The iPad Wi-Fi+3G model has a starting price of $629 and comes without any contract from AT&T. If you thought this was a good enough deal to go for the device, well think again (but with a catch). A German blog has quoted the CEO of a European network operator as indicating that massive discounts for the iPad could be in the offing in return for a contractual obligation.
According to a post on TamsIJungle, Berthold Thoma, the CEO of Hutchison Austria (which is also known by the name 3 in certain countries) had this to say:
"Hutchison Austria will be the first Austrian carrier to bundle the iPad. We will do so via our long-established laptop bundle, which offers customers a 333euro rebate if they agree to a 2yr contract offering 5GB of data for 29.90euro.
As the first iPads sold in Austria won’t have 3G radios, we will bundle the device with a Huawei modem called i-Mo. This device is a “wireless wifi router”, creating a personal WiFi for the iPad."
We are not sure if Apple is contemplating a similar subsidy-based contract model in the US. However, such a model could be pathbreaking as it makes the 3G iPad a more attractive option than its Wi-Fi only counterpart - something that AT&T would desperately want. If AT&T would offer a similar subsidy to Apple's customers in the US, here are the likely prices of the different iPad Wi-Fi+3G models:
- 16GB iPad 3G : $174
- 32GB iPad 3G : $274
- 64GB iPad 3G : $374
For a perspective, you might want to recall that the Wi-Fi only iPads are priced between $499 and $699, while the iPad Wi-Fi+3G models are priced between $629 and $829.
As always, this is still a speculation and we would like to await an official confirmation from Apple in this regard. However, we would like to hear your views on the prices in the meantime. Are you planning to buy an iPad? Would you go for an unlocked iPad or a subsidized iPad with a 2-year contract? Let us know in the comments.
[TamsIJungle via Engadget]
They could give it away for free and I'm positive it'd end up unused in a drawer with my older carrier locked iPhone 3G and 3 different generation ipods.
It's missing some key features, thus can't compete with my existing solutions. Not as useful as my macbook pro, not as useful as my iphone; replaces neither.
Sorry Steve. Perhaps you should listen to more than your own PR.
I agree with unreal's post. It isn't going to replace my laptop or my iPhone.. so what's the point?
Other than to carry around an oversized iPod Touch – that, in order to use to it's fullest potential, you might have to pay carrier fees for??
I think because its new and cool there will be a lot of people who are going to buy it.. but in a few months it will be right there next to the old iPod's and what not and you'll be wondering why you're still paying a monthly fee for something you don't use.
I wish I'll go for the contract basis…
For an ipad without 3g is of no big use as far as I feel.
If we calculate… 629-174 = 455
If it was a 2 year contract – 24*30 = 720 ( For the 3g)
I will end up with 265$ of extra payment on a period of 2 years… which will be around 11$ that I pay for unlimited 3g each month..
ha ha ….
If a plan exists I am totally going for it. 3G is faster than wireless around here and it looks like it will be wonderful to take notes on for college.