32gb iPad Air 2 Cellular: $129 w/ 2-yr contract @ $10/mo for unlimited data on Verizon... good deal?

[Hal~9000]

Just saw this on deal online and was curious your guy's thoughts on if it was something you would or wouldn't do if you already had a iPhone on Verizon's UDP at $80/mo:

• 32gb iPad Air 2 Cellular: $129 w/ 2-yr contract
• Tablet line access fee: $10/mo for unlimited data on Verizon

Buy or no buy?

TIA for your input

 

[Detonation]

32gb iPad Air 2 Wifi is $300, so for an extra $30 more total after 2 years you get the cellular version and unlimited tethered data (vs 10GB phone hotspot) so I'd say yes if that's what you're in the market for.

 

[Freakonomics101]

I honestly hate contracts and hate being locked down to a plan. That price isn't bad but it all comes down to whether you want to be stuck or not.

I'd rather buy one on Swappa and do month to month. Only $200 more to do that.

 

[44267547]

I honestly hate contracts and hate being locked down to a plan. That price isn't bad but it all comes down to whether you want to be stuck or not.

I'd rather buy one on Swappa and do month to month. Only $200 more to do that.

Agreed. Especially a contract with LTE for an iPad. Unless one really needs it for business related or travel, wifi has expanded to the point where it is ubiquitous. But I understand everyone has different appreciations. But contracts annoy me in general.

 

[Detonation]

I honestly hate contracts and hate being locked down to a plan. That price isn't bad but it all comes down to whether you want to be stuck or not.

I'd rather buy one on Swappa and do month to month. Only $200 more to do that.

I'm not a fan of contracts either, but in this case you're not really stuck, because the early termination fee for breaking the contract (if you must) would equal out to be around the same end cost as if you paid extra up front for device outright on swappa. At least via Verizon you get a new device with warranty, and the cost is spread out across 2 years.

 

[mlemonds]

I would do it. I know wifi is everywhere, but it can be a hassle getting connected to public hotspots or even at the hotel. Once you have the convenience of a cell connected iPad, it is hard to go back to wifi only.

 

[Hal~9000]

Just a little more info on my situation and why I'm thinking of adding an iPad to my unlimited data plan:

• Just moved to a new city with a grand total of ONE ISP who only offers 1mbps speeds for $60/mo *vomit*
• Because of the lack of a true ISP... I use my Verizon UDP for my home internet needs.
• Currently Verizon has deprioritization enabled on your phone/tablet after you go past 22gb... but does not yet throttle your tethering speeds to 600kbps after the first 10gb of tethering data like they said they would when they first came out with the plan.
• I usually can handle deprioritization just fine since I'm normally not on a crowded tower or I can do my downloading / streaming at night time when most are asleep... but if Verizon actually starts throttling tethering data then that might suck unless I have an iPad on it's own UDP.
• Adding the tablet would allow me to lay off of tethering with my iPhone 6s to save battery life and prolong it's lifespan by not having it get so warm... but also allows me to stream mostly from my iPad, instead of my Macbook Air, and save my tethering data for when I really need it (if Verizon starts to crack down via throttling of tethering data after the first 10gb).

Of course everyones needs are different. I do like being completely contract free and can pay an extra 150% ($329) to get the iPad Air 2 contract free but if I plan to stay with Verizon for the next couple of years is it really worth it to pay an extra $200 when you don't have to?

Thank you everyone for your input so far, appreciate the replies

 

[Freakonomics101]

Agreed. Especially a contract with LTE for an iPad. Unless one really needs it for business related or travel, wifi has expanded to the point where it is ubiquitous. But I understand everyone has different appreciations. But contracts annoy me in general.

I use my iPad Pro with FreedomPop (full AT&T access) with 700 MB per month for free. I refuse to pay for a data plan with my average usage when there are free options out there. Even then, I can tether from my iPhone with all that data I don't use.

Got my Cellular iPad Pro 9.7 for a steal. $489 on Swappa.

 

[rui no onna]

I'm not a fan of contracts either, but in this case you're not really stuck, because the early termination fee for breaking the contract (if you must) would equal out to be around the same end cost as if you paid extra up front for device outright on swappa. At least via Verizon you get a new device with warranty, and the cost is spread out across 2 years.

This exactly. When tying myself to a contract, I always consider the ETF. Sometimes, the ETF is higher than the discount so not worth it. In this case sure, why not?

 

[Channan]

Hell yes that's a steal tbh. You're practically paying a down payment on the iPad with super low monthly payments and getting free unlimited data for two years and still paying less in the end than if you bought it up front.

Go for it.