Buy Apple iPad From PC World & Currys On UK Release Date
Written by Rob Nichols on May 26, 2010 · Filed under Gadget Gift Ideas, Tech
It seems like just 5 minutes ago that I was covering the initial announcement of the Apple iPad, but now we’re just a matter of days away from the official UK iPad release date after it was initially put back. Apple’s ‘latest creation’ has certainly taken the US by storm with over a million sales in the first month alone, so how will the UK market take to the device this Friday?
Well, to help it on its way, the iPad 3G has not only been adopted by a number of Britain’s leading networks including Vodafone and O2 (with various iPad tariffs). In addition to that, it has now been announced that leading electronics stores, Currys, PC World and the recently opened Best Buy (UK) will now be stocking the device from this Friday, the official release date.
As reported by PC Pro, Apple has made a deal with DGSi to place the iPad on the shelves of 139 of its Curry’s and PC World stores nationwide, which is certainly going to increase the attraction of gadget lovers across the UK. A DGSi spokeswoman said: “We can confirm that the information in The Times article is correct and Apple will be announcing their distribution plans in the next few days.” According to the article in The Times, “Demand is expected to be high, mirroring what happened in the US.”
This makes for a very interesting conundrum for people now, should they pre-order an iPad off the Apple website when the delivery estimate now only says June, or take their chances by trying to pick one up from the initial stocks of a retail store – although at least you do have options of different stores on release day and don’t have to trek all the way to an Apple Store only to be disappointed with all the queuing Apple fans – PC World and Currys are a lot closer for me (check out the iPad stocked store locator on the Apple website) and who knows perhaps the demand for iPads won’t be that great in my area? Well you can hope if nothing else!
UPDATE: PC World now have an iPad stock level indicator on their website, so if don’t want to chance a wasted journey to one of your local stores, be sure to check first.
UPDATE 2: You can now buy an Apple iPad online from the PC World website!
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Got an iPad on pre-order and hoping that the ‘by’ 7th June is just a guideline if demand outstrips Apple’s current online stock reserves. Must admit I would fancy my chances getting one at the local Currys/PC World stores
Popped into currys at lunch time and asked at the counter and the guy didnt even know what an iPad was… damn.
Well I was planning on heading down to the local PC World for 8am, but didn’t get up early enough for that! I ended up casually walking in around lunchtime and managed to get the last 16gb Wifi iPad they had.
Interesting to see quite a few people there playing with the demo units, but I think it’s going to be a much harder sell to the more mainstream people than an iPhone or even a netbook.
Having had my iPad for 2 days now, I can say it’s a very nifty little device (or not so little compared to an iPhone), it’s certainly not an essential purchase that replaces a laptop/desktop computer – I never bought a netbook, so I’m viewing it as a substitute for that.
Expect a full review in the next week or so! :)
Thanks for sharing! They said it was a crazy international release day for iPad. Can’t wait for it to be released here. :)
We still can’t even get it in New Zealand. You guys are lucky. I’m taking an overseas trip to just get one.
Indeed, in some countries the iPad is still to come and there’s already a big waiting list.
Most certainly could’nt get one when i tried from currys :(
I am surprised the ipad has been so popular because I thought everyone had an ipod touch or an iphone so nobody would want an ipad but if there is an apple logo on something people buy it.