So the Apple Philippines Online Store has finally added the iPad to the online store (although the link still goes to a blank page) in preparation for the official release in the Philippines.
Other stores have been selling them too, like the iCampus in Ateneo (at much cheaper prices too).
However, the local launch seemed like a bit too late considering the initial release was way back in April. That’s about 9 months old already.
We know Steve will introduce a new iPad this summer (that’s in 3 months) and it will (hopefully) have all the upgrades people wanted on the tablet (FaceTime HD anyone?). It will also probably have higher storage capacities too.
Buying a new iPad today does not seem to be a reasonable move.
- Your brand new iPad becomes obsolete in 3 or 4 months due to the introduction of a newer model.
- You’ll be missing out on newer features and upgrades.
- The re-sale value of your 1st gen iPad will plummet once the new iPads are announced.
On the other-hand, there’s some advantages too that favors it. For one, you get local warranty and support from official Apple Resellers.
As for the prices, the suggested retail price of iPads in the gray market have actually stabilized to the point that they’re within 5 to 10% which isn’t bad (so the wait isn’t really that worth it). I remember getting a 64GB iPad 3G+WiFi for about Php38,500 just last month from a source in Greenhills. That’s actually cheaper than the official prices.
So here’s my question to you — you think the uber-delayed launch of the iPad in the Philippines is a win or a fail? Leave your answers in the comment section below. I’m very close to call it a fail but for now, I’ll give it a tie.
Fail-win! Too late but better late than never.
Obsolete soon, moderate features compared to other tabs and definitely expensive compared to their competitors. I would rather wait for the next one!
it’s 300000 years late=ifail
ipad 2.0 will be released next year.
I’m interested in buying one… ano po ba ang meron sa iPad na wala sa iba?
winner!
If the iPad will be available here, wouldn’t Apple’s AppleCare warranty apply even though you got yours from abroad? Correct me if I’m wrong but only iPhone’s are not covered by AppleCare warranty internationally, right?
If so, I think it’s still a win if early adopters will be able to have their iPads fixed here through applecare.
first world gadgets
first world prices
third world considerations
EPIC FAIL!!!
Nag-uubos na lang siguro ng supply ng 1st gen iPads ang Apple kaya nagkaroon ng official release dito.
Wait for the iPad 2.0, sayang lang ang pagbili sa overdelayed official 1st Gen iPad dito.
it’s not that bad. by the time the official launch of ipad 2 in the Philippines, that would already be december 2011. Still good for 1 year.
for a budget conscious / practical buyer like me I’d say it’s an epic fail. 20+ grand for a soon to be obsolete product, no thanks. But if you’ve got money to burn, I guess it’s a win.
fail like their iPhone antenna fail.
and yet other peoples opinion are right, steve jobs is running out of ideas.. maybe he’ll release new gadgets like an iCam or an iWatch .. lol
I still consider a good laptop over the iPad and I’m happy with my iPod Touch 3rd Gen and LG Optimus One :D
Epic fail.. It is e-waste already.. Give me 90% off the original price its a done deal.. hehehe :)
It looks like the delayed launched allowed the “grey” market to sell at higher than SRP.
Fail…. I already got my ipad from singapore just because i can’t wait for the release of the other tablets, especially those based on windows 7. I’ve heard win 7 is packaging the os for better touch screen interface. Better wait and see .
Well at least it will finally arrive in the Phil online Apple store. Maybe the next gen iPad will be released much more closer to its release date.
lagi na lang tayong huli sa pancitan ah- tsk tsk tsk
sana its a massive fail – and im hoping it should really fail nakakainis kasi parang tae tayo sa paningin ni El Jobso and Co. Tae Tae Tae and Pilipinas, kung yung presidente natin nagpunta pa sa states tapus -papansin street hotdog pa ang kinain anu ba yang palabas na yan nasan ang mga dignidad ninyo hehe :D ni hindi nga tayo binisita ni Obama eh nung nag Asian Tour siya, tae tayo!
let’s send them a message na hindi maganda na ganitong yung trato nila satin na parang basura
but i’ll definitely upgrade for the following if maganda review nila
iPad 2 (currently iLove my iPad, its teh best tablet user experience)
Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 (ok na din, kaso jerky ang interface pero manageable naman parang PC lang hehe)
FAIL.
FAIL! Why buy an item that will be obsolete in less than 4 months? Unless of course Apple would offer a very good “upgrade” option from Ipad to Ipad2. If that happens then I will say WIN!