The iPad 2 went on sale in the US on Friday and it’s selling even faster than the first one. The US Apple website now says “shipping in 3 to 4 weeks” if you go to order one. The release date for Hong Kong has not been announced yet but of course the grey market is already busy.
The SCMP reports on iPad 2′s selling for up to HK$15,000 in Mong Kok. The white edition is going for a higher price than the black one.
Made In China Gadget blog has much more detailed info, thanks to a candid interview with the owner of one of the shops.
Amazingly, a retailer, Mr. Lo, who is the ‘master’ of the gray market in Hong Kong, who distributed hundreds to thousands of iPhone 4s and iPads to China’s gray market last year, has already received 200 orders before the launch, and he has prepared eight couriers in New York, Chicago, San Francisco and Los Angeles to hop on planes to Hong Kong after securing about 200 iPads and he will get the device to eager consumers by March 13, that’s today. And he did it.
What prices is he charging?
iPad 2 with Wi-Fi (Black)
16GB: HKD$7,980 (about $1025)
32GB: HKD$8,980 (about $1153)
64GB: HKD$9,980 (about $1280)
iPad 2 with Wi-Fi + 3G (Black)
16GB: HKD$9,680 (about $1243)
32GB: HKD$10,680 (about $1371)
64GB: HKD$11,880 (about $1525)
If you want a white version, you need to add HKD$1500-2000 (about $192-256) for every models. We are more shocked when we see the prices for the smart cover and HDMI adapter. Prices below.
iPad Smart Cover – Polyurethane – Any colors: HKD$780 (about $100)
iPad Smart Cover – Leather – Any colors: HKD$1,280 (about $164)HDMI Adapter: HKD$580 (about $74)
The Unofficial Apple Weblog has a round-up of the initial reviews of the device. Not surprisingly, these are mostly strongly positive, suggesting that the specs don’t tell the whole story, that you only get a feel for how much better it is when you actually hold it in your hand and use it.
All well and good; I’ll be waiting at least until the thing is released here in HK and maybe even beyond that.
I noticed a guy holding up a quite large white looking tablet taking photos in the NT. This was back in January or December. Not being a fanboy I thought no more of it.
Could have been something else, APad/IPed or maybe it was somebody you`d want as a friend.
My current iPad is serving me well. I can wait till iPad 3 appears, which by some indications will be Q4 this year.
Crazy prices to pay. I will be waiting as well when the official release in town and see if I can play a bit.
For those Ipad users like you, is not rush to get into the 2nd generation, As sure you have read, the improvements are not that big but…still some first generation users willing to put their hands as soon as possible, so there is a price to be paid. Seems to me ridiculous amount of money and better give some to help Japan, don´t you think so?
It might be on my shopping list when I come to Hong Kong next week.
Does this pad have wings?
The I Pad2 makes only sense for APPLE – the improvements are not that big. It is said the cam is a rubbish – oh yes you get a little bit more speed & it is a ittle bit slimmer – does it matter at all ?