Apple iPad price set, date confirmed

Apple has set Australian pricing for the iPad Wi-Fi and 3G models, and confirmed that it will go on sale down under on Friday, 28 May.

Wi-Fi only models start off the iPad cavalcade with the 16GB model priced at AU$629, the 32GB version will retail for AU$759 and the 64GB model will sell for AU$879.

Buyers who opt for iPads with 3G mobile internet connectivity will pay more but also gain GPS to boot. 3G models are priced at AU$799 for the 16GB, AU$928 for the 32GB and AU$1049 for the 64GB.

Apple will begin accepting pre-orders for both iPad models on Monday, 10 May.

For sake of comparison, in the US the iPad Wi-Fi retails at US$499 (AU$562) for the 16GB, US$599 (AU$674) for the 32GB and US$699 (AU$787) for the 64GB. While the 3G models is priced at US$629 (AU$708) for the 16GB, US$729 (AU$821) for the 32GB and US$829 (AU$933) for the 64GB.

Last month, Apple delayed the worldwide launch of the iPad from the end of April to the end of May because of stronger than expected demand in the US.

The iPad will go on sale on 28 May not only in Australia, but also Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Switzerland and the UK. Apple fans in Austria, Belgium, Hong Kong, Ireland, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand and Singapore will have to wait until July for official imports to begin.