Original iPad With Dual Dock Connectors Appears On eBay
by Brent Dirks
May 28, 2012
Do you really want an iPad with dual dock connectors? MacRumors has found something you might like, if you have enough cash.
An eBay listing for an original prototype iPad has surfaced with two dock connectors – in landscape and portrait orientation. The iPad is a 16 GB Wi-Fi version.
In the extensive item description, the seller says that the prototype is running SwitchBoard, which is used to test the device functionality.
Even though Apple intentionally disables prototypes so they will not work, the seller says that the unit has been fully refurbished to the best of their ability. The only issue is that the touch screen isn't working and may not be able to be fixed.
The unit was built sometime around late 2009 or early 2010 and is running a beta version of iOS 3.2. The numbers on the back of the iPad are missing and only have XX, which means that the specifications had not been finalized.
In the run-up to the original iPad's unveiling in 2010, rumors swirled that there would be dual dock connectors. But as we all know, the final version only had a portrait connector. Later that year, pictures of an iPad case enclosure with the dual connectors did surface.
But this piece of history does come at a cost. As of now, there is one bid of $4,800 with less than 11 hours to go in the auction. I don't know about you, but if I had that much money lying around, I think I would rather purchase nine new iPads instead.
Source: MacRumors
