IPad 2s Sell Out In Minutes

[webfact]

iPad 2s sell out in minutes

By Asina Pornwasin

The Nation

The iPad 2 was launched in Thailand yesterday, with the first 100 iPad 2s at iStudio in Siam Discovery selling out within minutes.

Pichai Vipapan, branch manager of iStudio Siam Discovery, said people were queuing to buy iPad 2s for two hours before the shop opened. All had purchase orders in their hands, and all of the shop's initial lot was sold out shortly after it opened at 11am.

"We do not know about our next allocation - either how many units we'll get or when the next lot will be available at the shop. Demand for iPad 2 is bigger than for the iPad, as the time period for the official launch of iPad 2 in Thailand has been faster when compared with the official launch of the iPad five months ago," Pichai said.

He added that the best-known iPad 2 model was the white 32GB 3G model.

Kriangsak Chamadol was the first iPad 2 buyer at iStudio Siam Discovery. He was first in the queue at the shop from 5pm on Thursday.

Kriangsak owns a games shop in the Digital Gateway building. He bought two white Wi-Fi iPad 2s, a 32- and a 64-gigabyte model, one for himself and one for his sister.

"I do not have an iPad, but when I heard that iPad 2 would be available in Thailand I decided to get one. I would like to play games on the iPad 2, as currently many games are being developed for it," he said.

"I am a game lover and I think I would like to get experience using the iPad 2. I have an iPhone 4. That's why I do not need a 3G iPad 2, as I can log on to the Internet in areas without Wi-Fi networks via iPhone 4," said Kriangsak.

He added that he had not slept all night. He updated his Facebook status with his movements and photos, from arriving at the queue at 5pm on Thursday to his successful purchase yesterday morning.

The second and third buyers at the store were in the queue from 3am yesterday. Most people started to arrive in the queue in the early morning.

The iPad 2 is available in Thailand at iStudio, U-Store, Apple Shop in Power Buy, Power Mall and Banana IT.

The prices of iPad 2 Wi-Fi models with 16GB, 32GB and 64GB of storage are Bt15,900, Bt18,900 and Bt21,900 respectively.

The prices of 3G models with 16GB, 32GB and 64GB of storage are Bt19,900, Bt22,900 and Bt25,900 respectively.

-- The Nation 2011-05-07

[lothda]

I was told at that store at 1 pm that they would get 100 iPads per day. PowerMall in Siam Paragon department store still had stock left at 1:30 and I got mine there. Still had to queue for 1 1/2 hours - first for placing the order, then at the cashier and then to get the iPad, with a functional check being done.

[woodyleonhard]

Anybody know if the iPad2 is available/sold out in Phuket?

[mrgreg]

Do you think it's worth falling for a 3G model? 3G will probably be fully fonctional only when Ipad3 will be out?

[rotary]

Thats the same think I have been thinking when I see all this talk about 3G Ipads and even mobile phones with 3G or 4G........what is the selling point on a device that offers a services thats not available in Thailand without any firm date of when it might be online?

Do you think it's worth falling for a 3G model? 3G will probably be fully fonctional only when Ipad3 will be out?

[sambosoul]

I bought the iPad 2 16GB wifi version.. As the iPad 2 works just fine with the HotSpot from my iPhone, there's no need to pay extra for the 3G version.

As many people do not know, you can save a lot of battery if you allow tethering just over Bluetooth, and NOT over wifi. That both saves a lot of battery on the iPad and the iPhone.

If you use your iPad mostly at home, or at work, or any other areas where wifi is provided, you can go with the wifi version. If you have an iPhone 4 of course ;-)

[sambosoul]

Thats the same think I have been thinking when I see all this talk about 3G Ipads and even mobile phones with 3G or 4G........what is the selling point on a device that offers a services thats not available in Thailand without any firm date of when it might be online?

Do you think it's worth falling for a 3G model? 3G will probably be fully fonctional only when Ipad3 will be out?

What about TrueMove? As far as I know, they offer great 3G speed in downtown Bangkok.

[nigelnigel]

Do you think it's worth falling for a 3G model? 3G will probably be fully fonctional only when Ipad3 will be out?

I don't think it is worth it here to buy anything with 3G especially something as data intensive as the ipad would be. It just limits what an awesome device could be. I always see people (i use a nexus one that is tethered to my ipad) trying to use their ipad or other tablets with the lame data speeds here and it is so frustrating!!

but....if you plan on using it other places then it might be worth it. I think the best thing to do is tether it to your existing phone if you can and use the data services that way...just my opinion.

[sfokevin]

Both True and AIS have 3G and it work fine!

[khaowong1]

Me wonders if these are the real deal Apple ipads or a chinese copy?

[sfokevin]

Me wonders if these are the real deal Apple ipads or a chinese copy?

IStudio is a Authorized Apple Retailer (Of all Apple products) with dozens of stores thru out Thailand - I highly doubt they would deal in such a manner

Edited May 8, 2011 by sfokevin

[sambosoul]

yeah, of course the sell original products. iStudio is listed on apples homepage as the official retailer, so it's definitely original.

[nikster]

Both True and AIS have 3G and it work fine!

AIS 3G coverage is pretty limited, isn't it? Anyone here with an iPad 2 and AIS?

True 3G works very well in BKK and Chiang Mai, and in other areas around Thailand. Living in Chiang Mai, 3G has long arrived here. I've also had True 3G working in Koh Samui and Hua Hin.

As to whether the 3G SIM cards are worth the money, that's another question. I have an iPhone with True 3G SIM already, so I just tether my iPad via the iPhone and all is well. The advantage is I only need one 3G data plan.

The data limit I don't think is an issue. True's iPad price plan has a 5GB fair use limit, which should be more than enough for normal use. There's also pre-paid options but not sure about the prices for that... True's website should have that info.

[nikster]

BTW much easier to get an iPad 2 from the Apple online store. 1 - 2 week wait at the moment, free delivery:

http://store.apple.com/th/browse/home/shop_ipad/family/ipad/select?mco=MjE2MjYyNzA

[LaoPo]

I bought the iPad 2 16GB wifi version.. As the iPad 2 works just fine with the HotSpot from my iPhone, there's no need to pay extra for the 3G version.

As many people do not know, you can save a lot of battery if you allow tethering just over Bluetooth, and NOT over wifi. That both saves a lot of battery on the iPad and the iPhone.

If you use your iPad mostly at home, or at work, or any other areas where wifi is provided, you can go with the wifi version. If you have an iPhone 4 of course ;-)

Thanks for the info.

Q: what about if you travel to other countries (roaming costs), whether it be in Europe - US - China - Far East in general ?

Do you need to buy seperate sim cards for every country or is that a stupid question from a digibete like me....?

LaoPo

Edited May 12, 2011 by LaoPo

[sambosoul]

no, that's not a stupid question at all...there aren't stupid questions, just stupid answers

If you plan to buy the iPad 3G version and you want to avoid the expensive roaming costs, then you indeed need to buy a local sim card in every country, yes.

example:

if you usually use your TrueMove 3G micro-sim card in your iPad, and you decide to travel to..let's say US, you have to buy a local Verizon / AT&T micro-sim with an appropriate data plan in order to avoid the roaming costs.

As I said, if you already have an iPhone and you plan to buy a local micro-sim for you iPhone anyway, then just buy one sim card with one data plan and use it together with your iPad and the HotSpot feature.

It saves money, less acquisition costs for the iPad, no monthly fee for a 2nd data plan etc.

[LaoPo]

no, that's not a stupid question at all...there aren't stupid questions, just stupid answers

If you plan to buy the iPad 3G version and you want to avoid the expensive roaming costs, then you indeed need to buy a local sim card in every country, yes.

example:

if you usually use your TrueMove 3G micro-sim card in your iPad, and you decide to travel to..let's say US, you have to buy a local Verizon / AT&T micro-sim with an appropriate data plan in order to avoid the roaming costs.

As I said, if you already have an iPhone and you plan to buy a local micro-sim for you iPhone anyway, then just buy one sim card with one data plan and use it together with your iPad and the HotSpot feature.

It saves money, less acquisition costs for the iPad, no monthly fee for a 2nd data plan etc.

Thanks a lot!; much appreciated.

Q: what do you mean with buying just one sim-card with one data plan using it with your iPad and HotSpot feature ? Don't you need to buy another -LOCAL country- sim-card for your iPhone as well, since phoning with your own country's iPhone with sim-card is very expensive, whereever you are, isn't it?

FYI, I have no iPhone and iPad2 yet but both my wife and I are buying both devices next week and since we travel to foreign countries, both in Europe and Far East we need to learn what to do and buy best.

Your further help is most appreciated.

LaoPo

[kerr17]

Anyone knows an easier place where to get one in Bangkok?

I been checking few apple stores but they all out of stock.

[skippybangkok]

......... in order to avoid the roaming costs.

using a Thai Sim, some countries have a fixed max fee, i.e. no more than 300 baht per day, for others its variable. I recently enquired before my trip to Italy, did the maths - and to load one map on my iphone maps was the equivalent of 170 baht per load...........

... so, turned off data roaming, loaded the maps using Wifi in the hotel, and we happily navigated around Rome / Venice / Florence with the off line maps in the iphone map app. worked like a charm

[LaoPo]

......... in order to avoid the roaming costs.

using a Thai Sim, some countries have a fixed max fee, i.e. no more than 300 baht per day, for others its variable. I recently enquired before my trip to Italy, did the maths - and to load one map on my iphone maps was the equivalent of 170 baht per load...........

... so, turned off data roaming, loaded the maps using Wifi in the hotel, and we happily navigated around Rome / Venice / Florence with the off line maps in the iphone map app. worked like a charm

Wow!

But...I dont understand what you mean by the bold sentences; it's like acabadabra for me....

...does that mean you could read The Nation in Bangkok for instance (being in Rome) just using the Wifi in Hotels (or other spots with Wifi) and without paying for the extra roaming costs?

Jeez.....technology is going a bit too fast for me, using Internet for only a mere 8 years...and mobile phones for almost 20 years but not into Android and iPhone and such yet..

What's next what would kill my few left-over braincells? Back to uni I suppose.........

LaoPo

[SoloFlyer]

Yeah, if you keep it on airplane mode until you connect to wifi, youll be sweet. Its all free then.

[samuijimmy]

Both True and AIS have 3G and it work fine!

AIS 3G coverage is pretty limited, isn't it? Anyone here with an iPad 2 and AIS?

True 3G works very well in BKK and Chiang Mai, and in other areas around Thailand. Living in Chiang Mai, 3G has long arrived here. I've also had True 3G working in Koh Samui and Hua Hin.

As to whether the 3G SIM cards are worth the money, that's another question. I have an iPhone with True 3G SIM already, so I just tether my iPad via the iPhone and all is well. The advantage is I only need one 3G data plan.

The data limit I don't think is an issue. True's iPad price plan has a 5GB fair use limit, which should be more than enough for normal use. There's also pre-paid options but not sure about the prices for that... True's website should have that info.

"I've also had True 3G working in Koh Samui"

.... Oh that's interesting!!!! last I checked True said they was no 3 g on Samui! Will stop by and see what's up now!

I am still trying to sort out the way to go, without using two systems (i.e CAT dongle and some other system) There may be a way of using a Dlink mini Wireless router, but it's not clear if that works with Novaltel's MC727 model.... apparently it does on the U760 model in USA and Canada...which is probably a little different set up than CATCDMA's Thai version (????)

Anyone have any experience! with trying the Dlink wireless router with I pad and 727? (Dongle goes directly into the router)

I did try putting the MC 727 directly to the Ipad 2.... but it just popped up a message saying "takes too much power" ... even when plugged in!

Confused as to what to do!

[skippybangkok]

......... in order to avoid the roaming costs.

using a Thai Sim, some countries have a fixed max fee, i.e. no more than 300 baht per day, for others its variable. I recently enquired before my trip to Italy, did the maths - and to load one map on my iphone maps was the equivalent of 170 baht per load...........

... so, turned off data roaming, loaded the maps using Wifi in the hotel, and we happily navigated around Rome / Venice / Florence with the off line maps in the iphone map app. worked like a charm

Wow!

But...I dont understand what you mean by the bold sentences; it's like acabadabra for me....

...does that mean you could read The Nation in Bangkok for instance (being in Rome) just using the Wifi in Hotels (or other spots with Wifi) and without paying for the extra roaming costs?

Jeez.....technology is going a bit too fast for me, using Internet for only a mere 8 years...and mobile phones for almost 20 years but not into Android and iPhone and such yet..

What's next what would kill my few left-over braincells? Back to uni I suppose.........

LaoPo

Yes. When arriving, no need for airplane mode, just turn off data roaming ( settings>general.network) and data...... that will stop the iphone using the data plan from the SIM.

Then anywhere you have wifi, you can do what every you want, read TV, the news, down load ur mails etc........ all the hotels i stayed in italy had free wifi.

So.... before i left the hotel for a daily tour, i would open maps in the iphone, and zoom in to the places i was going. Once you do this, the map is remembered on the iphone...... and you can see the little blue flashing indicator showing where you are.... for free.

Real handy when on the bus some where in Rome, can track its progress, and know where to jump off.

[normac44]

Where do the Thai people get the money from to afford one of these?

[merijn]

Anybody know if the iPad2 is available/sold out in Phuket?

Try the little computer shop under Big-C.

If i remember correctly second last shop in the middle lane.

He had most Ipad2 types available ( long time before they were introduced in Thailand ) for almost same price as at the Apple shop now.

If he doesn’t have them in stock he can organize them within a few days for you.

I'm also going to him in a few days for my Ipad2

[sfokevin]

Where do the Thai people get the money from to afford one of these?

I guess out of there checking account - just like the rest of us...

[GreenSnapper]

Where do the Thai people get the money from to afford one of these?

Working?

Where do you get your money from?

[sambosoul]

Where do the Thai people get the money from to afford one of these?

what kind of question is that? Thailand, especially Bangkok, is constantly spending more and more money on those hi-so gadgets. The amount of richmen /richgirls are also growing. Thailand is not an emerging market anymore.

[4evermaat]

Where do the Thai people get the money from to afford one of these?

1) savings

2) farang significant other

3) maybe not all thai people only make 6-8000 baht/mo.

Just like in the states, the masses want to keep up with the jonses. Up to them.