Thanks to Steve Jobs and Apple, the iPad and tablet computing in general is fast becoming an essential part of everyday life but unfortunately it doesn't come cheap. What if it was actually possible to purchase an iPad online, far cheaper than what's available at retail stores? In this article, I'll be giving you special tips and suggestions about where you can get a heavily discounted iPad online.

Which iPad Model Should You Buy?

Before purchasing an iPad, it is important to simply know why you need it. That will ultimately determine the model that best suits your needs. Obviously, there would be no need for someone to buy the more expensive 3G model, when they only plan on using it at home with a Wi-Fi connection. If you plan on watching a lot of movies and playing many games, then I would highly recommend getting the larger 64GB iPad model. Surprisingly, many people overlook this simple step and impulsively purchase the more expensive iPad model, where the extra added features are barely utilised. So simply consider what you need and don't need in an iPad because it can save a lot of money in the long run.

Why Avoid Purchasing an iPad at Retail Stores?

The main benefits of retail stores is that it offers hands-on experience and advice from a sales clerk. The problem with retail shopping is that it's much harder to compare iPad prices between different stores. Having to physically move from store to store, let alone remembering the different prices for each model, can be hard work and quite time consuming to say the least. In the case of sales clerks – while many of them are great, not all of them are as informed as you expect them to be so you may not always be getting the best advice. Whereas online, all the information you need is available from multiple sources, which can help you make a more informed decision on your purchase.

Advantages of Buying an iPad Online

Buying an iPad online makes it much quicker and easier to compare prices and features. With online shopping, you not only have the option of buying a totally new iPad but also a 'used' or 'refurbished' model that start from as low as $459.00 USD (Prices may vary from the time of this article)– retail store iPads start from $499.00 USD, which instantly makes it a huge saving. You may be asking – are used or refurbished iPads reliable and in great condition? Well with online stores, there are highly reliable ratings systems with user feedback to ensure you are purchasing a high quality product. There are also Return and Refund Policies in place for your peace of mind.

Although iPads are available everywhere, rarely do we see massive discounts on them. Most people are completely unaware of the savings they can make just by purchasing one online, as you've just learnt. Now that you know that it's possible to get a discounted iPad online, it's now up to you take advantage of this and make a huge saving.