Image from SoyaCincau.com

I’ve had an iPad for the past few months since August 2010 (from Australia, 32GB Wi-Fi model), and recently hype about the iPad in Malaysia is heightened due to Maxis announcing the data plans for iPad. In summary, if you are planning to buy an iPad (whether Wi-Fi or 3G), here are three important things you need to know:

1. Don’t buy the iPad now (Dec 2010). The iPad 2 comes out between January-April 2011.

2. Maxis is not selling the iPad, just the data plan.

3. Choose the right data plan. Maxis, Digi & Celcom all offer “iPad plans”. The term “iPad plan” is a bit of a misnomer actually, I’ll explain why later.

4.You may waste money paying for an ‘iPad plan’, when you just have to cut the SIM card.

Okay, the first one, and why:

1. Don’t buy the iPad now (Dec 2010). The iPad 2 comes out between January-April 2011.

If you’re in Malaysia and considering buying an iPad, your options are currently : Plaza Low Yat, or import from Singapore or Australia (those are currently some of the cheapest options).

Apple product cycles are generally one year. As an example, here’s the iPhone release dates so far:

iPhone June 29, 2007

iPhone 3G July 11, 2008

iPhone 3GS July 19, 2009

iPhone 4 June 24, 2010

(Source: Wikipedia)

As of such, with the competing Blackberry Playbook set to be released in early 2011, it is highly likely that the Apple iPad will be announced in the first quarter of 2011, as the first iPad (well, and the only one existing so far) was released on April 3, 2010. In fact, some say that the gap in release date between the Blackberry Playbook and the iPad will only be a few days.

A recent document filing with the Taiwan Stock Exchange has revaled that Largan Precision will be the exclusive supplier of the next iPad’s lens module (for the iPad’s camera). They are also the same supplier that provided the 5 megapixel lens module for the iPhone 4.

Just so you know: I have both a Blackberry Torch and a iPhone 3Gs I’m rooting for both the Apple iPad and the Blackberry Playbook to be good in their own ways. I’ve also tried the 7 inch Samsung Galaxy Tab, and the form factor is really comfortable.

And why wait for the iPad 2? Here are some of the rumours floating around (and you’ll be surprised how many are right).

This screenshot above is a only a mockup, by the way.

China’s Economic Daily says that “There will be two new cameras, one at the front and one rear facing plus a USB port and an improved display screen.” This is the same newspaper that speculated and reported on what was on the original iPad, months ahead of its release.

Here’s a summary, compiled from other rumour reports online:

1. Dual Cameras (highly likely - because of the Apple’s Facetime product)
2. Retina Display (likely - given that the iPhone 4 set a precedent)
3. Micro USB (possible - European regulations demand a common standard for phone chargers)
4. Thinner (highly likely - it can’t possibly be thicker, can it? Goes against the trend of all Apple products)
5. 7 inch size, not 9 (possible - given that the competing HP Slate, Samsung Galaxy Tab & Blackberry Playbook are all that size. Some people doubt it though.)
6. More memory (likely - iPhones have been continuously increasing in minimum storage size)
7. 3D projection (maybe not, but we can wish - Apple was recently awarded a patent for 3D projection)
8. Carbon fiber body (maybe not, but we can wish - details on the patent here)

There’s a good analysis here.

2. Maxis is not selling the iPad, just the data plan.

So you’ve been hearing the words “Maxis” and iPad” all over Twitter, most people would assume that you can get an iPad from Maxis.

You can’t. It would be great to get a carrier subsidized iPad wouldn’t it? Especially since prices range from RM1,549 for the basic Wi-Fi 16GB model to RM2,599 for the 64GB 3G model.

You have to buy your plan, and then the iPad seperately.

(I still suggest you wait for the iPad 2 though)

Here’s a list of where you can buy the iPad in Malaysia (SoyaCincau.com).

Or you could buy it on the Apple Malaysia Store and get free laser personal engraving.

You can also buy them from an ‘unofficial’ channel, iMalaysian.com, which has been selling the iPad since April 2010. You can call the shop owner, direct (016-2332426 (Louiss Lim) or follow him on Twitter (@louisslim).

He’ll even jailbreak the iPad for you and help you install apps They are not the cheapest, but I would recommend them for their service.

I have no relation to Louiss Lim despite also being named Lim. However I am very grateful that he help me fix my cracked iPhone 3Gs screen (Yes, I dropped it).

Most amazingly, he fixed it on the spot at Starbucks Mid Valley, within 2-3 hours for a very reasonable price. Yes, at Starbucks. He brought all his equipment. The alternative would have been to send it to Maxis for a week to repair. I don’t think any iPhone owner can survive without his/her phone for a week.

Which brings me to my next point.

3. Choose the right data plan. Maxis, Digi & Celcom all offer “iPad plans”. The term “iPad plan” is a bit of a misnomer actually, I’ll explain why later.

Image from derekdan.com

Maxis: From RM70 - RM200 per month

Celcom: From RM48  - RM98 month

Digi: From RM38-RM158 per month

Yes: No idea. Site is down for maintenance.

Here’s a more complete analysis of local broadband plans that you can use for your iPad, courtesy of SoyaCincau.com

Which is best? I’ll say this summarized: It really depends on where you stay.

While all pride themselves on having ‘the best network’ or the ‘largest’ or ‘fastest’ or ‘done right’, in the end it really boils down to where you stay, as coverage differs by location. A quick survey of your own followers on Twitter will yield wildly differing service quality reports on the SAME network, as long as your friends don’t all stay in the same place

Best if you ask people that have experience using the particular wireless broadband of your choosing  in the areas where you stay, or the places that you frequent.

Even urban areas are not exempt - have you been to Rootz, the rooftop R&B club in Lot 10? You can’t get any cellphone coverage on Maxis, let alone 3G or EDGE.

4.You may waste money paying for an ‘iPad plan’, when you just have to cut the SIM card.

Why pay for this:

When you can do this?

The picture above describes it quite well. The extra bits are just plastic. The working bit is the gold part. Read more on Wired / JohnBenson.net

As LiewCF says - his current Maxis broadband plans are more worth it than the “so called iPad data plans”.

RM48 per month vs RM70 per month. Should you really have to pay an extra RM22 per month just to have a special “iPad plan” (notice that I use that in quotes) just for Maxis to provide you a micro SIM?

Why pay more for that when you can ‘potong‘ your current SIM to become a Micro SIM?

So yeah, that’s it.

Hope you find this post useful. Comment if you already have an iPad, or are planning to get one.

Or you’ve beaten all the levels of Angry Birds on your iPad and you just want to boast

Btw if you would like to win an iPad for free though, check out Energizer Malaysia’s Facebook Page!

Tags: Apple