Oh ok. I was under the impression that most carriers still only added an extra $15 for their hotspot plans. Didn't realize AT&T was now raping people for an extra $50.
I believe Sprint still does it for only $15 though. Or T-Mobile.
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iPad Mini Wifi + Cellular or Just Wifi
- Thread starter FatGuy007
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Oh ok. I was under the impression that most carriers still only added an extra $15 for their hotspot plans. Didn't realize AT&T was now raping people for an extra $50.
I believe Sprint still does it for only $15 though. Or T-Mobile.
My first iPad was cellular, but then I figured - hey I can tether it to my phone when I'm not near wi-fi.
I have a 6 GB data plan with my iPhone, and really the only times I'd probably use the tethering is on a trip in the car, or a friends house that doesn't have wifi; in which case I can just charge my phone while it's being used.
But ultimately in my usage, 90% of the time I'll be within range of my own network when using my iPad, 5% within range of an open wifi hotspot, and the remaining 5% tethering.
I have a 6 GB data plan with my iPhone, and really the only times I'd probably use the tethering is on a trip in the car, or a friends house that doesn't have wifi; in which case I can just charge my phone while it's being used.
But ultimately in my usage, 90% of the time I'll be within range of my own network when using my iPad, 5% within range of an open wifi hotspot, and the remaining 5% tethering.
If I get one I think I'll just use mobile hotspot.
I don't see the need for cellular when there's an iPhone plus most places have Wi-Fi (libraries, school, work, restraunts, airports, etc.)
I don't see the need for cellular when there's an iPhone plus most places have Wi-Fi (libraries, school, work, restraunts, airports, etc.)
Obviously the "there's wifi everywhere" statement isn't entirely true but if you think about it, it really is. Where would you possibly go that has no wifi or isn't in close proximity of it? Work, school home, coffee shops, restaurants, friends' houses, there's wifi everywhere.
If you have a smartphone, a cellular tablet is simply redundant. In those limited cases where you don't have access to wifi, you have a smartphone you can rely on.
If you have a smartphone, a cellular tablet is simply redundant. In those limited cases where you don't have access to wifi, you have a smartphone you can rely on.
Every iPad I've had have been of the cellular variety.
It's just comforting knowing that, if the need arises, I can simply turn on 4G/LTE and be connected.
My only gripe is that unused data doesn't rollover.
It's just comforting knowing that, if the need arises, I can simply turn on 4G/LTE and be connected.
My only gripe is that unused data doesn't rollover.
I bought plain wifi for my mom because she only uses it at home. here on the east coast united states there is free wifi everywhere. they offer it to get more people into the shops and stuff. in fact i dont know of a single place near me that makes you pay for wifi besides your own home. when i went to west coast Las Vegas there was no free wifi anywhere. it was crazy. lots of internet but you had to pay for it. I was surprised for such a tourist area. even the freaking coffee shops wanted you to pay for wifi. so different then around here but then again we dont have the population like las vegas.
With just a touch of planning, I have no need for a 3G connection.
Wifi is in my home, office, & nearly everywhere else I would use it.
To pay huge sums for 3G based on my heavy usage simply doesn't make sense when I don't have to.
Wifi is in my home, office, & nearly everywhere else I would use it.
To pay huge sums for 3G based on my heavy usage simply doesn't make sense when I don't have to.
Had the same experience in a hotel. At 4 am, the "free" wifi worked pretty well. By 6 am it was literally unusable. Glad I had the LTE service.
Wi-Fi + Cellular = No Brainer for Me
I made the mistake of buying my iPad 1 Wi-Fi only. I am out and about a lot. And usually not in the range of Wi-Fi so the device felt dead to me when out of the home.
So for all subsequent iPads: 2,3, and now the mini. I've had cellular data. Improves the experience immensely.
I made the mistake of buying my iPad 1 Wi-Fi only. I am out and about a lot. And usually not in the range of Wi-Fi so the device felt dead to me when out of the home.
So for all subsequent iPads: 2,3, and now the mini. I've had cellular data. Improves the experience immensely.
Agreed. Things like email, notifications, checking fb real quick, flipping through some magazines, downloading a little app. All a much better experience with the cellular model ipad
Cool thing with the lte ipad is that if its like the ipad 3, u can turn on its hotspot and have a battery powered lte hotspot that lasts 20+ hours. Yup.
$&@#%!!!
Still confused!!!
Does Verizon still offer the "Free hotspot" option on iPads?
If I have unlimited on my iPhone 5 (AT&T) is the free hotspot included in that?
I also have unlimited data on my ipad 3 (which has been transferred to every generation ipad since the first) do I have the option of the "free hotspot on THAT? (Again, AT&T)
$&@%#!!!!!!!!!!
Still confused!!!
Does Verizon still offer the "Free hotspot" option on iPads?
If I have unlimited on my iPhone 5 (AT&T) is the free hotspot included in that?
I also have unlimited data on my ipad 3 (which has been transferred to every generation ipad since the first) do I have the option of the "free hotspot on THAT? (Again, AT&T)
$&@%#!!!!!!!!!!
WiFi
This will be my 3rd iPad. All have been WiFi only. I, mainly, use it at home and occasionally, at other locations. When I'm out of WiFi range I just use my iPhone 4S with unlimited data
No, not interested in tethering. It would entail an additional cost.
This will be my 3rd iPad. All have been WiFi only. I, mainly, use it at home and occasionally, at other locations. When I'm out of WiFi range I just use my iPhone 4S with unlimited data
No, not interested in tethering. It would entail an additional cost.
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
OP says nothing about having an iPhone. He does reference a "mobile operator" but even there it sounds like he's think either-or.
If we're going to go there, I'm pretty sure a number of mifi devices have GPS too. So he could buy a wifi mini plus mifi and enjoy the GPS benefit. But I read his post as looking for a single device and debating why he might want the cellular option built in.
Personally, I don't have an iPhone (too small for me), so I will probably buy the mini with cellular to double for the occasional times when I need to make a call (without having to pay for that 3G/4G privilege every other month). Earbuds + microphone plus a voip app seems like a great alternative for those who want a a screen bigger than iPhone and don't want to pay a couple of thousand to AT&T, Verizon or Sprint over the next 2 years.
If we're going to go there, I'm pretty sure a number of mifi devices have GPS too. So he could buy a wifi mini plus mifi and enjoy the GPS benefit. But I read his post as looking for a single device and debating why he might want the cellular option built in.
Personally, I don't have an iPhone (too small for me), so I will probably buy the mini with cellular to double for the occasional times when I need to make a call (without having to pay for that 3G/4G privilege every other month). Earbuds + microphone plus a voip app seems like a great alternative for those who want a a screen bigger than iPhone and don't want to pay a couple of thousand to AT&T, Verizon or Sprint over the next 2 years.
This is what i have been wondering. Do you have any more information about this? I dropped the data plan on my iPad because I can tether to my iPhone and it works well. But would like to know if the GPS from my iPhone is passed through.