THE new iPad is available in store from Friday and consumers will need to shop around to get the best deals. Priced from $479 plus delivery of $29 for the 16GB wi-fi version from online store Kogan Replica watches, the same tablet could cost twice that with bundled data deals from telcos that have no upfront costs.
Vodafone is the first telco off the blocks with announcement of its new iPad pricing plans.
Offering $0 upfront and $47 over two years for 2GB of data, the minimum cost of the new iPad 16GB version would be $1128. Vodafone is also offering up to 18GB of data a month for up to $87 for a total cost of $2088. The 64GB new iPad will cost $0 upfront with a minimum monthly spend of $56 for a total price of $1344.
The 16GB tablet can be purchased outright through Kogan for $479. This means that the data cost component of Vodafone's basic plan works out to be $27 a month. If a consumer were to buy the tablet from Kogan - with a delivery date of April 2 - they could purchase a data pack with Amaysim for 2.5GB of data a month at $19.90 or $29.90 for 4GB of data a month.
Telstra customers can buy the new iPad 16GB on a 24-month plan at $0 upfront and $68 a month for a total minimum cost of $1632.
A Telstra spokeswoman said that even for customers who hadn't pre-ordered their new iPad, those who queued from midnight tonight would "walk away with a new iPad Panerai Replica Watches, while stocks last".
Optus have a $0 upfront plus $6 a month for the new iPad on the $39 a month data plan for a total minimum cost of $1080. Optus won't be opening their stores at midnight but customers can order online from midnight tonight with stores opening at regular business hours on Friday.
Apple is accepting pre-orders for the new iPad at a starting price of $539 for the 16GB model that comes in black or white with an expected shipping time of two to three weeks. The wi-fi version of the 16GB new iPad costs $679 from Apple with free shipping.
