ETA (1/31/13): I have obtained a first gen iPad without incurring significant debt! Big thanks to the person who made it happen!
As a web designer I have to test sites in multiple browsers and devices. As more and more people get tablet computers it’s become clear that I need access to an iPad to properly test sites. I’ve tried using the Safari browser which lets you switch the user agent to an iPad, but it fails to detect bugs that occur when using an actual iPad. I tested a site that looked fine in Safari when it was in iPad mode, but when I tested it on my brother’s iPad it was screwed up.
So, I need to get a frickin’ iPad, even though I can do most of things an iPad does on my phone. I’m pretty bitter about this since I don’t want to drop hundreds of dollars on a device just to test web sites. But I have to. The emulators just aren’t cutting it. And yes, I know I can write it off as a business expense, but I’d rather spend the money on a vacation.
Hey, Jennette, why not get a cheaper tablet computer like a Kindle Fire? Or an iPad mini which is cheaper than an iPad?
Because, the iPad still dominates the tablet computer field. More people will be visiting a web site on an iPad than on a competing Android or Amazon device. It makes the most sense to get an iPad so I can be sure that the majority of the tablet audience is seeing the right thing.
Why don’t you try winning one in a contest?
Tried that many times. Still haven’t won. And ever since the iPad Mini came out most contests are giving that away instead of the full-size iPad.
So, does anyone know where I can get a good price on an iPad? I don’t think I even need the latest generation iPad, just an iPad. I’m hesitant to buy one off of eBay. I was wondering if one of my readers has an old iPad they’d be willing to sell me at a reasonable price. Thanks!
Kel says
January 18, 2013 at 6:17 pmI hope someone leave some good ideas for you, as I would like to know myself!!!
deezil says
January 18, 2013 at 6:25 pmIf you don’t mind getting a refurb unit, go to cowboom.com . (It’s a brand run by BestBuy) the iPads section, and brand Apple. sort low to high and pick through them. If one is missing a charger, those can be bought on eBay or Amazon for cheap.
Also, Apple sells recertified refrub units on their website. You’ll pay more, but they’ll come complete and with warranty.
JenFul says
January 18, 2013 at 6:31 pm@deezil – Thanks! CowBoom.com looks very promising.
jen says
January 18, 2013 at 7:08 pmYou can buy refurbished units directly from Apple. Here is the link: http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/ipad
They come with a 1-year warranty and there is a brand new battery in them.
Sara says
January 18, 2013 at 8:26 pmHow much we’re you looking to spend? I have a white 16g ipad 2 that I’ve been thinking about selling to upgrade to a retina version. I still have the original box and charger!
Jen says
January 18, 2013 at 9:20 pmI never thought I wanted an iPad until I ended up with one (an iPad 2) from work, and I really love it for everything except writing.
I still don’t think it’s a necessity but it is a nice thing to have.
Mary in FL says
January 19, 2013 at 4:06 amI second Cowboom, was just looking there today for an Ipad.
Kris says
January 20, 2013 at 2:25 pm@JenFul – I recently made my first purchase from cow boom.com and was not impressed. Of two products, one works OK and the other completely died approximately one week into using it. They were NO help. Lost $160.
Be careful with them. I thought being associated with Best buy, they’d be better than that.
Vickie says
January 20, 2013 at 11:12 pmThis is going to sound silly, but I think it is true. When you are testing iPad, be sure to test with iPad used horizontally and vertically. I find for some odd things, the iPad responds differently in the two different positions. I think it does better in horizontal mode.
JenFul says
January 20, 2013 at 11:21 pm@Vickie – That’s not silly at all! That’s exactly the reason I need an iPad. The site that looked messed up only looked messed up when viewed horizontally.
Vickie says
January 20, 2013 at 11:32 pm@JenFul – not only the looks, but some things do not function one direction, but do the other way. I mean clicking on something when vertical and no response, then turn horizontal, click, and it works.
Lisa Duncan says
January 27, 2013 at 5:19 pmI got my own iPad through a local seller on Craigslist last year. The man I bought it from said he was in IT and used it to test software. He had just bought himself the latest one and said he wanted to sell his old one for cash. We met at a Peets near an apple store so that if I had any issues resetting it I could go to the store. The whole thing felt like an illicit drug buy. Particularly since he pulled up on his big shiny BMW motorcycle in full black and red leather regalia before pulling the ipad out of his backpack. But the ipad was in great shape. He showed me right there that it worked and told me how to reset it. It has worked like a charm for the the 6 months I’ve had it so far. It was an iPad2 with 64GB memory, equipped with wifi + 3G. The price was ok, but I wouldn’t say “cheap”. I gave him $600 cash. Prices keep going down, but now I think the new iPad2’s from Apple with only 16GB are just over $500 and the new iPad3’s with 64GB memory are over $800. So I probably saved a few hundred dollars. And I got the excitement of an illicit drug buy without breaking any laws!
Vickie says
January 29, 2013 at 2:20 pmI have thought of asking you this several times, but don’t think I ever did. I am looking for the post you wrote on posture. I think you might have been at the gym. And when you looked in the mirror and pulled your shoulders back and stood up straight, you felt like you were bending over backwards/partial back bend. I think it was many years ago. I tried querying on ‘mirror’ and a couple other things, but couldn’t find it.
Vickie says
January 29, 2013 at 2:22 pmIf it is very time consuming to find, just forget it. But I thought you might have a key word you remember using and it might be simple. Thanks in advance if you find it easily. If not, no worries.
JenFul says
January 29, 2013 at 5:23 pm@Vickie – Hmmm, I don’t remember writing an entry like that. Could it have been another blogger? That said, there have been times I’ve read old entries of mine and had absolutely no recollection of writing them, so it’s possible it’s there and I don’t realize it.
Vickie says
January 29, 2013 at 7:11 pm@JenFul – pretty sure it was you. Might have been the same post where you talked about feeling pretty flexible in a pose and then looked over and the person next to you had her foot nearly behind her head (would that have been yoga?).
JenFul says
January 29, 2013 at 7:33 pm@Vickie – Ah, here we go! Second-to-last paragraph: http://pastaqueen.com/blog/2008/01/putting-the-fun-into-fitness/ It was a TurboKick class.
Vickie says
January 29, 2013 at 7:54 pm@JenFul – that was it! Thank you so much. I knew it was a good one. You are so witty. I had a yoga instructor whose low weight was 200 lbs and high weight was 300. Over the years I had her as an instructor at both those weights. Her planks and chaturangas were something to see. Very strong woman.
Vickie says
January 29, 2013 at 7:55 pmI got pleasantly spoiled with all your posts before the end of the year . . .