What is the Real Cost of Your iPad? Calculate it Here

The list price may start at $329, but that’s in no way the price. The actual costs to you for a tablet may be higher or lower than list price based on a few factors. Here’s how to calculate the cost of your iPad. We created a simple checklist to calculate the exact cost to you. Add and subtract the below values to calculate the value of your iPad.

• Have you had an iOS device before? If you don’t have apps, add $50 to your costs. This is a low standardized number, but it’s a pretty good indicator. Add $10 if this is your first iPad for specialized iPad apps.
• Do you plan on selling it? How soon?  Gazelle.com and other buyback services will buy it back, at about half cost on average for the most recently obsolete model, and a bit higher than 1/3 cost for older models. If you plan on selling your tablet, subtract 1/2 from the price if you plan on selling it within a year and a half, and 1/3 if you plan on selling it within three years. Selling on ebay would take longer, and require more effort, but would leave you with more money in the end.
• How many accessories do you plan on buying? A good iPad case can run you $50, and a screen protector can cost you an additional $10-20. There are thousands of other creative accessories and toys that connect with your iPad as well. Add $70 if you don’t plan on buying many accessories, and $150 if you plan on buying something beyond a case.
• What’s the value of the work you plan on doing on this? How much “value” are you creating by mobilizing your work further? Time is money too.

Calculating Your Costs:

Here’s an example: If I were to buy an iPad mini- The starting cost would be $329 if I bought the base model.  If I plan to resell at the year and a half mark from its’ release, I can expect about $165 back. Right now our cost is at around $165. I already have an iPhone with hundreds of apps, many paid, so I’m only adding $15 for iPad specific apps, bringing cost to $180. Accessories are where they get me. Anyone who has seen our review page knows I like nerdy toys and gadgets. I’m going to add $30. And we’re up to $210. Now for the value proposition. I can expect to get plenty of extra work done on this, and much of the app and accessory costs are business expenses that will probably be payed off with revenue. I’m going to subtract that $30 I just added, bringing the total cost of this gadget to $180.

Depending on yourself and your device the value may vary widely, but it’s important to calculate these things beforehand. Buying an iPad mini isn’t actually that costly to me, and it may be cheaper or more costly to you. Just keep in mind these factors when choosing a device that fits your budget. I hope this is helpful, and if it is, I hope you’ll consider sharing this with your friends and signing up for our newsletter.

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