Leading up to the iPad 2’s announcement, most of us were expecting a relatively modest refresh over the original iPad, and technically speaking, that’s what the iPad 2 is: it’s a slightly thinner, slightly faster iteration on the last generation. It’s amazing, though, how what on paper seems like such a modest spec bump can in fact be such a must-have update for millions of people.
It’s the Apple magic at work, and look no further than the massive volume of original trade-ins that reCommerce companies like Gazelle, eBay and NextWorth are experiencing for proof that the iPad 2 is going to sell like gang busters.
Gazelle, for example, has been swamped with trade-in requests since the iPad’s announcement. In fact, they’ve already paid out over a million dollars to consumers looking to cash-in their iPad and replace it with the iPad 2.
eBay’s Instant Sale program has also seen 7,100 iPads immediately traded-in after the iPad 2 announcement: over one-third of the total iPad trade-ins seen at the site since its debut in October.
Historically, trade-in rates are accurate predictors of a gadget’s sales, and so far, iPad trade-ins are exceeding all expectations of even the experts. If you think everyone and their mother isn’t going to be trying to get their hands on an iPad 2 come next Friday, you’re crazy.
Looking to trade-in your own iPad and want to get the best deal? Here’s a chart on how the services stack up, courtesy of GigaOm.
John Brownlee is a writer for Fast Company, and a contributing writer here at CoM. He has also written for Wired, Playboy, Boing Boing, Popular Mechanics, VentureBeat, and Gizmodo. He lives in Boston with his wife and two parakeets. You can follow him here on Twitter.
28 responses to “Original iPad Trade-Ins Indicate Massive iPad 2 Demand”
Slightly thinner? 30%, at that scale, isn’t slight at all. The tolerances designed in the iPad 2 have to be amazing and incredibly precise. Slightly faster? It’s twice as fast with with 9 times the graphics. That is impressive. This “modest bump” will sell millions more than the first. I really need to stop visiting CultofMac.com. Most of the writers have no business writing for a tech blog, yourself included. The bookmark will be deleted, again (no more chances this time).
Glad I sold mine prior to the announcement…saved myself over $100.
stick it to the man, like they give a shit.
Okay bye, Mattock!
Wow… what an a$$. See ya.
He’ll be back, the addicts always come running back LOL!!
unfortunately he’s right for the most part.
Yeah, I read this one too as a bottom of the barrel site when I’ve exhausted most of the other Mac sites. Amateurish writing indeed. I think if you see the new updates as “minor” then you probably need to get a Samsung Tab.
Diner
It’s so interesting news. iPad 2 now in market. Gizmodo got an early peak at the new iPad 2:
http://fms.nu/fKiL5p
How do they keep getting one step ahead of apple?
I agree with the comments about iPad 2 upgrades not being modest.
In addition the author kept referring to trade ins. Apparently he doesn’t understand the term.
When you trade in you trade yours in and get another product back and cash may be part of it.
If you are selling your item iPad or whatever it’s not a trade in it’s a sale.
i have to agree with you mattock, about visiting this site. The more I read this site, the more I question why. Always something negative on here. good riddance.
I’m not gonna play apples game this time. I’m gonna keep my current iPad and wait for next year. That I’m sure something way better will come out.
No slight in sight.
I’m new to this site (couple of weeks), and I gotta say sometimes I question the authenticity of this site also. It seems like it borders on love or loathe for Apple and its products, which is just weird. There is enough of that polar behavior everywhere else on the internet, guess I’ll stick with osXdaily.