Apple offers 15 to 17 percent discounts on refurbished fourth-generation iPad and iPad mini tablets in a bid to boost sales of refurbished products.

The price cuts are valid on Apple's online stores and apply to all types of iPad 4 and iPad mini slates.

With the new discounts, the 16GB Wi-Fi iPad mini now costs just $249, i.e. 15 percent off, while the 32GB Wi-Fi iPad mini gets a 16 percent discount to $359. The 64GB Wi-Fi iPad mini gets a 17 percent price cut to $436.

The fourth-generation iPad sports some notable discounts as well: the 16GB Wi-Fi iPad 4 now costs $419 after a 16 percent discount, while the 32GB version gets the same discount to $499. The 64GB iPad 4gets 17 percent off and now costs $439.

Apple tests and certifies all products, so customers can rest assured their investment is protected even if they get refurbished models. The refurbished units are equipped with a new battery and outer shell and come with a one-year warranty.

Since Apple hardly ever offers deals on its iGadgets, this is a rare, notable occasion although the new prices are still not as low as many would hope. Apple is not a brand for anyone, and fans are used to paying more for Apple products.

The iPad Mini and the fourth-generation iPad made their debut last October and made their way into Apple's online store for refurbished models in mid-March, sporting modest price cuts. The 128GB iPad 4 introduced in early February, however, has yet to arrive in the refurbished store.

While price cuts are usually an indication of imminent new product launches, Apple is not expected to launch any new versions of the iPad and iPad Mini until late this year. The company apparently decided to drop prices on refurbished units of the current generation in a bid to attract more customers.

The brand-new products sport significantly higher prices. The 16GB Wi-Fi iPad mini costs $329, the 32GB version costs $429 and the 64GB model goes up to $529. The 16GB Wi-Fi fourth-generation iPad costs $499, the 32GB Wi-Fi iPad 4 costs $599 and the 64GB version sells for $699 brand new.

Check out Apple's new prices at this link for the refurbished iPad Mini and here for the refurbished iPad 4.