The 16GB Ipad 2 in the States is $499.00 and the 16GB Iphone 2 is $149.00. Just the facts.

If iDigital were to go by US prices ($499-829), by today's exchange rate the prices should range from NIS 1,790 to 2,974 plus VAT. But are the devices transshipped from the US or straight from China where they are assembled? As to the rumors of an iPad 3 this fall, we who want one shouldn't get our hopes up. If it's to get the rumored higher res display, a Spring 2012 release is more likely.

'not much of a difference'

The markup in the US is 300% They use the same Foxconn parts as Sony Vaio but charge horrible amounts for it. There is NOTHING that apple does that isn't done better by someone else. It appears your markup in Israel is nearly 500%

At current exchange rates thats $1052 whilst the price on the US Apple website is $499 iDigital has always been more expensive than the Apple store's abroad so it doesn't surprise me they are trying to screw people even more than they already are. An iPad is an accessory not a substitute for a computer so its very easy to go without which is what most people will do at those prices or if they go abroad some Israel's might buy there for fraction of the price of what it cost here. There is no reason why electronic items like this are so much more expensive in Israel. VAT is one of the lowest rates in the world, prices of electronic items like this don't vary with fluctuating market prices like fuel and food do. It cost iDigital to buy iPad wholesale the same as it cost the stores in the US selling it for $499 so how do they justify selling it for twice the price of what it goes for in the US?

I bought my computer in the US recently and paid 8000 shekels less than the Israeli price (which more than paid for my airfare). Also, don't buy software from iDigital, I saw one program on sale there for 850 shekels ($240) which online cost $99 (iDigital stealing nearly $150!). Nothing justifies such thievery.

I never bought any of the idigital offerings. Apple products are very reliable and do not need their pathetic support. I concentrate my Apple buys for when I travel abroad. Even after I pay the VAT at the Customs (there are no customs on computers, only VAT), I still save close to 50%! This DEFINITELY applies to iPad, iPhone and iPod. As for non-original accessories you can buy everything you need for your iPad at www.deal extreme.com for a few $ instead if hundreds of Shekels, INCLUDING SHIPPING!

One of the biggest failings of the iPad is that there is no Adobe Flash. Apple will not allow it to be installed on iPads, iPods and iPhones. Some might say that this is not a problem but many web sites, one of which is YnetNews (not Ynet Hebrew). This means that all the Talkbacks on YnetNews and some video, cannoet be viewed on the iPad and the other "i" products. 2 million people have signed a petition but Apple hos not responded and some in the USA are contemplating a class action suite as Apple is preventing them from having full web access. Steve Jobs did make a statement that sites will move over to HTML5 which the iPad, iPod and iPhone support but this will take time.

Maybe early 2012, maybe September 2012. Ah, and then come the bugs. However iOS5 for iPad and others is due to be released in November this year.

iDigital is owned by Chemi Peres, our illustrious President's son. Of course, the authorities were totally impartial when they vigorously enforced a ban on iPads, I am sure the govenrment is being impartial and has the consumers' best interests in mind.

... previous apple importer, but just as expensive. There is no way I will ever buy an apple product other then iPod in Israel. I really don't understand why does Israel allow the situation that there is only one importer and there is no competition, same as with cars. One person gets the franchise, and it is illegal for anyone else to compete with him. This needs to be changed. Anyone who can provide import and tech support services should be able to import, Apple products, or Honda cars, or what ever... Competition is the basis for free market economy.

I got a second hand ipad 1 from ebay and I have never really found the lack of Flash a really big problem. iPad 3 will probably be out in March / April 2012 in line with the release dates of the previous ones. iOS5 will come out when the iPhone 5 does which I think is around September / October.

What a cynical, almost criminal waste by the few who can afford the ultra-expensive toy --v.s. a million Israelis who struggle with putting food on the table, daily. Treasonous Netaniahu "government" must be replaced, now - with what? God help us all ! Moshiach, now

$110 buys a basket of groceries, or a dinner + movie for two, or a teeth cleaning by the dentist. The dollar keeps falling, the US economy is in the toilet and Americans are pinching their pennies.