iPad Prototype with Dual Dock Connectors Appears on eBay (UPDATED)

Rumors and patent filings have suggested for years that the original iPad was going to come with dock connectors for both portrait and landscape mode, and now an eBay auction has lent some credence to those stories.

Considered somewhat of a myth, patent documents did exist for an iPad with two connections, but no one was really sure if it ever got off of the drawing board.  What appears to be a prototype 16GB original iPad has shown up in an eBay auction that seems to prove that the concept was at least tested.

The device isn’t in the best of shape, but it does appear to be legitimate as it bears the markings of an Apple prototype and also has its SwitchBoard testing software installed.  MacRumors took a look at the part numbers and feels confident that they do come from the correct time period.  After look at it ia bit ourselves, if it’s a home made job, it’s pretty darn good, so we tend to believe as well this is the real deal.

As of this writing the bidding is up to $4,800 and it ends tonight, so if you need this piece for your collection, you better jump on it.

[via MacRumors]

UPDATE: It sold for $10,200.