Buying an iPad Mini in the US

I'm off o/s in a few weeks.

What's the advice on buying a iPad mini 4 in the US? Does it affect the better AU warranty and whatever else? I suppose the exchange rate makes it a bad deal.

Comments

  • Why not purchase here before you go, claim TRS upon leaving, and have it all set up when you arrive in the US with all of your apps etc, so you can use it upon landing.

    I don't recall that there was all that much price difference and it was certainly convenient to have mine ready to go.

    Just an idea.

    (Is there sales tax as well as exchange rate to take into account? Diff states have different sales tax - make sure you consider this too)

  • +1

    Just did a calculation for you - iPad 4 mini in Aust from the Apple Store is $579 wifi. In California with tax it is $438.91 which converts to $575.75 at today's exchange.

    You might be buying where sales a tax is less but it won't make that much difference.

    Don't forget you claim back the gst when you leave Australia- so it is actually cheaper to buy it here…

  • Yes, I think that it the best idea to buy here. It would be best for me to be set up. I don't know what Cellular is that they charge extra AUD200?

    Thanks for that price comparison. Def cheaper when GST returned.

  • Cellular means that you can connect directly to the internet (as long as you have a SIM card) whereas wifi means that you need to log on to a wifi service ( for example at a hotel, through a shopping plaza, in your home or via a hot spot on your phone).

    My first iPad I had was cellular and I don't think we ever got around to buying data for it, only ever connected via wifi. Subsequent iPads have been wifi only. When traveling in the US we just tethered to our phone if we needed to when on the go although more often than not there were free wifi services available eg in a cafe. Just be careful of security. Our hotels almost always had wifi as part of the rate, but on the rare occasion they didn't we had a great phone package with T-mobile with unlimited data that was also quite fast.

    I can't see the need to pay the extra for cellular unless you are going to be working with clients and need to be able to fire up your machine without fiddling around.

  • Thanks ms_caz. Yes, no need for cellular, the hotel will suffice. And, I am getting a T-mobile sim for the phone - prob through Travel Sims Direct for AUD77.

  • you don't have warranty here if you get one there…

  • I am under the impression that it may be a global warranty, but not the extra time (1 year), covered that AU consumer law covers us for. Is not not the case?

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