I'm going to walk into my local Apple store after the lines die down a bit and purchase a new iPad. However, I'm having a tough time deciding on what to buy. Part of my cunundrum is based on not knowing, exactly, what model might work best for my needs and current and future situation. So, here's some background info that will help illumunate my situation...
1. I currently have the AT&T grandfathered unlimited data plan for each of my two phones. I am not a heavy wireless cell data user and most often use my iPhone 4S at home or at work(s) where there is always a wifi connection. In looking at my usage on my primary phone it shows, via the My AT&T app, that I've used 160MB in the last 16/29 days fo the billing cycle. It's been a pretty normal month and so I could safely double that for a typical 30 day month billing cycle. The other phone uses even less- it's at less than two MB of data usage for the same billing cycle...yes, that's right 1.59MB!
2. My iPhone is a 64GB model and I've got about half of it filled with apps/songs/pictures/videos/ibooks now.
3. I am an adjunct instructor at a local community college and anticipate using the iPad for storing/displaying lesson material and for textbook storage that I will likely project for instruction and demonstration during lectures. I'll also use it as a storage device for study guides for my own learning as well.
4. I NEVER, and I mean NEVER, even come close to approaching my limits for my current AT&T plan in terms of minutes. My old grandfathered plan allows for like 500 minutes per phone per month. I use but a small fraction of that on either phone. I've always got about 5,000 rollover minutes left each month! So I'm thinking of switching to a limited data plan when I get the new iPad so that I could then save money, potentially, and get an iPad that works with my needs. Right now, I can't use my iPhone as a personal hotspot (isn't available with grandfathered unlimited plans!) which would be an option should I want to access the internet with my new iPad and there isnt' a nearby public wifi hotspot (I'm just assuming this can be done?). So the need for a 4GLTE model isn't extremely important if I switch plans.
So, I'm leaning towards the 64GB model either way, but can't decide if I should switch my current AT&T plan and go with one that is better matched to my download usage, maybe even less expensive...try to use the iPhone 4S's personal hotspot when needed for occasional internet access for the iPad...or keep my current unlimited data plan (which I could never re-acquire should I ditch it) and maybe go for the 4GLTE, or simply the wifi model of the iPad and limit my internet connection time to locations where I know I have wifi access.
Part of me doesn't want to get rid of a plan that won't ever be available again...part of me says "why pay for something that you don't use if another, cheaper plan would work as well and give you more functionality/access?"
Your opinions, especially those who've weighed them and made a decision to go one way or the other, are most appreciated.
Oh, one item I've definitely decided on and don't need help with: White- it's gotta match my iPhone!
1. I currently have the AT&T grandfathered unlimited data plan for each of my two phones. I am not a heavy wireless cell data user and most often use my iPhone 4S at home or at work(s) where there is always a wifi connection. In looking at my usage on my primary phone it shows, via the My AT&T app, that I've used 160MB in the last 16/29 days fo the billing cycle. It's been a pretty normal month and so I could safely double that for a typical 30 day month billing cycle. The other phone uses even less- it's at less than two MB of data usage for the same billing cycle...yes, that's right 1.59MB!
2. My iPhone is a 64GB model and I've got about half of it filled with apps/songs/pictures/videos/ibooks now.
3. I am an adjunct instructor at a local community college and anticipate using the iPad for storing/displaying lesson material and for textbook storage that I will likely project for instruction and demonstration during lectures. I'll also use it as a storage device for study guides for my own learning as well.
4. I NEVER, and I mean NEVER, even come close to approaching my limits for my current AT&T plan in terms of minutes. My old grandfathered plan allows for like 500 minutes per phone per month. I use but a small fraction of that on either phone. I've always got about 5,000 rollover minutes left each month! So I'm thinking of switching to a limited data plan when I get the new iPad so that I could then save money, potentially, and get an iPad that works with my needs. Right now, I can't use my iPhone as a personal hotspot (isn't available with grandfathered unlimited plans!) which would be an option should I want to access the internet with my new iPad and there isnt' a nearby public wifi hotspot (I'm just assuming this can be done?). So the need for a 4GLTE model isn't extremely important if I switch plans.
So, I'm leaning towards the 64GB model either way, but can't decide if I should switch my current AT&T plan and go with one that is better matched to my download usage, maybe even less expensive...try to use the iPhone 4S's personal hotspot when needed for occasional internet access for the iPad...or keep my current unlimited data plan (which I could never re-acquire should I ditch it) and maybe go for the 4GLTE, or simply the wifi model of the iPad and limit my internet connection time to locations where I know I have wifi access.
Part of me doesn't want to get rid of a plan that won't ever be available again...part of me says "why pay for something that you don't use if another, cheaper plan would work as well and give you more functionality/access?"
Your opinions, especially those who've weighed them and made a decision to go one way or the other, are most appreciated.
Oh, one item I've definitely decided on and don't need help with: White- it's gotta match my iPhone!
