Bucking the Apple Ban: Where to Buy a Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 in Australia
Apple may have won a temporary injunction against Samsung's Galaxy Tab but don't expect retailers or determined buyers to take the ban lying down. Australian electronics retail websites like MobiCity and Dmavo are still selling the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 despite the injunction and Apple's threats to sue.
The internet retailer Dmavo hasn't buckled down under Apple's threat and has now moved servers and registered as a foreign company to circumvent the injunction.
"We have a new entity established and a separate server - just to deal with the tablet orders - that is undergoing testing as of last Saturday," dMavo managing director Wojtek Czarnocki told the Sydney Morning Herald.
Apple and Samsung have been involved in a patent war all over the globe. Samsung is currently suing Apple in South Korea and has been seeking to ban the iPhone 4S in France, Italy and the United Kingdom. Apple has suits in U.S. courts and has won a ban against Samsung in Germany. In Australia the patent battle goes on. A hearing will take place on November 25 to determine if the temporary ban will be made permanent or not.
For Aussie consumers who want to get their Galaxy Tab 10.1 there are a number of ways you can get your hands on the elusive tablet. There are a variety of online retailers that still sell the Galaxy Tab. MobiCity is protected from the temporary injunction because it is a Hong Kong entity that gets its products shipped direct from their warehouse to customers by direct courier. According to the MobiCity forum the transaction takes place in Hong Kong and not subject to Apple's legal action in the region. MobiCity offers customers a 12 month Australian warranty serviced by their warranty partner, Australian Warranty Services. The warranty offers a DOA replacement within the first 48 hours, an assessment guarantee within 48 hours and a repair guarantee within 30 days. Expansys also offers the 16, 32, and 64 Gb versions of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 with a one year limited repair warranty. DMavo offers a 30 day warranty for any Galaxy Tab purchased.
Another option for Aussie buyers is to go on eBay and risk getting your Galaxy Tab 10.1 there. There are over 2,000 results for the Galaxy tab which includes accessories as well. The prices vary and some of the sellers offer the tablet for more than it's worth but look around and you can find the tablet version you want. Just be careful and purchase it from a reputable seller preferably with good user ratings.
Another more expensive option is by buying it from international online stores. You'll have to shoulder the cost of shipping to Australia which could be more than you want to pay for the tablet. Some sites that ship to Australia are SG Best, Gimi Digi and Hi Mobile.