Have you been interested in purchasing one of Apple‘s new high-powered iPad Pro tablets but found the nearly $800 starting price tag out of reach? As an experienced bargain hunter and iPad user myself, I totally get the frustration!
Luckily there‘s good news – buying a used or refurbished 2022 iPad Pro 11-inch model presents an awesome opportunity to get your hands on these cutting edge devices at substantial discounts.
In this guide specifically tailored for smart shoppers like you, I‘ll outline everything there is to know about scoring one of these lightly-used tablets for hundreds less, where to find deals, recommended accessories to complement your purchase, and plenty of tips to ensure you buy with total confidence. Let‘s get started!
A Quick Intro to the 2022 iPad Pro 11-Inch
Before we dive head first into the used market, let me provide some quick background on why Apple‘s latest generation of iPad Pro 11-inch packs such impressive capabilities that make it well worth pursuing even outside brand new condition.
Key Features:
- Apple‘s blistering fast new M2 silicon for extreme speed bursts
- Gorgeous 11-inch Retina display with buttery smooth ProMotion and 1600 nits peak brightness
- WiFi 6E ensures you stay connected at breakneck wireless speeds
- Pro-level cameras including 12MP wide lens and 10MP ultra wide perfect for content creation
- Giant leaps in graphics performance – 35% faster than previous models
- Support for advanced accessories like Magic Keyboard and 2nd Gen Apple Pencil
I don‘t know about you, but the scintillating combination of raw power, beautiful visuals, and advanced features has me itching to get using one ASAP!
Luckily, the option exists to purchase all this cutting edge technology for a reasonable price if you know where to look for used or refurbished models. That brings us to…
Where to Buy a Used iPad Pro 11-Inch
Large retailers like Amazon and Best Buy run rigorous inspection, cleaning, and testing procedures for their used inventories to ensure products work like new upon arrival to your door. As long as you stick to buying from these reputable sellers, you can shop for used iPad Pros with total confidence:
Amazon Renewed
Amazon Renewed‘s used stock receives thorough functionality checks before being relisted for sale with a 90 day guarantee. I recently snagged a 128GB model for only $650!
Grade A Refurbished
Buying Grade A Refurbished devices from Amazon means they arrive looking virtually untouched. That level of quality warrants a price tag slightly higher than other conditions, but well under MSRP.
Best Buy Refurbished
At Best Buy, you can count on the tech experts from Geek Squad to handle device reconditioning for iPad Pros you can rely on, complete with a 1 year included warranty.
Back Market
Back Market functions as an online marketplace, connecting buyers with professionally refurbished devices from a network of verified vendors. For example, I currently see 2018 11" iPad Pros with cellular connectivity advertised there in the $530 range – not bad!
And those are just a few among many reputable outlets where scoring a great discounted used iPad Pro 11-inch is within reach!
Used Buying Considerations
Since you won‘t be tearing open factory sealed packaging when your used iPad Pro arrives, let‘s talk about what to examine closely upon taking it out of the box:
Physical Condition
Normal wear and tear like minor scuff marks or scratches are no big deal. Just ensure the tablet has no cracks across the body or display that could affect functionality or safety.
Operating Condition
Thoroughly test every last component before deeming the used iPad Pro good to go. I recommend downloading a diagnostic app like Hardware Inspector that provides detailed testing procedures for:
- Cameras
- Battery Health + Cycle Count
- Bluetooth
- Microphone
- Speakers
- Sensors
- WiFi Strength
- Cellular Connectivity
- Brightness/Color Accuracy
- Touch ID Sensor
This level of diligence up front ensures no unwelcome surprises down the road!
Storage Capacity
Storage sizes span from 128GB up to a whopping 2TB on the high capacity models. Carefully consider your usage (games? media? documents?) before settling on capacity, as there‘s no expanding it later via microSD card for example.
Accessories
Keep your eyes peeled for any used iPad Pro bundles that come accessorized with an Apple Pencil, Magic Keyboard, cases or adapters which are handy additions.
Recommended Accessories
Speaking of accessories, let‘s explore some great options to pair with a used iPad Pro to augment functionality:
Keyboard Case
For transformability from media viewing into a productivity workhorse, a keyboard case like the official Magic Keyboard can‘t be beaten. But more affordable Bluetooth alternatives from Logitech and Brydge exist too.
Protective Case
Safeguard that glass-clad body from dings and scratches by ENCASING it completely in an OtterBox Defender case.
Apple Pencil Stylus
Bring your creative vision to life on that gorgeous canvas of a screen using the pressure and tilt-sensitive Apple Pencil 2. It‘s a must-have for artists and notetakers alike!
Finding the Best Used iPad Pro 11 Deals
Now let‘s get you saving some serious cash on your used iPad purchase. I suggest:
- Monitoring used inventory daily for newly listed models
- Jumping on lightning deals and flash sales when they strike
- Sorting by newly listed if aiming for least used condition
- Having reasonable flexibility on color if chasing a dream storage size
- Signing up for refurbisher email lists to get exclusive discounted offers
If upon receiving your used iPad Pro 11-inch you discover any undisclosed flaws not evident from item descriptions, nearly all major sellers allow returns within short windows so don‘t stress.
I‘m confident that by following the guidance outlined here for sourcing, evaluating condition, and accessories you‘ll secure an awesome used iPad Pro 11-inch at a stellar price point!
Bottom Line
The iPad Pro 11-inch packs immense capabilities rivalling full blown laptops powered by Apple‘s lightning quick new M2 silicon. While the $799 entry point gives sticker shock to budget-focused buyers like us, purchasing used or refurbished removes the financial barriers without compromising virtually any functionality.
So what do you say? Ready to start saving on an gently used iPad Pro and unlocking its full prosumer potential? I sure am! Let me know if any other questions pop up during your search. Happy deal hunting my friend!