Confirmed: Official UK price from £429

[ParishYoung]

But here in the UK, there's less of an incentive for going higher. I'm still getting a 16GB and 64GB, but I think 32GB will sell really well in UK because it's one a bit more expensive than the 16GB but a lot cheaper than the 64GB.

I'm getting 32Gb. I don't want the base model, but I really have no need for a 64Gb iPad.

My 160Gb Apple Tv has ALL my music and movies on it and is still less than half full as I tend to rent rather than buy these days, which will be the same with the iPad so I really have no need for the top model. Maybe I'll get 3G though, maybe I wont. That bit I'm not sure on yet. Still 48hrs to decide

 

[pbellamy]

I paid £525 for my US Wi-Fi iPad, so seeing the UK official price at £499. I think the £26 difference was very much worth it seen as I have had it 6 weeks earlier

I still want a 3G though, just the prices seem a bit to much, especially with a data plan added into that to.

I Think 25 quid for personal import services is a bargain!

 

[colmaclean]

I was wondering about the accessory prices, but no update on the UK store yet. I guess they'll wait until Monday...

 

[page3]

Lots and lots of MiFi info

Excellent, informative post. Thanks.

 

[owen-b]

I'm not sure I understand you. I have one MiFi unit. Yesterday I had two iMacs, a Macbook, and an iPod touch all connected to it simultaneously and using the internet via 3G. I'm not sure what the maximum number of connections is, but like any wireless router, the MiFi modem can clearly be shared between several devices at once.

I think he meant that in addition to the devices you want to use (such as an iPod, laptop, iPad, etc) you also need the MiFi, so that's one extra unit. He's suggesting that some people might prefer to pay the iPad 3G premium in order to forego having to remember to charge and carry with you an extra device every time you want to use the iPad away from WiFi.

It's a worthy argument - I love using my gadgety knowhow to pay the least for things where I can, and I can see the appeal of the MiFi but ultimately I've got too many other gadgets to remember to charge and put in my bag and for that reason alone I think I'm going to swallow the extra £50 and get the 3G iPad.

EDIT: When I say extra £50 I mean I'd spend £50 on the MiFi (so I'm told, I've not checked) so I'm subtracting that from the £100 extra the iPad 3G costs. You probably already knew I meant that

 

[gilesybaby]

I'm still pretty shocked at the difference in cost between dedicated 3g data plans for the ipad compared to both the cost and flexibility of using Mifi instead. True, it's not as slick as a dedicated 3G model but I couldn't personally recommend this option to a friend.

It's like paying a premium on a device that you've already paid a premium for. I love apple - particularly OS X, but I can't help but feel Apple are going in the wrong direction in allowing its partners to charge as much!

 

[smiddlehurst]

Erm not really.

[Copy pasting my post from a different forum]

Sales Tax is their version of Value Added Tax. The only difference is that they vary the amount around the USA (whereas we're fixed at 17.5%) and consequently retailers always advertise the ex-tax price.

So, using Raleigh in North Carolina (as that's where my source is currently) the $829 excluding Sales Tax would actually be $893.25 including sales tax. In the UK the price for the same (it's not even like a laptop where they change the keyboard) 64GB 3G iPad is £594.89 excluding Value Added Tax and £699 including Value Added Tax.

Back at the beginning of the week the exchange rate was 1.53 but right now it's 1.47 (yes, today we reached a one year low - thankyou government/voters).

$893.25 converted at 1.47835 (how it closed at 17:47:09 UTC) is £604.22, which is less than £699.

Why yes, yes it is... except you're comparing the figures USING A DIFFERENT RATE OF TAX!

Jesus, how hard is it for people to understand simple mathematics. If you want to compare what APPLE is charging you then you need to compare pre-tax figures, end of story. You can't bitch and whine about Apple (or any company) charging more in the UK because sales tax in the US is 5% and the UK is 17.5%, they don't control that figure and can do nothing about it.

So using your figures you need to convert $829 to pounds which would be £560 leaving a £35 difference. However you also have to consider that the cost of doing business in the UK is higher than the US (building costs, transport, electric etc etc) which tends to work out around 7% additional costs to Apple which would be.... £39. Gasp shock horror. So no, actually Apple have priced the device almost exactly the same as the US model once you take the tax and overheads out of the equation.

Oh, and just for the record, yes you can buy in the US but you should really have to include VAT on top of the price as importing a device without paying tax is technically smuggling and illegal.

Come on folks, every time a UK price is announced we get people complaining while unable to calculate the difference properly. I accept that someone in, say, the US could look at our price and think it was a rip but if you live in this country please please please educate yourself about how our tax system works before complaining, it's starting to get embarrassing.

 

[ct2k7]

Fresh today values:

Constants:

US iPad 16GB WiFi Only:$499 (n/inc. VAT/STAX)
UK iPad 16GB WiFi Only:£429 (inc. VAT)

UK iPad - TAX: £63.89
UK iPad w/Tax:£365.11

£365.11 -> $537.44

Increase of $38.44 (£26.11)

Taking into account that shipping to the UK is cheaper than US, assuming they are shipped directly from factory to UK, the import charges are reduced, since they are mass importing as a corporate entity, private limited company. Handling charges aren't large either.

 

[jonnyb]

Why yes, yes it is... except you're comparing the figures USING A DIFFERENT RATE OF TAX!

Jesus, how hard is it for people to understand simple mathematics. If you want to compare what APPLE is charging you then you need to compare pre-tax figures, end of story. You can't bitch and whine about Apple (or any company) charging more in the UK because sales tax in the US is 5% and the UK is 17.5%, they don't control that figure and can do nothing about it.

So using your figures you need to convert $829 to pounds which would be £560 leaving a £35 difference. However you also have to consider that the cost of doing business in the UK is higher than the US (building costs, transport, electric etc etc) which tends to work out around 7% additional costs to Apple which would be.... £39. Gasp shock horror. So no, actually Apple have priced the device almost exactly the same as the US model once you take the tax and overheads out of the equation.

Oh, and just for the record, yes you can buy in the US but you should really have to include VAT on top of the price as importing a device without paying tax is technically smuggling and illegal.

Come on folks, every time a UK price is announced we get people complaining while unable to calculate the difference properly. I accept that someone in, say, the US could look at our price and think it was a rip but if you live in this country please please please educate yourself about how our tax system works before complaining, it's starting to get embarrassing.

Bravo, sir.

 

[testcard]

Does pre-order require pre-payment, or is it payment on collection?

 

[roblawton]

Does pre-order require pre-payment, or is it payment on collection?

If it's the same as the US pre-orders - You pay when it is dispatched or when you collect.

Hope this helps,

 

[testcard]

Payment on collection - thanks.

 

[zen]

Excellent, informative post. Thanks.

Glad to be of help!

I did a full field test yesterday while out and about in Oxford. I actually got stuck in the city centre (despite having proper sat nav) as I was heading somewhere that was quite inaccessible by car (a building in one of the colleges). Not being familiar with the area I headed out to a park and ride on the outskirts of the city, then as I came back in by bus I had Google Maps up on my iPod touch, connected with the MiFi which sat at the bottom of my shoulder bag.

I kept track of my position constantly on the Maps app, with my current location indicator neatly updating as the bus drove on. The lack of GPS didn't seem to be an issue at all during the 20 minute bus trip. I also checked my email and Twitter.

When I got to my destination I turned my MiFi off - it was slightly warm (it was under some junk in my bag) but the 3G signal and wireless strength were good. During the day I used it again for a bit and the battery light is still green. I haven't checked my data usage yet.

In short, brilliant. Suddenly my iPod has more utility, and there is certainly no need for a 3G iPad for me now. Accidentally testing the positioning accuracy on the bus confirmed for me that GPS was unnecessary.

 

[lukefinch]

Does anyone know what time we will be able to pre order these in the UK tomorrow?

What time was it in the US?

 

[moseleyite]

Does anyone know what time we will be able to pre order these in the UK tomorrow?

That's exactly what I want to know - I signed up for the "notify me" email whatsit on the iPad page but so far I've had exactly nothing from Apple.

Oh well, I suppose I'll have to spend the day refreshing the Apple Store

 

[lukefinch]

Same here, i've received absolutley nothing at all.

Im hoping it doesn't come out first thing in the morning though (between 12-7) because some of us have to go to school/work tomorrow and i dont want to be asleep and for them to all sell out before i wake up so i can't get one on the 28th

 

[moseleyite]

Im hoping it doesn't come out first thing in the morning though (between 12-7) because some of us have to go to school/work tomorrow and i dont want to be asleep and for them to all sell out before i wake up so i can't get one on the 28th

I will try at midnight, again when I get up around 6am and I'll keep an eye on it when at work. I'm only just beginning to realise the depths of my tragic life - I'm posting on a forum about how I am going to spend the early hours trying to buy a new toy.. get a grip man!

 

[lukefinch]

i was thinking of doing the same. Looking at midnight, then 7 when i get up and then checking throughout the day on my iPhone at school. If it does come out while i'm at school, i'll get my mum to pre order it for me

I cant belive it either, all this effort for a giant iPod Touch

 

[ct2k7]

Same here, i've received absolutley nothing at all.

Im hoping it doesn't come out first thing in the morning though (between 12-7) because some of us have to go to school/work tomorrow and i dont want to be asleep and for them to all sell out before i wake up so i can't get one on the 28th

Thanks for reminding me I have A Levels this month and I shan't be playing with my iPad when it arrives.

 

[lukefinch]

I've got my GCSE's coming up in the next few weeks so i won't be using mine as much as i normally would. I have however downloaded some good revision apps for it!

 

[ct2k7]

I've got my GCSE's coming up in the next few weeks so i won't be using mine as much as i normally would. I have however downloaded some good revision apps for it!

I make my own revision apps.

 

[mactrack10]

Just had an online chat with a UK Apple Store rep and asked what time the UK iPad pre-orders would go live. He advised that this information was not available as yet however if you have signed up for email updates you should receive an email about when exactly pre-orders would be taken. I also asked whether this email would be sent in advance of the pre-orders going live and he advised that it would.

 

[yegon]

I will try at midnight, again when I get up around 6am and I'll keep an eye on it when at work. I'm only just beginning to realise the depths of my tragic life - I'm posting on a forum about how I am going to spend the early hours trying to buy a new toy.. get a grip man!

Well, Apple usually update the store between 10am-2pm so I hope your F5 key is in good shape as it's getting hit a lot tomorrow!

 

[lukefinch]

Just had an online chat with a UK Apple Store rep and asked what time the UK iPad pre-orders would go live. He advised that this information was not available as yet however if you have signed up for email updates you should receive an email about when exactly pre-orders would be taken. I also asked whether this email would be sent in advance of the pre-orders going live and he advised that it would.

That's good to know. I guess i'll be plugging my iPhone into some speakers incase i get an email tonight (i'm a heavy sleeper)

Oh, the things we do to be the first to get something

 

[gnasher729]

Its a bit annoying that the prices are not really fair when you compare them to the US prices.

The model i'be been eyeing was the 32GB+3G which converted from US pricing is £496.38 and they want me to pay £599 to get it in this country.

To quote Steve Jobs: "Please educate yourself". Apple doesn't want you to pay £599. Apple wants you to pay £509.79. The rest is VAT.

By my calculations its exactly the same as the U.S. premium plus the 17.5% UK VAT.

How come "everyone" in the UK forgets about the VAT when trying to convert U.S. to UK prices?

It's a minority that forgets this. The majority that gets it right compares prices, adds in the tax difference, and sees there is no reason for much moaning because the prices are not precisely, but at least roughly the same. Those who get it wrong feel ripped off and post. And then everyone says "oh no not one of these idiots again". Always the same exchange: "We're being robbed!!!". "It's the VAT, you dolt".