Who Has the Best Deal on iPads?

[The UnDoug]

My daughter's school is requiring iPads starting next year. I could wait till closer to next fall, but there are some pretty good deals right now (more specifically, on Black Friday), so I'm thinking about getting it now.

The best deals I've seen are at Target and Walmart. You can get a $100 gift card from Target or a $75 gift card when you buy an iPad Air or iPad Mini, respectively.

Walmart has a $100 gift card with an iPad Air, I believe.

Anybody know of better deals?

[Numo]

You could wait until Apple's Black Friday sale to see what they come up with. Your best deal might be a used iPad.

[STL]

Some iPads at Apple's Refurb site. Apple refurbs carry the full warranty privileges of brand new.
http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/ipad

I suggest you wait and get a refurb iPad Air since you have the time.
I just bought an Air and it's a leap in performance, screen and weight from either my iPad1 or iPad3.
I traded my iPad1 for a $200 Target gift card several weeks ago.

[NewtonMP2100]

the one's with the cheapest price.....???

[deckeda]

Those gift cards are tough to beat, especially since Target and Wal-Mart both offer groceries and other daily/weekly usefulness.

Apple's BF deals are never that great. 5-10% off? Maybe? And I wouldn't get a refurb iPad today; the current models are just too dang improved.

Now ... if you don't need one until next Fall ... then pocket the cash and don't buy one until then and hope for a refresh or a refurb of today's models.

[The UnDoug]

Okay. That's some good advice. Thanks.

I'm inclined to wait, as well, since a lot can happen between now and September.

But prices on brand new models may not be as low as they will be on Black Friday.

I buy a lot at Target, so the gift cards are like free money, plus I get 5% off with my Target "RedCard."

[rz]

Um, don't the schools that "require" an iPad usually provide them?

[colonel panic]

Best Buy is offering $100 gift card with the purchase of a 1st generation iPad mini.

[The UnDoug]

rz wrote:
Um, don't the schools that "require" an iPad usually provide them?

Perhaps many do. Her's is a private school, so that may be at play.

This year--for her fifth grade year--the school actually *is* providing an iPad for each student, but they must remain at the school.

Next year, every student in grade 6 - 12 must have one, and they'll be bringing them home every day.