Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Wingopad

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Apr 30, 2010
8
0
I have a 3G. Must I turn it off in settings to avoid using my allotment of data, or can I just close my browser?
 
I have a 3G. Must I turn it off in settings to avoid using my allotment of data, or can I just close my browser?

If you want to avoid using your allotment, yes, turn it off.

Ive already used 500mb and I haven't event begun playing with streaming. Those extra $15 are sure worth it. :D
 
I have a wifi and have a week to switch.

My question is....

Can you use wifi when available and save your data plan for when needed only ?

Yeees. I have the unlimited data plan, but for what its worth there is a "turn cell data off" option.
 
I bought the WiFi 64gb and have no regrets or intention to switch. For me, the iPad is an in home appliance. But I was wondering if those of you who have used both a wireless "n" network and 3G could comment on the difference in response. Is there as big a difference in response as you see with the iPhone?

One of the reasons I don't see the iPad as a walking around device is the size. The iPhone seems better suited to the role. But, the other reason is that 3G is an exercise in patience. I just can't envision doing any heavy web surfing on AT&T's 3G network. Am I wrong?
 
, the other reason is that 3G is an exercise in patience. I just can't envision doing any heavy web surfing on AT&T's 3G network. Am I wrong?

I find the 3G surfing experience to be quite enjoyable. Obviously not as fast as wifi, but I am 42 years old and remember 14.4 modems quite well. 3G is a speed demon!!! :D
 
I'm blowing through 3G data too fast. I may consider trying to use my iPhone & Mifi. How much does that cost again?
 
I'm blowing through 3G data too fast. I may consider trying to use my iPhone & Mifi. How much does that cost again?

I wanna say it's ten bucks for the 3G Hotspot jailbreak app. I don't know if it's glitch free enough though. And yeah, there's no way I'd do the 250MB option. If you're gonna pay for it you may as well go unlimited. You're not saving that much money. If you don't wanna pay for it then I get that but don't put yourself through the frustration of paying for something you can't fully use.
 
Fight back by tethering your phone instead.

I agree and love it. No way I am paying ATT yet another data fee for what iwas promised nearly a year ago. (tethering) I do it on principle over cost. In fact moving to the Evo 4G on sprint in June if the cover my area in 4G.

(snip) I just can't envision doing any heavy web surfing on AT&T's 3G network. Am I wrong?

Depending where you live really. I can see steady speeds of 1.5 to 2.2mb DL speeds at home, work and in many places in the Kansas City market even top near 3Mb DL speeds. It's a case of somewhat low density of people in a very spread out city. Higher population centers that have more users per tower will kill the speeds just as cable Internet speeds die off as it's shared among users on the node.
 
I bought the WiFi 64gb and have no regrets or intention to switch. For me, the iPad is an in home appliance. But I was wondering if those of you who have used both a wireless "n" network and 3G could comment on the difference in response. Is there as big a difference in response as you see with the iPhone?

One of the reasons I don't see the iPad as a walking around device is the size. The iPhone seems better suited to the role. But, the other reason is that 3G is an exercise in patience. I just can't envision doing any heavy web surfing on AT&T's 3G network. Am I wrong?

Not for me. I traveled with it. 3G between Sacrsmento and Tahoe was great. 3G in Tahoe was great. GPS worked great as well. Very pleased with the 3G.
 
Not for me. I traveled with it. 3G between Sacrsmento and Tahoe was great. 3G in Tahoe was great. GPS worked great as well. Very pleased with the 3G.
Now I'm not talking to students here because you have all the time (and money) in the world. However, for people who work for a living what does the iPad do that you can't do while on the move with the iPhone?

I'm self emplayed and if I'm out working, I'm either driving or doing my job and don't have leisure time available during those type of days. 3G for me is email, calendar business location information which is usually quick checks/replies. When I'm not working I'm at home with a WIFI connection.

Is it because you guys in the US have to fly a lot and have plenty of time to kill at airports where as in the UK we drive everywhere and that's not a very iPad friendly environment?
 
To gazwas: Hmm...as for things "while on the move", then perhaps the iPhone, in that context, doesn't do more than the iPad and the iPhone.

Although today, I was driving to a meeting with a client and I used my iPad 3G, which was turned on lying face up on my passenger seat, to help me locate office via Google Maps and the GPS. The large screen of the iPad allowed me to easily take quick peeks at it whilst driving.

I'm also self-employed and I use the iPad as a note-taking device at meetings and I can display my images of my various prototypes to client via the iPad. I've noticed that they are responding better to my images as they can hold the iPad and flip through them at their own leisure. Using my laptop required me to sit next to them or use a projection device. The immediacy of the iPad has had some unexpected perks for me and my clients.
 
I'm also self-employed and I use the iPad as a note-taking device at meetings and I can display my images of my various prototypes to client via the iPad. I've noticed that they are responding better to my images as they can hold the iPad and flip through them at their own leisure. Using my laptop required me to sit next to them or use a projection device. The immediacy of the iPad has had some unexpected perks for me and my clients.
One of my main reasons for the purchase of the iPad is to hand clients my works to look at.... I'm a commercial photographer.

Its the 3G bit that confuses me. As an iPhone 3GS user I'm not seeing the benefit of 3G on two devices for business use and just wondered why so many choose to own iphone 3G and iPad 3G. What does the iPad do so much better that you need iPad 3G if you have iPhone.
It must be something if people are willing to pay twice for 3G? :confused: I'm struggling to see what that difference is as they are basically the same device apart from screen size.
 
If I had an iPhone, I wouldn't have purchased the iPad 3G. Since I don't, I use the 3G all the time. Since Thursday of last week, I have used almost a 1GB of data over 3G. I'm traveling right now for business, so it's really coming in handy. Plus, the hotel I'm in has the worst wifi I've ever used. The 3G network is about 3x as fast and consistently reliable. I also really like the GPS feature with voice directions using MapQuest's free iPhone app on the iPad. That being said, the wifi glitch many others have noted will impact your 3G data usage if you leave 3G turned on all the time. If you have a limited plan, you should probably turn it off when you don't explicitly want to use it, especially if you use push email and other notifications.
 
I own an iPhone 3GS and am getting the 3G iPad because I don't want to use it only when wifi is available. I want to be able to browse the web anytime and not have to whip out my iPhone to do it on a small screen. Also, from my business standpoint, I want to be able to access my email on the iPad when on job sites and to be able to look at my calendar. Right now, if I update my calendar while on my iMac, then leave and check my iPad's calendar, the updates haven't been applied since it can't communicate without a wifi connection. 3G ensures everything is in sync when I need it to be. Much more convenient.
 
And yeah, there's no way I'd do the 250MB option. If you're gonna pay for it you may as well go unlimited. You're not saving that much money. If you don't wanna pay for it then I get that but don't put yourself through the frustration of paying for something you can't fully use.

Well believe it or not some of us have wifi access 90% of the time and will not need unlimited data plan. So why spend $30 a month if I can manage on $15 a month WHEN needed :rolleyes:

Its all about the freedom to pay for 3g when needed that entices me to trade mine in while I still can. I have 7 days to return my wifi version.
 
One of my main reasons for the purchase of the iPad is to hand clients my works to look at.... I'm a commercial photographer.

Its the 3G bit that confuses me. As an iPhone 3GS user I'm not seeing the benefit of 3G on two devices for business use and just wondered why so many choose to own iphone 3G and iPad 3G. What does the iPad do so much better that you need iPad 3G if you have iPhone.
It must be something if people are willing to pay twice for 3G? :confused: I'm struggling to see what that difference is as they are basically the same device apart from screen size.

Some of my clients like to meet at places where there is no wifi access so that is why I have the 3G. So it's a convenience issue for me. I also do web development, so showing them websites on a small screen like the iPhone would not work in my case. Previously I had to run a web server on my laptop when I would meet with the clients with no wifi.
 
I agree and love it. No way I am paying ATT yet another data fee for what iwas promised nearly a year ago. (tethering) I do it on principle over cost. In fact moving to the Evo 4G on sprint in June if the cover my area in 4G.

Do you really believe that AT&T would include tethering for free once it officially becomes available for the iphone? They charge $30 in addition to the regular $30 data plan for Blackberry's to be able to legally tether on their network. The data + tethering feature costs $60.
 
I find the 3G surfing experience to be quite enjoyable. Obviously not as fast as wifi, but I am 42 years old and remember 14.4 modems quite well. 3G is a speed demon!!! :D

You must have been a late bloomer. I'm a year older than you and I had a 110 baud modem. :)
 
One of my main reasons for the purchase of the iPad is to hand clients my works to look at.... I'm a commercial photographer.

Its the 3G bit that confuses me. As an iPhone 3GS user I'm not seeing the benefit of 3G on two devices for business use and just wondered why so many choose to own iphone 3G and iPad 3G. What does the iPad do so much better that you need iPad 3G if you have iPhone.
It must be something if people are willing to pay twice for 3G? :confused: I'm struggling to see what that difference is as they are basically the same device apart from screen size.

Try doing remote desktop to a computer from the iPhone. There is no comparison between the phone and the iPad. You can actually be functional on the iPad and use that remote computer for real.
 
I've had my 3G iPad for 1.5 weeks and am mostly on Wifi. But knowing that I'd be going on vacation, I signed up for a month of unlimited data access. Good thing I did since, 3 days into my vacation, my wife and I have downloaded over 900MB.

My wife loves the iPad and I have enabled MyWi for using my work laptop. It has worked flawlessly and my wife and I are able to stay connected.

I turn of my cell data reception when at home, but turn or on when on the road. I agree that the unlimited plan is the way to go, especially for just $15 more. Peace of mind knowing that I don't need to worry about using the 3G connection is worth it.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.