iPad allows users to connect with their apps and content in a more intimate, intuitive and fun way than ever before. Users can browse the web, read and send email, enjoy and share photos, watch HD videos, listen to music, play games, read ebooks and much more, all using iPad’s revolutionary Multi-Touch™ user interface. iPad Wi-Fi models are just 0.5 inches thick and weigh just 1.5 pounds — thinner and lighter than any laptop or netbook — and deliver up to 10 hours of battery life for surfing the web on Wi-Fi, watching videos or listening to music, and up to nine hours of surfing the web.
Apple Retail Stores will offer a free Personal Setup service to every customer who buys an iPad at the store, helping them customize their new iPad by setting up their email, loading their favorite apps from the App Store, and more. Apple Retail Stores in China are also hosting special iPad workshops to help customers learn more about this magical new product.
iPad Wi-Fi models in China will be available for a suggested retail price of CNY3988 (US$590) for 16GB, CNY4788 ($710) for 32GB and CNY5588 for 64GB ($830). iPad will be sold in China through Apple’s Retail Stores, and select Apple Authorized Resellers.
iPad will roll out to many more countries later this year and Apple will announce availability and local pricing for these additional countries at a later date.
For more information, visit http://www.apple.com.cn.
Source: Apple Inc.
Why does it cost more in China than in the US?
Oh it doesn’t? This is the Wi-Fi Model…
@Cowboy: All Apple stuff always costs way more outside of the US. A song on iTunes, for example is $1.69 in Australia, or $2.29 for the higher-priced ones. The minimum price for an iPad is $629, Macbooks start at $1249, Macbook Pros start at $1499, etc. Here, have a look for yourself: http://store.apple.com/au
Cheers, Des
The cost differentiation must have some basis in currency differences too.
Most countries also have a VAT tax added in, (tax included in price)
where the price in the states is without any sales tax showing
@HotinPlaya: True, but Apple prices were always much higher here than in the US, even before our GST was introduced.
Not as bad as electronic musical instruments, though, which were always about 2.5 times the US price. Dunno if that’s changed lately cos I don’t buy as much.
Hmmm… if they really have new models with cameras planned for a U.S. release in November, would they really be rolling out a launch of the old model for China on Sep, 17th??
As as retailer doesn’t want prices to customers to fluctuate, and as exchange rates DO fluctuate, the typical retailer builds in a hedge.
Even though Apple is on a one year refresh schedule, they typically keep price points for far longer. This forces them to consider a wider range of exchange rate variability.
Music is cheaper in Canada than in the USA. 5 to 10 cents cheaper depending on the currency rates.
Chinese electronics companies, start your copiers!
The price variations for Apple products in different countries is interesting. According to various posts and articles over the years, the price delta is often far in excess of VAT or similar considerations. Are there any substantial import fees that might explain some of that difference?