Refurbished Apple iPads – Why you should buy one?
You'll be forgiven for being sceptical about buying a pre-owned machine, especially a consumer gadget, from anyone. The risks are often not commensurate with the rewards, and we have heard many stories of the biggest bargain deals going bust. Despite their performances, the prices for new iPads can be downright unreasonable for some people, and for this reason, a refurbished iPad might be your only way to access this must-have tech. But are Apple refurbished iPads any good?
Before we dive deep into the idea of refurbished iPads, we must first understand how refurbished products come out. By definition, to refurbish something is to recondition it. For tech products, this can be done by the manufacturer or a third-party company. There are several reasons why a product can be refurbished, but most commonly, it is due to client returns, trade-ins, and recalls from manufacturers or press samples. The difference between a refurbished product and a straight second hand is that refurbs are extensively repaired according to OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer), and they undergo a test to ensure they work as well as a new item.
This means that while the product may be preowned, you can expect it to perform better than a direct secondhand or used one. This implies that a refurbished product is a sweet spot between brand new and second hand.
What is a Refurbished iPad?
Secondhand iPads from reputable retailers are well known for standards, and this is not something they skimp on. Before everything, the devices are thoroughly cleaned. This follows a meticulous process of testing and repairing the internal and external components to come out with a product that works just like the first time it left the production line. Even better, they also feel new because they go the extra mile of throwing on a new body, screen, and battery.
Buying a Refurbished iPad.
So, you've weighed all your options and landed on buying a refurbished iPad, should you worry? Unsurprisingly the answer is no, there are plenty of reasons to get an iPad, and the advantages of buying refurbed just sweetens the deal. Besides budget considerations, there are several other factors to look into before settling on an iPad to buy. For starters, whether to opt for a pro or air version. Given the differences in performance and storage spaces, this is a crucial factor in choosing an iPad. Other factors include screen size, year of manufacture, colour, and intended use. The benchmark here is to select a device that will work for most if not all the applications you plan on using it.
We think you should consider buying a refurbished iPad even before considering to buy a new one. Here are some reasons why it is a good idea.
The processing power of tablets
If you are a tech enthusiast, you are probably aware of Apple's advancements in chip design using ARM architecture. iPads and iPhones are by far the fastest mobile devices by virtue of their chips, and this has not been an overnight success. The company has thrown its industrial might in developing efficient processors that can be optimized for any end of the spectrum, and their recent move to their own chips for laptop vouches for this. In fact, their designs are so futuristic that some iPads outperform laptops in a shootout. In their race for development, the intervals between updates have been small, with each update bringing only marginal improvement in performance. Therefore, you don't miss a lot by going for the refurbished option whose price is more pocket friendly. In our iPad Mini 5 review, we have discussed the performance and portability of it, click here if you'd like to read more.
Manufacturer warranty and price
Just as with new devices, Reputable retailers supply refurbished iPads with a warranty. This not only speaks about their belief in the quality of refurb work, but it also means you can use the devices worry-free. This is unlike a secondhand purchase, where the burden of care rests on your shoulder from the moment you seal the deal. With the warranty, you can choose to upgrade and trade-in your old refurb for a new one as well.
Electronic waste management
Much is not said about electronic waste from consumer electronics, but the reality of the situation is that landfills are getting swamped with electronic waste, which is becoming a menace. Besides stripping the deices out for reusable parts, refurbishing means that manufacturers collect their waste and dispose of it appropriately. This could mean smelting for rare earth minerals and other components that are used in chip design. Refurbishing offers a better alternative to recycling because a huge percentage of a device is reused in refurbishing. The benefits also stretch as far as manufacturing. With refurbs, little e-waste is produced as compared to manufacturing a device from scratch
Convenience
Refurbished iPads can be found in Apple's refurbished store and other trusted third-party companies. If buying a second had was among the options you had, you may want to consider opting for a refurbed device. This is because, apart from the fact that buying from a reputable retailer is straight forward, you can be sure that you will have support for your device.
These were some of the reasons why you should consider buying a refurbished iPad. If you're in the market for an iPad, we definitely recommend a refurbished one.
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