Many people prefer cheaper WiFI only models which I don't blame them. However I'll buy LTE iPads from now on. My LTE on Sprint iPad Pro 9.7" was a life safer helped scan taking picture of insurance papers. Filing an insurance claim and a FEMA claim. Plus of course entertainment for 2 Days with No power or TV. Thankfully I was able to keep it charged thanks to building back up generator provided power to Hallway outlets.
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iPad Pro LTE iPad Pro was a life saver during Hurricane Irma
- Thread starter TheRealAlex
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I only ever buy the cellular + wifi models as well. Although I wasn't in as drastic as a situation as you were, mine was still pretty bad for me.
I just moved into a new apartment, I was finishing school, I needed the internet, and found out that the internet provider wouldn't be able to get me internet for 30 days...
Thankfully I was able to activate my cellular plan and use the internet in order to do my school work. I didn't live in a place with libraries or coffee shops that had wifi that I could go to.
I just moved into a new apartment, I was finishing school, I needed the internet, and found out that the internet provider wouldn't be able to get me internet for 30 days...
Thankfully I was able to activate my cellular plan and use the internet in order to do my school work. I didn't live in a place with libraries or coffee shops that had wifi that I could go to.
What's amazing about the iPad Pro is that it is a single do-it-all device. I use the camera a lot to take document scans and with the LTE, its pretty much independent of anything else. If I was had only one device to take with me, it would be an LTE iPad.
I've never been in a really dangerous situation, but I have been paying for cellular service on an iPad since the first generation. Those few times a month/year when you REALLY need it, it's totally worth it. Or at least that's what I tell myself when I review my credit card statements.
Glad it worked for you, and that you're safe. Hopefully you didn't lose too much in the storm.
If you have an iPhone, you can very easily tether your iPad to it. There's a bit of additional battery drain to the iPhone, but it's essentially like having a cellular iPad. Alternately, you can use your iPhone as a document scanner, too; it's not as nice for signing documents as the iPad (especially if you have an iPad Pro with the Pencil), but it can also get the job done.
If you have an iPhone, you can very easily tether your iPad to it. There's a bit of additional battery drain to the iPhone, but it's essentially like having a cellular iPad. Alternately, you can use your iPhone as a document scanner, too; it's not as nice for signing documents as the iPad (especially if you have an iPad Pro with the Pencil), but it can also get the job done.
when battery life is a thing I would take the cellular iPad
The iPad/iPhone tether, to me, is a stop-gap solution if you don't use your device away from WiFi connections very often. I tried the tether with my Mini after I upgraded my Verizon plan to Unlimited - the battery drain on the phone was significant. I almost stopped using my Mini because it was a hassle and a drain. I ended up reactivating LTE on the Mini.
If you're a casual user, the tether is great! But for anybody that uses and iPad away from wifi more than just once-in-a-while, LTE is a must. Imagine having to connect your phone to a Newtonian every time you want to do something - it's infuriating.
I started my LTE journey with the iPad 2. I bought the first iPad and thought "WiFi is everywhere! I think I can manage without constant connectivity!" I can remember the exact moment I decided to go cellular - just after the iPad 2 was released I was in NYC and was trying to use the iPad. Even in a place like NYC, WiFi was often unavailable, restricted, or unreliable (slow or wouldn't connect). I could use my phone, but between using it for Maps and pictures, the battery life was drained as is. I had been on the fence about the iPad 2, but this experience put me over the edge - I bought the iPad 2 with cellular during the trip and it was paradise! Since then, every model (except the 12.9" Pro) has been cellular.
Tethering works fine unless you are using it day in and day out. I use tethering a few times a month and the battery drain on the phone is nothing that worries me - the phone will do about 10 hours of tethering. Certainly not worth the $150 premium plus monthly connection fees for a small improvement in convenience.
It is not often I wish I had a cellular iPad, but your situation nails when I would want one.
I remember being without power during Irene and charging all my devices off my car charger. Fun times.
I remember being without power during Irene and charging all my devices off my car charger. Fun times.
Especially in an emergency situation - the last thing you want to do is risk running down your phone battery
100% agree, having LTE iPad was extremely useful for hurricane Irma. Being in Jacksonville I had no power for 3 days, so being able to check news and stay in touch with iPad was great. Far more useful than my phone for the same situation.
Yep, this. Especially when you don't know how long a power outage might last, we go on battery conservation mode on our smartphones. Phone calls and messages only.
I have a WiFi hotspot, which works way better for me than using my phone (Android) as a hotspot. With the hotspot, I can use several devices online, including all three iPads and several computers and tablets. WiFi hotspot has really long battery life. For me, having the hotspot works better than either using phone as hotspot or having cellular-enabled devices.
We love our 2017 IPP 12.9 inch. It is becoming a replacement for the 27-inch iMac. It travels well and has a beautiful screen. The LTE is great and the GPS is very handy. I agree that you can always tether to your iPhone. I like being able to have the iPad without my phone near by to make it work in the wild. LTE is an added benefit that I feel is worth it for our family, but maybe not everyone. We keep iPads until they stop working, period. None have stopped though. I still have a first generation ATT model, as well as a Verizon iPad Air. Still have an iPhone 4, that can be used as a back-up if needed. The devices are not inexpensive, but we do get our "miles" out of them. Also, to the OP, glad you are ok!
We use the cellular enabled iPad as wifi hotspot. Lasts like 40+ hours as hotspot.
Lol, one of the reasons I opted for the iPad instead of a dedicated wifi hotspot is because carriers wanted $20/mo for wifi hotspot or USB modems while it was only $10/mo for iPad. Didn't make sense to me but it is what it is.
If you do the standard tether, which allows the devices to find each other via Bluetooth and then links via Wifi, then it's a pain. The speed isn't bad, but the connection drops if you power down the screen on the iPad for seemingly just a few seconds.
However, you can tether in other ways. I haven't done it recently (didn't have the need to), but a few years ago I'd link the devices via Bluetooth and tether that way. The connection would remain unless once device went out of range of the other, or if Bluetooth were disabled on one device. Basically, I'd connect in the morning before work, go through the workday, and then disconnect the Bluetooth connection at the end of the day. (The office lacked Wifi, and I relied heavily on my iPad mini.) There was more battery drain to the iPhone than if I weren't tethering, but the phone's battery was far from run down by the end of the day.
I am too beginning to see the benefits of having LTE in my iPad. For instance I can use different telcos in my devices. If one goes down, I can tether such that all my devices will always have internet connection!
my experience was not that dramatic as yours, threadstarter.
but a couple of years ago, I was in Amsterdam. I went exploring local "things", and forgot my phone in hotel - but took my LTE Ipad with me.
needless to say, that I visited a couple of coffeeshops and bars, and when I thought that it`s going to be a good idea to go back home, I had zero idea on where to go on my bike. but, LTE Ipad showed me the way!
so, only LTE ipads from now on. especially in Amsterdam.
but a couple of years ago, I was in Amsterdam. I went exploring local "things", and forgot my phone in hotel - but took my LTE Ipad with me.
needless to say, that I visited a couple of coffeeshops and bars, and when I thought that it`s going to be a good idea to go back home, I had zero idea on where to go on my bike. but, LTE Ipad showed me the way!
so, only LTE ipads from now on. especially in Amsterdam.