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perry245

macrumors member
Original poster
Nov 13, 2007
67
0
Hi so i am going to be going to orlando in june and i was wondering if i buy the ipad over there will it work ok in the uk and what are the disadvantages of buying the ipad in the usa?
 

appleguy123

macrumors 604
Apr 1, 2009
6,867
2,555
15 minutes in the future
No Apple has built in a secret chip and as soon as you take it to the UK it will explode (don't take it on an airplane!).
But honestly the only disadvantages I see are the iBooks store not working and the possible inability to buy iPad only Apps.
 

skubish

macrumors 68030
Feb 2, 2005
2,663
0
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Hi so i am going to be going to orlando in june and i was wondering if i buy the ipad over there will it work ok in the uk and what are the disadvantages of buying the ipad in the usa?

Sure it will work.
Disadvantages
1. 3G will not work until someone unlocks it.
2. Paying tariffs when you bring it back to the UK.
 

lee.anderson

macrumors regular
Aug 28, 2006
158
0
UK
The only problem will be the sockets. The plugs are different, so if you need to charge it through the mains, you're going to need an adapter.
 

ukcolinr

macrumors regular
May 12, 2009
129
0
UK
I doubt very much you'll be able to use the iBooks app just because you purchased the iPad in the US. You will need an iTunes account to make purchases and when it see's you have a UK iTunes account it'll just kick up an error I expect.

Also bare in mind if you buy in Orlando you'll be subject to FL TAX 6.5%, not as much as UK no, but then theoretically you should declare the purchase re-entering the UK (purchases over £390) and then have to pay VAT on top of that. If you don't declare it and get caught walking through nothing to declare you'll have to pay the VAT and whatever fine they give you.

You'll also only get a US Mains charger, not a major issue I know but just thought I'd throw it in there.

I too am considering buying mine in the US. Undecided at the moment - will have to work with some figures.

Make sure before you fly out to Orlando to check in Dixon's TAX free in departures, if they're stocking them there by then, you can ask them to ship it to your home address after you've returned (for only £6), this way you (totally legally) avoid paying VAT :) This usually works out cheaper than buying it in the US once you take into account their sales taxes! (Can you tell I travel a lot? lol)

Hope this helps :)

Colin
 

Night Spring

macrumors G5
Jul 17, 2008
14,882
8,054
One disadvantage would be no warranty support. Apple's warranty is only valid in the country of purchase.
 

ukcolinr

macrumors regular
May 12, 2009
129
0
UK
One disadvantage would be no warranty support. Apple's warranty is only valid in the country of purchase.

The only device this is currently true for is the iPhone. All other Apple Warranties are worldwide. How this will work with the iPad at the moment is anyones guess.
 
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