In a 2022 ad for the iPad Air 5, Apple used the memorable line, “your next computer is not a computer”. This was the latest chapter in the company’s long tradition of asking, “what is a computer?” to make a point. The point was that while an iPad may technically be a tablet, it can do everything a laptop can. And sometimes even more.

We’d like to add a qualifier: your next computer is not a computer, and it’s also not new. Although it will look, feel and function as good as new (or close to it), it will actually be second-hand. You’ll save hundreds of dollars on an amazing device with a warranty. If that sounds like a fantasy, it’s time to look into refurbished iPads.

Refurbished iPads are used iPads, but with some differences that make them particularly unique (more on that below). When gaming, editing photos, switching between apps, drawing artwork, signing documents and more, it’s easy to forget that the device in your hands didn’t just come out of the box and off the shelves. Yet refurbished devices have had previous owners and lives before gaining fresh starts with clean slates.

They’re cheaper, but is that the only reason to buy one? Definitely not. There are a few reasons why refurbished iPads are such good deals. Do you love Apple products but find that your eyes water when you see the prices of new ones at your local shopping centre? Would you rather not take your chances buying from a complete stranger on an online marketplace? Refurbished is the choice for you. Here’s why.

What Are Refurbished iPads?

If you’ve found your way to this blog post, you’re likely looking for an iPad to buy. And why not? iPads can do pretty much everything laptops and desktop computers can do unless you need a higher-than-usual amount of storage space or you’re a fervent gamer. You can update your social media, stream movies and TV shows, check your e-mail and look things up on Google.

What is an iPad, anyway? It’s Apple’s own touchscreen tablet PC, smaller and lighter than a laptop. The first iPad came out in 2010, and since then, the company has run three lines: the regular iPad, mini and Pro.

So why buy refurbished iPads in particular? When you buy them through a trustworthy retailer with proper quality control, these devices are better and safer than regular second-hand iPads.

Refurbished devices are used devices that have been checked to ensure they perform at certain standards, with everything from the speaker to the microphone to the camera tested. Before these devices go out on sale, the refurbisher erases all the previous owner’s data and ensures everything is in working order. Refurbished devices come in various conditions, from like-new to a little more worn-out. Most of them, however, are pretty much identical to brand-new devices apart from the odd superficial scratch or chip here or there.

Some refurbished devices, called “ex-demo” devices, have only been taken out of their boxes to be displayed in retail stores.

But with the near-unlimited number of options out there in the marketplace right now, what makes refurbished iPads so special? Why should you choose them, in particular, instead of used iPads of another kind or another type of second-hand device entirely?

Benefits of Refurbished iPads

We’ll look at two topics here: the benefits of iPads over laptops or personal computers and the benefits of refurbished. On top of doing pretty much everything a laptop can do, an iPad has the following advantages in its favour. Small enough to fit snugly into a handbag, it’s incredibly portable and easy to carry. Being an Apple product, it syncs up nicely with the rest of the iOS ecosystem and has a lot of apps for you to use. It’s easy to use, games tend to be cheaper, and it’s the perfect device to use as a Kindle or e-book reader.

Refurbished devices tend to be cheaper. That’s probably the main reason they’re so popular. But cheap means nothing if you end up with an inferior product you can’t return. That’s why refurbished goods are a safer buy than other kinds of second-hand products: they’re sold with warranties and the expectation of quality. Refurbished devices are also much better for the environment, helping to reduce the 100,000+ tonnes of e-waste that end up in landfills every year. Shopping for refurbished devices allows you to skip queues at your local mall and opens up a range of options for you.

The Top Refurbished iPads to Buy

Wondering which Apple iPad you should buy? OzMobiles has a wide range of refurbished Apple iPads. While the choice is yours, as always, here are a few we recommend:

iPad Pro 12.9 Inch 4th Gen - $1,459 (save $440)

This is simply one of the best tablets you can buy. It has a 12.9-inch screen with a high-resolution, fast-refreshing, clear and bright display. The battery life lasts up to two days. Storage is up to 2TB, and performance is fast and effective, good for doing a lot of scrolling or gaming. There are two 12MP cameras – a front shooter and a rear shooter – plus a 10MP Ultra-Wide camera to capture more details.

iPad Pro 11" - $1,199 (save $380)

Packing the power of a PC in portable tablet form, 2021’s iPad Pro 11” does a lot for a device that’s so light and slim. Powered by Apple’s M1 chipset, it has a high level of storage, a super-fast performance, long battery life and impressive quad-speaker audio.

iPad Pro 9.7” - $619

It may be from 2016, but the iPad Pro 9.7” remains one of the best all-around iPads that money can buy. As one of Apple’s very first tablets marketed as a potential replacement for your laptop or desktop, it embodies many of the qualities Apple fans love about iPads. It has four crystal-clear stereo speakers, high performance, good battery life and terrific camera and editing facilities.

These devices (and many other iPads) commanded high prices when they first hit the stores. Now, thanks to the benefits of refurbishment, you can score them as top-quality second-hand iPads for hundreds of dollars less.

Where to Buy Refurbished iPads

If you want to ensure you’re getting a good quality refurbished iPad, you don’t have to look any further than OzMobiles.

As an Australian company, we test all of our devices at our Melbourne headquarters to ensure they meet Australian standards. This involves a rigorous 72-point checking process that ensures that battery life (always important) is at least 80%.

All our used iPads and other devices are 100% fully functional and come with a one-year warranty and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

We offer free and fast shipping. We want you to get your device quickly, and we want it to be affordable for you. If you find a better deal elsewhere, we’ll beat that price by $10 (terms and conditions apply). And if you’re on a tight budget, you can pay in instalments through a third-party provider like AfterPay, ZipPay or PayPal Pay in 4.

Get in touch with OzMobiles for more information and help to find the right device from our selection of second-hand iPads.