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WiFi vs Cellular, I'm stuck

Which iPad did you buy?

  • WiFi Only

    Votes: 33 39.3%

  • WiFi + Cellular

    Votes: 51 60.7%
  • Total voters
    84
Saberon2014 said:
Buying my 1st iPad here, however I'm absolutely torn, and they've both been sitting in my cart for a week while I change my mind every hour. I plan to keep the iPad 2 years before upgrading.

2 Year Cost ownership (Canadian $)

iPad Air 2 64GB WiFi: $659
iPad Air 2 64GB WiFi + Cellular: $1039 ($799 + $10/mo for 24mo to access my 6GB plan)

That's a $380 difference which is pretty significant. Yet part of me says $140 more up front isn't much, then $10 a month more is nothing.

For those of you in my shoes, which one did you go for? Do you wish you would have gotten the other?

Sorry if this is a common topic, I really appreciate your answers.
Click to expand...
only you can answer that question. I can give you another view point though...

I've had pretty much every model iPad that has come out. Since iPad mini 2, i've been buying them with cellular built in. Yes, it costs $130 more for the device plus monthly ($10) to add to my phone plan, but IMO it's totally worth it. I used to use wifi iPad and use the hotspot and it would always disconnect randomly. if you aren't using it for a couple minutes it loses connection and u have to start the connection again etc. Also, it uses battery life on your phone like crazy. so for me, that's enough to just get the cellular version even if i don't use it that much. I have a big mobile share plan (30gb/month), so i pay the $10/month and it just shares data with everything else. I personally cannot stand to see people who have wifi only iPads go into restaurants/stores etc. and ask for a wifi password bc they don't/won't pay for data lol. My mother-in-law is like this...takes her iPad mini everywhere and is constantly asking for wifi password at friends houses/businesses etc.

Another thing you may want to think about is security. I'm in the IT security/fraud industry and you won't believe the kind of stuff that is done on these free wifi networks that people randomly connect to all the time. That is another reason why i don't rely on free wifi connections and just use data.

I hope this helps!
 
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Reactions: Acronyc, Hellenek, ron7624 and 1 other person
Rmhop, thank you very much for the helpful reply.

I also work in IT and never use a free wifi hotspot for anything more than just Safari browsing.

I haven't made a definitive choice yet, but I want to thank everyone who contributed thus far.
 
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Reactions: MacManTexas56
Do note that you don't have to have a continuing subscription of data on your cellular iPad. You can simply pay when you need it. T-Mobile's 200MB for free plan is awesome for the occasional use on-the-go.

The only non-cellular iPad I had was the original iPad. I have always bought the cellular version ever since. Of course, it's because I already know I will be using the iPad wherever I am, on the go. If you iPad stays at home or office all the time, there's no point to spend the extra money for cellular.
Right now, I have just the iPad mini 2 with cellular, and it's awesome as I can use it whenever and wherever I am without having to worry about setting up hotspots or whatnot. On the other hand, I am looking for a bigger iPad (iPad Pro 2, or iPad Air 3), and I plan to use that simply at home and thus I would get the wifi only version.
 
I regret buying a WiFi only iPad. In Today's environment WiFi Hotspots are often very slow. I thought about a cellular model but was put off at the obscene price markup Apple adds to a simple inexpensive Qualcomm phone module. Now I'd just do it. My mistake.
 
Nobody heard of personal hotspot on your phone?
makes 0 sense to have another SIM in your iPad too and pay multiple contracts.
 
AFEPPL said:
Nobody heard of personal hotspot on your phone?
makes 0 sense to have another SIM in your iPad too and pay multiple contracts.
Click to expand...


Maybe I'm wrong but last time I checked a personal hotspot requires a qualified data plan and/or additional fee from your carrier to use. Depending on use, may be cheaper or may be better of getting a sim.
 
its free in the UK, you just link the device (iPad, mac, whatever to the phone) and you are away... no charges as long as you have a data plan.
 
the only iPad I've had is an ipad2 about 5 years ago, still heavily used today.

i purchased a cellular one, but in all that time (on daily usage) i've never needed to use the cellular option. if i do i can buy a month's worth for 10 bucks, but so far never needed it.
 
AFEPPL said:
Nobody heard of personal hotspot on your phone?
makes 0 sense to have another SIM in your iPad too and pay multiple contracts.
Click to expand...
Most carriers around the world offer prepaid data plans for iPad, and you can just pay when you need the service. Heck, in the US, T-Mobile offers free 200MB a month data, for like, free. So you can have the occasional browsing on the-go. The convenience beats having to check your phone for hotspot (and using up your phone's batter as well).

But again, that is assuming you are using your iPad on-the-go. If the iPad stays at home/office, then there's really no need to pay extra for cellular radio.
 
The whole beauty of an iPad is how Capable and Convienient an iPad is, if you go for Wifi Only you immeadiately limit its functionality. The cellular option makes the iPad so powerful because anywhere anytime you are able to; connect with the world, run your business or be productive, the cellular option makes you totally mobile!
 
If you have any desire at all to use GPS or cellular connection (which you do), DEFINITELY get the cellular model - you won't regret it.

I would also challenge your assumption that you will replace the iPad in 2 years. iPads don't receive meaningful new features all that often and are designed to support new versions of iOS for several years. Replacing every 3 or 4 years is a more likely scenario.
 
colodane said:
If you have any desire at all to use GPS or cellular connection (which you do), DEFINITELY get the cellular model - you won't regret it.

I would also challenge your assumption that you will replace the iPad in 2 years. iPads don't receive meaningful new features all that often and are designed to support new versions of iOS for several years. Replacing every 3 or 4 years is a more likely scenario.
Click to expand...

Very valid point. I purchased an iPad 2 cellular and still use it daily, although I'm considering buying the latest mini (cellular, of course) for the size factor. I don't have or want an iPhone. I carry an inexpensive Android smart phone, no contract, and use some of the same apps on both Android and iOS. Also carry an iPod Touch 5 for photos and music.
 
I've always bought Wi-Fi only. But a few times I've been frustrated by the lack of a Wi-Fi connection when traveling. I don't have a smartphone, so tethering is not an option. Rather than buy a new iPad with cellular, I bought a MiFi Jetpack. It connects to the cellular network and creates a Wi-Fi hotspot for the tablet. So buying only one device, I now have a cellular connection to the Internet for both my tablets, as well as any future tablets I buy, without paying extra for cellular on the tablet. Advantages: I don't have to pay for cellular every time I upgrade my tablet, and I can connect more than one device at a time. Disadvantage: I don't have GPS on the tablet for navigation or to find it if lost. But my Garmin gives me navigation, and I don't expect to lose a tablet. (MiFi Jetpack might be a Verizon trademark, but I'd imagine other carriers have equivalent devices.)
 
Get cellular if:
- You plan to sometimes use it as your primary device
- If you have a money tree in your yard and the convenience is worth the cost
- If your employer foots the bill

Otherwise, get WIFI and use your phone's hotspot.
 
Also depends on what kind of contract / rate you can get where you live.

For me it comes down to around 5-10 Euro per month depending on my usage, which I find okay, since I don't have internet at home.
 
rmhop81 said:
only you can answer that question. I can give you another view point though...

I've had pretty much every model iPad that has come out. Since iPad mini 2, i've been buying them with cellular built in. Yes, it costs $130 more for the device plus monthly ($10) to add to my phone plan, but IMO it's totally worth it. I used to use wifi iPad and use the hotspot and it would always disconnect randomly. if you aren't using it for a couple minutes it loses connection and u have to start the connection again etc. Also, it uses battery life on your phone like crazy. so for me, that's enough to just get the cellular version even if i don't use it that much. I have a big mobile share plan (30gb/month), so i pay the $10/month and it just shares data with everything else. I personally cannot stand to see people who have wifi only iPads go into restaurants/stores etc. and ask for a wifi password bc they don't/won't pay for data lol. My mother-in-law is like this...takes her iPad mini everywhere and is constantly asking for wifi password at friends houses/businesses etc.

Another thing you may want to think about is security. I'm in the IT security/fraud industry and you won't believe the kind of stuff that is done on these free wifi networks that people randomly connect to all the time. That is another reason why i don't rely on free wifi connections and just use data.

I hope this helps!
Click to expand...

Me too. I never thought Id use the cell data as much as I have but when I need it I REALLY need it. Ditto to everything you said about free wifi too. Its dodgy at best and hard to trust. The cell data "upgrade" is always worth it IMO.
 
Saberon2014 said:
Buying my 1st iPad here, however I'm absolutely torn, and they've both been sitting in my cart for a week while I change my mind every hour. I plan to keep the iPad 2 years before upgrading.

2 Year Cost ownership (Canadian $)

iPad Air 2 64GB WiFi: $659
iPad Air 2 64GB WiFi + Cellular: $1039 ($799 + $10/mo for 24mo to access my 6GB plan)

That's a $380 difference which is pretty significant. Yet part of me says $140 more up front isn't much, then $10 a month more is nothing.

For those of you in my shoes, which one did you go for? Do you wish you would have gotten the other?

Sorry if this is a common topic, I really appreciate your answers.
Click to expand...

I cast my vote in regard to my future iPad Pro purchase; I'll be ordering the cellular version. My thought process is that the device costs a little bit more upfront, but I get the opportunity to use the Cellular and GPS features that I would otherwise not have access to. I probably will not use the extra features very often, but when I want (perceived need) them, they will be virtually priceless to me. Plus when it comes time to sell it for my next upgrade... it'll be more desirable.
 
rigormortis said:
the number one reason i tell people to get cellular ipads is for find my ipad. if someone steals you ipad , and it is locked by a passcode. it WILL NOT CONNECT to new wifi networks, unless some other iCloud device has connected it to before.

also it can't connect to known networks like mcdonalds because the ipad can't click on i agree.

if you want a wifi only ipad located, you probably shouldn't lock it with a passcode. so that way anybody can use it. anyone can find it, watch your netflix movies and read your email, and connect to any wifi network, and you would be kept up to date on its location at all times


you left out one possible scenario. you assume you will keep that cellular data connected to your plan for the entire 24 months. you do not have to keep it connected for 24 months, you can add it or delete it as you please

another reason to get a cellular ipad is it has a real GPS radio in it.

if your ipad got lost or stolen, and you put it in lost mode, an it actually responded back. the location it would give you wouldn't be as accurate as gps, it would just be a general idea or a best guess depending on some database belonging to apple based on nearby wifi routers or ip addresses.

i have a cellular ipad. i was paying $40 for 5 gigs for t-mobile for a while. but i got upset that i didn't get data stash, so i just went back to the 200 mb free plan. i didn't sign any contract saying i had to pay $40 for 24 months.

another scenario you left out is some companies have multi month plans now. t-mobile in the states was offering 5 gigs / 5 months for $10 to new subscribers. AT&T has a $25 1 (or is it two?) gig for 90 day plan. verizon has come on board with its own 60 to 90 day plan

as i tried to tell someone on another thread, tethering an iPhone to a wifi ipad, does not tell that wifi ipad its location
Click to expand...

Good points. I was leaning toward wifi.. But since the pro cost so much, I think I will get the cell model in case I lose it.

Thanks for the head's up.
 
I was in the same boat when I upgraded to an iPad Air 2 in the summer. I had an iPad 2 Cellular and iPad 4 Cellular, but Best Buy was running a sale and I picked up an Air 2 Wi-Fi only with the intentions to tether. I kept it 2 days and returned it for a Cellular version. What I found was that the tethering slowed the data speeds and it kept disconnecting. It was also another step and it seemed as though my phone battery dropped more quickly. With the cellar version, the internet just worked - I didn't have to remember to tether it before doing anything. Admittedly, it's a small thing, but in my personal case, the cellular one was definitely worth it.
 
I rarely take mine to a place without wifi and when I do I just tether to my iPhone. Apple has made this incredibly easy with their Instant Hotspot feature, don't even need to take my iPhone out of my pocket.

YMMV
 
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