Did you notice the curious similarity in the statements issued by Vodafone, o2 and Orange that they’d be offering the iPad from late May?
The guys over at T3 did. It seems Apple’s PR guys may have ‘helped’ the networks with their homework.
Given the disappointing lack of variance in the iPhone tariffs it’ll be interesting to see if the three networks manage to end up with less similar pricing for the iPad.
It’ll also be interesting to see how the networks approach discounting the cost of the iPad itself in order to sign people up to long-term contracts.
While many of my associates can’t see the point of “a glorified iPod” I’m close to buying a 3G iPad when they hit the UK but only if the overall price – device AND 3G contract – makes sense.
Unlike a mobile phone or a full laptop it’s hard to see the iPad as an item most owners will use for great lengths of time each day, plus it can’t make calls so the average customer is going to expect the monthly cost to come in pretty low, certainly below the monthly cost of the iPhone itself.
I can’t see many people being prepared to pay much more than a tenner a month, personally much higher than that and I’d start to have second thoughts about the value of any contract.
Couldn’t agree more. I am planning to buy the 64GB 3G model when it’s released if the price is right. If not then I will pick one up in the USA later this year while on holiday. I am deeply distrustful of Apple’s impartiality when it comes to guiding the UK networks in offering competitive deals for 3G. I am expecting (hoping) that my network, O2,will offer me a discount as I am already locked in with them for another year at least with my iPhone 3Gs. I’m worried though that a done deal with Apple will mean I won’t.
Mac, personally I don’t think any handset manufacturer should have a say in the tariffs the networks charge, it’d be like Ford or VW expecting to set the price drivers paid at the pump.
The problem with supposedly ‘must have’ gadgets is that buyers find themselves asked to pay a premium, I know what the iPad is worth to me, both in terms of cost and the part it’d play in my life. Unlike some past purchases, I won’t be prepared to pay beyond that price – if Apple and the networks set the price unrealistically high I’ll simply look to spend my money on something else.
I will pay around £15 per month for the data plan, but I shall expect a HUGELY discounted iPad for taking that up over 18 months.
How on earth do apple get past the European regulatory authorities? They seem to be allowed to price fix data plans in entire markets without an eyebrow being raised. The app store approval process preventing any duplication of apple apps even tangentally goes far beyond why MS were fined to the hilt by the EU.I have no doubt that UK consumers having been shafted already by apple on the ipad release will be subjected to the usual apple UK tax. The only thing unbelievable about the price will be that apple will get away with it. I put £400 away for a 16 Wifi Ipad but the treatment of Uk consumers as second class customers means I probably wont bother. Its an apple piss take too far
My prediction is: £25 a month for 24 months, with free entry-level iPad, and that’s as low as it’ll get.
I’d be prepared to pay up to £800 for the 64Gb 3G iPad but for the data plan I think I’d only be prepared to pay no more than £30 a month which I think would be pretty reasonable considering the computing power you are getting.
You would be happy paying £30.00 per month for just 3G? are you nuts!!? I pay £30.00 for my iPhone and that includes unlimited web access and 800 free minutes of calls and 600 free texts and the phone was free! Duh, I just got , it ‘Mad Billy’
I would be willing to pay 450 for a 16gb ipad 3g, and I would expect the price would be 15 pound a month for the Internet. As much as it is a rip of for something so shit to be so dear. But I am a gadget geek.
Mad Billy, you clearly are mad.
£800 for the device? Are you off your head? Computing power you are getting??? £800 PLUS £30 per month?
Clearly you are not to great with numbers are you?
But then it’s people like you who allow rip-off Britain to continue. As Conal said, you can get a full mobile phone package with a £500 handset thrown in at £30 per month with massive talk time, text and internet.
£800 for the 64gig 3G iPad… that’s funny…. Have you even LOOKED at what they are selling for in the states???
£350 for 16gb and 12 for data – whoever said £800 please say thats an error on your part.
I contacted my provider, O2, and asked them what was the cheapest ‘sim only’ deal they had to offer which included web access and little or no calls or texts. They said £15.00 pm. for a non iPhone and £20.00 for iPhone. I asked why the iPhone was more expensive and he said the data was different. Huh? He couldn’t explain and I’m wondering if anyone else can. Anyway, I’m thinking the 3G deal will be £15.00 – £20.00 pm for iPad, outrageous!
Including taxes the ipad will cost exactly $=£ so £499 to £829.
I’ve just imported a 64Gb 3G from the US. Very pleased so far. I would be ok paying something similar to the tariffs in the US for 3G access although I like the suggestion of a discount for already having an iPhone. Broadly, the US tariff works out at about £10/month for 250Mb of data, and £20/month for unlimited. However, we would need to pay VAT on top of that so it would make a big difference. We shall have to wait and see but I think it the tariffs will be a big factor in people deciding to go for wi-fi or wi-fi+3G.
Re: “it can’t make calls”, you can make calls if you download the Skype app via iTunes. I have tried it and it works very well. Admittedly it doesn’t replace a mobile phone, but can have its uses.
I think if the ipad can offer 3g for £20 a month but give you the entry level ipad free on a 2 year contract I will go for it but I can’t warrent spending £17.50 for my iPhone a month plus having to buy my ipad. The problem I have with the wifi only ipad is imagine not having Internet on ur iPhone. That would suck. The ipad is useless unless u were in a wifi so that would also suck. I’m away from home alot and would want the 3g. Hold on for the new iPhone I say!