The complete Apple iPad Guide for Singapore (Prices / Shipping / Specs)

Finally Apple announced their new iPad device, in Singapore people stayed up for the night just to catch the press conference. Now the questions start to pop up that everyone in Singapore wants to know. And I have the answers for all your iPad questions right here!

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When will the iPad come to Singapore (Update)?

Now that the iPad has arrived in the US, right in time for the Easter Weekend (3rd April 2010) we can expect the iPad to arrive on the shores of Singapore sooner or later as well.
The normal version will arrive in Europe soon and first prices have been leaked which suggest that the usual $-Euro conversion will apply here as well. The iPad will be priced higher in the European countries then in the US, however users in Singapore should be able to purchase the iPad for a “normal” price.

• Information:
• Estimated Shipping date of iPad (no 3G) in Singapore: Mid May 2010
• Estimated Shipping date of iPad (with 3G) in Singapore: Open – Late 2010

Looking back at earlier Apple product launches in Singapore, I would say the iPad without 3G should be announced in Singapore around the same time. However I doubt we will get the 3G iPad soon due to the lack of the mandatory GSM “Micro-SIM” card which onl the official carrier AT&T offers so far.

• Apple sells over 300.000 iPads on the first day (Apple News)

How to buy the Apple iPad in Singapore (officially)?

Once the iPad is officially available in Singapore you will be able to buy it:
• From the official retailers like EpiCenter

• The official Apple Online Store for Singapore

• You will be most likely able to find the different Apple iPad models in the famous electronic malls in Singapore as well.

How to buy the Apple iPad in Singapore (before the official launch)?

Here are 4 options for you on how to buy the iPad in Singapore before its official launch:
(Please note these are “work around solutions” which might work out or not, think twice before ordering)

• 1. Fly to the US
  The most simple but most expensive possibility is to book your ticket to the US, go shopping for as many iPads as you want and come back on the next flight. You can be 100% sure to arrive here with the iPad in your (big) pocket.
• 2. Ask a friend in the US to send it to Singapore
  This option is probably the cheapest but also very unsecure one. I had my experiences with the Singapore Customs so I would be very careful in sending valuable and electronic goods to Singapore
• 3. Order on the Singapore Black Market
  The first iPads have been appearing on the Singapore Black Market already. For a whooping 2000$. Just check the local versions of ebay, craigslist and their likes and you will be most likely able to find your super-expensive iPad today already.
• 4. Order via an international shipping service
  It is a widely known issue that many of the big players in the electronic and online shopping market do not send their goods to Singapore. A solution are shipping/courier services, you will basically order the goods in the Apple Store in the US and sent your goods to the address of these services. They will then forward the package to Singapore and charge you for the service.
  However, there have been many reports that apple is heavily going against these operators and cancelled all orders made through them for iPads already. You wont be successful here either.

How much will the iPad cost in Singapore?

First its important to know that the iPad comes in 6 different versions on the market:

16GB – No 3G / With 3G
32GB – No 3G / With 3G
64GB – No 3G / With 3G

The cheapest Model, 16GB and no 3G support costs 499 US$, the most expensive one 64GB with 3G will set you back some 829 US$. Looking at the current pricing differences of Apple products in Singapore to the US, here are my guesses for the Singapore prices of the iPad:

• Information:
• Price of iPad 16GB in Singapore (est.): 729 S$ (No 3G) / 899 S$ (with 3G)
• Price of iPad 32GB in Singapore (est.): 869 S$ (No 3G) / 1049 S$ (with 3G)
• Price of iPad 64GB in Singapore (est.): 999 S$ (No 3G) / 1199 S$ (with 3G)

• Apple’s official Pricing List (www.apple.com)

Will the iPad be locked in Singapore / Can I use my SIM card?

Yes and No. The iPad will ship internationally unlocked. That’s confirmed and good news. If you buy the iPad without 3G support there is no question for SIM card support anyway.
However, if you want to use the full 3G functionality, you will need a new “Micro-SIM” card, which the local mobile carriers still have to announce. That means, you can practically use the iPad with Singapore SIM cards, as long as SingTel, M1 or Starhub come up with their own “Micro-SIM” cards.

• Apple’s iPads “Micro SIM Card” explained (EnGadget)

What are the iPads Specifications and Features?

Tread the following articles of very good Tech magazines that good a first person hand on the device and its specs to get the best idea of what the iPad will be capable of doing:

• The official Apple iPad page (www.apple.com/ipad)
• TechCrunch The iPad in Action (with Video)
• EnGadget – First Hand On (with Video)
• CrunchGear – Apple unveils the iPad (Spec Details)

If you liked this, take a look at these:

• The Complete iPhone Guide For Singapore (incl. Price Plan Charts etc.)
• Complete iPhone 4 Guide for Singapore: Pricing, Availability, More
• The Complete Google Nexus One Guide for Singapore
• How To Buy A Google Nexus One Phone In Singapore
• 20 More Fantastic (and Free) Singapore iPhone / iPad Apps

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