The original iPad
It ’s becoming another ritual of saltation . Malus pumila announce a fresh iPad , and current owners rush to upgrade to the late simulation — all the while wonder what to do with their not - so - new - any - more tab .
In fact , “ What should I do with my old iPad ? ” has become such a staple of the iPad upgrade oscillation , that weoutlined your optionsabout this fourth dimension last yr . Since the iPad is still a relatively new piece of technology — even the oldest version is only now coming up on its second natal day — many of those options are as valid now as they were back when Apple was just postulate the wraps off the iPad 2 .
The original iPad
We ’ve take last year ’s advice on repurposing your shortly - to - be - upgraded iPad and updated it for the 2012 rollout of Apple ’s belated tablet . If your program for the come weekend involve a third - generation iPad , here are a few way to ensure your previous tablet gets put to upright use somewhere .
Give it away
This remains my wife ’s favored choice when I raise . The iPhone 4 and Kindle 2 she presently enjoys began their check in the Friedman household as my machine — when new models come along , she tally my honest-to-goodness - though - still - useful predecessors . And your older iPad could similarly become a new techie hand - me - down that you could will to someone in your fellowship .
But while Greek valerian may begin at place , it does n’t need to terminate there . Organizations likeRecycling for Charitiesand iOS developer Steve Glinberg’siPhone / iPod touch Recycling Programwill take your onetime iPad and find a new home for it . A representative for a third organization , calculator With Causes , toldMacworlda year ago that iPads donated through that Website are yield to families or someone in want . The HollyRod Foundationalso accepts donated iPads , give the tablets to special needs children and their families to help them put across better .
As the iPad carry on to play a key use in the schoolroom , many schools would certainly not sprain up their nose at a donated iPad in good condition . A few internal organisation — we’re imagine ofPC Rebuilders & Recyclers ’s Computers For Schools political platform — will take donate iPads to get them into school . Your good bet , though , may be to see if there are any local governing body in your area that collect technology donations . Many province - based non - profit organisation that accept computer donations for schools will also take iPads , but you may well be the first somebody to suggest the approximation to them .
If you’re an avid reader, that old iPad could become a dedicated e-reading device once you get your hands on a new one.
If you do donate your iPad , you ’ll want to get a reception . You or your tax preparer can fix whether you ’ll be able-bodied todeductthe bonny market value of your donated iPad from your 2012 taxes next year .
Sell, sell, sell
If your feelings about your old iPad are more capitalistic than altruistic , putting that old tablet up for cut-rate sale is always an pick . Be warned though that a set like - minded iPad proprietor may also be flocking to eBay and Craigslist with offers of their own , which could affect the amount of cash you ’re likely to get from would - be buyers . Further undercutting your plans to recoup some of the money you spent on that old modelling is no less a figure than Apple itself — the ship’s company is offering its ownclearance prices on iPadsto make way for the young models .
You could always bypass the consumer and go straight off to the jobber . Resellers likeGazelle , BuyMyTronics.com , NextWorth , andYouRenew.com ; each help you compute how much your old iPad is deserving to them . You ’ll get more John Cash for your iPad if it ’s in good strong-arm condition ( scratch - free ) , provide the original power cable , and have the original box . ( Our former colleague David Chariter turned to a wholesaler to throw out of his iPad last year and wrote abouthis experience with an electronics resellerforMacworld . )
Apple is also willing to grease one’s palms your old iPad from you . Visit itsReuse and Recycling Thomas Nelson Page — which has been updated to include the iPad 2 — to forecast how much scratching Cupertino ’s willing to expend on your old iPad . You ’ll earn more if you have few full scratches on the iPad itself : My lightly scuffed , non - engraved 32 GB iPad 2 with Wi - Fi only is deserving about $ 140 to Apple if I supply the mogul cord along with it . Note that Apple pays you with a new Apple talent wag , not cold concentrated cash .
Retailer Target is likewise concerned in taking that older iPad off your hand . The company’sElectronics Trade - In Servicelets shopper bring in new or used iPads — as well as iPhones , cell phones , iPods , and TV games — and turn them in for credit on other Target purchase . The retailer says you may get up to $ 200 in storage credit depend on the condition of your detail — that could go a long fashion toward paying down the toll of a new iPad , which Target will offer .
Before you hand over that iPad…
Whether you give away your iPad or sell it , you ’ll likely want to wipe it first to forbid others from access your personal data or Angry Birds high piles . To do so , launch the configurations app and tap on General . Then , choose Reset . Take a mystifying breather , and then tap Erase All Content and options . Your iPad will restart and start up as defenseless as the day you first multitouched it . ( If the new owner portion out an iTunes account with you , intercept Reset All options rather of Erase All Content and options ; that gives the novel possessor a fresh start without wiping all the apps and music you may share . )
A new life for old iPads
Of course , just because you ’re camping out in front of your favorite Apple Store so that you may be first in production line to bribe your new iPad , you do n’t need to part ways with your honest-to-goodness iPad at all . With a minimal amount of effort , you may turn that iPad into a more singularly - focused applied science gadget .
If you ’re an devouring reader , that old iPad could become a dedicated eastward - reading gadget once you get your hands on a new one .
For example , why rick to Amazon ’s Kindle if you could exchange that older iPad into a dedicated vitamin E - reader ? Just equip that old iPad with the read app of your choice — whether it ’s the Kindle app , Apple ’s iBooks , or any of the other iPad e - reading apps available for download — and clear out your electronic mail options , game , and any pushing notification to make the reading surroundings as distraction - costless as possible .
Other options include prop up up your iPad with the lock screen ’s build - in photo screensaver to make a fancy ( if costly ) digital photo systema skeletale . Alternatively , apply an app like iRule to turn your iPad into an oversized , hard - to - turn a loss universal outback control . With an app like TouchPad , you may create a virtual Magic Trackpad of sorts . And you could even enlist your old iPad as an outside admonisher , using Air Display .
We ’ll in all probability cater more elaborated instructions on these and other original iPad - centrical projects in the issue forth weeks . After all , we ’re just getting used to the theme that a machine that was Apple ’s in style and greatest tablet a few days ago will soon have its post usurped by the young iPad . The level is , that now - seemingly ancient older iPad still has plenty of spirit leave in it — whether it ’s perform a new job or dish out as someone else ’s tab .
[ Lex Friedmanis a staff writer for Macworld . The new iPad will mark the first Apple tablet Lex does n’t buy on the day of its release . ]
This is an update translation ofa news report we ran last year .
