Featuring two dock connectors and switchboard



The auction of one of the iPad's prototypes has ended with a winning bid of $10,200

Some guy has managed to get a prototype of the original iPad that never made it to the public.

The device was different from the final product and features 2 dock connectors and switchboard interface.

The prototype reached eBay and sold for $10,200.

Here is the original description:

FOR SALE

iPad First Generation Prototype/Tester unit. This is one of a VERY small amount of Apple prototype devices and you rarely see these on ebay. This iPad has 16GBs of capacity, and is incredibly unique. For starters, It has 2 dock connectors. Apple prototyped these iPads to have this connector late in the process and at the last minute decided to remove them. There are patent drawings and leaked casings that show the indents for both dock connector holes, but this unit has both dock connectors, and both are full functional for charging this iPad and connecting it to your computer. As seen in this link:

http://www.padgadget.com/2010/10/08/...-early-design/

THIS iPad, is a functional representation of this design.

This iPad is not only unique in it's hardware, but it's running Apple's software testing suite, called "SwitchBoard" which is used to test the devices functionality. This iPad has been refurbished to the best of my capability, since they are intentionally disabled by Apple to not work. This iPad is fully functional apart from the touch screen, which may or may not be able to be fixed. One of the clips that holds the ribbon down on the digitizer is missing and I do not have one available to replace it with. I do know however, that when I applied pressure to the connector that was missing the clip, the iPad's digitizer responded sporadically to touches. All parts on this iPad are original prototype parts, except for the battery, which was removed by Apple, and I replaced it with an OEM iPad Battery. This iPad is model A1219, as are all first gen wifi iPads. The iPad contains many identifying numbers on it which disclose which particular prototype it is, and in the interest of safety I have blurred out all possible identifying numbers. Rest assured, once you purchase the device the numbers will be there in their full glory. Again, be aware this is a one of a kind item, none like this have been listed on ebay before. It comes with no warranty, and is intended as a cool collectors item or if you're interested in the hardware or software on it. It may or may not accept standard iOS 3.2 (it is running a beta version of iOS 3.2, again blurred out for safety reasons), but that would defeat the entire purpose of the prototype. It was built sometime around late 2009 or early 2010. The iPad has trademark dates of 2009, and the back numbers are XX-ed out considering that the specs had not been finalized. This iPad has it's own serial number which shows up as invalid in Apple's system since Apple does not register prototypes.
You can find more pics of this device in link of the auction below.

NEWS SOURCE: iPad 1st Generation PROTOTYPE 16GB Tester unrealeased 2 dock ports switchboard (via) eBay

Our thanks to 'Kaos2K' for this news item!