iPad 2 Demand Outstrips Original iPad by 40%, Verizon Preferred Over AT&T for 3G

[pinsrw]

iPad2 = unicorn

Too bad I can't find a store that has an iPad 2, due to all of the Asians buying them up every morning and exporting them (do they have an export license? I think not). I've been told the local foreign college students can send them back to their parents in China or Vietnam who then sell them for a $1000 profit.

 

[deefnasty]

Just checked into an Apple Store in Salem, NH - they have high end Verizon iPad 2 and they have had them regularly. Asians have been scooping up the stores other versions each morning in cash sales (or purchasing mall gift cards and Apple gift cards).

They said consumer demand is much greater for AT&T (GSM) iPad 2 than Verizon.

I'll wait for my wifi iPad 2 to arrive in the mail sometime next week.

 

[lgutie20]

I bought a Verizon iPad because I have an AT&T iPhone. I figured that if one doesn't work, the other will. I saw no need to get two devices on the same network.

But go ahead, explain to me why that's stupid, since I clearly don't get it and I'm ignorant.

Is the data speed bad on your iPhone 4?

I know ATT drops more calls than Verizon but everyone thats tested both data plans (even professional reviewers like Walt Mossberg from AllthingsD) say that the ATT data plan is superior in every single way.

No one bitches about the ATT data plan, they just hate the dropped calls on every single call they make and I understand that people are angry about that.

But the iPad is not a phone and I'm certain most people buy Verizon iPads thinking that its better just because there are problems with ATT iPhone.

In the end you get half the 3G speed on Verizon and also won't be able to use the network in most parts of the world.

I wouldn't trade ATT for Verizon in terms of iPads.

 

[Zepaw]

I'm holding off on the ipad. I really like it and I'm not waiting for some future specs. I just am not sure I have enough need for it to spend that kind of cash. I have a three year old laptop and I think I'd rather save a little more money and get a new laptop than add an ipad to my collection. And I think the needs of an ipad are not that great for me right now.

I think if I were to buy one it would be as a gift for my parents. You know these are ideal for people in the family who do not really need a full computer but you'd like to have the ability to interact with on-line. You can set it up with your own computer and occasionally update it for them. It looks to be a lot less of a headache to manage for someone who is not tech savvy than a full computer.

Ditto on all counts, especially if the 3yo laptop is a MBP.

 

[Geckotek]

* Also, crap DNS speed really throws many people for surfing, anyway. The internet's dirty little secret. I wonder how many millions don't realize they could be faster by typing a couple digits into setup.

I read somewhere that for most users their local ISP's DNS servers are faster than some of the other options out there like Google's.

I did some tests and it was definately true for me. I'm sure it's not true for everyone, but it's worth testing instead of blindly just changing.

Is the data speed bad on your iPhone 4?

I know ATT drops more calls than Verizon but everyone thats tested both data plans (even professional reviewers like Walt Mossberg from AllthingsD) say that the ATT data plan is superior in every single way.

No one bitches about the ATT data plan, they just hate the dropped calls on every single call they make and I understand that people are angry about that.

But the iPad is not a phone and I'm certain most people buy Verizon iPads thinking that its better just because there are problems with ATT iPhone.

In the end you get half the 3G speed on Verizon and also won't be able to use the network in most parts of the world.

I wouldn't trade ATT for Verizon in terms of iPads.

I bitch about it. I get decent speeds at work but crap speeds sitting on my couch at home. I work 3/4 mile away from my home. My house is wood frame/brick. AT&T speeds and signal are inconsistent. This is obviously an opinion held by most of the public.

To be honest, I didn't want a Verizon iPad unless it was LTE. This made me not want an AT&T iPad either. Then I finally realized I didn't want any modem in my iPad, I'd rather get the WiFi and tether....so this is what I did.

 

[herdnerfer]

Scalpers

The scalpers are buying up all the AT&T versions to sell overseas. The Verizon models are no use to them since they only work in the US. Mystery solved....

 

[Geckotek]

Verizon models <snip>...they only work in the US.

Not a 100% true statement.

 

[JAT]

I read somewhere that for most users their local ISP's DNS servers are faster than some of the other options out there like Google's.

I did some tests and it was definately true for me. I'm sure it's not true for everyone, but it's worth testing instead of blindly just changing.

But most have nothing set up. I'm not exactly sure what that does, I think adds an extra step in querying the ISP. That always slows me down.

And, of course, the other half can be an issue, too. People never talk about that except when they want to download a brand new firmware or something. I see "waiting for xyz.com" plenty.

 

[Geckotek]

But most have nothing set up. I'm not exactly sure what that does, I think adds an extra step in querying the ISP. That always slows me down.

And, of course, the other half can be an issue, too. People never talk about that except when they want to download a brand new firmware or something. I see "waiting for xyz.com" plenty.

If you have nothing setup it will use DHCP to get your DNS from whatever device is providing you your IP address. For most people this would be a DSL or cable modem which is passing the DNS servers from their ISP.

So not setting it up is not an issue, unless your ISPs DNS servers suck.

But how do you know if it sucks? How do you know if Google's DNS servers are actually an improvment for you? You can't know until you test. There are several DNS test utilities you can download that will measure this for you and tell you. I highly suggest people not assume that using Google's DNS servers is always best. For some people it will actually perform worse. Test to know for sure.

 

[nptski]

What tip? Couldn't find the settings... Thx

Jat.... didn't know this. Made the change and not sure about speed, but it fixed another issue I had where one of my business partner web sites was getting blocked. Thanks for the tip!

Hi, I read the whole thread and just couldn't find the settings...

Thx

 

[JAT]

If you have nothing setup it will use DHCP to get your DNS from whatever device is providing you your IP address. For most people this would be a DSL or cable modem which is passing the DNS servers from their ISP.

So not setting it up is not an issue, unless your ISPs DNS servers suck.

Frequently, I find the modem also has nothing set. Changing to any known DNS server speeds things up. You probably already did this years ago, you are a geek, no?

But how do you know if it sucks? How do you know if Google's DNS servers are actually an improvment for you? You can't know until you test. There are several DNS test utilities you can download that will measure this for you and tell you. I highly suggest people not assume that using Google's DNS servers is always best. For some people it will actually perform worse. Test to know for sure.

I agree, I never said anything about Google DNS or to not include some thought in the process. What I said is most people have a mess that should be addressed. Whenever I see, "internet is slow", I think, "check your DNS".

 

[JAT]

Hi, I read the whole thread and just couldn't find the settings...

Thx

Check the DNS settings in network setup in your computers, and in your router/modem. See what you have. Your ISP should have servers they recommend, try them. Or you can search the internet for other DNS servers, try some public ones out, like the aforementioned Google.

If they are set fine in your router/modem, you can set your computers to nothing or to the IP of your router, which is usually something like 192.168.0.1.

I've seen computers (or modems) that end up with half a dozen DNS servers listed, maybe not even typed in properly, and it would sit and wait with a blank page for 5 seconds before loading any webpage. Cleaning up DNS with a good server usually drops that wait time.

I also once had a similar problem to Popeye's, where I couldn't go to certain websites. I can't remember specifics, I think I replaced my Qwest DNS with Verizon's or something and it cleaned that up. That was many years ago, it's a little foggy.

 

[Geckotek]

Frequently, I find the modem also has nothing set. Changing to any known DNS server speeds things up. You probably already did this years ago, you are a geek, no?

I agree, I never said anything about Google DNS or to not include some thought in the process. What I said is most people have a mess that should be addressed. Whenever I see, "internet is slow", I think, "check your DNS".

True, I just used Google as an example.

Even if the modem has nothing set, it is receiving it's settings via DHCP from the ISP. If DNS truly weren't set at all....there would be no DNS resolution and no internet surfing. Just do an ipconfig/all at a command prompt (windows) to see the DNS server provided by your ISP.

Not just a geek, it's my job.

 

[geko29]

Since the iPad data payment can't be tied to a pre-existing AT&T or Verizon cell phone plan, I just don't see much advantage to getting a Verizon iPad unless you live in an area without AT&T service. Thoughts?

Not true. I just added a fifth iPad to an AT&T Wireless Postpaid account, and I fully expect to add more (on that's on order right now, probably more to come).

SOOOOOO much easier than dealing with the prepaid nonsense, with individual usernames, passwords, and credit cards required for every two iPads.

 

[kvnan]

inventory levels are still a problem

I built a table that links directly to bestbuy, walmart and target to check inventory levels. it helps, but with very little supply there isn't any good news hiding on the back shelf. And there are horror stories all over the next about bad practices like forcing customers to buy service protection plans just to buy from existing inventory.

 

[iMacThere4Iam]

Too bad I can't find a store that has an iPad 2, due to all of the Asians buying them up every morning and exporting them (do they have an export license? I think not). I've been told the local foreign college students can send them back to their parents in China or Vietnam who then sell them for a $1000 profit.

You ain't kidding. I drive by an Apple Store every morning for work, and there are always the same three Asian college - age students waiting outside 3 hours before opening. I assume they're there everyday hoping a new shipment came in overnight. I'm in the wrong line of work.

 

[DiamondMac]

You ain't kidding. I drive by an Apple Store every morning for work, and there are always the same three Asian college - age students waiting outside 3 hours before opening. I assume they're there everyday hoping a new shipment came in overnight. I'm in the wrong line of work.

Well, every morning I try to go get iPad a bunch of white people are out there and you know some are selling them on EBay.

Damn white people

 

[Geckotek]

LOL I feel the same way...oh..wait a sec.

 

[Christopher387A]

Verizon models have been in stock everywhere around here, while AT&T models are sold out. Interesting...

 

[Rdclark]

In January Consumer Reports surveyed over 58,000 of its subscribers on the quality of their cell phone service, with categories for voice, data, customer service, and coverage.

Both overall and localized for 26 different US cities, Verizon far outperformed AT&T in this survey.

It's customary for the tech community to scoff at Consumer Reports' findings, and often with very good reason. But if you ask 58k people, mostly the sort of middle-class folks that are typical CR subscribers, how satisfied they are with their cell phone service, the results IMO can't be easily dismissed. In this large sample, far more people were very unhappy with AT&T than with Verizon.

I found this -- as a person buying an iPad 2 as
1. a netbook/iPad/GPS/e-reader replacement, who
2. neither owns nor wants a smartphone, and who
3. spends nearly 100% of his time in large American cities
--to be a compelling argument in favor of Verizon. Far more compelling than any anecdotal evidence, which is all I see in this thread.

After a month with my 64GB white 3g iPad, I've had no reason to regret my choice. Verizon has never failed to connect, never dropped a connection, never seemed particularly sluggish (although I wait for wifi to download large files), and their pricing seems to fit my usage patterns more economically than AT&T's would have.

My point: it's possible for a rational person to research and analyze this question and come up with Verizon as an answer, and then be happy with that choice. Contrary to some assertions otherwise.

 

[bniu]

I still prefer the nation's fastest network (AT&T) over the most reliable (VZW) any day. Not to mention my GSM 32GB iPad 1 can be used internationally as well. Besides, in my neck of the woods, AT&T service has been very reliable for data consumption. No complaints here.

as an ATT iPhone 4 user, I figured why not get the verizon iPad and get the best of both worlds? If I want the nation's fastest network in the places that it actually has reception, it's easy to tether the iPhone to the iPad via personal hotspot. If there's no ATT coverage (in my school), then verizon iPad saves the day with access to the most reliable network.

 

[TheUndertow]

Typing this on a 64GB 3G White Verizon rev and moved from an original 64GB 3G ATT that I had filled up (Apple store said it was the first they seen....) that I've had since launch.

Aside from screwing myself by messing up on the purchase back-up/data back-up (have my content back but "lost" my saves), I'm pumped.

The 2 smoking fast, Infinity Blade has no more slow down and looks AMAZING, GarageBand is more responsive, surfing is better, WIFI range seems better though I am reconnecting to the network more often (haven't tried Verizon 3G yet).

...get the 2 over the 1 for your primary device.

I may get a 1 though if I can find it cheaply and for my kids. They last 2 mornings I've had to cringe when my little ones are "mucking" up they screen watching a video at 4-5AM.