Visiting the US, how will buying an iPad work?

[G.O.B]

Hi,

I'm going to New York for a few days later this week, and am very tempted by the iPad. I live in the UK, where the release is only a fortnight or so away, but as I doubt I'll get the 3G model (substantial extra initial cost, plus a monthly cost), I'm tempted to buy a WiFi only model in the US. The 32GB WiFi model, at the current exchange rate, works out considerably cheaper for me than if I bought the 16GB WiFi model when it comes out over here - so it makes financial sense.

What I was wondering, though, was will I face any operational issues? The WiFi will be fine - I assume - but will the unit be 'locked' to US iTunes accounts etc.?

Beyond this, is there anything else I need to take into account?

Thanks a lot for your help,

G.O.B.

 

[VTMac]

Your biggest challenge will be finding a store with stock. At least hear in Maryland, there is no stock at the 4 stores I've checked this weekend. None.

 

[gigaguy]

None in my town, Austin Texas, numerous Best Buy stores and 2 Apple retail stores. all out of ipads and cases for weeks. I check pretty regularly by phone.
things are so scarce, I sold a used Apple case for $70 yesterday on craigslist.
but you might get lucky?
ipads are factory unlocked and work the same wherever.

 

[snowblizzard499]

There most likely a very rare chance of you finding one instock all apple retail stores and bestbuys near me have zero instock.

 

[G.O.B]

Wow, thanks for the heads up guys! I guess if I can't get one while I'm over there, I better pre-order my UK one to make sure I actually get it?

If it helps, I'm staying in the Soho Grand, but will also be up around 5th / Central Park (so I can check out the flagship) - are there any Apple resellers around the Soho area? Thanks!

 

[dopipod]

There is a soho apple store on Prince St. If they have no stock I recommend that you reserve one there and then using one of the macs in the store, an assistant can help you do this quickly. You could do this before visiting the apple store but I imagine you will need to be in the USA to do this. The idea is that you get an email when your iPad is in stock. There is another apple store on W14th St. You could always reserve in all three stores, they release the stock on non collection after 24 hours.
I can recommend buying a WiFi model for use in the UK, I saved £90 on the 64gb, it works fine but you will have to buy your apps through your iPhone or a mac for use on the iPad (they sync over ok) as the uk iTunes store is not live for iPad yet. After the 28th I expect everything to work as a UK bought model.

 

[ukyo229]

have you considered how you are going to pay for it first???

 

[Saladinos]

There is a soho apple store on Prince St. If they have no stock I recommend that you reserve one there and then using one of the macs in the store, an assistant can help you do this quickly. You could do this before visiting the apple store but I imagine you will need to be in the USA to do this. The idea is that you get an email when your iPad is in stock. There is another apple store on W14th St. You could always reserve in all three stores, they release the stock on non collection after 24 hours.
I can recommend buying a WiFi model for use in the UK, I saved £90 on the 64gb, it works fine but you will have to buy your apps through your iPhone or a mac for use on the iPad (they sync over ok) as the uk iTunes store is not live for iPad yet. After the 28th I expect everything to work as a UK bought model.

Just to clarify, you can buy iPad apps from a UK account using iTunes on your Mac. I don't have my iPad yet, but I've bought some apps that are on intro sales.

 

[John Connor]

Wow, thanks for the heads up guys! I guess if I can't get one while I'm over there, I better pre-order my UK one to make sure I actually get it?

The initial allocation for 28th of May delivery, have all gone. Current delivery for new orders is 7th of June, so don't hang about!

 

[gathart]

Easy:

(1) look on line where the closed apple store is. two days before you go reserve on their us apple shop store website an ipad
(2) go to NY enjoy the city, check at least twice a day your e-mails
(3) you probably get an e-mail within two days the go to the shop. There you buy your iPad , ask them to connect it to an updated iTune mac to activate it.
(4) before you stumble out of the store, buy some us iTune gift cards (as much as you can afford)
(5) at your hotel create an American iTune account (use your hotels address) upload it with the iTune gift card and buy the apps/books/music etc you desire.

After that you probably will be hooked on it. Partner/family/friends have to explore the Big Apple by themself...

 

[flanger]

Had two guys in the office who went to the states, one in Georgia, one in NYC.

Neither came back with an ipad: no stock (Apple Stores and Best Buy).

I have another guy who is going soon. Can I reserve an iPad now at an Apple Store at my location and leave it there for, say, two weeks or do I have to pick it up the same day when i get the notification?

 

[joni1]

Go go any of the apple stores in nyc and ask if they have any in stock. If not reserve one and come back 1-3 days later and collect your ipad!

I was in NYC a week ago and just walked right into the 5th ave store and bought myself an ipad no probs. When I came back later same day to buy one for my friend aswell they were sold out. I reserved one and got an email next day saying my ipad had arrived. Easy as cake!

Enjoy your stay in NYC!

 

[flanger]

Can one reserve an iPad at a store over the internet? Or do you have to go to the shop itself?

 

[G.O.B]

Thanks again for all the help, people! Looking forward to hopefully getting one and joining this community more actively

One final question - can you buy a US 3G model without a microSIM, bring it back to the UK, and when it launches over here, put a UK microSIM in it? If this is the case, I may well get a 3G model and just use the WiFi option until the 28th May.

Thanks

 

[jb1280]

Thanks again for all the help, people! Looking forward to hopefully getting one and joining this community more actively

One final question - can you buy a US 3G model without a microSIM, bring it back to the UK, and when it launches over here, put a UK microSIM in it? If this is the case, I may well get a 3G model and just use the WiFi option until the 28th May.

Thanks

If you are able to find a 3G model, you can just remove the ATT SIM and replace it with whatever you want.