UAE iPad fans jump the queue

Apple's iPad touchscreen tablet computer, which launched over the weekend in the United States, is expected anytime in the UAE's grey market, or so dealers claim.

Emirates Business has learned that dealers such as Alshop, who claim to be the first to get the iPad here, have already received more than 40 orders from Dubai. Apple enthusiasts had placed orders 45 days earlier to receive the iPad before its launch here. Dubai Mobiles, another dealer, confirmed that it would receive their first batch of iPads next week. Alshop is offering users the Wi-Fi model at Dh2,779 (16GB), Dh3,269 (32GB) and Dh3,759 (64GB). The model with both Wi-Fi and 3G facilities will only be available after the global launch, said dealers. The US firm Apple has priced its models from $500 (Dh1,836) to $830, globally.