32 GB Wifi Owner. Should I get a 32 GB 3G+WiFi

[icloud]

I need some help from the collective MacRumors members on this one.

I purchased a 32 GB Wifi iPad before the 3G version was released and am now wondering if buying a new 32 GB Wifi + 3G is worth it?

I'm very tempted to make the switch, just not fully convinced the pricetag is worth it. Any opinions?

 

[nixiemaiden]

Do you find yourself without wifi sometimes where you want to be able to access the internet?

Would the GPS be useful for you?

Would mifi be a good alternative for you?

 

[BigHungry04]

I wouldn't get the 3G version. You probably don't need it unless you're in an area where it is difficult to get a wifi signal.

 

[icloud]

Thanks for the quick responses.

I'm in Calgary, Canada, which is a pretty sprawled out city and I spend most of my days out/about and wouldn't mind not having to hunt down starbucks exclusively for their wifi

 

[emuyshondt]

I got mine for the GPS more then for the 3G. I'm a pilot and have several mapping applications that need location information.

I do use 3G when I'm not near a WiFi location and find it very useful. I travel a lot and can't always access WiFi.

 

[nixiemaiden]

I would have gotten the 3g version but didn't because the only carrier available in my area is at&t and the signal is not very good. My 3g use would be primarily for using the internet at work (during breaks for personal use although I do have some work stuff set up on it as well). All of the execs here have ipads or iphones but because the coverage is so crappy here they ended up getting a wifi network for all of them to use but since I'm not one of the execs... I don't get to use it.

I decided to get a mifi instead through sprint because I get full bars and 3g inside the building and also pretty much everywhere I would go. It is more expensive for mifi than the ipad only dataplans but for me it is worth it.

If the ipad 3g was offered through sprint, it would have been worth it to me to pay extra for it.

 

[Lyle]

For me, having the 3G capability is worth it even if it's not something that I'll use on a daily basis. I've taken my iPad on vacation with me and ended up somewhere without Wi-Fi (yes, those places do still exist) and was glad I could still get online.

Remember that it's not like you're locked into a data plan contract as you would be with an iPhone; you can cancel and re-enable the 3G service as needed.

 

[hcho3]

Instead of getting ipad 3G, I would spent the money on getting a smartphone with Wi-fi hotspot apps like HTC evo 4G or Verizon android phones.

 

[KameronBriggs]

ya dude, if u have an iPhone with iOs 4, wait for the jailbreak to come out! Then u can use MyWi, and have internt on the go.

 

[magiclaffs]

No internet on wifi issue

I knew that in my travels I would be in conferences where either the wi-fi was weak or non-existent, or I'd have to pay 10.00/day. So I went with the 3G/WiFi. Paid off last week.

 

[Capt T]

Do you have any options like Virgin Mobile? I picked up the mifi from them and it is a pay as you go with a few different options. They use the Sprint network so coverage is good. I also use it with my laptop so it is nice to only have one 3G service for both. It might be another option instead of buying a new one if they have that near you. And you could share it with others.

 

[MikeTemple]

I bought the 3G version to make sure all my bases were covered, but I've been surprised to find that every hotel I've stayed in and every conference I've been to has had free wi-fi.

Having said that, I have bought a day's use on a couple of occasions when I've been traveling on trains or stuck in airports, and it was great to have - and cheaper than buying access to wi-fi.

 

[nixiemaiden]

The wifi tethering isn't necessarily a good idea though. I mean sure you can do it but usually you need to jailbreak or root the phone to be able to do it and if you get caught, they can cancel your contract for breaking TOS and fine you the early termination fee. This isn't very likely...I do know a lot of people who have gone this route and I only know of one person who "got caught" but some people don't really want to take the risk anyway.

If you want to legit wifi tether, the carriers who offer it...it seems to be about the same price as the 3g ipad plans but I would imagine it would drain your battery pretty fast. Also I don't know if this is the case but when I wifi tethered with my old phone, it couldn't receive calls so that is another thing to check into.