Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
iPad pro cellular vs wifi
- Thread starter tim1000
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I always buy the cellular version. Also based on the 32GB vs 128GB options for the iPad Pro, it makes the choice even easier.
I have the 128 Wi-fi model and just tether from my Unlimited T-Mobile with 14GB Smartphone Mobile HotSpot
IMO, it really depends on two things: do you need GPS capabilities in your tablet, and does your cell phone plan allow tethering? Apple has made it so easy to use your iPhone as a hotspot with other Apple devices that if the answers are "no" and "yes" that cell connectivity isn't really a strong selling point anymore.
My first iPad was the 3G model and I haven't bought a cell model since. It just wasn't necessary for me.
My first iPad was the 3G model and I haven't bought a cell model since. It just wasn't necessary for me.
My iPad 2 was wi-fi and this go round debated on which version. Hubby bought his last iPad with cellular but he will carry it to work sometimes. In the end since I figure I will only use it at home or our backyard I'd stick with the wi-fi and put the extra money into AppleCare+, thinking with it being larger more chance of dropping it. My iWatch was the only other time we've gone with AppleCare+. Hopefully won't need it but we do have a large number of areas with hard flooring surfaces where both could get some damage done. Outside areas are paved too. Anyway that's my situation and reasoning for going how I did. At the same time I got my iPP also picked up the silicone case and cover.
My iPhone is a 6+ so that also factored into my decision. Pretty happy using that for internet etc when I'm out and about. Sure it would a different choice if I needed the iPad Pro for business use.
My iPhone is a 6+ so that also factored into my decision. Pretty happy using that for internet etc when I'm out and about. Sure it would a different choice if I needed the iPad Pro for business use.
I always get the cellular version. I like having options, plus getting to enjoy my grandfathered AT$T data is hard to beat. I travel in and out of the States for work. Having the cellular available has been great. I would still personally get the cellular version even if I didn't have the grandfathered data simply because I like having the option if I needed it.
Cellular.
Bought through AT&T for $54/month, no interest.
I have a 20gb family share with rollover that gives me about 30-32gb of cellular data every month.
NOT having to tether to my phone while away from a decent WiFi signal is priceless.
Bought through AT&T for $54/month, no interest.
I have a 20gb family share with rollover that gives me about 30-32gb of cellular data every month.
NOT having to tether to my phone while away from a decent WiFi signal is priceless.
I opted for a cellular iPad the last time I got one, but as time went on, I found myself needing the cellular connectivity less and less. Other then letting my kids use it while I drive to a given location, I found that I really didn't need it.
With the iPad Pro, its a harder question, or rather more specifically what will your uses be, i.e., will you find yourself outside of wifi networks more often then not?
With the iPad Pro, its a harder question, or rather more specifically what will your uses be, i.e., will you find yourself outside of wifi networks more often then not?
I have the cellular version, partly because of the larger ram, but partly as a back-up if my WIFI fails or is slow. I don't use much of my cellular data allowance (12GB per month) but it's nice to know it's there. I have double-speed 4G, which is pretty much as fast as my WIFI (up to 70Mbps). Actually, it's much faster on uploading (about 20Mbps compared with about 5Mbps).
Ive always bought my iPads with Cellular. A non connected iPad is pretty useless except for a couple of instances. Also getting the connected model increases the resell value. Other than the initial cost it doesn't cost much to add a tablet to your existing cell phone plan.
For me it is one of the main advantages over a laptop. I might open up my iPad maybe 10-20 times a day and use the internet. I also travel a lot. If I had to tether my phone every time I did that I would be waiting maybe a minute or two each time I opened my ipad to connect to the internet and wait for everything to download and set up like emails, messages, apps etc. It is smoother for me to have a cellular, always on device. If a MacBook came out with cellular connectivity I think I would get one. I dont know how realistic that is but it would be great for me!
I did the exact same thing. If that $250 off wasnt there, then i wouldnt have been so inclined, even though i almost never take the Pro outside.
Also because i bought the Pro thinking it is a longevity model, so i wanted the best if im gonna keep it for a long time.
It's more like 400-500 off. Don't buy an ipad from them. Get an iphone. Sell it. Use the SIM for an ipad that you get somewhere else.
Cellular - on every iPad I've gotten - iPad 1, Air, Air 2, and now Pro.
I can hotspot on my plan but my experience trying to use a Cellular model as wifi-only with hotspot before giving up and connecting it was that it wasn't worth the hassle. Hotspot wasn't entirely reliable, drained battery of both units, especially one providing hotspot.
I also commute now a good bit each day by public transport and I upped my cell plan to 40gb just so I could reliably use Netflix and Hulu as the wifi on public transport was unusable. Train system less than 3 years old and they didn't design it to handle more than a handful of users per car. Completely incompetent foresight but there you go. Would be hard to really design it to handle full user needs, but even at 10am with mostly empty cars, well past rush hour, you can't even access a webpage it's so slow.
I can hotspot on my plan but my experience trying to use a Cellular model as wifi-only with hotspot before giving up and connecting it was that it wasn't worth the hassle. Hotspot wasn't entirely reliable, drained battery of both units, especially one providing hotspot.
I also commute now a good bit each day by public transport and I upped my cell plan to 40gb just so I could reliably use Netflix and Hulu as the wifi on public transport was unusable. Train system less than 3 years old and they didn't design it to handle more than a handful of users per car. Completely incompetent foresight but there you go. Would be hard to really design it to handle full user needs, but even at 10am with mostly empty cars, well past rush hour, you can't even access a webpage it's so slow.
The cellular version is pretty sweet in the winter time when the power and internet goes out and there is nothing to do. Being able to hop on the net and surf for several hours really helps pass the time.
I've had every single model of iPad from the original, including all the mini's as well, but the iPad pro is the first one out of all of them I've bought without cellular. Every other one had it because I always wanted to use them whilst on the go. The iPad pro is just too large to use whilst on the move, and if I'm stationary then I can connect wifi, or tether to my iPhone. I also have an iPad mini 4 which does have cellular (I never saw the point of a mini without it!), but I'm not missing it on the pro one bit. Same as I've never missed it on my MacBook - I physically can't use it whilst being mobile, and if I'm sitting down I have time to connect to wifi/hotspot.
I like the wifi only because it doesn't have the antenna band 
but I really like having the option of cellular. I just got the cellular mini 4. 5GB on t-mobile for the next 5 months and only $10. It's great having the ability, especially since I cancelled the Internet service in my condo.
but I really like having the option of cellular. I just got the cellular mini 4. 5GB on t-mobile for the next 5 months and only $10. It's great having the ability, especially since I cancelled the Internet service in my condo.I dont know if its just my iphone or the way it is but if I use tethering to my iphone surfing the web is super slow compared to just having straight cellular on the device. Its just annoying and slow tethered so I dont use tethering anymore.
Wait...the cellular version has more RAM? Please elaborate. I was under the impression that they all had 4 gb Ram?
Cellular. Period. My iPad 3, Air, Air 2, and Pro are all cellular with UL data courtesy of VZW for me and my small company.
Last year I wanted to go to Coachilla but was called away for a project in a remote area with great VZW LTE - so, I used Personal Hotspot to tether my rMBP to watch QoTSA, and it was brilliant!
I VPN into my network often, and the iPP is awesome. The cellular option is $130 more - therapy is $250 an hour, and I like the cheaper option...
Last year I wanted to go to Coachilla but was called away for a project in a remote area with great VZW LTE - so, I used Personal Hotspot to tether my rMBP to watch QoTSA, and it was brilliant!
I VPN into my network often, and the iPP is awesome. The cellular option is $130 more - therapy is $250 an hour, and I like the cheaper option...