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All iPads Do I Need Cellular Capability?
- Thread starter bluespark
- Start date
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These are strange times. I usually but the cellular iPads but am wondering if the WiFi only versions are the better buy? Since March last year I have not been travelling (every hotel I did stay in had WiFi) and so cannot think of a single instance that I may need cellular. I have unlimited data with my iPhone and so can always tether to that.
I like the idea of cellular iPad but don't see the reason why most people need it? I mean, when are you not in reach of WiFi? When do you need to use the cellular on your iPad? I am curious.
I like the idea of cellular iPad but don't see the reason why most people need it? I mean, when are you not in reach of WiFi? When do you need to use the cellular on your iPad? I am curious.
Pretty much the entire working day for me. There's no wifi in the office. Besides, my LTE connection is actually faster than our office internet.
So there’s no WiFi in your office? That’s got be rare nowadays? Where abbots are you?
If you are in the habit of using public WiFi, make sure you are using a good VPN at the same time.
Our camp doesn’t even have electricity unless we run a generator. No electricity, no TV (well, two PBS channels, but you have to run the generator), no internet, no wifi, and not-so-good cell signal even with a pricey cell signal booster with an antenna on a 40’ tower. Small data plan on my Verizon phone (and Verizon signal is almost non-existent, AT&T is a couple of bars). So cellular iPads (iPad Pro 11, Mini 5) it is and I don’t regret it a bit.
We spent 10 days at the camp over the holidays, spend a lot of weekends there. I can stay online, stream a radio station while we travel (I ride, he drives).
Just so you understand that there are folks out there who are away from wifi for significant time.
Los Angeles, lol. ???
My mom works downtown and while there's wifi at her office, it's just really slow.
Mind, last time I used wi-fi at a Starbucks near me, it was super, super, super slow at loading and webpages would often time out. Granted, that was probably a couple years ago.
Right now I could do without cellular since I rarely leave the house. In pre-pandemic times I used it almost anytime I was out of the house. Much better than public WiFi. Would not buy a new iPad without it.
Hotspot for me is seamless so I can’t justify the extra cost of cellular plus the monthly with my uses. I have a pretty good power bank on the go so battery drain is not really an issue.
Everyone’s needs are different. You’ve purchased cellular iPads in the past, so surely you can understand the need (or at least desire for them). I have one & although I have barely used my iPad at all since COVID, I’m still glad I have the cellular version. I never did use it every day, but with T Mobile’s iPad plan of 5 Gigs for $10 for 150 days, it barely cost me anything at all.
I could list a dozen reasons why it’s useful, but here are the ones that come to mind. It’s super convenient for whenever I want to do something like banking or shopping online & I don’t want to use a public wifi system. Also, there are plenty of crap public wifi networks.
My wife’s company issued everyone on her team cellular iPads & they’ve been using them (upgraded every two years) since the original iPad. Anyone who is in the field a lot may benefit from one.
I used mine all the time when I was studying for my MBA. Having a cellular version allowed me to head to a local park for my lunch break, rather than sit in the office lunch room.
The cellular version is also great for when you need to get online quickly. I’ve used it countless times on a plane waiting to take off. Sometimes the airport wifi reaches the plane, but oftentimes not & even sometimes when it does, it takes a while to find the network, select it, have the sign in page load, click on the acceptance box, and have it turn on.
Our local library blocks email (or at least they block mac.com email) so I can get online, but I can’t check my email until I sign off their network.
And it’s great for when the power/internet goes out. Granted it’s rare, but this summer, we had our wifi go down for 2 days. With working from home, it was super inconvenient. I was able to use my cellular ipad as a hotspot to keep us all online & working for those two days.
To me, the real advantage of a cellular iPad is that it’s always connected. It’s like in the old days when went from dial up to cable; apart from the speed, the other gain was that we were always connected. I like that when I pick up my iPad, no matter where I am, it is always up to date with the latest emails. If I receive a text, I can just pick up my iPad and reply. If I quickly want to read the news, I just pick up my iPad. Essentially, my iPad is like my phone. But of course it’s a luxury, with only a little inconvenience I could use my phone hotspot. Yet, to me it’s worth it.
Of course, these pandemic days this is mostly irrelevant. I don’t go many places. But there will be post-pandemic days.
Of course, these pandemic days this is mostly irrelevant. I don’t go many places. But there will be post-pandemic days.
I always use to get the wifi version and hotspot from my phone.
When I got my iPad Pro last January decided to get the cellular version and I would never go back to wifi only
always connected when needed and gps receiver
I get 100gb on a sim deal with EE. I took a sim with EE and pay a £5 for 5gb of data but then transfer whatever data I need out the 100gb sim contract.
When I got my iPad Pro last January decided to get the cellular version and I would never go back to wifi only
always connected when needed and gps receiver
I get 100gb on a sim deal with EE. I took a sim with EE and pay a £5 for 5gb of data but then transfer whatever data I need out the 100gb sim contract.
I’ve changed my mind (as I often do) and ordered a cellular iPad. I’d convinced myself that WiFi only would be fine but as I said in my earlier post I do always get the cellular version. Getting close to the return window for my WiFi version so decided to “play it safe” as get the cellular one. I’d hate to regret it after the return window closed.
Now, a SIM card? I was going to get this. Any thoughts?
Three Mobile Pay As You Go Mobile Broadband 24 GB data SIM
by Amazon
Learn more: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01M3VJ2B2/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_eQ0aGb803ECE0?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1