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Buying iPad 1....still useful?
- Thread starter jetblk328i
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Same here. I haven't found anything I can't do on my iPad 1. Cameras are nice on the 2, but I have a couple of digital cameras for picture taking. I also have an envelope in my man cave marked "iPad 3". $20 bucks a week goes in it, just in case the 3 is a must-have item.
I have a wifi 16gb, and I haven't really missed 3G ever. There are just a handful of times I could have used it, but it wouldn't have been worth the extra cost upfront and monthly plan.
If the OP has a an iPhone, then 3G really becomes less useful.
If the OP has a an iPhone, then 3G really becomes less useful.
Sorry for the lack of knowledge on this, but the only way you can utilize the 3g is with the data plan? Is there anything that you can do with the 3g WITHOUT the data plan that you cannot with the WIFI?
Thanks!
You know, if you keep having to explain your terminology, then it's really not worth using.
Thank you.
Nope. If you want to use 3G, you must have the data plan. No getting around it.
the 3G lets you do turn by turn navigation and other uses of the GPS. The WiFi model has no GPS. GPS does not require a data plan.
Also, you can subscribe to the data plan for one month at a time, for example if you go on a vacation.
Also, you can subscribe to the data plan for one month at a time, for example if you go on a vacation.
Depends on what you're doing with it, really. If you never take it out of the house, you don't need 3G (my mother in law is a perfect example). If everywhere you go has wifi AND you're OK with the lack of security on public wifi, you don't need 3G. I went 9 months without it. And then I sold my wifi only 16GB to a friend and picked up the 3G version for $329 refurbed from AT&T. Zero regrets on making that switch. There are things that aren't practical to do from the iPhone 4's tiny screen, and tethering the iPad to the phone while traveling gave me a slower connection and was harder on both device batteries. Not worth it to me.
My next iPad (which won't be until they do something about improving the screen resolution) will be another 3G model.
GPS works without having a plan. I've only activated a data plan twice in a year and a half.
i have a 16gb wifi first generation ipad. i am pleased with it, and certainly think it is worth it. though, i do think i would enjoy the ipad 2 as well because of the additional ram. i don't know if it would have been worth it to spend a bunch more for the ipad22, though.
anyhow, i use the ipad with a portable wifi device. the good thing about this is that i can access the internet on my ipad, ipod, and computer without having to deal with a really expensive data plan that only covers one device. i don't have my apartment wired for internet, because this fills my needs nicely.
regarding gps, the wifi doesn't have it, but with the portable hotspot you can still make use of location services (triangulation off of cell towers i think). today i used the map to navigate around a city i am unfamiliar with on the ipad while i chatted with someone on the other side of the world on my ipod. pretty cool. the blue dot (me) on the map is not accurate enough for turn by turn navigation in a car, but for walking, it was perfect.
anyhow, i use the ipad with a portable wifi device. the good thing about this is that i can access the internet on my ipad, ipod, and computer without having to deal with a really expensive data plan that only covers one device. i don't have my apartment wired for internet, because this fills my needs nicely.
regarding gps, the wifi doesn't have it, but with the portable hotspot you can still make use of location services (triangulation off of cell towers i think). today i used the map to navigate around a city i am unfamiliar with on the ipad while i chatted with someone on the other side of the world on my ipod. pretty cool. the blue dot (me) on the map is not accurate enough for turn by turn navigation in a car, but for walking, it was perfect.
go for it, stick with a 16gb wifi model if you just want to browse and read on it. should be a pretty sweet price actually
Thank you for voicing your opinion - it's refreshing to see people still think this way. I have a number of old computers and gadgets still in use (see signature) which I have no desire to upgrade. They do what I want them to do, and I don't care how old they are. When I tell people my primary Mac desktop is 8 years old, they look at me like I have 2 heads. People don't understand that this stuff works great and is still very relevant and (mostly) up-to-date as much as possible.
I'd also like to chime in with 3G vs Wifi. I have the 3G model and was blissfully unaware I wouldn't have gotten GPS on the Wifi-only version. Previous comments are correct regarding the fact that you can use GPS over Wifi, without activating the 3G. I got mine used, and it just happened to be the 3G version.
I went to AT&T and they quoted me $15 for the Sim Card not including any $15 or $30 data fees. It just isn't worth it for myself. I have Wifi everywhere. The GPS in the 3G version is good to have though. If I find myself on a trip somewhere, I might activate the 3G to use the GPS, but other than that, it's just a good feature to have there should I need it - but I only say that because I didn't pay a premium for 3G.
GPS in and of itself does not require data. it communicates with satellites directly. If you use an app that does not need to download maps (navigon, Motion X GPS (not drive), etc), then you can use it without 3g/wifi.
Even better. Thanks for the explanation.
So the GPS itself is figured out purely by satellite, and only the map or whatever it's overlaid on is what is loaded via Wifi or some data. I was under the impression that the GPS itself also required data. Cool.iPad 1 or iPad 2 - Difficult choice
Without any doubt whatsoever, however remember that once you have an iPad the world is your oyster and you will certainly find a myriad of uses and applications that you will eventually use and love. So be absolutely positive that you are only going to use it to read books otherwise go for an iPad2 16gb wifi.
Without any doubt whatsoever, however remember that once you have an iPad the world is your oyster and you will certainly find a myriad of uses and applications that you will eventually use and love. So be absolutely positive that you are only going to use it to read books otherwise go for an iPad2 16gb wifi.
I just got an ipad 1st generation 32GB today and I've gotta say it's the best experience even compared to a full fledged OS, I've always been very skeptical but now that I have one I can say it's totally worth it...
Also flash videos work very well using puffin browser
Also flash videos work very well using puffin browser
I had $500 set aside for the base-model iPad 2 when it was released. After a week or two of being unable to find one in stock anywhere, and after reading reviews of the improvements to the iPad 2 over the iPad and deciding they weren't that important to me, I decided to get the 64 GB iPad 3G for $529 when AT&T liquidated its stock. I have absolutely no regrets. I haven't downloaded a single app that doesn't run just fine on the original iPad, with the obvious exception of those that require the iPad 2's camera. I'm not a gamer, so the enhanced graphic speed wasn't a big deal for me. I was more concerned about programs like GarageBand being slow, but they run just fine. The iPad 2 is thinner and lighter, but I never feel that the iPad is too thick and heavy.
I'm glad I went for 64 GB. It gives me enough room for all my photos, much of my music, and a few videos. I can download apps and e-magazines to my heart's content without worrying about filling up the RAM. I haven't used the 3G yet, but I will when I go on vacation later this year.
The two features that would tempt me to upgrade to the next iPad would be 128 GB of RAM and a Retina display. The RAM would allow me to house my entire iTunes library and still have plenty of room left over. The current display is great for most things, but the fine print of some e-magazines can be difficult to read. Those two features alone probably wouldn't do it; there would have to be other compelling features, or more and more new apps that won't run on my current iPad. The killer feature that would really make me upgrade would be a Thunderbolt connector and the ability to connect to peripheral devices. Maybe in the iPad 4 or 5?
I'm glad I went for 64 GB. It gives me enough room for all my photos, much of my music, and a few videos. I can download apps and e-magazines to my heart's content without worrying about filling up the RAM. I haven't used the 3G yet, but I will when I go on vacation later this year.
The two features that would tempt me to upgrade to the next iPad would be 128 GB of RAM and a Retina display. The RAM would allow me to house my entire iTunes library and still have plenty of room left over. The current display is great for most things, but the fine print of some e-magazines can be difficult to read. Those two features alone probably wouldn't do it; there would have to be other compelling features, or more and more new apps that won't run on my current iPad. The killer feature that would really make me upgrade would be a Thunderbolt connector and the ability to connect to peripheral devices. Maybe in the iPad 4 or 5?
I too had money saved for the iPad 2 but after reading I decided that maybe the cameras and little extra speed wasn't that important to me. One day was in the Verizon store getting an iPhone for my son and heard that big red was having a clearance on iPad 1 ended up getting a 32g for 400 saving 100 of the money I had set aside and haven't looked back I love it use it every day since I had it. Maybe iPad 3 if it delivers what the rumors say but for now am loving my iPad 1
You know, if you keep having to explain your terminology, then it's really not worth using.
Shhhh, he's selling them out of the trunk of his car in the Best Buy parking lot.
"Hey buddy, you want an iPad? A buck fifty and its yours."
