Apple iPad: How Much Does it Really Cost?
![Apple iPad: How Much Does it Really Cost? [Entry-level 16GB Wi-Fi iPad Costs $499; Average Customer to Pay a Lot More]](http://tftscdn2.nexus404.com/Blog/thumbnailimages/alt/apple-ipad-costTFTSThumb220153.jpg)
So you think you made a great deal by purchasing a 16GB Wi-Fi iPad for $499. But did you really? Did you stop for a second to consider how much you’re actually paying for your first-gen iPad? In case you didn’t, we’ll quickly do the math for you. Following the actual iPad order you will be buying lots of accessories and content for a gadget that will actually force you to make these extra purchases.
The tablet, and I’m not talking about the iPad right now, is a device we can’t exactly say that we absolutely need. The iPad is not something we can’t live without and it definitely isn’t coming with any special features that will make us use it as the default computer at home or at the office.
But once purchased the iPad will make you buy even more stuff that will help you actually use it on a more regular basis.
First up you will need accessories. You won’t buy them all, but some of them will find their way to your home sooner or later:
iPad Keyboard Dock – $69.00. You will need it in case you want to use the iPad for fast emails and document editing.
iPad Dock – $29.00. Not really a necessary purchase especially if you’re getting the Keyboard Dock.
iPad 10W USB Power Adapter – $29.00. You will have to recharge the iPad from time to time and you might not have other means of doing it.
iPad Case – $39.00. Even if you’re not choosing this particular model there are plenty of third party retailers ready to throw lots of iPad cases at you. And they don’t come free of charge either. This iPad Case has the advantage of being able to act as an iPad stand also.
iPad Camera Connection Kit – $39.00. A must have accessory if you love taking photos. A must have accessory because Apple didn’t include any extra ports on the iPad itself.
iPad Dock Connector to VGA Adapter – $29.00. At some point in your life you will want to connect the iPad to a different display. That’s when this connector will actually be useful.
Total for accessories: $224
Total so far: $723 and that’s assuming you buy all the accessories above.
Without content the iPad is useless and that’s undeniable, is it? So what are we buying then?
eBooks – priced anywhere from $9.99 to $14.99 and beyond since we don’t have all the official prices. Let’s say you buy get 5 paid eBooks per month on top of all the extra free eBooks you are going to download. You’re going to pay anywhere from $50 to $75 per month for books which you might not even have time to read. I will ignore magazine subscriptions for now, but they will also cost you extra every month.
Apps – priced anywhere from $4.99 to 9.99 (again not confirmed) those regular iPhone apps turned in HD/XL versions will not all be worth the extra cash. So let’s say that for every 3 free apps you buy one paid app every day for a month. That means you’d be spending from $150 to $300 on some apps you won’t even use that often.
Music – whether you buy single tracks or albums you will get your favorite music on the iPad. Sure you already have some of your old music paid for but what about the newest hits that make it to iTunes? Let’s say you buy two songs per day for a month each priced at $1.29. That’s an extra $77.4 to pay for your brand new music.
Movies/TV series – from time to time you will want to download movies and episodes from your favorite TV series. Maybe you won’t use the iPad to watch movies that often but you will certainly pay extra for those downloads. Let’s say you get three new TV series episodes priced at $2.99 and rent one new movie per week priced at $3.99. That’s an extra of $52 spent each month for movies and videos.
Total for monthly content: $327 – $502
Total so far: $1,050 – $1,225. That’s the price you might end up paying for the 16GB Wi-Fi iPad. Sure this is only an exercise here as there are no studies (yet!) to tell us more about the actual needs of an average iPad customers, but you will surely spend a couple of extra hundreds of dollars on content and accessories.
That approximate total above will go to $1,250 – $1,425 should you want to buy the 64GB Wi-Fi iPad. Of course with more storage space you might want to download even more content in which case the numbers will go even higher.
Want 3G connectivity? Add $130 and the 64GB Wi-Fi + 3G iPad will cost you $1,380 – $1,550 in the first month. Since you also have a 3G connection available you will probably be able to download even more free and paid stuff, especially when you find yourself bored on a long commute. So, naturally, the total will go up.
Now, the last thing you have to consider is the 3G plan. Luckily for you the 3G iPad is not bundled with a mandatory 2-year contract. Whether you pay $14.99 for up to 250MB of monthly traffic or $29.99 for unlimited traffic, the total cost for the top of the line iPad will go up for the first month to $1,395 – $1,580.
Again, this is just a scenario invented by me, but last time I checked MacBooks and MacBooks Pro could do a lot of the things the iPad can and they were available for a similar price. In fact these laptops are a lot better than the iPad at doing everything the iPad can do, minus the multitouch features, of course. Sure they might not have access to all that extra content but then again do we really need all that extra content in the first place? Had the iPad not have been made nobody would have really considered gathering all those eBooks, movies, apps and music together, would they?
We will definitely look forward to hear how much you spent on your first iPad in the first 30 days.
New iPad 3 Leak Suggests iPad 3 Wi-Fi Pricing Starts at $579, While Cheapest iPad 3 Wi-Fi + 3G Would Cost $699
Wii U Will Reportedly Only Cost $300 At Launch, Nintendo's Estimated Wii U Manufacturing Costs Detailed
Sundays Usually Most Popular For Star Wars: The Old Republic, Only A 'Small Percentage' Of Players Have Hit The Level Cap
How Much Does A 3G PS Vita Cost To Manufacture? New Report From UBM TechInsights Gives Us An Idea
Apple Making Less Money On The iPad 3 As Better Screen & 4G Add To Increased Production Costs
Sony Xperia ST21i Smartphone Image Appears; Shows An Entry-Level Handset That Will Feature A 3.2" Display, 800MHz CPU & Launch Running Android 4.0 ICS
24 Comments / Add Your Response?
Breaking News
The TFTS Team
that is completely non-scene, I am not an iPad fan and I’m not going to get one. but this article in my opinion is not fare. i have an ipod and i have the option to buy the apps or music or video, but u should be careful on how much u spend. 3 free apps+ 1 paid pay day???? common who does that? three new TV series and rent a movie per week??? get a life mate you have lots of free time! it is time to get out of your house and start working.
@AMJ I’ll happily respond to a few things you say here in your comment. Firstly I can vouch that Chris does indeed have a life (probably better than yours, as he works for me) and that he works damned hard – the result being that he’s read by 1000’s per day.
Personally, this “get a life” routine that’s employed by some when they disagree with something strikes me as a little lame so, on that basis, I won’t ask if you could please do the same.
I do agree with AMJ, however I don’t agree with how they said it.
I don’t think this is an accurate representation of how much an iPad would run for, considering I don’t know anyone in their right mind who would buy apps and rent movies, etc. that often, to run them +$1300 in just the first month.
Personally, I download all my music and transfer it to my iTunes; I would mostly use the iPad to replace my iTouch (my imaginary one lol); I would watch movies on it, but only ones that I’ve downloaded.
The point I’m trying to make is, not everyone would pay that much for an iPad because it’s unnessary. That’s what it comes down to. People are only going to pay for things they need or think they need. Just because there are thousands of apps doesn’t mean you’re going to buy them all.
Also, I have a problem with the way this was written. It seems very biased and based on a worst case senario that almost no one will find themselves in.
Thanks for listening,
Jess :)
i have the ipad and your right i ended up paying around $1,500 total dollars for accesories and apps and a case and connection and everything so… but i bought it cause my work laptop broke so i bought this cause its esier to carry around. but i do agree that it will end up costing mor than $500
I own an ipad and have only spent $50 on it since buying it. I think its crazy to buy so much stuff and is a bit reckless. If you can control yourself you wont have any problems ever.
This article is completely biased and rediculas. Just because you don’t like the iPad or don’t think its useful dosent mean you need to write an article about how people are going to be spending thousands of dollars on the thing! The iPad has sold more than 2 million units. Obviously it’s a great device? People don’t buy a load of apps and movies and tv shows and music every month. You might be a respected writer and get thousands of pageviews but get your facts straight man.
Completely rediculas notion.
So can the ipad do everything a mac book pro can because I’m interested in both but, right now I want the ipad a tad bit more
I disagree with his article.. I recently got N iPod for 499 and just transferred my iPod touch songs and apps over.. I have onl gotten free and apps and maybe one book.. I don hav a case or any accessory and it works fine
I wish people would pay more attention to spelling and grammar. It makes it much easier to read postings and it also makes me think there’s something intelligent being expressed. And no, I am not a teacher. I just want to buy an iPad and I would like other people’s points of view on their purchase of an iPod without wondering if they failed 4th grade.
…He’s completely right, the iPad is completely ridiculous. It’s a laptop without a keyboard. What could possibly be beneficial about this? Technology usually responds to needs…or at least PERCEIVED NEEDS. I’ve never thought for even a second that I ‘needed’ something like this. The fact that it has done reasonably well is proof that people in North American will literally buy whatever you put in front of them, regardless of whether it serves any useful purpose whatsoever. Note: It’s just a big iPod touch – or rather, the iPhone WITHOUT THE PHONE. (Also note: If you’re under 13 years old and you think it’s a cool toy, I totally get it. It’s pretty cool if you’re a kid and like playing with stuff like this. But for grownups, it’s a bit like seeing a 35 year old man playing a Gameboy…if you know what a Gameboy is). =)
to much info just need the price for it
all i need to know what the price is see give the person what they want the question is and that is it
If you rich or got the money to buy it, BUY IT! Don’t ask a question and get mad cause you confused bout rather you wanna spend your money on it or not. You business folk the Ipad might be for u, ( less baggage ) but my opinion is it just a mini laptop space saver. It does everything my laptop do and you get Wifi anywhere now with a laptop. Anyway go ahead spend your money it’s yours you earned it, heck I might buy me a ipad one day when I can afford but right now I can’t and I’m rather stick with my lap and desk top I get just as many benefits from them as the ipads without buying extra gadgets.
I have the entry level ipad, I won it from a sales contest. So it cost me absolutely “o” dollars. I have spent exactly $ 20.44 on a case and screen protectors. Any music or apps that I have were either free or transfered. So I would agree with many of the other people that $1500 is crazy and skewed. So far its a pretty cool and useful device.
I asked for the average price not how much he disagrees on the ipad. But it does help me think things clearly before this item. I found this site i little help but it diden’t anwser the question stated
i hope it is worth the money i am getting one.
I want one cause their cool and I have the money to get one, I will be syncing it with my iPhone so all my apps are free and music !!
If you have to ask how much it is you probably can’t afford it ya know;) anyway enjoy !
We bought 1 for the kids, love it and so convienent! We spent 45$ on the case, because you you can stand it up. With the way the kids treat the ipad im surprise the scn have no scratch or break. It been walk on, step on and toss. And theres free App out there for kids, Also Netflix is great 8.69 a month. Some people say how can u just let the kids mistreat it like that? Well we have it for a lil over 2 years and if they break it, theyre not going to get new 1. It last longer than their portable DVD, and w Netflix No more DVD mess ;)
This is bull shit
i recently bought the ipad 2 32gb and am using my android to wifi and connect this thing has cost me 50 a day with only downloading 2 books and a free game,whats going on i am ready to flog mine off at the hock shop,way to expensive,i have the ipod2 and used it in the same way with no money sucking problems.not happy a thousand dollars later…
I am reading this article from an ipad that I’m very satisfied with. Although i understand your point, maybe apple jacks up their prices a bit, but that’s the price and premium you pay when you buy Whats known by the general public as the best tablet.
Please try to read up on why respected writers write without bias from all points of view even if they want to express their own opinion. Every attorney in my firm has one and I can tell you that not only has our productivity improved, everyone is much happier using and transporting an iPad over a laptop.
I don’t know a single person who spent this much in our 40+ attorney manhattan law firm
I do agree with the author’s assessment in reference to the original retail price and the unfortunate reality that it will probably cost you 25 to 50% more. This is to be expected if you intend to take full advantage of virtually any product in this case, the iPad. The same applies for a Lap Top. For those who disagree, try this simple exercise; walk into any retailer and ask them to give you the bottom line on any Lap Top with a price Tag of about 700 to $800. You will be amazed what that bottom line will be. We always expect or want more from a product, manufacturers know that. Think of a base car with all the extras.
I wanted to add my thoughts to this post. Sure if you WANT to buy the keyboard it will jack up the price. But this review is worst case scenario. You don’t have to buy 5 books a month and a lot of apps are free. The ipad is meant for people on the go or who don’t want to carry a 5lb notebook around.My sister bought a quad core hp laptop for about the same price of a 16GB ipad with a cover and sd card reader. Now why wouldn’t I want to go buy a powerhouse notebook too? The power needed to charge a notebook adds up. The money in the long term saved on electricity will even out the price point (even with a keyboard). I can run my business entirely on my ipad. I don’t have to lug a heavy laptop up and down the stairs. I don’t have to lean a hot notebook on my legs while I type. I don’t have to hear a fan that sounds like a jet engine turn on every 2min. The battery lasts a LOT longer. Now at same time if you are a heavy gamer, use office or do photo/video/music editing then obviously a notebook has it’s place. Bu the comfort of an ipad and being mobile is priceless. And for those that say it’s a big ipod touch…it might be in some ways but the major thing I like about it is not having to zoom every single web page i read from the font being too small. Only you can make the choice if an ipad is or isn’t right for you. If you keep complaining about it not being able to do everything a notebook can then it’s obviously not for you.
ok. so there’s a lot of apps for ipad. there’s a lot of free things on the computer though.a computer will cost 700, 800 dollars. mine is a 700 dollar gaming computer. it works extremely well. the ipad will charge you for everything but i personally have to say the computers so much better of a value. of course it can do a lot of stuff, the computer. the ipad can do about half of it. and all of it will cost you. i personally don’t have a credit card so i make due with all the free things and i get all the music i need from grooveshark.com and i get my entertainment from youtube. yes this article is worst case BUT he has a point. the ipad will cost you quite a bit . and a lot of the features on the computer are free that will cost you a load of money on the ipad. so in the end the computer is really quite better and cheaper in the long run.