Topic: UK iPad prices: another great rip-off

[Simon]

Apple has announced the UK prices for its iPad tablet, and once again British buyers are being forced to pay a hefty premium.  It also appears that customers who pay for the 3G models will get no discount on the hardware, even when they pay for expensive monthly tariffs.  The cheapest iPad, the 16GB Wi-Fi-only model, will cost £429 inc VAT. That same model is on sale in the US for $499, which is only £340 at today's exchange rate.

http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/357796/uk-ipad-prices-another-great-rip-off

[sam]

yikes! I'm contemplating getting one when they come out here at the end of the month, its the same price in C$ as US$... which is about right.

[Simon]

Trouble is, the US versions will be a different voltage, won't they? 

[sam]

Well most electronics, well computers anyway, can deal with both - you are right its worth checking out but my UK laptop has had no issues over here (touches wood).

[Simon]

I was going to buy a US BluRay player, so as to play Region A discs, and I would have had to buy a voltage converter, but I don't know about computers. 

[sam]

oh, that's interesting - I guess it depends on the complexity of the electronics.

[Simon]

Also, might Canada be different to the US?

[Rik]

Many power bricks handle 110-230V.

[Simon]

Ours is 240V isn't it?

[Rik]

Notionally, it's 230V nowadays, the tolerance factors are set  up, though, so that 240V remains the actual voltage in most places.

[Simon]

There used to be a switch on some older equipment, to change voltages.  I seem to remember it was on older VCRs. 

[Rik]

That used to be commonplace. You could slide it to the wrong setting, then turn the power on and watch the smoke.

[Simon]

That's probably why you don't see them now, then. 

[Rik]

Probably...

[sam]

Also, might Canada be different to the US?

Canada is 110, like the US - most things here are pretty much the same given they are joined. Its in Canada's interests too - as it keeps things cheap for them. Still I'll never get used to these silly power plugs.