For many people, last week’s announcement of the new iPad 2 brought a flurry of excitement and jubilation.
The most popular consumer electronics device in history was being updated with a faster processor, better graphics, dual cameras and more.
Most exciting: Apple was holding the line on the pricing, from US$499 at the base to $829 at the top, much to the chagrin of competitors, some of whom have released competing products for more.
Consumers who already have an iPad now have a choice . . . what to do with the old one?
The obvious choice is the used marketplace.
Sites like eBay reported a surge in listings for used iPads as first-generation users lined up to dump the old (but still great) and line up to buy the new.
A quick look at Craigslist offerings in various cities also showed a whole bunch of listings as well.
However, one site is taking the whole fuss out of the deal, perhaps at the expense of some of your sales price.
Gazelle (www.gazelle.com), a leading reseller of used electronics, is gobbling up iPads by the thousands at fairly competitive prices. It’s an option if you don’t want the hassle of an auction or a third-party seller — but realize that you may get a better price in the direct marketplace. (Gazelle has to make some money, and it’s acting as a wholesaler.)
For example, Gazelle was selling the 64GB iPad with 3G — the model I have — for $595 the week before the iPad 2 announcement.
Today, the company will offer me $530 including the original cables. A new iPad 2 of similar configuration is $829, so I would be out $299 for the upgrade. (This assumes my used model is in excellent condition, which it is..)
The 16GB WiFi only model for comparison, Gazelle offers $300, so your out of pocket would be $199.
An unofficial survey of eBay pricing shows roughly the same deals for used models, but you never know what happens in the auction world.
So should you sell? If your iPad is doing what you need it to do, there is little reason to dump it for the latest and greatest toy.
However, if you need the cameras, video conferencing, faster graphics for work or play, or the ability to connect to Verizon versus AT&T, it seems like pricing for used ones is rather high and probably won’t get any higher.
Apple has reduced the price on its remaining stock of new and refurbished iPads to move them out so that has further depressed pricing on used models.
However, it often pays to skip a generation, so if you can hold out for the iPad 3, I am sure Steve Jobs will blow you away with a higher-resolution display, more storage and even more battery life.
I usually skip a generation in items like this (cellphones, etc.) so you may follow my lead and wait six nine months for the arrival of iPad 3.
Good things come to those who wait.
James Derk is owner of CyberDads, a computer services firm and tech columnist for Scripps Howard News Service. His email address is jim@cyberdads.com