I did it again--bought another 3rd gen. iPad

I had bought a 3rd generation iPad about three months ago but returned it, feeling that the price was more than I could justify and wanting to examine tablet options a little better. Fast forward to Apple's announcement last week of the 4th generation iPad, with its bump in speed and new Lightning connector, and the price drop of the refurbished iPad 3. Buying an iPad 3 became more attractive. The Logos app on my iPhone 4S is nice, but larger will be better.

So--if you're in the market for a full-sized iPad with the Retina screen, check out the refurbished iPad 3 at the online Apple Store. The 16GB's are sold out, but I bought a black 32GB WiFi model for $469 plus tax. These were $599 new. The 64GB WiFi models are discounted $150. 3G models are also on sale. These may very well be new models, but even if they are refurbs, they have been checked out by Apple and include the full warranty.

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Comments

JT (alabama24)

I got one too… the 16 GB one. I sold back my original iPad; used birthday money; purchased the refurbished one for $370. It was $100 out of pocket. I am a happy <Logos> camper.[:D]

Bill Moore

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/414677#Comment_414677

Congratulations, 'Bama. You'll have to post some feedback about it. Please do so in this thread, if you don't mind.

You say you "sold back" your original iPad. To Amazon? Apple? Just curious.

JT (alabama24)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/414721#Comment_414721

You'll have to post some feedback about it.

The screen (as you know) is gorgeous. Very crisp, which makes reading much better. I know that you weren't a fan of the original screen… I used it every day, but am really going to like the new display.

I love how quick the app is opening resources and turning pages. The original iPad was quite slow… the new hardware has really sped things up. I just got it yesterday and haven't highlighted anything… I will need to check that out.

I have already used dictation several times and it works well… unless my accent gets a little strong. [:)]

You say you "sold back" your original iPad. To Amazon? Apple? Just curious.

I sold my iPad to an Amazon vendor. I received a little over $200 in an Amazon gift card. Since my wife and I purchase almost ALL of our Christmas gifts via Amazon (mostly during Black Friday week), an Amazon gift card is as good as cash to us. Otherwise, I would have gone with a company like Gazelle (who offered $130).

Bill Moore

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/414743#Comment_414743

Thanks for the feedback. Sounds like you got a good return on your original iPad. You're right about me--I wasn't crazy about the resolution of the first or second generation iPads, but the Retina is great. That's why I wasn't remotely interested in the iPad mini.

Donnie Hale

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/414763#Comment_414763

That's why I wasn't remotely interested in the iPad mini.

Note that although the iPad mini isn't a Retina display, its dpi is higher than the iPad 2 (because of the smaller screen size). So its display should be a bit crisper than an iPad 2 with the equivalent resolution.

iPad Mini – 1024 x 768 @ 163 ppi
iPad 2 – 1024 x 768 @ 132 ppi
iPad with Retina – 2048 by 1536 @ 264 ppi

Donnie

JT (alabama24)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/417611#Comment_417611

Good point Donnie. Thanks for the stats. [:)]

I think that the difference is still great enough for me to avoid the mini until it too becomes retina.

Bill Moore

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/417652#Comment_417652

True, Donnie. The Mini is doubtlessly "a bit crisper," but just not crisp enough for me. I prefer the size of the Mini to the Google Nexus 7, but I would have chosen the Nexus just for crisper fonts.

But . . . I prefer the larger size of the regular iPad. The best of all worlds would be to have both sizes, but my budget does not comply with my ideals. [:)]

Donnie Hale

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/417670#Comment_417670

But . . . I prefer the larger size of the regular iPad.

I'm a regular-sized iPad kind of guy, too. I have a 64GB iPad 2 wifi. I read at least dozens if not hundreds of pages on it almost daily. I've never thought anything except that the display is awesome. Haven't seen a retina model yet, though. Now that the "4" is out, I'll probably pick it up soon.

Donnie

JT (alabama24)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/418290#Comment_418290

Now that the "4" is out, I'll probably pick it up soon.

I am expecting that the 5th gen will come out the same time frame the iPads have been coming out normally. The "4th" gen was a "bump" to keep the line competitive.

Bill Moore

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/418311#Comment_418311

Now that the "4" is out, I'll probably pick it up soon.

I am expecting that the 5th gen will come out the same time frame the iPads have been coming out normally. The "4th" gen was a "bump" to keep the line competitive.

If the 5th gen. comes out in March, owners of the 4th will join the anger of the owners of the 3rd against Apple, rightly or wrongly. Of course, the release of the fourth worked out well for us because the refurbs were discounted lower than I've seen iPad refurbs. My refurb 3rd gen. arrived today, by the way, and it looks great--like new.

JT (alabama24)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/418513#Comment_418513

If the 5th gen. comes out in March, owners of the 4th will join the anger of the owners of the 3rd against Apple, rightly or wrongly.

People getting angry over a company releasing a new product 5-6 months after another one is stupid. How have they been harmed in any way? Where is there any contract, or implied agreement that there won't be a "better" product "just around the corner?" Besides, there was no hype surrounding the 4th generation iPad.

Furthermore, Android manufactures are releasing new products seemingly every month to keep up and differentiate themselves from Apple and the rest of the competition.

Paul-C

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/418544#Comment_418544

I've just had an interesting time experimenting with iPads...

I've had the third gen. iPad since it was launched in Mar-12, and have been very happy with it. However, when I saw the iPad mini announced, the small size of it appealed to me since I mainly use my iPad as an ebook reader and liked the idea of it being a little more portable. I'd done a lot of reading about the lack of Retina display and was content that the iPad mini screen was a little better than the iPad 2.

I've used the iPad mini since I received it last Friday and have decided to send it back. Despite having more of less 20:20 vision without correction, I suffered increased eye strain using the iPad mini as against using the iPad 3 because the iOS / app user interface is a lot smaller than I'm used to. Also, the "blurriness" of text having stepped back from using an iPad with a Retina display was more pronounced than I thought it would be (and may be contributing to said eye-strain!)

The iPad mini is a great device - and the slim form factor makes the regular sized iPad seem a little obese! However, for me at least, I'm going to stick with my tried and trusted 3rd gen. iPad for the time being.

spitzerpl

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/418544#Comment_418544

If the 5th gen. comes out in March, owners of the 4th will join the anger of the owners of the 3rd against Apple, rightly or wrongly.

People getting angry over a company releasing a new product 5-6 months after another one is stupid. How have they been harmed in any way?

I have the 3rd Gen. My wife got it for me as a coming home gift from my 5 month deployment. I just cannot understand all the fuse about Gen 4. I loved my IPad before and have found it extremely useful. My IPad did not morph into something unusable when Gen 4 was announced.

Friedrich

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/418544#Comment_418544

People getting angry over a company releasing a new product 5-6 months after another one is stupid.

come on, Justin, tell us how you REALLY feel! . . . [:D]

JT (alabama24)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/418754#Comment_418754

come on, Justin, tell us how you REALLY feel!

[rant on] The best thing is that new iOS devices are never really a "surprise." Even though the fourth gen iPad was "unexpected" by some, the iPad mini event was known for a month and there were solid rumors (even photos) that Apple was going to give the regular iPad a "bump" up. Anyone who didn't wait until after the event was foolish. Even if you don't follow the Apple fanboy sites like I do, shouldn't you do a little research before forking out $500? FURTHERMORE, what should apple do? Stop selling devices 6 months before a new one comes out? [/rant off]

[rant on again] This issue was personally very funny for me… and sad. My dad, at Christmas last year, kept telling me that he wanted to get himself an iPad. In phone conversations for the next several months, he would still talk about it. The first weekend in March, my dad told me again that he was thinking about getting one… I told him to WAIT because there was a press event happening on March 7th. On March 6th (just 2-3 days after I had spoken to him), he tells me "I did it." Yep. He bought an iPad 2 the day BEFORE the press conference. There weren't any discounts… in fact, he paid an EXTRA $50 or so from "Best Buy" to be able to "trade in" the device if new ones were released. He still has the iPad 2. [/rant off again]

Bill Moore

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/418802#Comment_418802

[rant on again] This issue was personally very funny for me… and sad. My dad, at Christmas last year, kept telling me that he wanted to get himself an iPad. In phone conversations for the next several months, he would still talk about it. The first weekend in March, my dad told me again that he was thinking about getting one… I told him to WAIT because there was a press event happening on March 7th. On March 6th (just 2-3 days after I had spoken to him), he tells me "I did it." Yep. He bought an iPad 2 the day BEFORE the press conference. There weren't any discounts… in fact, he paid an EXTRA $50 or so from "Best Buy" to be able to "trade in" the device if new ones were released. He still has the iPad 2. [/rant off again]

Couldn't your dad have simply returned his iPad 2 to Best Buy for a refund and bought the 3?

But you're right about many Apple fans. It is like a religion to them (I read an article within the past couple of weeks by some psychologist or sociologist who likened the relationship of many to Apple to that of a relationship to a deity). They have pledged their fealty to their lord through paying for every upgrade, and they expect Apple to "play fair" by letting them claim to own the latest and greatest for a year.

Beyond that, though, it is simply illogical to become incensed about the release of the 4 some seven months after the 3. In real world experience, most persons will not see a difference other than the physical change in connectors. Me? I'm loving having this technology for $130 less than a new 3 cost a month ago. Besides, I had screen issues with the new one I returned in August. This refurb looks great to my eye.

Bill Moore

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/418730#Comment_418730

I've just had an interesting time experimenting with iPads...

I've had the third gen. iPad since it was launched in Mar-12, and have been very happy with it. However, when I saw the iPad mini announced, the small size of it appealed to me since I mainly use my iPad as an ebook reader and liked the idea of it being a little more portable. I'd done a lot of reading about the lack of Retina display and was content that the iPad mini screen was a little better than the iPad 2.

I've used the iPad mini since I received it last Friday and have decided to send it back. Despite having more of less 20:20 vision without correction, I suffered increased eye strain using the iPad mini as against using the iPad 3 because the iOS / app user interface is a lot smaller than I'm used to. Also, the "blurriness" of text having stepped back from using an iPad with a Retina display was more pronounced than I thought it would be (and may be contributing to said eye-strain!)

The iPad mini is a great device - and the slim form factor makes the regular sized iPad seem a little obese! However, for me at least, I'm going to stick with my tried and trusted 3rd gen. iPad for the time being.

Hi Paul. Thanks for confirming my suspicion about the Mini's screen. Frankly, I was puzzled as to Apple's step back on screen resolution for the Mini after making such a big deal (and rightly so) about Retina resolution. I'm sure it's a money issue, and perhaps the Mini with Retina would have required a larger body which would have made the Mini thicker and heavier than desired. With newer technology, I feel certain the next Mini will have Retina. The Mini's not having Retina made it easy for me to choose a refurb 3rd gen. iPad.

nicky crane

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/418938#Comment_418938

İ am still happynwith my ipad 1, in daily use!

Bill Moore

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/418972#Comment_418972

İ am still happynwith my ipad 1, in daily use!

Good for you! I skipped the first and second.

JT (alabama24)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/418924#Comment_418924

Couldn't your dad have simply returned his iPad 2 to Best Buy for a refund and bought the 3?

Kind of… but he didn't. "Best Buy" does charge a "restocking fee." I think he was too embarrassed to return it.

Ergatees

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/414677#Comment_414677

One long drum roll for you. Bravo. I love mine. And works well with Logos4.

Ergatees

Friedrich

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/417670#Comment_417670

True, Donnie. The Mini is doubtlessly "a bit crisper," but just not crisp enough for me. I prefer the size of the Mini to the Google Nexus 7, but I would have chosen the Nexus just for crisper fonts.

But . . . I prefer the larger size of the regular iPad. The best of all worlds would be to have both sizes, but my budget does not comply with my ideals.

i kind of had to "Sgt. Schultz" it . . . you know the guy from Hogan's Heroes show back in the 60s: "I know nuuu-sing, I seee nuuu-sing!" when it came to the Retina, I saw . . . but then suppressed it deeeeeep within myself, because I knew it would bug the heck out of me. I bought what I could afford: a refurb ipad2 32. which now was about the same price as the ipad3 refurbs . . . . grrrrrrr! [H]