Apple finally has launched its iPad 2 in India, at reasonable prices of 29,500 for the Wifi version and 36,900 for the 3g version which is quite competitive to Samsung’s tablet prices and also to Apple’s USA pricing.
In the USA the same version is available at 499$ and with about 8-10% tax that works out to ~ 525$ which in Indian money roughly translates to 24,675 bucks assuming a dollar is 47 bucks. This does not include shipping costs and is applicable only for USA store pickups and Apple online purchases.
Still the Indian version has roughly about 20% more cost making it viable to purchase one from USA directly if you know someone there. But if you need warranty for a year, immediate pickup and instantaneous nirvana, head to a Croma, or eZone or Staples store or very much to the Apple authorized iMAGINE stores and pick up the iPad right here!
With a super fast dual core A5 processor, roughly about 512MB RAM and FaceTime HD, 10 hours battery that would probably last much longer if you switch off that Wifi, and iPad Smart cover at an extra 2000 bucks, the tablet war really starts to heat up for Samsung, Acer, Asus, Motorola (if they really care about India anymore).
Apple’s main competitor remains Samsung though they collaborate within for supplies of memory chips and at lawsuit trials elsewhere! It is to be seen how Samsung prices its 10.1″ Android Honeycomb tablet in comparison to this latest salvo from Apple.
Also heating up the atmosphere would be the impending iMAC refresh with thunderbolt port, and Sandy bridge Intel core i5 processor line which will retain Apple’s products as the most powerful and easy to use for some time to come. The cost is always a question, but then to own something beautiful, one should not be too iffy about cost factor isn’t it ?
Note that its only a matter of time before HDFC, ICICI, Barclays, SBI and Citibank jump into the experience to offer the iPad 2 on EMI schemes which makes it all the more easier to own one!
(all images courtesy apple website)
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