Apple was preparing a budget iPad with 8 GB of memory, but abandoned the idea.

A video has surfaced online of a rare iPad prototype that could have become Apple's most affordable tablet. The device dates back to 2011 and features only 8 GB of internal storage—half the amount of the original model, which launched with 16 GB.

The video was published by blogger AppleDemoYT, known for uncovering forgotten Apple designs. The tablet runs SwitchBoard, not iOS, and is labeled iPad 2.4. The "8GB" marking can be seen on its case, confirming Apple's intention to release a scaled-down version of the iPad 2 before announcing the iPad 3.

At the time, the reduced storage was expected to lower the price and attract a new audience. But plans changed: in the spring of 2012, Apple introduced the iPad 3 for $499, while the 16 GB iPad 2 remained on sale for $399. The experimental version never reached market.

The company likely abandoned the idea because the memory capacity was too small. Furthermore, in 2012, Apple finally stopped producing 8GB devices, removing them from the iPhone lineup.