Image courtesy of Apple

Well, it certainly did not take much time.  Not long after the official launch of the new iPad 2 in the USA, the infamous Hong Kong grey market is already selling the new gadgets, at almost twice the price.

According to The Next Web Asia, Kurt Lo, the ‘master of the Hong Kong grey market’ has already received and shipped 200 orders for the new gadget via couriers from LA, San Francisco, Chicago and New York.  That is some quick business.

Of course, the catch is that in order to get one before they officially hit the market, it costs a lot.  In the USA, the 16 GB Wi-Fi only version costs just under US$500.  To get your hands on one in Hong Kong, you have to pay HKD$7,980, which is about US$1,025 (about £640).  That is for the lowest end iPad 2.  The highest end, 64 GB, with Wi-Fi and 3G, costs about US$11,800.  In GBP, that is about £7,300.

Now the irony in all of this, is that, when released officially, Hong Kong will more than likely be one of the cheapest places to buy the iPad 2.  It was that way for the iPhone 4 and has been that way for other Apple gadgets, so there is no reason to believe it will be any different for the iPad 2.  However, I suppose if you cannot wait, you just cannot wait.

The iPad 2 is expected to launch in the UK on 25 March.  You can pre-order from select stores now.  Prices range from £329 – £714, depending upon model and where you purchase it.