Another iPad Question - WiFi or 3G?

[kcmo]

Guys/Gals,

I'm leaning towards the WiFi model, but wanted to know which most of you are choosing regarding the iPad.

WiFi at home is fine, and I figure if I take it out and can't get a signal, then I can eventually use my phone as a hotspot to tether (I say 'eventually' because my current phone doesn't support this and I do plan on upgrading later this year to one that does).

With the 3G it is nice to know you're 'always connected', but I don't feel like getting another data plan. Not even sure how far the 250MB would go....I know there's also a 2GB option (AT&T version).

Any thoughts from those of you who have one?

TIA

[CashGap]

Originally Posted by kcmo

Guys/Gals,

I'm leaning towards the WiFi model, but wanted to know which most of you are choosing regarding the iPad.

WiFi at home is fine, and I figure if I take it out and can't get a signal, then I can eventually use my phone as a hotspot to tether (I say 'eventually' because my current phone doesn't support this and I do plan on upgrading later this year to one that does).

With the 3G it is nice to know you're 'always connected', but I don't feel like getting another data plan. Not even sure how far the 250MB would go....I know there's also a 2GB option (AT&T version).

Any thoughts from those of you who have one?

TIA

3G and never have to even think about it. Tethering is far from ideal, and you are draining two batteries instead of one.

Flip it open, use it, close it when finished. Charge perhaps weekly. Repeat!

[Naples09]

Karis, I would only go with WiFi. I don't think it worth the $130 for the 3g model when you can link it to your phone. I also posted this on your thread at the apple forum.

[jamesbondOO7]

3G, one never knows. Always take the best, life can be short.

[gqllc]

I have 4 Ipads and the 3G is a MUST

[SLRdude]

My iPad 1 was 3G and I loved it.
I went with WiFi only on the iPad 2 simply because I now have the hot spot feature on all my three work phones and they all have unlimited data on them.

To be honest, even though I save 30 a month and 130 upfront, I do miss the convenience of not having to turn on that hot spot all the time.

[Kapture1]

I have the WiFi, if I were to do it all over, I would get the 3G.

[Mike B]

While I don't currently own an iPad (yet :) ), BUT if I DID get one, it would be hands down 3G. True, it cost a little more, but you know the old saying "rather have it and not need it, than need it and not have it".

True, many places these days DO have WiFi, but if I'm buying a product that I'll be keeping for awhile (2+ years), then I'd want ALL of the bells and whistles. And who knows, you just may find yourself in an area where you will NEED 3G, and there is NO WiFi :)

[Kapture1]

I take it there is 0 chance of the iPhone 5 having a mobile hotspot built in?

[JasoninDenver]

I bought the Ipad 2 with 3g - Love It and would not consider Wi-Fi only unless i knew I would never leave home with it.

I use the 3g all the time when i am out and about and wonder if i will be having to bump up to the 2g plan. Have not got the first bill yet.

[kcmo]

Originally Posted by Naples09

Karis, I would only go with WiFi. I don't think it worth the $130 for the 3g model when you can link it to your phone. I also posted this on your thread at the apple forum.

Thanks Jim.....always fun to join a new forum! I actually can't link the iPad to my phone right now since it doesn't offer hotspot functionality.

[kcmo]

Thanks for your feedback everyone! Sounds like it might be better to be safe and go 3G. Nice to know that I can activate/deactivate the 3G at will, so that I DON'T have to pay for data every month. That's appealing of course.

[kcmo]

Oh, another question....say it's on WiFi and I end up somewhere where I can't get a signal. Is switching to 3G as simple as clicking a button and having an instant connection? Or would I have to enter credit card info for payment?

[SLRdude]

Originally Posted by Kapture1

I take it there is 0 chance of the iPhone 5 having a mobile hotspot built in?

The iPhone 4 has it so I don't see why the 5 would lack it.

[gqllc]

Originally Posted by kcmo

Oh, another question....say it's on WiFi and I end up somewhere where I can't get a signal. Is switching to 3G as simple as clicking a button and having an instant connection? Or would I have to enter credit card info for payment?

You pay each month for the 3 g. So as long as you have paid for that month you are good to go. I am on auto renew for each month

[dbphotos]

The 3G version even if you don't hook up the service as you will have the GPS capabilities. I have the 3G version and don't use AT&T's 3G service, I use the Sprint 4G mobile hotspot in my vehicle that allows me to hook up 5 devices for the same cost as the built in 3G service from AT&T.

[kcmo]

Originally Posted by gqllc

You pay each month for the 3 g. So as long as you have paid for that month you are good to go. I am on auto renew for each month

OK thanks. So if I don't want to use 3G until say, June, then I can just activate then right, and turn it off if I don't need it again until August?

[dbphotos]

Originally Posted by kcmo

OK thanks. So if I don't want to use 3G until say, June, then I can just activate then right, and turn it off if I don't need it again until August?

Yes, you can activate it whenever you want, but there may be a "fee" to disconnect and reconnect. They have a basic plan as low as $20 per month so you can downgrade and upgrade plans according to your usage.

[kcmo]

Originally Posted by dbphotos

Yes, you can activate it whenever you want, but there may be a "fee" to disconnect and reconnect. They have a basic plan as low as $20 per month so you can downgrade and upgrade plans according to your usage.

Thanks!

[roadcarver]

Get a WiFi model, and then buy an iPhone 4, jailbreak it, and use MiWi from Cydia (JB repositories) to allow you to use the phone as a hotspot.

I'm not sure about AT&T if they can track this, but in Canada via Robbers (Rogers), hotspot option is free.

That's another avenue you can consider.

I hate these carriers trying to make extra money - why can't we just pop our micro sim card from the iPhone 4 over to an iPad??

[dalip]

Just have wifi myself Karis....But - I'd go with 3G if I did it again

[kcmo]

Originally Posted by roadcarver

Get a WiFi model, and then buy an iPhone 4, jailbreak it, and use MiWi from Cydia (JB repositories) to allow you to use the phone as a hotspot.

I'm not sure about AT&T if they can track this, but in Canada via Robbers (Rogers), hotspot option is free.

That's another avenue you can consider.

I hate these carriers trying to make extra money - why can't we just pop our micro sim card from the iPhone 4 over to an iPad??

Hiya Vernon! I'm with T-Mobile, so no iPhone for me.

[kcmo]

Does anyone know how large a file a typical 2 hour movie is?

Deciding whether to go for 16GB or 32GB and I'm thinking 16GB is probably fine. I only have about 2GB of music and no movies, but may put some shows/movies on it.

[kcmo]

Originally Posted by dalip

Just have wifi myself Karis....But - I'd go with 3G if I did it again

Thanks D!

[CashGap]

Originally Posted by dbphotos

there may be a "fee" to disconnect and reconnect.

Nope. http://www.att.com/shop/wireless/devices/ipad.jsp

[Mike B]

Originally Posted by kcmo

Does anyone know how large a file a typical 2 hour movie is?

Deciding whether to go for 16GB or 32GB and I'm thinking 16GB is probably fine. I only have about 2GB of music and no movies, but may put some shows/movies on it.

I've downloaded a few movies, and TV shows from iTunes to my laptop, and all I know is a good 2 hour movie takes up a TON of space. A 2 hour movie can take up (depending on the quality downloaded), say HD quality, can take up 2GB easy. I ran out of space on my laptop's main hard disk when I downloaded a season of House lol. I had NO idea how much space TV series / movies can take up.

If you plan on putting a lot of movies / TV series on your iPad, I would definitely consider the 64GB model. You WILL need the space :)

[kcmo]

Hmmmm, wonder if it's faster to order online via Apple or AT&T....anyone know?

I've called around and no one has one in stock....not surprising.

[kcmo]

Originally Posted by Mike B

I've downloaded a few movies, and TV shows from iTunes to my laptop, and all I know is a good 2 hour movie takes up a TON of space. A 2 hour movie can take up (depending on the quality downloaded), say HD quality, can take up 2GB easy. I ran out of space on my laptop's main hard disk when I downloaded a season of House lol. I had NO idea how much space TV series / movies can take up.

If you plan on putting a lot of movies / TV series on your iPad, I would definitely consider the 64GB model. You WILL need the space :)

WOW, that's nuts. Maybe I'll skip the downloading and just stream! Thanks!

[Mike B]

Karis -

Yes, you're probably better off just doing that.

Don't get me wrong, you can defiantly put 2-4 movies on a 32GB model no problem, and have plenty of room to spare (for your music, photos, apps, etc.). Just don't plan on putting a few seasons of ANY TV shows in there, as it will fill up FAST :)

On my 32GB iPhone 4 I have 2 2 hour movies, 4 TV episodes of House, 150 songs, 400 photos, and 76 apps, and I have 18GB to spare.

Just to give you an idea of the space involved :)

[kcmo]

Originally Posted by Mike B

Karis -

Yes, you're probably better off just doing that.

Don't get me wrong, you can defiantly put 2-4 movies on a 32GB model no problem, and have plenty of room to spare (for your music, photos, apps, etc.). Just don't plan on putting a few seasons of ANY TV shows in there, as it will fill up FAST :)

On my 32GB iPhone 4 I have 2 2 hour movies, 4 TV episodes of House, 150 songs, 400 photos, and 76 apps, and I have 18GB to spare.

Just to give you an idea of the space involved :)

Appreciate the example with your iPhone! Wowzers!