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First new iPad finds Australia buyer

The buyer of the very first new iPad is David Tarasenko, who bought a 64GB iPad Wi-Fi + 4G model at a midnight launch in Sydney.

Jon Skillings Editorial director
Jon Skillings is an editorial director at CNET, where he's worked since 2000. A born browser of dictionaries, he honed his language skills as a US Army linguist (Polish and German) before diving into editing for tech publications -- including at PC Week and the IDG News Service -- back when the web was just getting under way, and even a little before. For CNET, he's written on topics from GPS, AI and 5G to James Bond, aircraft, astronauts, brass instruments and music streaming services.
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  • 30 years experience at tech and consumer publications, print and online. Five years in the US Army as a translator (German and Polish).
Jon Skillings
2 min read
David Tarasenko and his new iPad. CNET Australia

Apple's latest iPad is now out in the world--Australia, to be specific.

The buyer of the very first new iPad is one David Tarasenko, who snagged the white 64GB iPad Wi-Fi + 4G model at a midnight launch at the flagship Telstra store on George Street in Sydney.

Along with Australia, the new iPad will initially be sold in--this is the worldwide chronological order, more or less--Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore (see photos at end of post), Germany, Switzerland, France, the U.K., and the U.S., along with Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Sales are set to begin at 8 a.m. local time in each of those locations, though obviously Sydney got a headstart.

The device, unveiled just last week, sports a higher-resolution Retina Display similar to that of the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S and an updated processor (Apple's A5X chip) as well as a 4G connection.

CNET's Donald Bell offers advice to prospective buyers:

"If you've never owned a tablet and you're considering the new iPad for your first fling, think twice. You may be buying more tablet than you need," Bell writes. "The new iPad will be best appreciated by those who are upgrading from a previous model. It's for us poor strung-out tech junkies who've built up a tolerance for iPad 'magic' and need something stronger."

Here's the price range for the new iPad in the U.S.: $499 for the base 16GB model, $599 for 32GB, and $699 for 64GB. The iPad Wi-Fi + 4G is priced at $629 for the 16GB model, $729 for the 32GB model, and $829 for the 64GB model.

CNET Australia's Seamus Byrne contributed to this report. The story was updated at 8:08 a.m. PT with background details and again at 2:30 p.m. PT with photos from Singapore.

First new iPad sold
Don't drop it! CNET Australia
A family in Singapore checks out their brand new iPad. Reuben Lee/CNET Asia
Singapore shoppers line up to become some of the first in the world to get their hands on Apple's new iPad. Reuben Lee/CNET Asia

Hands on Apple's new iPad (photos)

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