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

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.

 

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.

 

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Why not tether off your phone on those infrequent times you need 3G?

 

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.

 

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.

 

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 went for the 3G version due to the fact that it has a GPS in it.

 

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.

 

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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.

 

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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.

 

3G

It's great to have even if you never use it.

 

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..

 

Really now? That's good to know... I have a 3G and wasn't aware of that.