March 12 2010

Apple iPad Available For Pre-Order Today

apple-ipad-new

According to Apple’s site, you can pre-order your iPad for delivery/pickup (at store) on April 3 or late April depending on whether you want Wi-Fi or 3G.  Prices start at $499 for 16GB Wi-Fi to top of the line 64GB (Wi-Fi and 3G).  You get free shipping and there’s a pre-order limit of two per customer.

To accessorize your iPad, here are some items that might interest you:

  • iPad Keyboard Dock ($69) full-size keyboard, charging dock, and includes rear dock connector port and an audio line out port
  • iPad Dock ($29) for docking and charging; includes rear dock connector port and an audio line out port
  • iPad 10W USB Power Adapter ($29) 6-foot cable for charging through electrical outlet
  • iPad Case ($39) for protection against sratches and dents
  • Apple In-Ear Headphones with Remote and Mic ($79) for music and video listening
  • iPad Doc Connector to VGA Adapter ($29) for connecting to other devices (e.g. TV, projector) for watching slideshows and movies

Other options include:

  • Data plan (no contract) for the 3G starting at $14.99 for 250MB/month or $29.99 for unlimited through AT&T.
  • MobileMe Membership internet service at $69 for single user and $119 for family.
  • AppleCare Protection Plan at $99 which gets you hardware and software coverage and support for two years.

The total price of ownership adds up for this latest Apple device and Apple even offers a financing plan in case you haven’t saved up.  At minimum, for the price of the device, I would expect a few accessories (e.g. cover/case or charger) included as part of a package.  Until users get their hands on the device, the jury is still out on the whether the  iPad is a Kindle killer or just another expensive e-reader.

March 5 2010

Apple iPad Delayed Till Beginning of April

As reported on a prior iPad post, the launch of the iPad is being delayed till April 3 due to production issues.  U.S. consumers can order the new device starting on March 12 through Apple’s website.  While the rest of the world will have to wait till later in the year.

The first iPads to go on sale will connect to Wi-Fi networks only and cost $499, $599 or $699, depending on the data storage capacity. Versions that also can connect to “3G” cellular networks (AT&T) are expected to go on sale in late April for $629, $729 or $829.

The new Apple iPad will come with 12 new applications and will run the 140,000 applications that were developed Apple’s other devices (e.g. iPhone, iPod touch).  The delay is only a few days from the original date, but it does take a little luster off of the release.

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