Tech Talk

After it’s successful launch last month, the iPad is set for global launch.

Apple has announced the international launch of iPad in nine countries outside the US on May 28. These are the countries of Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Switzerland and the UK.

The cheapest model of iPad which is sold in the US for $499 (£337) will retail in the UK at £429. The price difference is due in part to the British VAT and US sales tax. Before tax, the same model would cost £37 ($55) more in the UK.

Since its launched in the US last year, Apple said it has sold more than 1 million units of iPad. Apple had to delay deliveries of iPad in the international market.

Prices of iPad in the UK will range from £429 for the entry-level model, to £699 for the maximum capacity 64GB model, which also has the built-in access to third generation (3G) mobile networks.

The iPad prices are as follows:

• 16GB, wifi only – £429 inc vat
• 32GB, wifi only – £499 inc vat
• 64GB, wifi only – £599 inc vat
• 16GB, wifi/3G – £529 inc vat
• 32GB, wifi/3G – £599 inc vat
• 64GB, wifi/3G – £699 inc vat

Customers will be able to pre-order the device in the different markets from 10 May.

Other companies, including Dell, Nokia and Toshiba, are also planning to release their own version of tablet computers in 2010.

On 4 May, Intel unveiled the family of chips it hopes will be used in tablet computers that will go on sale towards the end of the year.