3G iPad users: which data plan will you use?

[ozziegn]

just got my 3G iPad and I'm wondering if I should do the $15 plan or the $30? I know the $30 is unlimited but I'm wondering if I will really need it? most of my iPad usage will be in a WiFi area but of course there will be times when I won't be.

so I'm curious to see what the masses on this forum will choose. $15 or $30?

 

[harry*333]

I plan to use the $15 one only when I need it, I'm trying not to spoil myself

 

[HelloMikee]

If your aren't sure try out the 250mb first. See your usage. I believe there are also warning levels. If you need more, upgrade.

 

[JayDH]

I was going to try out the $30 plan until I read this very informative article over at Ars: http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2010/04/ipad-3g-wifi-day-is-today-heres-our-data-plan-primer.ars

I decided to sign up for the $15 plan and see how much data I use the first month. I have Wi-Fi at home and at work so I'll probably only need the 3G when I am commuting or traveling.

 

[ozziegn]

I was going to try out the $30 plan until I read this very informative article over at Ars: http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2010/04/ipad-3g-wifi-day-is-today-heres-our-data-plan-primer.ars

interesting quote from their article:

"A recent poll suggests that about 60 percent of Ars readers are using 250MB or less per month of mobile data on their iPhone (my own average is about 80MB per month)."

I would have thought most users would be using a lot more than 250MB/month.

 

[Chip NoVaMac]

I was going to try out the $30 plan until I read this very informative article over at Ars: http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2010/04/ipad-3g-wifi-day-is-today-heres-our-data-plan-primer.ars

I decided to sign up for the $15 plan and see how much data I use the first month. I have Wi-Fi at home and at work so I'll probably only need the 3G when I am commuting or traveling.

Thanks for the link... very helpful... Thinking that if I keep the iPad 3G (have a wifi iPad that has till 5/9 to decide here <eek>

Just wish AT&T would allow iPhones to tether only to iPads on the iPhone plan....

 

[Zepaw]

When I had my iPhone I was using around 600MB a month. I am pretty darn sure I am gonna need a lot more on here.

 

[s4ndm4n]

I got the ol' unlimited, but that's because I won't even be using it on WiFi (barely) and I am constantly going to different job sites.

Go Hawks!!!!

Did I mention this iPad is gorgeous? Love it!!!

(64GB 3G)

 

[Jethrotoe]

I was going to try out the $30 plan until I read this very informative article over at Ars: http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2010/04/ipad-3g-wifi-day-is-today-heres-our-data-plan-primer.ars

I decided to sign up for the $15 plan and see how much data I use the first month. I have Wi-Fi at home and at work so I'll probably only need the 3G when I am commuting or traveling.

Same here, Wi-Fi will be at over 75% of the places that I will be using it (home, work). But for the other 25% it was worth the extra money to always be able to connect. Without it, I see it as a crippled computer. IMHO
$15 to start.

 

[mayassa]

Day two and I hit 450m downloaded 18m uploaded

 

[MrDeeds]

Day two and I hit 450m downloaded 18m uploaded

This is why there might as well be only one plan available. 250mb is a joke.

 

[chris975d]

Day two and I hit 450m downloaded 18m uploaded

I'm burning through data as well. After last night alone I had 88Mb downloaded and 17Mb uploaded. And all my apps were synced over from my Macbook and were just duplicates of the apps on my wifi only iPad. So I've had no app downloads at all in that total. It just seems like a really high total for the amount I've used the device online so far. I've really used it no more than I'd use my iPhone to browse, check email, and read the forums here, and I'm hardly ever over 150Mb of data used per month on my iPhone. Yet with the iPad I'm already past half that? Maybe I've used it more than it seems I have, and maybe my usage will settle out after the newness wears off. Then again, I have had a wifi only 32Gb since launch day, so it's not like the iPad is a totally new device for me to still be "playing" with. But at this current rate, there's no way the 250Mb plan would have lasted me a week. Guess my choice of the unlimited plan was the right one.

 

[Chip NoVaMac]

This is why there might as well be only one plan available. 250mb is a joke.

Will have to post my results later in the week, once I get my iPad 3G activated. Just a long weekend with work to be bothered in really enjoying the 3G experience here of the iPad...

 

[mayassa]

Yep,

One plan really, I have not been on 24/7 either.

I was going to go with the lower plan and see how it goes.....

 

[Chip NoVaMac]

I'm burning through data as well. After last night alone I had 88Mb downloaded and 17Mb uploaded. And all my apps were synced over from my Macbook and were just duplicates of the apps on my wifi only iPad. So I've had no app downloads at all in that total. It just seems like a really high total for the amount I've used the device online so far. I've really used it no more than I'd use my iPhone to browse, check email, and read the forums here, and I'm hardly ever over 150Mb of data used per month on my iPhone. Yet with the iPad I'm already past half that? Maybe I've used it more than it seems I have, and maybe my usage will settle out after the newness wears off. Then again, I have had a wifi only 32Gb since launch day, so it's not like the iPad is a totally new device for me to still be "playing" with. But at this current rate, there's no way the 250Mb plan would have lasted me a week. Guess my choice of the unlimited plan was the right one.

Like I mentioned, will report back on my findings after I set up my iPad 3G this week. My thinking for you, when you are not able to connect to a wifi spot and are using only 3G when needed - you may be surprised at how little you use 3G - as I may find out as well. Or I may be surprised on the other end as well. LOL

Add to that this week may be the worst case situation as well. Was showing off the iPad at work and was limited because of the lack of wifi at work. Given the link in this thread with the primer by ARS on 3G usage - the $15 plan seems to fit my regular usage.

Now when I travel, that maybe a different matter depending on whether the hotel I am staying at has free wifi or not; and my willingness to head off to a free wifi spot.

But then I can see where I am in the billing cycle, and make the choice to upgrade to the $30 plan before the trip. And make my choice then.

Given what I see as constructive comments on the iPad 3G and limits on video downloads, I see myself making sure I load up my iPad 64GB with the movies I will want with me in my travels.