Apple starts rolling out international iPad pre-orders
By Ross Miller 
posted May 9th 2010 7:55PM
posted May 9th 2010 7:55PM
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
posted May 9th 2010 7:55PM
Apple iPad 3rd-gen
Apple iPad
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@nthn2551
might wanna check out the apple store and try. I was able to preorder mine.
So is everyone buying a tablet because they need one, or just because it's available. I already carry the Internet in my pocket with my phone, I don't see why people need these for anyway? I've thought about different tablets and what I want in one, then think some more and realize I never cared for one before, so why now? Considering how far behind an ipad is to a basic netbook, I still laugh thinking about how 1 million ipads have been sold!
@atebit80 . I've also got the Internet in my pocket (32GB 3GS) but let me tell you we had 30 guests round our house for a party yesterday and I swear I saw the ipad in everyones hands at one point or another, people were playing games, browsing the net, looking at photos. Changing my facebook status (haha funny guys) .
My point is I've got an iMac in the room next door and a Samsung NC10 netbook in the front room and nobody has ever touched them. The iPad begs to be picked up and to be honest one party at my house has now done more business for Apple than them going into a store, they saw how fun it was.
@xenon73
You had a party and all your guests did was play with their ipods?
man your parties must suck!either that, or all your friends are really ignorant.
if it was my party anyone playing with a computer (bar the dj) would be out on their arse.
@andy6
lol!
@atebit80 You may be about a million off that figure by now you know, an online service checking iPad net activity is showing it could now be 2 million. As for a basic Netbook, you could not be more wrong, my Samsung N110 (an NC10 with glossy screen) which is not a basic one by any means, has not been touched since I got the iPad weeks ago, and I paid £529 for mine, as I got it from eBay early, and you know what, I think its great value. Value mind, not to be confused with price.
@andy6 Wow, I bet YOUR parties are really good. I bet you drink until you can't stand up and everything. Oh, that invite to your next one, thanks, but I will pass, too busy playing with my iPad.
@hated one ...it isn't being sold in any third world countries.
I'm actually really surprised at the Australian prices. Generally we get RAPED on the cost of goods in comparison the US [see PS3 120GB: AUD$460 v US299: A$460 is US$415 today]. However, at these prices I would actually consider buying an iPad until I remembered that it would be cool for a week or so before becoming a fine dust collector.
@Darkroom
lol.
YES! moar magickull revolooshionary products!
AU$1k for an ipad 3G, you really must be smoking apple crack to pay that.
I hate ipad,the ipad hates me ,we all are a hateful family.With a kick and a punch in the ipad's head,now we know ipad is dead !
@hated one
Laos? The country? I have no idea what you're trying to say. Try English.
@HighestRanked2
Seriously well done to apple for making a product that people want. A gift to the world you say?? That makes me want to vomit. Haters? Yeah you can call people that because they in general hate apple fanboys. They sicken average tech fans. It's over the top love for a company that is taking all your money. However a lot of us actually like apple but don't want to be associated with people that masturbate over an apple logo in their girlfriendless bedrooms.
Thanksverymuch:)
I'm so going to be at the Apple Store. After school of course.
I thought once I saw one on real life I would want one but after playing with an imported 32gb model I really don't care.
After seeing the pricing in Australia I really really don't care. Maybe a 32gb wifi for 400 aud and they would have a chance.
to get a ipad wifi. I own a unlocked 3 mifi so dont want the 3g one. £499. They re taking the piss. My HP DM1 1010sa can at least do real games like GTA san andreas. And only £349.00 with HD res screen even if only 720. And has over 6 hours battery life and 250gb hd. And front webcam. Dual core celeron too...
Had a US import for a while now (UK owner) My Wife now wants so just ordered a UK one. Matching iPads, sweet!
Australian pricing isn't really that bad. Keep in mind that a 32GB iPhone 3GS costs $1040 outright -- that might sound a lot because it's a completely unsubsidised price, but in the end you'll end up paying that or more, one way or another, if you get a plan.
Assuming the new iPhone will replace the 3GS with 64GB and a speed bump at the same price point, for an extra $9 you lose cellular voice calls but get a lot of extra screen.
I know people are saying that the iPad is a status symbol but the iPhone doesn't seem to be one these days (if it ever was) and they cost pretty much the same. The difference is you have to pay it all at once, but there's always credit cards if that bothers you.
As always, for some people a netbook will be better value for money, for some people it'll be a tablet or even an iPad. It's not stupid to have preferences. Deciding that someone is stupid based on what gizmo they choose to buy may, on the other hand, be stupid.
@Peter Cat
I completely agree with your comment. I think there is too much hating going on for device preference. Different people in various walks of life will or will not have a use for a device like the iPad. Its great for the people who need this in between device. But what I don't understand is why people who don't need it, automatically attain this superiority complex and begin to troll. Mind you everyone is entitled to an opinion.
Cheers to the iPad
@clai Its pretty simple I think, most of the haters in here are either A) School kids, or B) Jealous and or can not afford one.
I keep saying it, but we are raising a whole generation that know the PRICE of everything, and the VALUE of nothing.
£25 just to read my camera card when I'm away from home... ouch!!! Plus it doesn't even include a mains power adaptor, that's another £25, how, why, ouch!!!
@ukSamo Of course it includes a Mains Power adaptor in the box, its a 10w USB one.
Ordering mine tonight :)
@blinddance and it's ordered, I'm so excited for the 28th!
What about Norway?..
@AndreyATGB
Yeah. And well, every other country except the 9 this "full global launch" includes. The world has more countries than 10, you know.
iPad Canadian preorders is/was working as of 12:00 AM PST. Just ordered mine and I'm quite excited about it.
As I've said time and time again, people who don't need the iPad will hate on it. People who have uses for it (like myself) will buy one. I'm using it to read my tons of IT books so I don't have to lug the laptop around the house and waste away my dying dell battery.
I'm not a fan of Apple at all, I'm more of a Cisco guy to be honest, and I believe this device has its place, and it surely has a place in my hand.
@hated one
The iPad is certainly a devices that on a marketing/business standpoint in my opinion is a game changer (I personally preordered mine already). however, I feel it does lack some freedom that open source users are accustom to. Technologically speaking no company/organization has put out a device of this type yet that has truely revolutionized the industry on every level yet. and that may or may not ever happen. iPad is the next evolution based on the iPhone and extended it to a different computing space.
To be honest my first reaction was, "finally a device I could use as a all purpose media AND a in car gps device, so I don't have to buy those small ass North America GPSs", due to the fact I was so use to Japanese GPS devices being so much better.
And you know you are a REALLY SERIOUS gadget addict when your subconscious wakes you at at 3 am (Perth WA time) so you can go online and buy one!
Apple screw us Brits again with their pricing. The basic model should be around £350 (instead of £430), I wanted to buy one, but not at that price.
Thanks Apple!
@TheGrovesy
Considering the currency market that is extremely expensive. I hear you man. In normal markets £430 = around $860 CAD, which is outrageous
@TheGrovesy It's a bit more expensive than the exchange rate would suggest, but most of it isn't Apple's fault. US$499 today = £337 + VAT = £396, you'll always lose a couple of % on the nominal exchange rate so the inflation is less than 10%. Still feels like a lot, but 17.5% VAT is quite a lot.
@Peter Cat
But you are not taking into account US sales TAX (How much is that? 10%??) therefore its £337 + (tax difference) 7.5% = £362
So even rounded up to £370 we are still getting over charged by around £60, which is a massive 14% increase!!!
@TheGrovesy
Ah, but prices listed on the US Apple Store are all exclusive of US sales tax, which varies from state to state, between 0% (Alaska) and 8.25% (California), and is added to the $499 when you check out and select a state for delivery. Whereas prices on the UK Apple store are all inclusive of VAT. So there's really a full 17.5% tax difference between listed US and UK prices. And most US citizens will pay more than the $499.
@Peter Cat
Oh right I didn't know that, thanks Peter, you learn something new every day :)
@TheGrovesy
No worries at all. We're still getting screwed, but it's the UK government (whoever they are) that's doing it :)
In Switzerland including tax, i brought a version wifi 32 go for 779 CHF :D
WiFi
16GB - 649 CHF
32GB - 779 CHF
64GB - 899 CHF
3G
16GB -799 CHF
32GB -929 CHF
64GB -1049 CHF
Why the hell is the iPad so much more expensive in the UK than the US
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@Johnswfc
Because of:
A) Shipping costs to bring them over. Plus storage costs.
B) Much much higher customs and VAT tax in this country.
C) Delivery costs (free is bs, it's included).
If you can rationalize purchasing one, you wouldn't be bothered with the extra 50 quid or so it is over the US cost.
@Johnswfc Oh FFS, do you think a Facebook petition is gonna change economic reality. You say on that page you understand VAT, and go on to completely ignore it. You also fail to note that virtually no US citizens pay only $499, most (if not all?) US states have some Sales Tax.
Buy one, or don't buy one. http://bit.ly/cwJN1O
Despite my original plans I decided to pre-order one. The Canadian prices weren't as high as I thought they'd be... so I decided why not.
It's really just a fancy toy, and while I think I'll like it, I wonder how much I'll actually use it. Hopefully it doesn't become a expensive paper weight. ._.
@Tyler
I agree it's a gadget toy but one those who can afford it will quite enjoy. I've pre-ordered one too. Worst case scenario, if you truly dislike it, you have 14 days to return it for full refund. Otherwise, iDevices seem to retain a huge amount of value if kept in mint condition, at least in the UK, 2 year old iPhone 3G's are worth more than any brand new Nokia/Blackberry etc.. So can easily resell on eBay with minimal losses. Think strategically like such and you can rationalize buying anything! ;)
@Tyler Don't worry, I think you will like it, mine has replaced my Samsung NC10 completely, and stopped me from upgrading to a Macbook Pro (I am using my older Polycarb Macbook much less now) and allowed me to sell my iPhone as I feel I can get my iPhoneOS fix on the iPad for now :-)
@Marklitt You know, Apple don't actually take my money, I sort of, you know, give it to them willingly. As for your other point, at least I don't have to kiss my Apple logo afterwards!
@hated one
LOL.. this guy cracks me up. With third world he probably meant Europe, Japan and Australia. And I wonder what pre-order numbers he is talking about considering pre-orders started just today. This guy is talking out of his ass.