Best Buy, Walmart, and (to a lesser extent) Macmall are currently running notable sales on the third-generation iPad and iPad Mini. Some are interpreting these concurrent promotions as evidence that new iPads are on their way.
The predictive powers of these sales are greatly exaggerated. For instance, Walmart is the only retailer currently selling a new $300 base model iPad Mini. Aside from the fact that the price drop works out to a measly 9% discount, Walmart's iPad Mini sale closely resembles a sale Walmart ran on the iPhone 5 back in December. In both cases, the Walmart promotion started out in-store only, and then the promotional price went online within the week.
Best Buy isn't running a sale on the iPad Mini, but it does have some killer prices on third-generation iPads. But the third-generation iPad is a strange fish, and a bad choice if you're looking for a leading Apple indicator. It came out in March 2012, but was superseded in a measly seven months by the Lightning-sporting fourth-generation iPad. It never saw a holiday season where it was the best Apple tablet. And Best Buy's promotion requires you to find a nearby store with stock and physically travel to it to pick up your cheap iPad.
These are not signs of an iPad refresh. These are signs that Best Buy and Walmart want foot traffic in their stores.
Still, what this means to you is that there are some unusual and excellent iPad deals to be had today. It's not often you see Apple stuff sold under a clearance banner, but that's exactly what's going on at Best Buy. Here are some of the bargains to be had:
• iPad Mini 16GB WiFi ($300) | Walmart | Originally $330
• 16GB iPad 3 WiFi + AT&T ($406) | Best Buy | Originally $580 | In-store only
• 64GB iPad 3 WiFi + AT&T ($546) | Best Buy | Originally $780 | In-store only
• 16GB iPad 3 WiFi ($315) | Best Buy | Originally $450 | In-store only, stock is probably out
• 32GB iPad 3 WiFi ($385) | Best Buy | Originally $550 | In-store only
• Best Buy Clearance Sale Landing Page
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Top Deals
• $10 off $100 at Home Depot ($90) | Home Depot via Fatwallet | Originally $100 | Use coupon code SBFHD10
Accessories
• Cheap HDMI Cable ($2.36) | Amazon via Amazon | Originally $5
• 1TB Seagate Portable HD ($65) | Amazon via Brand Name Coupons | Originally $85
• 2TB MyBook for Mac Desktop HD ($90.49) | B&H Photo via Edealinfo | Originally $110
Miscellaneous
• Victorinox Swisscard ($15) | Amazon via Ben's Bargains | Originally $25
• Belkin WeMo Home Automation Switch ($42) | Amazon via Ben's Bargains | Originally $50
Apple
Audio
• One-Button Klipsch S4 ($40) | Woot via Wirecutter | Originally $50
• Jawbone Jambox ($100) | Ebay | Originally $130
Gaming
• Dead Island GOTY ($5) | Amazon via Gamingaholic | Originally $20
• Medal of Honor for Xbox 360 ($8) | Amazon via Gamingaholic | Originally $20
• 2000 Xbox Live Points ($20) | Best Buy via Ben's Bargains
• Bioshock Infinite ($51) | GameStop via Dealzon | Originally $60 | Use coupon code 15FREE
• Refurbished PS3 ($200) | Groupon via Brand Name Coupons | Originally $250
Physical Media
• How To Make It In America Season 1 ($20) | Amazon via Brand Name Coupons | Originally $30
• The Complete Chappelle's Show on DVD ($22) | Amazon via Reddit | Originally $30 | Just going to leave this here
Digital Media
Nope.
Clothing
• 30% off Gap | Gap via Brand Name Coupons | Use coupon code GAPHAPPY
• 25% off Ralph Lauren | Ralph Lauren via Reddit | Use coupon code RLGIVING13
• 25% off Timberland | Timberland via Reddit | Use coupon code TFEST2013
• 20% off Bloomingdales | Bloomingdales via Reddit | Use coupon code FRIENDS20
Dumb TV → Smart TV
• Refurb Apple TV ($85) | Apple via Dealmac | Originally $100
• Refurbished PS3 ($200) | Groupon via Brand Name Coupons | Originally $250
Laptops
• Lenovo IdeaPad U410 ($700) | Lenovo via Dealzon | Originally $1000 | Use coupon code LIMITQUANTITY
• 14" Alienware With Core i7 + Blu-ray ($1100) | Tiger Direct via Gamingaholic | Originally $1500
• 25% off Refurbished Dell Alienware Laptops and Desktops | Dell via Ben's Bargains | Use coupon code 5SWSCKXL6G37MZ
Desktops
• 25% off Refurbished Dell Alienware Laptops and Desktops | Dell via Ben's Bargains | Use coupon code 5SWSCKXL6G37MZ
Bonus Tablet Deal!
Lost among the stacks and stacks of iPads in Best Buy's clearance section is a 1st-gen Kindle Fire for $100, which is about the going rate. But add the coupon code CNETFIRE and it drops down to $70. Like the iPads, you've got to head into the store. [Best Buy via 9to5Toys via The Cheapskate]
Screens
• 22" Dell IPS Monitor ($170) | Dell via HDTVaholic | Originally $200
• 27" Samsung 1080p Monitor ($235) | Rakuten via Dealzon | Originally $350
• 39" 1080p Seiki HDTV ($250) | Tiger Direct via HDTVaholic | Originally $350 | $50 MIR on page
• 40" Westinghouse HDTV ($320) | Best Buy via Fatwallet | Originally $400
Portables
Not today.
Camera
• Bower 14mm f/2.8 lens ($330) | B&H Photo via Photography Bay | Originally $370 | For Nikon, Canon, others
Bare Drives
• 128GB Samsung 840 SSD ($90) | Rakuten via Brand Name Coupons | Originally $110 | Use coupon code 4FBC4FB
• 4TB Seagate Bare Drive with 1TB Platters ($170) | Newegg via Hard Forum | Originally $200 | Use coupon code EMCYTZT3213, this kind of bare drive came out last week
Apps
iOS
• Mini Ninjas ($0) | iTunes via Appshopper | Originally $1
• Avatar Creator 2 ($0) | iTunes via Appshopper | Originally $1
• Toca Hair Salon ($1) | iTunes via Appshopper | Originally $2
• Toca Hair Salon 2 ($1) | iTunes via Appshopper | Originally $2
Android
• Plasma Sky ($1) | Google Play via Apps-aholic | Originally $2
• Textract MMS ($2) | Google Play via Apps-aholic | Originally $4
Hobomodo
No freebies.
A note on Dealzmodo: We're professional shoppers. We wade through the malls of the Internet to figure out what's actually a bargain. Yes, we make money if you end up buying. That's capitalism, but we're absolutely looking out for your best interest. Read this if you want to know more.