Apple finally announces UK iPad dates and pricing

UK prices for the iPad are significantly higher than in the US

Apple has finally announced that the iPad will be available to international markets, including the UK, from 28 May, but eager Apple fans in this country will have to pay a premium for the device.

IPad sales in the US reached the one million mark earlier this week, and the device is currently available to pre-order in the UK from 10 May, meaning that customers will have to wait around two weeks for their order to arrive.

However, UK prices are significantly more than in the US. The 16GB Wi-Fi model has a recommended retail price of £429, around £90 more than a straight conversion from the $500 US price.

The 32GB version will retail for £499, and the 64GB for £599. Wi-Fi and 3G models will retail for £529 for 16GB, £599 for 32GB and £699 for 64GB, all markedly higher than in the US. All prices are inclusive of VAT.

The international release could harm developers of notebook and netbook products after a study by Morgan Stanley/Alphawise found that the iPad is cannibalising the market in the US as consumers buy Apple's new device and reject competing products.

Apple claimed that developers have already created over 5,000 applications for the iPad, and that 1.5 million e-books have been downloaded by US users from its new iBookstore site.

The iPad will be launched on the same day in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, and Switzerland.

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