Buying an iPad

[PudseyChancer]

Looking at the price for iPads in the UK and the US prices appeal a lot more - I realise it's a risk coming back through customs and paying tax but the difference in price is too much to ignore.

Anyone else bought one whilst in Florida?

 

[wilma-bride]

I'm interested to know the answer to this too as I'm teetering on the edge of buying one while we are there next month.

 

[luke]

Another interested in the answer here, also planning on getting one out there.
Although we only want the very base model (16gb wifi) which I believe comes in under your 'allowance' pricewise

 

[london75]

Yep, I did when it first came out.

One thing to note was I had to register in the store (went to Mall at Millenia *** it was quiet) and I got an email through 10 days later that it was ready to collect.

Now that was a couple of months ago so not sure the supply situation is as bad but still worth going in as soon as poss in your holiday in case it is.

No problem bringing home at the time, put the box in the case and carried the pad through customs with the myriad of cameras, camcorders, nintendos and laptops we take so doubt anyone even spotted it!

You'll need to buy a case for it though as it comes with nothing, I got the rubbery folder style case from Apple which I really like but wasn't the cheapest there is.

Oh and do get one, I'm a Windows person generally even career wise but the iPad and the new iPhone are absolutely flippin brilliant. We need another one now as my wife pinches my iPad all the time so I never even see it. I rarely turn on the laptops except for work now.

It's literally 3 seconds from pressing the power button and you're on the web or in your email etc.

 

[london75]

Oh, and if you can afford it I'd recommend larger than the 16GB if poss.

I've had it 2 months and as I like to watch films on it, I'm up to 30GB already and that's even with making sure I delete films after I've watched them.

I don't miss having 3G though, I don't find it something I want to take out with me so have wifi at home. The new iPhone plugs the gap for when I'm out and about as it's nearly as good to surf on.

 

[JulieSharp]

Cannot really help with the question, only to say we bought an iPad wi-fi 64GB recently.
It's brilliant and we plan to take it with us on holiday.

If you buy out there just mention at the store if it is covered by an International Warrantee, which it should be if you buy from an Apple store (assuming they have some in stock that is).

 

[london75]

Another interested in the answer here, also planning on getting one out there.
Although we only want the very base model (16gb wifi) which I believe comes in under your 'allowance' pricewise

I don't want to poo poo this theory, it's one that went through my mind but then I thought about the new suit and work shirts I always stock up on, the trainers I was actually wearing which were blatantly brand new, the shorts, tshirts, gifts etc and just decided that I was so far over the personal allowance anyway, I wouldn't limit myself to a 16GB for that reason alone. If I got rumble din customs, the above argument would just delay the inevitable by about 3 seconds and potentially pee off the customs official as well!

 

[luke]

I don't want to poo poo this theory, it's one that went through my mind but then I thought about the new suit and work shirts I always stock up on, the trainers I was actually wearing which were blatantly brand new, the shorts, tshirts, gifts etc and just decided that I was so far over the personal allowance anyway, I wouldn't limit myself to a 16GB for that reason alone. If I got rumble din customs, the above argument would just delay the inevitable by about 3 seconds and potentially pee off the customs official as well!

We don't really buy gifts, and all t shirts etc we buy get delabelled (is that a word ?) - pretty much all stuff we buy is the kind of things we could have got in the UK before we came.

That said, it's price more than anything (plus the fact it's not a necessity - we both have iPhones, although hers is a sloooooooow 3g - at least it feels like that after using my phone ) that leads us towards the base model

 

[london75]

No worries, just wanted to explain my thought process and make sure that you didn't choose the smallest for the wrong reason.

The only other thing (and I'm assuming you've got the brand new iPhone), I reeealllly wish they'd put this new screen technology in the iPad. The latest iPhone screen is simply the best quality I have ever seen and working in IT I've seen a few!

I assume that will be on the cards for the next iPad in April next year.

 

[luke]

Thanks for the heads up tho, I had pretty much forgotten that it wouldn't be the only thing we'd buy (if we get one).

Yeah i had a play on a friends iPad and the screen isn't as good as my iPhone, but it's still a beautiful piece of kit (coming from someone who has never had anything Apple except for their phones)

 

[london75]

Flash is coming soon too if you're prepared to jalibreak it. Mine is although in hindsight there is very little I want that's not already on the appstore for free.

Somewhat relevant to this forum, the whole Disney site (and I mean pretty much everything) is unusable as it relies so much on flash. Boooo

 

[luke]

Yeah I hate the lack of Flash

Of course I will be definitely JBing my iPad should I get it.
Just waiting patiently for Comex to get his iPhone 4 JB out...

 

[london75]

Aye me too. I'm quite new to iPhones, had Windows for ages where I could do what I want including writing my own apps.

Started getting into iPhone apps but it's slow progress lol, not an easy shift for a Windows person to make.

Must think of a killer Florida app for forum members, maybe park ticket prices based on Pegasus's spreadsheets!

 

[jockey]

I have not bought one in the US but I can highly recommend the IPAD, I love mine! DH got one at launch and I got mine a few weeks ago though we do have to wrestle the kids for them

 

[PudseyChancer]

I'm interested to know the answer to this too as I'm teetering on the edge of buying one while we are there next month.

Great minds think alike Jo!

Another interested in the answer here, also planning on getting one out there.
Although we only want the very base model (16gb wifi) which I believe comes in under your 'allowance' pricewise

I initially was going to get the 16GB wifi but there's very little price difference between that and the 32GB - although to be honest it will only be used for surfing and photo's if we are on holiday!

I have not bought one in the US but I can highly recommend the IPAD, I love mine! DH got one at launch and I got mine a few weeks ago though we do have to wrestle the kids for them

I'm getting one because my missus has been relegated to using her iphone for internet access and all I get is wistful glances whenever I'm on the MacBook! I guarantee that I'll have the same wrestling matches for possession of the iPad once we get one!

 

[Elise79]

We bought in May when we were over there. Walked back through customs with it - they were more interested in the Kingston flight that had just landed too

I have the 16gb wi-fi and DH has the 64 Gb 3G version.

I love it and before this I was a windows girl - windows laptop, windows mobile etc.

Laptop only get touched for work and the official Disneys sites

IPad gets a big in this house

 

[Cyrano]

Another interested in the answer here, also planning on getting one out there.
Although we only want the very base model (16gb wifi) which I believe comes in under your 'allowance' pricewise

The base one does come under your allowance. Though don't do what I did.
Went to the Apple Store and Best Buy in the first week of holiday... sadly no stock.
Last week of holiday went to Best Buy but they only had 64gb version and this was too expensive. Licking my wounds I went to the Apple Store and genius said that I could leave my details and they would email me when stock came in... yeah right Why did I not do this on the first week
Day after we came home email from Apple saying my 16Gb was available for pick up next day or would be put on general sale

Frantic txts to SIL who were in their final week of Orlando holiday along with phone calls to Apple Store. They brought it through customs without any problems.
The only problem is I still have to pay it when their credit card bill comes through ... only kidding SIL

NB edited to add if you have an Apple ID why not register before you leave

 

[luke]

Cheers Reid,
Where exactly is it I can register?
Still don't 100% know if I'm gonna get one but hey

 

[Cyrano]

Cheers Reid,
Where exactly is it I can register?
Still don't 100% know if I'm gonna get one but hey

I did this on Apple Store on a page that Genius had set up so not sure where this is on the Apple website. Might be worth going into store here and seeing if they can help

 

[CrazyDuck]

I have some users that live in the UK that bought their iPads in the states. They had the 3g models and when you buy it in the states it comes with a at&t sim card. when you go back to the UK you have to go into an Orange or Voda store and buy a card that works there. Not sure the price over there but at&t charges $15 over here for a new sim card. Since everything is so much more expensive there it'll probably run you £100 The WiFi only model will work ok.... if you can get through customs!