Top-end UAE option costs in excess of $1,000

The iPad is now officially available in the United Arab Emirates, Apple has announced. As the region lacks online or retail Apple Stores, the main way of buying the tablet is through an authorized reseller. One vendor, iStyle, is selling Wi-Fi models at prices running from 2,199 AED (about $599) for 16GB through to 3,099 AED ($844) for 64GB. The cost of a 3G iPad scales from 2,799 AED ($762) on up to 3,699 AED ($1,007), imposing a high premium versus the US, where the most expensive iPad is still only $829.

As was revealed last week, the iPad has also launched in India. Resellers have been reported as selling Wi-Fi models for between 26,000 and 37,000 rupees, and 3G versions for 33,000 to 44,000 rupees. The iPad is now available in dozens of countries; there may be little time left for the first-generation model, however, as a second-generation device is expected to ship in March or April.

by MacNN Staff