operating system that may not take full advantage of hardware capabilities. With strict control over the hardware, the operating system, and releases, Apple is able to ensure a user experience that is intuitive, easy to operate, and relatively free of bugs or other unwelcome surprises.Functionality
The iPad is a true multipurpose device. With built-in Wi-Fi or 3G networking and its virtual keyboard, an iPad can replace a laptop or netbook for compact web browsing and checking e-mail. It has proven well suited to casual gaming and the large, bright display, along with powerful graphic capabilities, make it a solid multimedia device—perfect for watching movies or listening to music. The iPad is often used as an e-reader, and more and more, schools are implementing them as an e-textbook and multimedia learning platform. (For more details on specs, you can check here) Thanks to the sheer number of iPads in use, plus the device’s multifunctional capabilities and compact size, the iPad is increasingly being integrated into business environments, as well as being used for specialized applications ranging from medical to military.App Availability
One of the key advantages the iPad has over other tablet devices is the size of its app library. Apple’s App Store offers hundreds of thousands of applications that will run on an iPad. Each of these apps is a standalone program that offers new functionality. App categories include games, business, education, health and fitness, productivity, and social networking. “There’s an app for that” has become an Apple slogan, and thanks to a massive and diverse library of apps—many of which are free or under a dollar in price—iPad owners have a distinct advantage over many other tablets.Go to eBay’s iPad page.
Integration within Apple Ecosphere
Apple designed the iPad and its operating system to be fully integrated into its technical ecosphere. This means that Apple’s iTunes is used as a content management system for the tablet, iPad owners can download apps, e-books, podcasts, movies, and music from the iTunes Store, and homes with multiple iPads can freely share content. The iPad can access Apple’s iCloud, enabling wireless sharing of music, documents, contacts, and calendar events between it and other Apple devices. The iPad can even be used to wirelessly stream video to a television equipped with an Apple TV set top box.Service
Apple’s iPads are covered by a one-year warranty—which isn’t unusual in the consumer electronics and computer markets. Like many other tablet owners, iPad users have the option of telephone customer support. However, unlike other tablet manufacturers, Apple operates its own chain of hundreds of retail stores, each offering a Genius Bar where iPad owners are able to seek expert assistance and hands-on customer service.Resale Value
Computers are notoriously bad investments for anyone with the intention of reselling after a few years and trading up to a new model. Tablets are no different (each new model release seems to bring a more powerful CPU, more storage, better battery life, and less bulk), but the iPad has fared relatively well when it comes to resale value. There are a number of reasons for this. As a “must have” gadget, iPads are in demand, and not everyone can afford a new one. The hardware and quality control have always been excellent, making it easy for a well-cared-for iPad to look like new. With the exception of a few graphic-intensive games, even first generation iPads are able to run virtually all apps available for the latest models (as well as the latest version of Apple’s iOS operating system), so buying a used iPad doesn’t mean being stuck running a subset of older software.Buying an iPad means giving up some of the freedom that owners of other tablets enjoy, but Apple’s strict control over the iPad user experience offers many advantages. Based on the sales numbers and the rate at which iPads are being adopted for commercial and business applications, these advantages to owning an iPad make for a compelling purchase.
iPad Glossary of Terms
Refurbished iPad:
A refurbished iPad is one that was returned for some reason (it may have been defective, a demonstration model or an overstock unit) and was subsequently professionally repaired, cleaned, and tested to be in ‘like new’ condition.Go to eBay’s iPad page.
iPad Accessories:
Accessories such as protective cases, covers, speaker docks, styluses, headphones, and adapters add extra functionality to an iPad.Home Button:
The home button is the round button on the front of iOS devices (iPad, iPone, and iPod Touch) that performs key functions including waking the device and returning a user to the home screen.Universal App:
A universal app is one which will install and run on multiple devices, taking full advantage of each device’s capabilities.Go to eBay’s iPad page.
Multi-Touch Screen:
A multi-touch screen is a touchscreen display that is capable of responding to multiple contacts, allowing for use of complex gestures (such as pinching) that use more than one finger.No Cellular Ability:
A device with no cellular ability lacks the modem and antenna needed to access cellular networks such as commercial 3G services for downloading data, making voice calls, or accessing the Web.iOS:
iOS is the operating system that controls the core functionality of Apple’s mobile devices, including the iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch.Go to eBay’s iPad page.
