Two retailers are defending their decision to discount two Apple tablets amidst rumors of the iPad mini 2.
As Latinos Post reported, the 16GB iPad mini received a $30 discount by Walmart to $299 compared to the $329 listed on Apple.com. Meanwhile, Best Buy priced the third generation 9.7-inch iPad at a 30 percent discount.
"We're not discounting the price of iPad minis currently-however, we are offering 30 percent off all iPad 3's right now," said Best Buy spokeswoman Carly Morris said in an e-mail to Reuters.
Usually when retailers slash the price of an item, it indicates an upcoming launch or clearing inventory.
Speculation of the next iPad mini has been growing while the iPad 3 was discontinued by Apple and is no longer offered on the main Apple website. Representatives, however, are clearing such assumptions.
According to the Dow Jones Newswires, Walmart spokeswoman Sarah Spencer said the decision to reduce the iPad mini price was timed for Mother's Day, Father's Day, and to serve as graduation gifts. Spencer added the $299 price tag is only temporary and the retailer will restock the iPad mini.
As for Best Buy, spokesman Jeff Haydock stated the 30 percent discount of the iPad 3 is part of a spring clearance. He added supplies of the iPad 3 are mixed at Best Buy and would help in clearing the third generation tablet from its inventory since Apple discontinued it.
Apple's official website has also reduced the iPad mini and iPad 3's price for refurbished models. The refurbished model of the 16GB iPad 3 is priced at $379.99. The iPad mini's refurbished price starts at $389 and can go up to $519 pending on its internal storage size.
NDP DisplaySearch has projected Apple would ship 55 million iPad mini units during 2013. According to NDP DisplaySearch, the iPad mini's demand is eclipsing the 9.7-inch iPad. Initially, the regular-sized iPad was to sell 60 million units compared to the iPad mini's 40 million units. NDP DisplaySearch now believes the figures will reverse.
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