Original iPads now on clearance, starting at $399… maybe

The prediction that the original iPad would continue to be sold at a discount could be partially true. Apple has moved them to the clearance section of their online store and depending on when you check the price, they could have a discount of $100, making the 16GB Wi-Fi model just $399. Maybe.

I don’t know what’s going on, but I’ve seen the price flip-flop three times from $399 for the 16GB Wi-Fi model, back up to $499, then down again, and now back up again (edit: and now back down), in the past half hour. I don’t know what the error is, but if you catch it at the right time, you could nab a $100 discount on a new original iPad. If you want a deeper cut, refurbs are running $50 to $70 lower.

Can’t say the price cut, if it sticks, adds enough appeal to draw most people away from the iPad 2, but it should be enough for anyone who thinks they don’t want cameras and will be happy with “fast enough”. Oh, and as Josh Smith opined to me, this slashes the resale value of your current iPads (if it sticks). Should have requested those resale boxes from Gazelle earlier like Xavier did.

Update: Flip-flopping price must be a browser issue. Seeing fluctuations in both Firefox and Internet Explorer, but Safari on my iPhone consistently shows the discount. Guess you should use Safari to purchase if you’re interested.

Hat tip to BGR.