iPad 1, iPad 2, iPad new? New (3), Used, refurbished? You want an iPad but want to get the best iPad for the best possible price right now. With the release of the third generation of iPad, you now have some interesting options if you aren’t beholden to a new device. This is mainly a story for local Toronto, ON buyers, but you should be able to apply most of this advice to other locales.
I’m a Canadian living in Toronto. I’m not far from the American border (about an hour and a half of driving to the east or west, give or take a few minutes). Being in the technology industry – I am always coming across scenarios where a particular product is only available in the U.S. or the product may be significantly cheaper than it would be if purchased here in Canada. Even with our currencies almost at par, the lure of going to America to get the exclusive tech and bring it back is tremendous. While returning from a small road trip yesterday, I had some thoughts about cross-border shopping.
What I speak of is that shiny new gadget called the iPad. It was available for pre-order in the U.S. on March 12, but us saps here an Canada can’t officially get on until the end of April. I didn’t let that stop me though, I had to get one I did some research and here’s how I got a new iPad shipped to me here in Toronto. Use this advice with caution, your mileage may vary.
This device will not be available here in Toronto until sometime in May – so imagine my joy at getting to play now. I really wanted to see what the hype was all about. I had heard and seen many reports – but for many, the mantra had been “You have to see it and touch it to understand how amazing it is”. So, today, I will do that.
Here’s the problem – they sell you a computer with what they call “OS License Only”. This computer is shipped to you with a blank hard disk, no CD-ROM of Windows to install with and simply a sticker on the outside case of the system to install with. You are not given the option to have the CD shipped to you – nor are you given details on the history of the computer or that copy of Windows.