You’ve made the decision to purchase the new pad computer which Steve Jobs called “magical and revolutionary.” Buying an iPad might be a simple task for the technologically minded, but there’s more to consider than running out to the local Apple Store and handing over your credit card.
How to Buy an iPad
Pick a Model – Your first major decision is whether or not you want to purchase the 3G iPad which connects to AT&T’s network. The 3G models cost an additional $129.99 over the base Wi-Fi models and you will also have to purchase a data plan from AT&T to make use of the 3G Technology. AT&T is currently offering a 250MB per month data plan for $15.00 and a 5 GB data plan for $25.00 per month.
You will also have to decide how much storage space you need. Apple is offering 16 GB, 32 GB and 64 GB models. Many have found that the 16 GB model affords plenty of storage. Those that have large media collections or listen to a significant number of podcasts or audio books may want to opt for a larger storage model. If you only plan to use apps on an iPad and do not have a significant MP3 collection, the 16 GB model will suffice.
The Wi-Fi models cost $499, $599 and $699 for the 16 GB, 32 GB and 64 GB models respectively. The Wi-Fi Plus 3G models cost $629.00, $729.00 and $829.00 for the 16 GB, 32 GB and 64 GB models respectively.
Where to Buy an iPad – If you want to buy your iPad online, the online Apple Store is currently the only option. Other Apple Authorized Resellers currently cannot sell the iPad through their websites and can only sell the iPad over the phone. Many online Apple retailers, such as MacConnection, have notes which instruct users to call them if you would like to purchase an iPad. If you live in a state that charges sales tax, you will likely be unable to avoid paying sales tax by ordering online. Apple’s online store charges sales tax and remits it to most (if not all) state governments which collect a sales tax.
If you would like to buy your iPad from a physical store, Apple retail stores are a best bet. You can find your nearest Apple Store or other Apple Authorized Retailer with Apple’s “Store Locator” feature on its website. Note that every store listed on Apple’s Store Locator may not sell the iPad. Your local Apple Store or Best Buy will be your best bet to find a new iPad. If you don’t have those options because those two stores aren’t near you or are sold out, then checkout other retailers such as Radioshack and Apple-centric authorized resellers.
Finding a Case – There are a substantial number of cases available to keep your iPad safe. Apple produces a neoprene case which retails for $39.00. Dozens of other manufacturers have produced various cases and stands for the iPad. You can purchase cases from Apple retailers, Best Buy, Amazon.com and a number of other retailers. Prices on cases will range from $10.00 to $100.00 depending on the type, manufacturer and quality of the case that you purchase. Personally, I use InCase’s Convertible Book Jacket which retails for $59.95.
iPad Accessories – There are a number of other accessories available for the iPad. Apple sells two docks for the iPad, one which features a keyboard and one which does not. You do not need a dock to sync your iPad with your computer, but a dock will provide a way to keep your computer up-right. The keyboard dock is helpful for users that want to do extended typing on the iPad, as the on-screen keyboard included on the iPad is a much slower typing experience than using a physical keyboard. You can also use any standard Bluetooth keyboard with the iPad.
Apple also sells a “camera connection kit” which turns the dock connector into a USB port which allows you to offload photos from a digital camera onto the iPad. The camera connection kit has also been reported to work with a number of other USB devices. Users can also purchase a special cable which will allow users to output their iPad’s display to a monitor or television with an RGB input. Note that the iPad’s video out feature will only work on applications that take advantage of the feature, such as Netflix, and will not display most iPad applications or the iPad desktop.
For those that travel regularly, Apple sells a 10W power adapter which allows users to charge their iPad from a wall-outlet. One of these is included along with the iPad, so do not purchase one unless you have a specific need for multiple chargers.
You may also want to purchase a screen protector for your iPad. These often come in the form of a thin transparent film with an adhesive which users can place over their iPad screen. Apple does not sell screen protection products.
Insuring Your iPad – Apple offers a $99.00 protection plan which provides users an additional year of support on the iPad under its “Apple Care” banner. A competitor, SquareTrade, offers a third-party warranty, which we have written about. We typically do not recommend getting a warranty on the iPad or any electronic device because the cost of extended warranties often include commissions and marketing costs, however, if you are interested in a warranty on your iPad options are available.
Setting Up Your iPad – Once have purchased your iPad, you cannot instantly turn on the device and use it. You must first connect your iPad to a Mac or PC with iTunes installed. You can download iTunes from www.apple.com/itunes. If you do not have a computer to sync your iPad to, you can have your local Apple Store setup your iPad for you before bringing it home. The iPad does not necessarily need to sync with iTunes on a regular basis to function, but the iPad adopts the same syncing model that the iPhone and iPod has so that users can enjoy their content on both the desktop and their iPad.
Enjoy Your iPad – Once your iPad has been setup and ready to go, you can venture into the App Store and start downloading applications for use on your iPad. You can also download apps directly onto your iPad with the App Store application. To view a list of popular iPad applications, visit our App Charts page.
