Apple has a “special limited time price” on 32GB and 64GB iPad 3G + Wi-Fi units. These are all first-generation, AT&T-targeted, refurbished units. They are sold “as new” by Apple, with a full one year warranty, and are eligible for AppleCare extended warranties.
The $399.99 price-point, with free shipping, is a price we currently see from second-hand retailers, and do not carry a full Apple warranty. The 64GB model is $100 more, at $499.99.
These prices are hundreds less than the iPad 2 variants, and also are remarkable as the 32GB refurbished iPad 3G first-gen is now $100 cheaper than the entry-level iPad 2, which is a 16GB Wi-Fi-only model.
The iPad 2 does benefit from being thinner and lighter, as well as having a dual-core processor, the Apple A5. The first-generation iPad also lacks a built-in camera. 3G variants of the iPad are unlocked, which means this model can be used on T-Mobile, as well as MVNO networks like H2O, Simple Mobile, and others. In addition, it features A-GPS, which can be used without a data plan.
This deal caught our eye, as it can be paired with T-Mobile’s new $30/month unlimited data prepaid plan. That plan provides 5GB of 4G data and 100 airtime minutes. After the 5GB are used up, users are throttled to EDGE speeds. With the iPad 3G only able to use EDGE speeds on T-Mobile’s network (due to lacking UMTS 1700/2100), it’s a great device to use after you have burned through the first 5GB of HSPA+ data on a secondary phone.
The iPad 3G is a quad-band GSM/EDGE and 850/1900 UMTS/HSPA unlocked tablet. It supports 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi, has a built-in compass (in addition to A-GPS), and supports iOS 5.
