GADGETS

While the US is travelling at speed onboard the iPad freight train, spare a thought for our overcharged geek friends who are substantially out of pocket, or so it seems.

American's are paying at least $499 for the iPad but what’s the actual cost of its parts? According to analytics company, iSuppli, approximately half of that amount. The company estimates that the total cost of iPad WiFi (not the 3G-enabled model, which will be arriving to the market later this month) is $259.60. As far as individual parts go, the iPad’s touchscreen costs $95, the aluminium back casing costs $10.50 and the processor costs $26.80. For comparison, the $699 version of the iPad costs $348.10 to manufacture, also roughly half of the retail price.

The iPad WiFi comes without an obligatory contract in the US, which makes the math somewhat simpler. Apple’s huge investments into research and marketing for the iPad aside, it seems that the company is making a hefty sum from every unit it sells.

All prices in US dollars.

Gadgets Get New Skins

Canon Pixma