iPad Mini 4 for $99 or with LTE for $369

[jeme]

I have two iPad mini2 with LTE that I am trading in for 1 Mini 4, just can't decide between LTE and Wi-Fi only models.

Best Buy has a trade in promo that will give a $150 gift card for each - so $300 off a $399 Wi-Fi only mini 4

Other sites etc only give $80 each on trade in so, $529 - $160 = $369.

Hard to pass up the upgrade for $99, this is a secondary device to a MBP TB and a 10.5 inch iPad and iphone 7.

Additionally this is an end of life device so I feel much better paying $99 rather than $369.

I use this at the beach/Pool etc to read and can always hot spot it when needed. I am wondering how much I will miss the LTE service.

Thoughts?

 

[rui no onna]

Question, why not buy the LTE model from Best Buy for $229 ($529 - $300)?

 

[roccobladr]

LTE is convenient I guess but I have never had issues using my iPhone hotspot. I used my iPad tethered to my phone for work one day and didn't have my charging cable and still got about 7/8 hours usage out of both of them (basic email, web browser usage).

 

[jeme]

Question, why not buy the LTE model from Best Buy for $229 ($529 - $300)?

They are not available, none in store or available for shipping. That is what I would prefer to do!
[doublepost=1500058883][/doublepost]

LTE is convenient I guess but I have never had issues using my iPhone hotspot. I used my iPad tethered to my phone for work one day and didn't have my charging cable and still got about 7/8 hours usage out of both of them (basic email, web browser usage).

Thanks

 

[nburwell]

LTE is convenient I guess but I have never had issues using my iPhone hotspot. I used my iPad tethered to my phone for work one day and didn't have my charging cable and still got about 7/8 hours usage out of both of them (basic email, web browser usage).

Same here. My Mini 4 never really leaves the house, but when it does, I have used my iPhone as a hotspot with no issues.

It just depends on if you take your Mini with you on the go or if you primarily leave it at home.

 

[joeblow7777]

Personally, I've never had a need for LTE on a tablet. I use my iPad at home or other residences, or at work. My phone is my internet device if wifi isn't available, and as others have mentioned, it can be used as a wifi hotspot in a pinch.

 

[jeme]

Personally, I've never had a need for LTE on a tablet. I use my iPad at home or other residences, or at work. My phone is my internet device if wifi isn't available, and as others have mentioned, it can be used as a wifi hotspot in a pinch.

Thanks all. Going for the $99 iPad Mini 4 with Wi-Fi

 

[bensisko]

(Personal Opinion)
The primary question for LTE or hotspot is based on how much one uses connected services out and about. Hotspot is good if you only use it to surf here and there and it's a more dedicated time (i.e. More than 5 minutes at a time).

I find LTE a necessity. I want to pull my device out of my pocket and access connected services instantly, then put it back in my pocket. I don't want to continue to futz with trying to get my device to connect to a hotspot. Plus now I'm draining two batteries instead of one.

Then again, I realize that most people are comfortable using their phone for the types of things I use my Mini for - I just don't care for the phone's small screen size.

Also, thank you for the deal notification!!!!

 

[ACG12]

I'd trade them in and wait until they drop the price of the mini 4 again to $299. Paying full price for such an old device doesn't seem worth it.

 

[NightWingz]

(Personal Opinion)
Hotspot is good if you only use it to surf here and there and it's a more dedicated time (i.e. More than 5 minutes at a time).

I find LTE a necessity. I want to pull my device out of my pocket and access connected services instantly, then put it back in my pocket. I don't want to continue to futz with trying to get my device to connect to a hotspot. Plus now I'm draining two batteries instead of one.

Agree with this.
Always-connected services via LTE is one of the iPad's primary strengths over conventional laptops for me as a mobile device.

I think Nokia once released a laptop with SIM card slot. I wonder why most companies don't do it. The SIM module can't be that expensive.

 

[bensisko]

Agree with this.
Always-connected services via LTE is one of the iPad's primary strengths over conventional laptops for me as a mobile device.

I think Nokia once released a laptop with SIM card slot. I wonder why most companies don't do it. The SIM module can't be that expensive.

Laptops are viewed to have a longer life span than a mobile device, so having an internal antenna might not be the best (think of the movement from 2G to 3G to 4G and coming into 5G). The solution is to have a WiFi hub that can replaced. I think this is where a PC/MCIA cards came into play well, but USB, Bluetooth, and WiFi, as well as internal components, have phased that out.

I'd like the, to figure that out from a plug-in side.

 

[NightWingz]

Laptops are viewed to have a longer life span than a mobile device, so having an internal antenna might not be the best (think of the movement from 2G to 3G to 4G and coming into 5G). The solution is to have a WiFi hub that can replaced. I think this is where a PC/MCIA cards came into play well, but USB, Bluetooth, and WiFi, as well as internal components, have phased that out.

I'd like the, to figure that out from a plug-in side.

The movement from 2G to 5G is similar to the evolution of 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac though.

 

[bensisko]

The movement from 2G to 5G is similar to the evolution of 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac though.

Maybe? I think a built-in 2G or 3G card would make your computer obsolete much faster than a built-in older WiFi. That's just my perspective though.

 

[NightWingz]

Maybe? I think a built-in 2G or 3G card would make your computer obsolete much faster than a built-in older WiFi. That's just my perspective though.

I respect your opinion.

But, if we are comparing two laptops with similar spec and one supports slow 2.5G/3G while the other doesn't support it, I wouldn't say the former is any more obsolete. The SIM support is in addition to the wifi card.

Having it beats not having anything (any connection on the move) at all.

 

[bensisko]

I respect your opinion.

But, if we are comparing two laptops with similar spec and one supports slow 2.5G/3G while the other doesn't support it, I wouldn't say the former is any more obsolete. The SIM support is in addition to the wifi card.

Having it beats not having anything (any connection on the move) at all.

Personally? I agree completely with 4G, but not 2/3G.

If I was looking to pick up a used Surface Pro 3 and it had built-in 3G, it would look more obsolete than one with just WiFi (to me). The opposite is also true - looking at the same device with 4G LTE built in, then it would look less obsolete (at a spec level) than a plain wifi model.

Again, just my personal insanity.

 

[NightWingz]

Personally? I agree completely with 4G, but not 2/3G.

If I was looking to pick up a used Surface Pro 3 and it had built-in 3G, it would look more obsolete than one with just WiFi (to me). The opposite is also true - looking at the same device with 4G LTE built in, then it would look less obsolete (at a spec level) than a plain wifi model.

Again, just my personal insanity.

It's fine. I'm sure there are many others who share your opinion.

Marketing-wise, it probably makes sense as well.