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.
Regrets going for WIFI only version?
- Thread starter mark28
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Nope. I hardly travel, and I spend most of my time in places that have (fast) wifi. Plus I have my iPhone if I really need to access the internet.
Ordered the wifi version, regretted a day later because the possibility of blazing fast LTE speeds was so tempting. Went to the Apple store to exchange it and now I'm happy.
A week later, I am content. However, the LTE speeds ain't that blazing and I'm on wifi most of the time since its faster.
Point of the story? I don't know..just do what makes you happy.
A week later, I am content. However, the LTE speeds ain't that blazing and I'm on wifi most of the time since its faster.
Point of the story? I don't know..just do what makes you happy.
My iPad2 was WiFi only, and I found myself in situations far too often where I did not have any WiFi service that was usable. I went with the LTE version this time around so I'd have connectivity in those situations where WiFi was not available.
No issues here either even though I had to return mine due to screen issues. I have an old grandfathered 10 GB data plan with T-Mobile and a corporate discount which knocks tethering down to about $12/month. Speedtest here in Boston reveals download speeds of 6 to 20 Megabits/sec on their HPSA+ network on my Samsung Galaxy S2! I don't travel all that much and the places I go to often have free WiFi.
Your WiFi-only iPad is finding your location through the use of WiFi triangulation :
http://arstechnica.com/old/content/2008/01/where-gps-wont-do-wifi-triangulation-might.ars
It is clear from your map that you were in the middle of a populated area that is likely filled with WiFi hotspots. THAT is how the map is able to pinpoint your location. The location of those WiFi hotspots have been mapped.
Take you WiFi-only iPad out into a rural area and good luck finding your location on a map unless you are standing near a house with WiFi.
Mark
I got the wifi version from the start because I already had the tethering plan on my iPhone. At first it was a bit annoying to have to drag out the phone to use the iPad, and it had me questioning the upgrade. Is it worth 130$ to not have to pull out the iPhone and also get faster speeds? But then I found out I could tether through a bluetooth connection which always stays connected. Problem solved! Plus I plan on getting the new iPhone when it comes out and in all likelyhood it will include a 4G option. Plus I don't have to juggle two data plan thresholds and saved $130!
Nope. If I happen to be somewhere and don't have wifi, I just use my iPhone to do what I need to do. I have wifi available most of the time for when I use my iPad. Hubby uses his iPad on the metro rail commuting and the wifi is so slow that he got his iPad with 4g and that works better for him.
I had the WiFi version since the launch date and chose to exchange for it a LTE one on Monday. Loving my decision so far. I lowered my data plan on my 4S from 4GB/tethering to 3GB.
When the jailbreak for the iPad 3 comes out, I'll reverse tether
(only if it's needed of course)
When the jailbreak for the iPad 3 comes out, I'll reverse tether
(only if it's needed of course)
I had the wifi online iPad 1. One of the few places I wanted to use it outside of my home was at my office on breaks and lunch. We do not have open wifi here so I went with 4G this time. I am very happy that I did, it makes it possible to use my iPad a lot more.
So glad I went with the wifi only version. On the rare occasion I'm away from wifi, I can simply tether my Sensation 4G to my iPad and the speed is very good.
I think a lot of 4G iPad owners didn't fully realize and or think about how much it's going to cost them to use LTE. I don't know (unless you have serious expendable cash) how all these people can afford an LTE plan? The prices for 2gb, 5gb, are just ridiculous. Plus, we've all heard the many stories of people going through their monthly data in a matter of hours or days.
LTE and the way the carriers rake people over the coals with the price, makes LTE seem like a gimmick to me.
What's the use of having that speed, when it's so expensive and is so limited by data plans? LTE needs to be way cheaper to make it worth it.
I think a lot of 4G iPad owners didn't fully realize and or think about how much it's going to cost them to use LTE. I don't know (unless you have serious expendable cash) how all these people can afford an LTE plan? The prices for 2gb, 5gb, are just ridiculous. Plus, we've all heard the many stories of people going through their monthly data in a matter of hours or days.
LTE and the way the carriers rake people over the coals with the price, makes LTE seem like a gimmick to me.
What's the use of having that speed, when it's so expensive and is so limited by data plans? LTE needs to be way cheaper to make it worth it.
The same as far as I could tell from speed tests. I also think that Bluetooth 4.0 on both devices is helping to keep the battery consumption down as well.
I bought an iPad 1 wifi and after about a month was luckily able to sell it and get a 3G. I felt so limited....since then, I have not looked back on the 3G decision, I kept the original iPad 3G then sold it for an iPad 2 3G and not have an iPad 3 4G. There are months where I don't use my cellular connection as much, but I find that now I can be connected in more places.....Dr offices, long road trips, at the mall while my wife shops, in the car for my kids to watch slingbox or Netflix, in the airport....etc...
My brother has a wifi only iPad 1 and 2 and he makes it work for him however, I have been with him where he was frustrated because he didn't have a connection, where I did.
My brother has a wifi only iPad 1 and 2 and he makes it work for him however, I have been with him where he was frustrated because he didn't have a connection, where I did.
No.
I use tethering on my iPhone 4S to get my MacBook Air and iPad online at HSPA+ speed. About 99% of the places I go to don't have LTE yet.
I use tethering on my iPhone 4S to get my MacBook Air and iPad online at HSPA+ speed. About 99% of the places I go to don't have LTE yet.
If I didn't have an iPhone I'd regret. I could add hotspot plan to iPhone if/as needed and get the same thing though so I'm happy with wifi only model.
HSPA+ is fast so don't care as far as faster internet.
Very cool...I had no idea the iPhone had that capability. I was previously using BT tethering with a Droid X that worked great, but my current Droid Bionic doesn't have that ability.
Cost is not 130
$240-$360 A YEAR is not worth it for LTE/3G. And LTE sucks down data like (fill in the blank)....
$240-$360 A YEAR is not worth it for LTE/3G. And LTE sucks down data like (fill in the blank)....