Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

New to Apple and Considering an iPad 2 - WiFi or 3G?

K

kcmo

Suspended
Original poster
Apr 21, 2011
343
387
Hi Guys/Gals,

I've always admired Apple and their devices, and have been thinking of getting an iPad 2 for a while. The only Apple device I've owned is a 4 year-old iPod Nano.

Everyone I know who has an iPad loves it and I need something to replace my 5 year-old dying Dell laptop that is used primarily for web browsing and media. May go for a Mac laptop replacement down the road, but for now I'd love a tablet for portability, and the iPad 2 seems to be the best choice.

I'm leaning towards the WiFi version since I'd use it primarily at home, but it is nice to think that with the 3G model, you're always connected. Can't say I'm crazy about the thought of paying for another data plan though. Just don't want to make a mistake - either way.

Thoughts/opinions? Have any of you bought the WiFi and wished you'd gotten the 3G instead?

Thanks!
 
I never care about not having the 3G model until I'm sitting in an airport. I refuse to pay for airport wifi and I don't belong to any clubs, so I don't get it for free.

However, for those once a month times when I may travel, I wouldn't mind 3G and therefore, if I buy another iPad, it will likely have 3G service. I hate paying for yet another data plan but that seems to be the way of the world.
 
What's nice about the 3G version is that you can activate/deactivate whenever you want with no monthly contract. If you plan on doing most of your internet activities over wifi, you can just activate the cheapest 3G plan to help supplement. Is it worth the extra $130 up front? I may not use it all the time, but I know I'll be glad I got it when I use it.
 
kcmo said:
Hi Guys/Gals,

I've always admired Apple and their devices, and have been thinking of getting an iPad 2 for a while. The only Apple device I've owned is a 4 year-old iPod Nano.

Everyone I know who has an iPad loves it and I need something to replace my 5 year-old dying Dell laptop that is used primarily for web browsing and media. May go for a Mac laptop replacement down the road, but for now I'd love a tablet for portability, and the iPad 2 seems to be the best choice.

I'm leaning towards the WiFi version since I'd use it primarily at home, but it is nice to think that with the 3G model, you're always connected. Can't say I'm crazy about the thought of paying for another data plan though. Just don't want to make a mistake - either way.

Thoughts/opinions? Have any of you bought the WiFi and wished you'd gotten the 3G instead?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

WiFi in my mind is the best bet and cheaper than 3G.

Also, good to see someone from TRF on macrumors!

Jim
 
I'm down with the 3G. I just ordered mine a couple days ago. A white 32GB with 3G from ATT. I'd like to have the option to have internet wherever I go, even if I have to pay for it.

If you have to pick between ATT or Verizon, I'd suggest ATT because it'll give you the option to use 3G when you're traveling outside USA. They're the same price anyway.
 
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_2_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/533.17.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.0.2 Mobile/8C148 Safari/6533.18.5)

Why not tether off your phone on those infrequent times you need 3G?
 
freeman727 said:
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_2_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/533.17.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.0.2 Mobile/8C148 Safari/6533.18.5)

Why not tether off your phone on those infrequent times you need 3G?
Click to expand...



I have a Droid X on Verizon network and I just tether it. That and I can hook up 4 more devices in addition to my iPad2.
 
freeman727 said:
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_2_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/533.17.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.0.2 Mobile/8C148 Safari/6533.18.5)

Why not tether off your phone on those infrequent times you need 3G?
Click to expand...

I agree. If you use 3G infrequently and you already have a phone with a personal hotspot function, there's no real reason to get the 3G iPad unless you want GPS on a bigger screen.
 
kcmo said:
Just don't want to make a mistake - either way.

Thoughts/opinions? Have any of you bought the WiFi and wished you'd gotten the 3G instead?
Click to expand...

Well, these are pretty hot items. If you decide you want a 3G down the road you can probably sell the one you have and move into a new/used 3G without a whole lot of headaches or extra cost.

Having said that, between tethering, smart phone capability, and available wifi hotspots the greatest advantage to the 3G, IMO, is the GPS chip. But, the ability to fire up a 3G account and cancel it when done is a nice feature if you are only rarely going to be mobile.

So, I'd say get the 3G and bet set.
 
I bought an original wifi iPad last week. I am sorry I didnt get the 3G model. So my next iPad will be the GSM (ATT) model.
 
I got the 3G more for the GPS than for the 3G function. However, one day I decided to try the connectivity for a month and now could not live without it. WiFi is just not available everywhere I want to use it.
 
I went with the 3G model. I don't have wi-fi everywhere, so I wanted to be able to get service in those instances. For me, it was worth the extra $130.
 
Thanks everyone!

My current phone does NOT have hotspot capability...it's a Blackberry Bold 9700. I do plan to upgrade later this year to one of the soon-to-be-released models with the functionality though.

Hmmmm, tough to decide. How exactly does the 3G plan work? Do I have to start paying monthly immediately if I get a 3G model from AT&T? Do I only activate the plan when I want to use 3G or do I have to pay every month?
 
Vizin said:
The device is sold without a contract, and without an active data plan. You can purchase a data plan from the device itself and activate it/deactivate it at will on a month-by month basis. My friend had the original iPad 3G and I think he used data once or twice.

I'm not sure how pro-rating works. (For example, if you pay for a whole month if you activate it on the 15th.)
Click to expand...

Thanks for the explanation. Definitely nice to be able to activate/deactivate at will and not HAVE to pay every month if I don't need to.
 
jessica. said:
I never care about not having the 3G model until I'm sitting in an airport. I refuse to pay for airport wifi and I don't belong to any clubs, so I don't get it for free.

However, for those once a month times when I may travel, I wouldn't mind 3G and therefore, if I buy another iPad, it will likely have 3G service. I hate paying for yet another data plan but that seems to be the way of the world.
Click to expand...

Hint. The wifi signals are strong. You can hang out right outside of most airport clubs and pick you their free wifi signals.
 
I had a 3G 64gb version for my first gen iPad. I hardly ever used the 3G because I almost always have a wifi connection at work, home, and hotspots in the area. If I didn't have wifi avaiable, I just tethered. I considered a 3G version for my iPad 2, but with 4G around the corner, I prefer to tether. If I get a 4G phone in the near future, I would rather tether 4G than activate 3G on my iPad 2.

As for GPS, it was nice on the iPad, but I prefer using my phone since it is easier to mount it pretty much anywhere in my car. The iPad was to big, so I ended up only listening to the voice. At least on my phone, I can listen and glance at it since I can mount it eye view on my windshield. Based on my experience with my first gen iPad, a 64gb wifi only was a better fit for me.
 
get the 3G GSM (AT&T) model...

even if you don't use it, it has GPS which is a nice thing to have

in addition if you go to Europe, Asia, Africa... Etc... you could buy a prepaid SIM card and use their data plans since the iPad is unlocked.. ;)
 
leomac08 said:
get the 3G GSM (AT&T) model...

even if you don't use it, it has GPS which is a nice thing to have

in addition if you go to Europe, Asia, Africa... Etc... you could buy a prepaid SIM card and use their data plans since the iPad is unlocked.. ;)
Click to expand...

Ahhh, I didn't know it comes unlocked....cool!
 
leomac08 said:
get the 3G GSM (AT&T) model...

even if you don't use it, it has GPS which is a nice thing to have

in addition if you go to Europe, Asia, Africa... Etc... you could buy a prepaid SIM card and use their data plans since the iPad is unlocked.. ;)
Click to expand...

Really now? That's good to know... I have a 3G and wasn't aware of that.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back