16GB Wi-Fi iPad Now Available for $479 from Apple; Catch Included [10-Pack iPad to cost Just $4,790; Bulk Prices Offered to Schools & Teachers]

Tweet

A while back ago we were telling you how analysts suggested that the iPad could become way cheaper if initial demand doesn’t satisfy Cupertino’s needs. Now we know that initial demand was fairly good even if we don’t have any official numbers. “Hundreds of thousands” of iPad have been sold in just 10 days and at this rate even more units will be sold by April 3.

But if you want to get a cheaper iPad right now, there’s a way of doing so, and, naturally, there’s also a catch involved. While you won’t have to sell your soul to the devil for a cheaper tablet from Apple you could always get a discounted unit as long as you’re willing to buy in bulk 10-pack iPads for your school and teachers.

There’s no joke there, as Apple is willing to sell the 16GB Wi-Fi iPad for just $479 as long as you are buying at least 10 units at once. The price is available only to official institutions so it’s safe to say you won’t be able to take advantage of Apple’s offer unless you really qualify for it.

In my opinion Apple could sell those iPads intended for school use for a lot less. The strategy of Cupertino is pretty clear but in order for it to pay off maybe the 16GB Wi-Fi iPad should be even cheaper. Apple wants students and teachers to see the iPad as the next cool tool to use for educational purposes. The device acts as an eBook reader and can help you write up papers and reports. Whatever happened to pencils and regular notebooks?

Therefore using one in schools sounds like a great, but also very expensive idea as most schools might not afford to buy that many iPads to begin with. And even if Apple is suggesting that your school can get cheaper iPads you will surely realize that the competition will come to you with similar offers and most of them will be a lot more affordable. Although you will have to wait a while until Apple’s rivals have their own tablets out there.

Let’s hear it from students and teachers then! Do you guys really need tablets in school these days? Oh and in case you can afford Apple’s iPad then you should know the same discount is available for 32GB and 64GB iPads when purchased in bulk for school use.