SillyDog701

[Antony]

Well, chances are, I will get an iPad once it is available in Australia. Currently Apple said it would be available in late May, and pre-order opens on 10th May.

I personally haven't made up my mind on which one to get. I had been thinking about getting the most basic one (16GB, Wi-Fi only), and for some stage, I was thinking that 16GB was probably not enough, and I 3G capacity would be nice.

I know some of you may say that I don't need an iPad, but it seems like a perfect digital companion for me, in lounge and when going out. The size and the weight of it are clearly making it a number one choice. (My 15-inch MacBook Pro is a bit troublesome to carry around.)

Let's put the pricing aside for now.

http://www.apple.com/ipad/

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[Antony]

Any more recommendations?

I have ordered the very important invisibleSHIELD for iPad.

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[Antony]

The invisibleSHIELD for iPad is here. Assuming no more delay, Apple shall announce the iPad pricing in Australia (as a few handful of countries) as well as opening up for pre-order on Monday 10th May.

And I haven't really made up my mind on which one to get yet. Any recommendations?

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[Antony]

The prices are out. The decision should be easier now.

In Australia,
Wi-Fi models: 16 GB for A$629, 32 GB for A$ 879, 64 GB for A$799;
Wi-Fi + 3G models: 16 GB for A$799, 32 GB for A$ 928, 64 GB for A$1049;
Unlike the pricing in USA, all prices are inclusive of GST (tax).

The prices (even the 64GB with 3G model) seem to be pretty good to me.

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[Happy Dude]

thought about a data plan? Telstra, Optus, Vodafone and Three are all offering prepaid or month to month (no contract, but you recieve a bill) plans

Remember the iPad, same as the iPhone, supports 3G on 850, 1900 and 2100mhz.

Telstra 3G, in major cities, which is shared with Three (and now partially Vodafone thanks to the merger) runs on 3G 2100Mhz

Optus has 3G 2100Mhz in cities and 900Mhz 3G (not supported) rurally

Same for Vodafone

Three, as stated above has 3G 2100Mhz, and roams on Vodafone 2G and Telstra 2G/3G 850Mhz.

Telstra is pretty much the winner in this case, and their data plans aren't too bad. Although Vodafone is offering unlimited data for $49.99 a month (no p2p)

http://www.telstra.com/ipad
http://www.optusbefirst.com.au
http://www.three.com.au/ipad
http://www.vodafone.com.au/ipad

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[Antony]

Those plans for iPad are all much better value for money than the ones each telcos offered for their mobile broadband.

I am getting the Telstra Prepaid one for my iPad arrived yesterday.


(more detail at this blog entry)

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[Happy Dude]

Those plans for iPad are all much better value for money than the ones each telcos offered for their mobile broadband.

That's true. While I'm not exactly the biggest fan of the iPad, I like the competiton it brought between our telcos (hell, Telstra suddenly became generous - compare their $49 "cap" plan vs Optus $49 cap).

Plus while they say "iPad data plans" (well, Optus said you can use the iPad or BYO other devices), you should be able to use them in things like 3G modems, which is what I'm going to do with Telstras iPad sim..

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[Antony]

Plus while they say "iPad data plans" (well, Optus said you can use the iPad or BYO other devices), you should be able to use them in things like 3G modems, which is what I'm going to do with Telstras iPad sim..

Well, you will need a micro SIM converter (which is easy to get), but the Terms and Condition for Telstra Micro SIM says:
2. Offer Restrictions
2.1 By activating the Telstra Pre-Paid iPad Account you acknowledge that you have purchased a Telstra Pre-Paid micro-SIM for iPad Kit, and the Telstra Pre-Paid micro-SIM for iPad provided to you in this Kit can only be used in an approved Apple iPad device. If you use your Telstra Pre-Paid micro-SIM for iPad in any other device, you will be automatically charged the standard Telstra Pre-Paid Wireless Broadband charges as set out in Our Customer Terms based on your most recent recharge denomination.

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