All the latest UK technology news, reviews and analysis
|
|
|
28 Feb 2010
Apple's much-hyped iPad tablet device will retail for between £389 and £489 when it finally goes on sale in the UK, according to tech site Geeky Gadgets.
The 16GB Wi-Fi iPad will be available for £389, the 32GB Wi-Fi model for £439 and the 64GB Wi-Fi model for £489, according to a "tip" received by the site.
"One thing they did reveal is that we are more likely to get the iPad in the UK in April as opposed to March which is currently being quoted on Apple's web site," the site reported.
"We can't confirm 100 per cent that these prices are correct, but we are pretty sure from the information our source provided that these will be the prices when the Apple iPad goes on sale in the UK."
If the report is accurate, it would follow the pattern of UK Apple products being more expensive than their American counterparts. At current exchange rates, the 16GB Wi-Fi iPad would be just £327 if bought in the US, over £60 cheaper than the UK version, while the 32GB and 64GB Wi-Fi models would come in at £392 and £458 respectively.
Given the tremendous loyalty Apple customers show to the firm, it remains to be seen whether these prices will make a serious dent in the vendor's sales figures in the UK, although a recent V3.co.uk poll may make uncomfortable reading for Apple.
An overwhelming 39 per cent of respondents labelled it 'just an overpriced, oversized iPod Touch'. In total, 55 per cent of V3.co.uk readers who responded had bad news for Apple, while 43 per cent spoke up in its favour.
Perhaps more disappoint is the finding that 26 per cent of these 'supporters' were cynical in their response, selecting the 'Yes, it's got the Apple logo so people will buy it' option.
Latest stories from Hardware
Related articles
Related jobs
Poll
Are you confident that the UK's IT infrastructure is secure from attack in the wake of the Flame malware revelations?
TFL director of Games transport Mark Evers discusses how the public transport network is preparing for this summer's event
Connect with V3.co.uk
The wrong printers, for the wrong tasks on the wrong contracts
Who leads the BI pack and who should we be watching out for?
Security Assurance Consultant ( CLAS ) with HMG and Information...
Solutions Design Architect - Oracle - Exadata - Dataguard...
My Client is a tier one investment bank based in Edinbugh...
Analyst Programmer Web Developer required to work for...
Keep up to date with the latest products, services and technologies from the world's leading IT companies. IThound.com brings you over 2,000 white papers, case studies and analyst reports.
Do you agree?
Would be good
These price points would be good, not bad for what you get. I might even go for the 64gig version, I could justify it for and extra 48 gig. I was thinking 16 gig would be £399 and £499, £599 for the other models. UK is such rip off usually, I get sick of it, this isn't that bad by the look of it. I would go for the 16gig if it more like my original pricing. Then again I might pick the thing up and not give you a penny for it.
Posted by: Ant 28 Feb 2010
Apple or Taxes?
It seems to me that the price differential could be tax related? The price in the US will be listed without local sales taxes. I imagine that the prices listed for the UK release will include VAT. I for one was actually surprised at the prices - I expected them to be higher.
Posted by: M Frost 28 Feb 2010
tip
would your 'tip' have been the price list on apple's website?
Posted by: jack 28 Feb 2010
Sales Tax
Don't forget the US price excludes sales tax whilst the UK price includes VAT at 17.5% adding VAT to the £327 gives a retail price of £384.23 which means we are being overcharged by a fiver!
Posted by: Mark 28 Feb 2010
VAT
Bear in mind that US prices do not include VAT (or sales tax, as it is usually called there). That is added on afterwards, if it applies. So, if you take £389 and subtract VAT, you get £331, which at the current exchange rate is $505. Scant evidence of overpricing.
Posted by: Hamish Carr 28 Feb 2010
Negative press slant again?
You need to remember that the American price does not include purchase tax (that's VAT to us). If you take VAT off the UK price it is £331 - not that different really - but I don't suppose the facts fit the story you are trying to convey so it's best to ignore them. Same applies for 50% of the stories about Rip off Britain etc. Graham, Devon
Posted by: Graham Smith 28 Feb 2010
Not over prices (compared to US)
Prices quoted on US sites do not include sales tax. Therefore to get the equivalent price you need to convert 499 to GBP giving the 327. Then add VAT at 17.5% which is 385 - so if that is the official price, it is remarkably similar to that in the US.
Posted by: Jake 28 Feb 2010
UK price includes tax?
If the price of £389 quoted includes UK sales tax (aka VAT) at 17.5%, that would make the UK price £331 before tax, so not far off the US price.
Posted by: Mike Grant 28 Feb 2010
£389 = £330 + VAT
They've converted it, and added VAT, which seems about right to me?
Posted by: MG 28 Feb 2010
Sales Tax
US prices don't include Sales Tax, and you don't say if the the UK alleged prices are inclusive or exclusive of VAT, if those prices are correct and do include VAT then they are almost identical. but I think you knew that.
Posted by: hotcurry 28 Feb 2010