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Why do people who have an iPhone 4 bother buying an iPad 2 3G ?
- Thread starter freddy-b
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1) Because I got had a 3G iPad 1, and made use of the 3G regularly and it saved me in a lot of situations.
2) The only tethering option with my carrier (O2-UK), limits your iPhone and tether data to 500MB each. I'm on unlimited right now, and if I signed up for tethering I would be paying extra for less data.
3) Personal Hotspot is a huge drain on battery.
4) Because I can.
2) The only tethering option with my carrier (O2-UK), limits your iPhone and tether data to 500MB each. I'm on unlimited right now, and if I signed up for tethering I would be paying extra for less data.
3) Personal Hotspot is a huge drain on battery.
4) Because I can.
It will be backwards compatible and 3G won't come crashing down in a year. This is mainly because not all markets have the same "4G" networks and not all the proper "4G" networks will be in place for 2012 (in Apples key markets).
Does AT&T prorate tethering charges if you change mid-billing cycle?
Currently I pay the $30 unlimited/month, but the maximum I've ever used is 1.3GB. So, I can save $5/month during the times I don't need tethering with the Data Pro plan (iPad stays at home most days, where I have wifi).
When I do need tethering I'll add the 4GB tethering option for the month, and yes I'll pay a bit more, but only during the times I need tethering and don't have wifi.
For my uses 4GB/month is not very limited.
Currently I pay the $30 unlimited/month, but the maximum I've ever used is 1.3GB. So, I can save $5/month during the times I don't need tethering with the Data Pro plan (iPad stays at home most days, where I have wifi).
When I do need tethering I'll add the 4GB tethering option for the month, and yes I'll pay a bit more, but only during the times I need tethering and don't have wifi.
For my uses 4GB/month is not very limited.
In Canada, it makes even more economic sense to buy the wifi only iPad, as tethering (personal hotspot) is free. However, I still bought the 64 gb 3G iPad2 as I wanted the real time GPS functionality. Also, with my old 3G iPad, whenever I travelled to the States, I used an AT&T microsim so that I could access 3G functionality there. It's worth it for that alone.
And the next year 5G will be standard so getting a 4G iPad will be a waste.
And the next year 5G+ will be standard so getting a 5G iPad will be a waste.
And the next year 5G++ will be standard so getting a 5G+ iPad will be a waste.
...
Do you see a problem here?
I ordered the 3G model because I don't want to always be paying for data I don't use. With the plans in the US, I can order a month of service on the spot (when I'm working somewhere that I can't access the Internet directly, or have no WiFi) without paying for it during the months I don't need it at all. Plus, I'd have to get off my unlimited plan for the iPhone 4. On top of that, I have a moral objection to paying for the privilege of tethering, then paying again for the data to actually use it. It's just double dipping into my bank account.
I agree with the OP, why, but, I'm guilty of it.....I guess I'm just worried that the 4GB tethering is not enough for all my devices. I use my 3G iPad for most Netflix/slingbox when I travel...iphone tethers my MacBook when I'm on the road. So it's a perfect complement. It costs me more money in the end but gives me piece of mind.
To summarize:
- better GPS
- not reliant on iPhone battery
- not reliant on iPhone presence (e.g., if other family members use the iPad)
- not wanting to switch to tethering phone plan
- already have unlimited iPad plan
- because feel like it
- better GPS
- not reliant on iPhone battery
- not reliant on iPhone presence (e.g., if other family members use the iPad)
- not wanting to switch to tethering phone plan
- already have unlimited iPad plan
- because feel like it
in the best case tethering saves you $5 per month + $130 one time cost. That is not much when you consider the iPad is $829 + $50 tax anyway.
For that extra cost I get:
battery savings
ability to use 3G overseas
browse on both devices simultaneously
better resale value
a lot of convenience
unlimited data on the iPad (grandfathered in)
better GPS
EDIT: Foodle beat me by 3 min.......
For that extra cost I get:
battery savings
ability to use 3G overseas
browse on both devices simultaneously
better resale value
a lot of convenience
unlimited data on the iPad (grandfathered in)
better GPS
EDIT: Foodle beat me by 3 min.......
Not really standard. What are you calling 4G?
HSPA+ (AT&T, T-Mobile)
WiMax (Sprint)
LTE (Verizon)
There will always be a newer better technology coming along. If you can wait, then go ahead. Things will be cheaper and faster. If you need/want it now, buy it now.
LTE is what I call 4G. Which is what At&T (and presumably T mobile) will be offering next year. AT&T want 95% of the us to access 4G LTE through their network.
Plenty of valid reasons for getting a 3G iPad even with an iPhone 4. For me, I discovered from using the 3G iPad 1 that I hardly ever use 3G. The only time I would ever need 3G on my iPad if I found myself somewhere with plenty of time to kill AND no WiFi. Rare. And in those rare instances, I've found that Personal Hotspot on my iPhone is extremely convenient and extremely easy to use. I don't turn off Bluetooth on my iPhone, so all I have to do is go into settings and switch on Bluetooth on my iPad. The two pair automatically and I'm off and running. The hit to battery life with Bluetooth is a lot less than I expected.
Because my phone is paired with my car I never turn it off. I'm living in the era of throw it on the charger every night and the iPhone 4 battery life, for my uses is excellent.
Because it's a battery killer to tether to my iPhone, I don't want to lose my unlimited plan, and I don't wanna jailbreak.
For me, I see my iPhone as a lifeline device. A lot of things that I do on my iPhone now that drain my battery can now be done on my iPad, thus saving me from the problem of a dead battery in the middle of the day if I forgot to charge it fully.
Other reasons that smarter people before me have already said:
Lastly, it is my purchase, my choice, and my money, so what do you care how I spend it?
Other reasons that smarter people before me have already said:
- Don't have to fumble with multiple devices
- Don't have to drain the battery on your iPhone
- It can actually cost LESS to have a 3G iPad than it would to tether
- I don't want to give up my unlimited data plan with ATT
- No GPS on the WiFi iPad
Lastly, it is my purchase, my choice, and my money, so what do you care how I spend it?
Bigger screen and more viewing pleasure while retaining portability. This has basically replaced my iphone, except when I'm in certain locations that not feasible for the iPad.