Apple’s smaller, 7,9-inch iPad has landed on South African shores, along with the new full-sized, fourth-generation iPad.
The iPad mini, as the smaller variant is called, starts at just R3 399, which is particularly well priced given the product costs $329 in the US and the rand has weakened substantially against the dollar in recent months.
The R3 399 entry-level model offers 16GB of flash storage and Internet access via Wi-Fi only. A 32GB version costs R4 499 (against a $429 price tag in the US) and a 64GB model is R5 499 ($529). Those looking for mobile access will pay R4 799 for the 16GB version, with the 32GB and 64GB models costing R5 899 and R6 999 respectively.
The product is competitively priced next to Google’s new Nexus 7 tablet, which retails for R2 999, and Samsung’s 7-inch Galaxy Tab 2, which starts at about R4 000.
Although Apple initiated, and proceeded to dominate, the 10-inch tablet market with the iPad, the company is coming late to the market for smaller form factors. The iPad mini, which is expected to go on sale in South Africa this month, is aimed at those looking for a pocket-sized tablet that can be operated single-handedly and at price-sensitive consumers.
The fourth-generation 10-inch iPad is available from this weekend. Wi-Fi-only 16GB, 32GB and 64GB versions cost R5 199, R6 399 and R7 399 respectively. The same models, with mobile broadband, cost R6 499, R7 499 and R8 599. — (c) 2012 NewsCentral Media
