Like the UK retailers I was only ever going to consider the 16GB. Even though we now know of the ways of connecting storage to it using OTG cable etc. so as to get round the no-SD "feature" of this cloud-oriented Google device 16GB seems much more useful than 8GB.

I had the opportunity to purchase the 16GB in the USA for nearly 25% less. The device will be used in the UK and Europe initially. I wanted to be able to easily return it to a UK retailer in the event of warranty issues arising early in its life. So for this I was happy to pay the UK price of about £45 more. I did reduce the UK cost by using discount vouchers etc. as usual and, as trained by FT, through a retailer that gets me Avios

I'm about to purchase a Mifi soon to overcome the lack of cellular connection for data/internet as well. I'm very happy with the device.