Finally Got My iPad 2 in Hong Kong!

On Tuesday Afternoon I had a meeting in Mongkok. After I finished I decided to go over to the electronics stores on Sai Yueng Choi street to see if any of them had iPads on sale.

I have wanted to get an iPad 2 for some time now, but I figured I would be patient and not try to ask someone in the US to buy one for me. But even after being released officially in HK a few months back they are hard to find. I periodically stop at the electronic stores in CWB only to find them continually sold out. (one place always only has the 64gb wifi only version...).

So I had almost given up... Til I passed this Suning outlet in MK. They had a line and a sign saying something about iPads in Chinese. So I stopped and asked the guy if they had 3G versions. He said they had everything! So I decided to bite the bullet and line up...

I lined up for about 15 mins to get to the guy who takes your order. They copy down your ID number to enforce the 'One iPad per person per day' rule. What they don't have posted, but what I wasn't at all surprised to learn is that they require you to buy a bundle with the iPad. In this case a cover and a screen protector. I opted for the official apple smart cover... It's highway robbery if you break the added costs down... You end up paying like $200 for a $50 screen protector and $500 for a $300 retail smart cover.... But at this point they've got you where they want you so there's no point in complaining.

Anyway. It took another 20 mins or so of standing in another line to pay and actually get the iPad in your hands. Not too bad.

Anyway I haven't had a chance to get a sim card yet for it, but so far I'm enjoying the iPad experience quite a bit. Very good for watching movies. I wish it came with headphones though. Not sure why they omitted them... Keyboard is still an issue... Can I get used to typing long email on this thing?

Sent from my iPad