iPad replacement through Apple, is it worth it?

zine21 on 20/03/2016 - 11:14

I have an iPad 2 that I've been using for over 5 years. I've dropped it quite a few times and unfortunetly managed to crack it really good the last time around. It is still functioning fine but it has slowed down and it seems to be having issues connecting to the computer to transfer things across.

When I contacted Apple they offered to replace it with new iPad 2 with same features (64gb and 3G) but they want 350 for it. It will come with a year of warranty on it.

My question is, is this worth the cost ? I can buy another similar tablet for around that amount and give the old but still functioning tablet to my sister to play with. But then again my last iPad was really good to me and I really did abuse it a lot and it's still going. But there's all the new iPads out and the old 2 one, I'm not sure what it's worth. They will be taking my iPad and replacing it with that so its not exactly me buying a new one for that either.

Any ideas on whether this is a good deal or not ?

Computing

Comments

  • Ozbargainlyf on 20/03/2016 - 11:40
    +3

    Get the newer model; even if you buy a mini from the new generation, least it won't lag.

    • shawnsmaggot on 20/03/2016 - 20:17
      +2

      One very important thing to keep in mind with the newer Mini (and air models) from the iPad Mini 3 and iPad Air 2 onward - is that the LCD and Digitizer/touch screen are glued together.

      This means that glass repairs are no longer a simple and cost effective repair. Basically you're looking at 60-70%+ of the total unit value for a screen replacement. This is a REALLY big downside, especially if you're going to have kids using the tablets.

  • oscargamer on 20/03/2016 - 11:51
    +2

    no deal

  • eatwell365 on 20/03/2016 - 12:09
    +1

    Definitely not worth it unless you wan to spend $350 and get a spare one for family.

    Personally have many iPhone and iPads.
    One iPhone replaced twice with "new" - "remanufacttured". Waited hour+ with appointment. First one noticed problem with rear camera right away.. Intermittent, went back twice, each time is 30 min to an hour. Swapped second one. Look new but notice issue again - first swapped my black to a blue, battery issue. Looks like have to revisit them again.
    Not that you are guaranteed to have the same issue, but why bother to so call replacement (don't think you get a brand new but remanufacttured) with only one year warranty, compared to 2.

    Also greed with @i love bacon's comments.old tech, lag, shorter life (as Apple keeps updating iOS and phrase out the older model from time to time). Cannot iOS equal to useless ipad/iPhone. paid $300 from and iPad mini 2. Can buy a brand new ipad 4 64k wifi for around $600 - when on sale + TRS when travel - faster, better display, finger print lock instead of password,

    If you have iPhone, use personal hotspot feature, instead of 3G, get 4G on phone for wifi. So no need 3G model.

  • trex on 20/03/2016 - 12:15
    +1

    Changing the ipad 2's digitizer screen is not that difficult. You can buy a new screen for about $20. My kids broke mine a few times and each time I fixed it DIY.

    • zine21 on 20/03/2016 - 18:23

      Can someone who isn't so great with tech really manage that ? I mean the last time I got my brother to change my iphone's screen, the camera lost function so Im not sure if that will cause more problems than fix it.

      • shawnsmaggot on 20/03/2016 - 20:18
        +1

        As someone who repairs iPad's professionally, I would advice against home-repairs of any iPad's. You MIGHT get lucky, but even with all the right tools and experience there is just so much that can go wrong.

        • loulou1 on 20/03/2016 - 20:22
          +2

          I did my own, broke the flex cable that runs the power button. Had to order a new one but even factoring that in cost me less than $25 total.
          I only attempted it because it was an ipad2, wouldn't dare try on something newer. I was willing to write it off if I ruined it anyway, for me it wasn't worth paying a professional to do it when it is so old,

      • trex on 20/03/2016 - 22:17
        +1

        Check out videos on youtube on ipad screen replacement, like this one. The hard part is actually taking out the broken screen as you need to watch out for ribbon cables especially the WiFi antenna which sticks behind the screen. Do pay attention to 45:15 in the above video link. This is something that you need to get right otherwise the screen will slowly pop open again as the ribbon cable acts like a spring. I missed this part out and learned it the hard way.

        If any dust gets on the LCD screen, tear out about 10cm of sticky tape, stick the ends together with the sticky side facing outwards so it forms a ring. Slip your fingers into the ring and use the sticky side on the LCD screen to remove any dust.

        • shawnsmaggot on 20/03/2016 - 22:44

          I would not recommend using sticky tape. The adhesive leaves marks on the LCD. A clean micro fiber cloth is the best tool for the job.

          You are 100% correct about needing to watch out for the cables around the outside of the device. It is VERY easy to tear them, especially if you don't have the right tools, and many of these cables are quite difficult to replace. This is one the main reason that I would not advise people to repair their iPad's at home. A good third party repair shop will be able to carry out the repair without incident, and if they do damage the flex's, they are in a much better position to replace them.

          LCD's are also extremely easy to mark with prying tools. Even if you use a soft plastic tool to pry the screen off (which is extremely difficult, because the adhesive is so damn tough even when thoroughly heated) you only need to push your tool in 1-2cm's too far and you will scratch, or possibly break the LCD if not leave a nasty looking smudge from the adhesive that is next to impossible to remove.

          The other 2 main issues with ipad 2,3 and 4 screen replacements are damage to the aluminum soft-shell frame as well as the plastic bezel that sits between the frame and the glass. It can be quite hard to see that the bezel even exists until you have taken the glass off. It's not uncommon for this plastic bezel to need replacing as well.

          Without the correct tools (ie Gtool clamps specifically designed for this purpose) it can be quite difficult to replace glass on iPad's with anything more than very minor damage to the frame. Hell, even with all the best tools and a wealth of experience I still have quite a lot of trouble with some iPad frames - especially if they are older and more roughed up.

  • [Deactivated] on 20/03/2016 - 13:27

    I have an iPad 2 still on iOS7, it is in perfect condition, battery life still good, but it's slow as (profanity). These things have had their day. Just get a decent Android tablet for the same money and get a 3rd party repair for iPad.

    • zine21 on 20/03/2016 - 18:21

      yeah sounds like mine. My battery life is amazing still but it is noticeably slower with anatomy apps which is what I use it mostly for. I thought if I got a new one it would be faster ( Somehow I just assumed that mine just had enough of a beating hence the slow nature) but you're probably right. The new one is going to be just as slow since its still an old version.

      Thanks

  • shawnsmaggot on 20/03/2016 - 20:14

    As others have said, ditch the iPad 2.

    It's nowhere near powerful enough to handle latest iOS.

    Now is a good a time as any to ditch Apple.

    Since the iPad Air 2/Mini 2 Apple have started gluing the Glass (Digitizer/touch screen) and the LCD together, making repairs insanely expensive. The only good thing about the older iPad's were that the screens were relatively cheap to replace by third party repairers because unlike most other Tablets you could replace Just the glass (the most commonly damaged part). Now that that advantage is gone, you might as well save your $$$ and buy a Samsung/other android tablet.

  • sonicentropy on 21/03/2016 - 07:45
    +2

    Keep the ipad 2 but get it repaired at shopping centre place one near me is $85. Also pick up a silicon cover to protect it.

    • Ihhdle on 21/03/2016 - 12:21

      I did this and I've been very happy. Saved me the cost of a new iPad.

  • JediJan on 21/03/2016 - 09:47
    +1

    My son broke the screen on his iPad2 last year and we were charged $120 to have it replaced. Returned over 24 hours later and apparently it was not finished. Son waited in shop (forget name but Western side of High Street, Cranbourne) to collect. At the time i had just had a back operation and stayed in the car. The shop person did state earlier it would only be a day, and so they were late on the repair. When it was finally received it had fine air bubbles. When I rang they claimed the bubbles would dissipate soon (bs) and my son (disabled and very polite) was rude to them, which was total bs! and hung up on me as soon as I said I would like to complain. (I encourage him to be as independent as possible and make purchases alone, although I check his receipts and such, to check if he is being taken advantage of … it happens sometimes) Anyway the ipad2 (also 64 GB) stopped functioning a few weeks later, but as it would be nigh on impossible to work out whose fault it was, we replaced it with the comparable ipad2 Air 64GB which was about $750 on sale. Yes a costly exercise but these things happen. I did look at the Samsung offerings and they were mighty impressive too, but son wanted ipad2 Air.

    Ps. If anyone thinks the old damaged iPad 2 64GB, replaced screen with bubbles, is worth something please advise. We live in Cranbourne Victoria.

    I would have thought an ipad2 64GB 3G?, new too, such as we had was worth $350 and therefore surprised others are suggesting not to buy this. I would suggest buying new but I am not so certain buying the newer model is worth an extra $400 … I guess it depends on the purpose for which you are buying it. If its just for games then I would opt for the ipad2. The newer model (Air 2 ) is also a little bit smaller; something to compare, but appears quicker and sleeker. We spent the extra for a tempered glass screen too. Hint: Delete the Commonwealth Bank app though.

    • [Deactivated] on 21/03/2016 - 17:54

      He has an iPad 2, the second iPad model produced ever. Not an iPad Air 2.

      • JediJan on 23/03/2016 - 10:56

        The original (damaged) one is an iPad 2 (yes, probably the second model produced), but it was replaced with an iPad Air 2. Both were/are 64GB.

        Took some time but was able to download all the apps and games we purchased earlier.

        • [Deactivated] on 23/03/2016 - 12:38

          Ok but the original iPad 2 isn't worth anywhere near $350

        • JediJan on 23/03/2016 - 13:56

          @The Land of Smeg: As I said, "I would have thought an ipad2 64GB 3G?, new too, such as we had was worth $350." I did not mind spending a $100 to replace the glass but the job we had done to sons was second rate (was just urging caution into repairing these to go to a respected franchise … not the one we visited.)

          Only thing is for that I would not have wanted a refurbished item. I was quite impressed by the Samsung Galaxy tablets too, when we went looking for a replacement, and would suggest others check them out also.

          I often wonder about buying myself a tablet too, but unsure whether to buy iPad or android; there is such a variety out there! (The decision to buy an iPad Air 2 was son's - easy therefore to buy him what he wanted)

  • Oridiian on 21/03/2016 - 09:48
    +2

    $350 to repair / replace an iPad 2 is absurd, plus you will only be getting a refurbished unit.

    You could probably pick up an iPad 3 or 4 with the same features for around that price (maybe even less!) on eBay, Graysonline, Gumtree or something like that. If you're looking for something with warranty, try somewhere that trades in iPads like EBgames, you can buy a refurb 3rd gen with the same specs for $418 AND still keep the iPad 2 for the kids to play with and not care if it breaks. Also, aftermarket parts to repair the unit yourself are also quite inexpensive, but can be very fiddly with a shattered screen. From personal experience I assure you that picking off the hundreds of little glass shards with tweezers when I repaired my old iPad 2 was not fun.

    iPad 3 will still use the 30-pin adaptor if you have existing accessories, but 4th gen and above have moved to the lightning cable and 4G mobile broadband (I have a 128GB/4G 4th gen that I was considering selling a few months back and buying an Air 2 instead, but realised I couldn't get much more than a couple hundred dollars for it on eBay, so I still have it). Also, a 3rd gen unit (or higher) would upgrade you to a retina screen, which is phenomenal.

    Hope this helps!

  • juzz0 on 21/03/2016 - 23:24
    +1

    I have a new iPad (3) and 350-400 is all I would pay for replacement. I would sell it for that price. Save your money and buy a mini or save up for a new one. Battery life is still good on my one but new ones offer more tech.

  • iridiumstem on 23/03/2016 - 13:58
    +1

    Air 2 I think got cheaper after the Pro 9.7's announcement?
    I'd recommend Air 2 if it did get cheaper (it'd be worth the additional price).

    • JediJan on 23/03/2016 - 14:03

      Yes, my son has been very happy with his, even though he paid premium at the time. We spent the extra to have fitted a tempered glass screen to it for extra protection as well (and it is not noticeable).

      • iridiumstem on 23/03/2016 - 14:07
        +1

        If you are happy with iOS, stick with iOS.
        I personally think Air 2 would be better than getting your iPad 2 replaced at that ridiculous price.

        • JediJan on 23/03/2016 - 14:17

          Yes, it is far superior than the iPad 2. The iPad 2 when working was a neat unit though; worth passing down to kids to play with. It was probably due to be retired although there were no problems with it until dropped.

        • iridiumstem on 23/03/2016 - 14:20
          +1

          @JediJan: Yeah, I am only mentioning this because you've already damaged your tablet and need to replace it. Air 2 I think would last you as long as iPad 2, considering that they've upped their game with internals (mainly RAM).

        • JediJan on 30/03/2016 - 01:10

          @Oversimplified: I hope it lasts longer than the iPad 2. Our gear usually lasts quite long as they are well looked after … that is until that iPad 2 was dropped. I think it is a pity the newer models have reduced in size though, even if they offer a larger variety. I guess there is an upper limit that people don't wish to buy, but I wonder what their reasoning was to do so; ie. Is it the market not the consumers that desire smaller models?

        • iridiumstem on 30/03/2016 - 07:58
          +1

          @JediJan: Almost all manufacturers always make their device lighter and smaller compared to older generation ones. Most people who carry tablets around want lighter ones (though I think making the devicce thinner has gone too far) and it's the easiest one to advertise.

          I for one think iPad series are on the weighty side because of the aluminium chasis.

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