An iPad prototype with two connectors has appeared on eBay

Before the iPad's final release , Apple considered including two ports for the now ubiquitous device: one in its current position and another on the side. Apple engineers even built a prototype of this potential iPad, which has now appeared on eBay . With its two connectors, one on the bottom and one on the left side, this iPad is a functional 16GB model, which, however, has a working touchscreen. Otherwise, the dual-port iPad differs from the final design only in that it runs a hardware diagnostic tool that Apple uses for its devices, SwitchBoard.

 

The unit has an ID that identifies it as a prototype, and although it does not bear the iPad brand, it displays copyright information prior to the original release of Apple's tablet.

 

The prototype is currently available for the not inconsiderable price of $10.000 , and bids have so far reached $4.800. The auction ends today, possibly to prevent Apple from stopping it—a common tactic for the Cupertino company when prototypes of its devices appear on this auction site.