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I agree with everything you said. I'd just like to emphasize the customer service difference. I've always had AT&T cell phones and am pretty used to the type of customer service they provide. In the week and a half I've had the Verizon iPad, I've spoken to them on the phone twice and gone into a store once. All experiences were exasperating. Felt they were less accommodating and unprofessional. Probably just me, but I definitely like AT&T a lot better. Using Verizon's prepaid data on the iPad, I probably won't interact with them after after this initial period, but for my cell phone service, I wouldn't change.

100% agree with you. For me CS ATT is far more better compare to Verizon. They don't know even how to swap data plan. In addition VZW"Lady" called me Honey!, Man! , Dear! (or deer :) )
Now forum members cannot get SIM replacements for the new ipad for prepaid.
I'm going to keep my Verizon iPad anyway, it works, slow on 3g compare to ATT, but I save 120/year. I don't need 2 gb I never use.
But after I tried VZW I doubt I switch my iphones there. Now I understand why VZW has not as good as ATT financial results.
 
100% agree with you. For me CS ATT is far more better compare to Verizon. They don't know even how to swap data plan. In addition VZW"Lady" called me Honey!, Man! , Dear! (or deer :) )
Now forum members cannot get SIM replacements for the new ipad for prepaid.
I'm going to keep my Verizon iPad anyway, it works, slow on 3g compare to ATT, but I save 120/year. I don't need 2 gb I never use.
But after I tried VZW I doubt I switch my iphones there. Now I understand why VZW has not as good as ATT financial results.

The difference between AT&T's and Verizon's customer service is definitely like night and day.

I've decided to swap my Verizon iPad for the AT&T version today. I spent $30 for 2GB of Verizon data and went thru it pretty fast, however, mostly to experience the novelty of LTE. I think for me, the ideal price point is the 3GB AT&T plan for $30, so therefore, I'm going to switch. I'm also hoping to get a faster LTE connection. With Verizon I only got around 11 Mbps. I'm envious of those getting over 20, so if the AT&T version gets me that, I'll be really pleased.

My biggest regrete when I switch from Verizon will be the that the iPad will be harder to resell when I upgrade. I think the Verizon version will be more popular, primarily because they have a bigger LTE network. As for tethering, it isn't an immediate need and will like be offered by AT&T in the near future. Needing more than 5GB a month was also something I considered, but that will be rare if ever.

It's a hassle to go back to the store and doing the back-up restoration, but if nothing else, swapping the iPad re-sets the 14 day return window. And testing both companies LTE networks personally, is really the only sure fire way to know which is best for you.
 
I'm also nearing the end of my 14-day window. I'm probably going to stick with Verizon version, but it is a tough call. That 2 GB limit shouldn't be a problem, but I know the 3 GB limit or my grandfathered unlimited on AT&T would be fine. I like the post about using Airport LTE instead of Wifi. That seems like something I would do. It is also the location where I could see myself teathering. Though to be honest, there is so little I can't do on my iPad that the need to teather a laptop will be rare.
 
I'm definitely at a critical point here.

AT&T's LTE speeds in Chicago are pretty awful. In the city-proper, I'm getting average speeds of around 4.0 MBps down - the highest speeds I've gotten were when I was pretty far from the city - around 19 miles away. At that point, I average around 7-10 MBps down (although on launch day I did hit 17 once)...

My problem is finding a Verizon iPad in the next day...
 
I'm considering returning my AT&T iPad and going with Verizon. I know people have experienced crazy download speeds on AT&T but in the two areas of NYC that I have tested it I've barely gotten above 3.5 Mbps down and oddly 5Mbps up. That's at 4 or 5 bars by the way.

I don't know, maybe so many AT&T iPads were activated that AT&T is again struggling under the load. That and I don't want to wait until Verizon is launching their 5G network for AT&T to finally finish expanding their 4G network.
 
Does anyone know the policy about just bringing in the iPad itself for the swap (sans box and cables and what not)?

The Apple store near my work has the VZW one in stock - but I didn't bring anything else in with me today...
 
I'm definitely at a critical point here.

AT&T's LTE speeds in Chicago are pretty awful. In the city-proper, I'm getting average speeds of around 4.0 MBps down - the highest speeds I've gotten were when I was pretty far from the city - around 19 miles away. At that point, I average around 7-10 MBps down (although on launch day I did hit 17 once)...

My problem is finding a Verizon iPad in the next day...

Has Verizon LTE been solid for people in Chicago? I'm considering swapping the WiFi.
 
Has Verizon LTE been solid for people in Chicago? I'm considering swapping the WiFi.

From what I've been reading - the speeds are much higher - and much more consistent. Apparently, in Chicago, Verizon has about twice the spectrum that AT&T has.

I have a friend who uses a VZW MiFi hotspot and he sees speeds in the upper teens, lower 20's downstream (on average).

EDIT - I just stopped by the Apple store on Michigan Ave. in Chicago - since I don't have my box or accessories with me, I was just telling one of the employees my situation - she told me I could bring it back with the box as late as Monday (which would be a few days past my normal 14-day window).

I'm going to pack this thing up and get ready to make a swap sometime this weekend...
 
I just returned my ATT one (6-8 mbps). I tried to hold out to just a do a straight exchange for a Verizon one but didn't want to pass up a chance to do it in my schedule. I'll be on the hunt for a Verizon one and I'm still actually considering going for a WIFI
 
AT&T for me. I had a hard choice:

1. My cell service is with AT&T. But that's partly because with a phone, coverage means everything. Verizon's coverage area WHERE I AM is much smaller than AT&T's. Much meaning... probably just a bit over half... (30-40% smaller I'd guess). Data means more than rural coverage with the iPad. After all, iPads aren't how you make emergency calls from rural highways, they don't go out in the woods with you, and they aren't used in the car (the big difference between AT&T and Verizon is one fairly drive - about 200 miles - I make once or twice a month has coverage in only a few places with Verizon, and all but about maybe 30 miles are covered by AT&T.)

2. There's also some places around here where Verizon has service AT&T doesn't. I used to carry a Verizon prepaid phone for that 200 mile drive (since literally places along it that had AT&T didn't have Verizon and places with Verizon didn't have AT&T. But AT&T has since covered everywhere Verizon has service. Plus a lot of new area along the road. Plus, obviously, everywhere they had service Verizon didn't. But there's other towns that have Verizon and no AT&T). Having a Verizon iPad, while not a GREAT emergency phone (no 911) could get me an email out for help or could just let me stay in touch if I happen to go work in, say, Haugen (a tiny town with Verizon and not AT&T). I'd still have my iPhone for the (far more common) places with AT&T but not Verizon.

3. Speeds. AT&T is much faster here. Today. AT&T averages 2-6 mbps in my state depending on area. Verizon - 0.5-2. Today. Thing is, Verizon I think is more likely to bring LTE and other network upgrades here, and I'd bet in parts of the state before mid-fall.

4. Price. With these considerations all ending in pretty much a draw the decision was based solely on price. Who cares if Verizon brings LTE here by 2013? 2GB will be gone like THAT. And EVDO is darn slow today. UMTS HSPA+ is more than fast enough for web browsing, which is all you can do on these kinds of caps. And 3GB is at least a bit better than 2GB. Thus, AT&T won :D
 
AT&T for me. I had a hard choice:

1. My cell service is with AT&T. But that's partly because with a phone, coverage means everything. Verizon's coverage area WHERE I AM is much smaller than AT&T's. Much meaning... probably just a bit over half... (30-40% smaller I'd guess). Data means more than rural coverage with the iPad. After all, iPads aren't how you make emergency calls from rural highways, they don't go out in the woods with you, and they aren't used in the car (the big difference between AT&T and Verizon is one fairly drive - about 200 miles - I make once or twice a month has coverage in only a few places with Verizon, and all but about maybe 30 miles are covered by AT&T.)

2. There's also some places around here where Verizon has service AT&T doesn't. I used to carry a Verizon prepaid phone for that 200 mile drive (since literally places along it that had AT&T didn't have Verizon and places with Verizon didn't have AT&T. But AT&T has since covered everywhere Verizon has service. Plus a lot of new area along the road. Plus, obviously, everywhere they had service Verizon didn't. But there's other towns that have Verizon and no AT&T). Having a Verizon iPad, while not a GREAT emergency phone (no 911) could get me an email out for help or could just let me stay in touch if I happen to go work in, say, Haugen (a tiny town with Verizon and not AT&T). I'd still have my iPhone for the (far more common) places with AT&T but not Verizon.

3. Speeds. AT&T is much faster here. Today. AT&T averages 2-6 mbps in my state depending on area. Verizon - 0.5-2. Today. Thing is, Verizon I think is more likely to bring LTE and other network upgrades here, and I'd bet in parts of the state before mid-fall.

4. Price. With these considerations all ending in pretty much a draw the decision was based solely on price. Who cares if Verizon brings LTE here by 2013? 2GB will be gone like THAT. And EVDO is darn slow today. UMTS HSPA+ is more than fast enough for web browsing, which is all you can do on these kinds of caps. And 3GB is at least a bit better than 2GB. Thus, AT&T won :D

Wow, I am really confused. Did you use the Ipad dictation ??
 
If you already have ATT the choice is obvious:

Get the 5gb plan on your phone (especially if you have a FAN discount since it applies to 5gig only). This includes free legit tethering.

Get the Verizon iPad for a backup data connection for when ATT is saturated and dial-up speeds.

Enjoy the best of both worlds.
 
Wow, I am really confused. Did you use the Ipad dictation ??

LOL, no. Sorry if I confused you but I did divide it into four considerations that weighed in my thinking. Decision. Here's a short summary of the four:

1. AT&T has much better coverage in my area, that's why I have an AT&T iPhone.

2. Verizon does, however, cover a few places AT&T doesn't. Most places I am have both. A Verizon iPad could be a backup communications device in those places.

3. AT&T has HSPA+ pretty much statewide in Montana. Verizon is EVDO. But Verizon will probably have LTE much sooner. AT&T - much faster today, but slower in a year or so.

4. Data caps - 2GB Verizon, 3GB AT&T in the $30 plan. Both suck, they're to little to do more than surf the web and read email. HSPA+ is more than fast enough for that, but EVDO is too slow even to do that comfortably. So LTE doesn't mean a thing really. And with AT&T at least the cap is 50% better... if still terrible.

Winner for me - AT&T.
 
I was in the same predicament. I needed to exchange my AT&T 16GB to a bigger size. I had learned that VZW had better plans and the hotspot (which is a great feature to me). VZW LTE and AT&T LTE didn't seem to be that equal here, despite the coverage map. While it wasn't drastic, VZW came out on top. But, the hotspot ultimately drew me in. I'm ecstatic I made that decision, because now I'm using the SIM from my hotspot (MiFi) that I had prior to the iPad. Verizon officially allows SIM switching from any 4G device to the iPad so I cancelled my iPad account and just switched the hotspot SIM. It works perfectly and has no limitations, including the hotspot option. So, basically it saved me money. I now only have to pay $50 instead of $80 (2GB plan).
 
I went with the AT&T here in the DC area and I am glad I did. I have turned off LTE and yet still got HSPA+ most of the way down U.S. 50 to Winchester. HSPA+ is plenty fast for using the iPad on a trip, as long as you are not streaming video. In West Virginia, where we were staying in Canaan Valley, Verizon was non-existent, and yet I had a strong EDGE signal. Say what you want, but EDGE is far better than nothing. There was a Wi-Fi hotspot that just did not play well with new iPad, but my wife's iPad 2 worked just fine with it.

Like some others on this thread, I give far too much to Big Red anyway.
 
My experience over the past week is that Verizon LTE, and Verizon coverage in general, in the SF Bay area is abysmal. Perhaps their network here is getting oversaturated. It was almost useless.
 
I went with the AT&T here in the DC area and I am glad I did. I have turned off LTE and yet still got HSPA+ most of the way down U.S. 50 to Winchester. HSPA+ is plenty fast for using the iPad on a trip, as long as you are not streaming video. In West Virginia, where we were staying in Canaan Valley, Verizon was non-existent, and yet I had a strong EDGE signal. Say what you want, but EDGE is far better than nothing. There was a Wi-Fi hotspot that just did not play well with new iPad, but my wife's iPad 2 worked just fine with it.

Like some others on this thread, I give far too much to Big Red anyway.

That's strange so your iPad 2 worked better via wifi hotspot. Was it an AT&T wifi hot spot? AT&T lte in dc is fast but once the iPhone 5 rolls out with lte I am concerned that it will overload and slow down. That's one of the reasons I switched.
 
Does anyone know if the 14 day return period resets with every exchange, or is it still from the original purchase? I've had to exchange mine a couple of times.
 
Does anyone know if the 14 day return period resets with every exchange, or is it still from the original purchase? I've had to exchange mine a couple of times.

I'm pretty sure it's the original purchase. If not, the return period can be extended indefinitely by the owner. I doubt Apple or any retailer would allow that. Also, that's what the Genius said when we were exchanging my brother's iPads.
 
I'm pretty sure it's the original purchase. If not, the return period can be extended indefinitely by the owner. I doubt Apple or any retailer would allow that. Also, that's what the Genius said when we were exchanging my brother's iPads.

Thanks! I appreciate it. I'm not sure if I'm happy with the screen on my new one, so I might have to return it and rebuy :(

EDIT: I checked my receipt and there's a new return date of April 8 listed. Looks like if you exchange it, your return period is extended.
 
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