I wasn't implying people should be like me but rather how I think. It was simply an opinion. To each their own.
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All iPads Do you go for Wi-Fi only or cellular for your iPad
- Thread starter Adeapplephone
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Agreed. This is often overlooked, but there are a ton of businesses that run their POS via iPads. When you look at how much “basic” internet connection and a modem & router combo cost nowadays, you can see why someone (coffee shop, food truck, small mom & pop store, contractors, etc.) would opt-in for a cellular iPad to get the job done.
Mobility is also a big thing. I often see iPads used for POS at conventions.
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
For years with iPad Mini 2, I almost always used only AT&T $30 for 3 months or 2GB plan. I'm in free-wifi zones for work and home (so almost all of the time). I found I could let that plan lapse and then re-order when out and about and actually needing a cellular connection. With that, I found I could often "stretch" usage such that I was only actually getting that about 9 of the 12 months of the year The "use it as a phone too" option with VOIP apps works the same when connected to wifi, so "phone" is phone whether cellular is active or not. Else, it's easy to buy cellular data at any time from anywhere I can get a cell signal.
However, with Mini 6, I decided to try the Tmobile $5/month for 500MB or 1 month plan for a continuous connection. Even on the AT&T option, I found that I rarely exceeded 500MB of cellular in ANY month (including some significant travel periods), so this Tmobile test will net out to $60/yr and I'll be consistently connected year round. If I find that 500MB is being too cellular stingy, I can either opt for $10 for 1GB/month with them OR go back to that AT&T plan. In all scenarios, I have no expectations of spending more than about $100 PER YEAR for cellular service.
I opted for 256GB storage because I sync media instead of stream. That's part of how to avoid burning lots of cellular... and dodging yet another monthly rental fee(s) on top of the cellular service bill. So I have a few thousand of my favorite songs synched and I allocate some chunks of space to movies I want to watch when I am traveling. When "full," I have about 40% of total storage free.
I DO use the Mini camera pretty regularly... probably for the same reason iPhone cameras get used so much: it's the one that is just about always with me. With the 6, I now have 4K video too. It's great to have BOTH options with me (just like phone users). I WISH Apple made a "pro" and put the iPhone MAX cameras in this thing but I'll take what I get on that front. It takes nice photos and great video. If I need better quality for something, I have a dedicated 4K camcorder that also shoots very good photos. This also contributes to why I went 256GB... room for iPad Mini 6 4K video.
If photos drive your phone choice, consider the quality difference of this camera vs. the ones in iPhone. The latter are considerably BETTER cameras with additional features. I personally can live with the only option for Mini 6 but would have certainly paid a few hundred more for those cameras in a hypothetical Mini 6 "pro."
I hope this is helpful. I've done this for many years (since the launch of Mini 1) and never felt like I was missing much in terms of iOS goodies, phone & text service, etc. Obviously, it's not for everyone... but works really great for my purposes and costs a LOT less than the other way... or having 2 devices instead of 1.
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I did a cellular iPad once. $18/mo for something I rarely used that could be utilized by my iPhone just seemed like a massive waste of $216/year. So, I go wifi. If I need cellular when I'm out and about, I always have my iPhone with me to be a connection to cellular from the iPad.
At a work conference? iPhone plugged into MBP for power, iPhone is a hotspot for MacBook and iPad. Boom. $216/year saved. For me and my use case it works. For others, I can see how cellular would be a massive benefit but imo it's insanely expensive for an already insanely expensive cellular plan I pay for.
At a work conference? iPhone plugged into MBP for power, iPhone is a hotspot for MacBook and iPad. Boom. $216/year saved. For me and my use case it works. For others, I can see how cellular would be a massive benefit but imo it's insanely expensive for an already insanely expensive cellular plan I pay for.
I go for wifi only. Most places have Wi-Fi and if not I have my iPhone and can make a hotspot
Same. My iPad Pro 12.9 Wi-Fi stays home 99% of the time and my mini cellular goes with me everywhere 99% of the time.
Absolutely, which is why cellular iPads exist. If I was using mine for a business or travelling all over the place, a cellular plan would be well worth it.
There are many consumers like myself too who have iPads that rarely leave the home. Mine is mostly used in the evenings when sitting in front of the tv. When I do take it on holiday or when I go away with work, WiFi has always been available. I’ve never needed a separate cellular plan for it as I’ve also been able to tether.
It’s great to have options for different needs.
Do you have multiple lines on both networks? Or do you use Verizon for only 1 iPad data line? Seem like the latter would be an expensive stand alone plan.
I have multiple lines on AT&T and Verizon. T-Mobile I only have one prepaid Connect line that cost $15. Verizon line is going back to the iPhone, so my new configuration will be this:
iPhone:
eSIM - Verizon (Old Feb 2017 plan - $34 per line)
SIM - T-Mobile ($15 plan)
iPad:
SIM - AT&T ($23.49 Stand alone plan)
Going back to Verizon from AT&T for iPhone.
iPhone:
eSIM - Verizon (Old Feb 2017 plan - $34 per line)
SIM - T-Mobile ($15 plan)
iPad:
SIM - AT&T ($23.49 Stand alone plan)
Going back to Verizon from AT&T for iPhone.
I always go wifi. I did go will a cellular IPP back in 2018, but I barely used the cellular funtionality, so I ultimately just cancelled the plan with my mobile provider.
Like others, I don't see the point with having cellular. I usually have my iPhone on me, so I can use the hot spot from my phone to connect to my iPad if I'm at the airport.
Like others, I don't see the point with having cellular. I usually have my iPhone on me, so I can use the hot spot from my phone to connect to my iPad if I'm at the airport.
I’ve been hot spotting to my phone the last few days while out and about and it’s worked great. Also discovered that my ISP has a ton of Wi-Fi hotspots around town.
Always cellular, the added benefit of having your own data plan and not rely on Wi-Fi, plus the addition of GPS, is a very useful features to me. I use the iPad at home, and when I am out - having the cellular model lets me be connected wherever I go. As long as there is service coverage, of course.
Tried out the automatic hotspot while actually going to the office yesterday. The first time I picked up the Mini 6 after leaving my WiFi at home it took 5 ish seconds to connect, after that it was connected the rest of the day without any delay. Battery drain wasn’t a problem, was connected for 4 hours and used around 10% battery including 45 minutes of phone calls over bluetooth. So even if I were to be at the office a full day and have it connected all day I’d still easily get 2 days of use out of the phone. Speed of the connection is really good as well and most of the time seems limited by the cellular service on the phone.
So since I don’t need GPS in the iPad I really see no reason to go cellular now that the automatic tethering keeps the connection active as well as it does.
So since I don’t need GPS in the iPad I really see no reason to go cellular now that the automatic tethering keeps the connection active as well as it does.
I voted for wifi. Main thing is I can usually connect via wifi hotspot on travel. I'm not as concerned about security and privacy since I don't do anything sensitive on there (e.g. bank accounts, work). However, I can always generate a hotspot with my phone. Save the money from not paying the extra $130, and monthly fee for the cell plan.
OTOH, I've known some who swear by it. Only read the 1st page of this thread, but another reason is if you lose the ipad, you'll be able to use the "find my iDevice" feature to locate it for you with better success.
OTOH, I've known some who swear by it. Only read the 1st page of this thread, but another reason is if you lose the ipad, you'll be able to use the "find my iDevice" feature to locate it for you with better success.
cellular -- the places I go abroad often have affordable data only plans -- I appreciate the convenience of having it built into the iPad rather than another gadget to fumble with and hope works in multiple countries (or at least be successfully configured by me)
Ok I took the leap, 10 bux for 5gigs for over 3 months! The service at home (where I’ll never use it but still) is actually better than I get on my att iPhone 13, adding to my att family plan would’ve been 25ish a month and I don’t see myself needing it on a regular basis. Thanks for the advice! Go T-Mobile!
Heh... I just assumed that any device without cellular wouldn't have GPS. Good to know!
This is really going to vary a great deal based on use.
I regularly work on the go while traveling. One of the reasons I've switched to using an iPad Pro with a keyboard case is the onboard cellular. Yes; I can use a hotspot. But it's awfully convenient and not very expensive ($20/mo).
I regularly work on the go while traveling. One of the reasons I've switched to using an iPad Pro with a keyboard case is the onboard cellular. Yes; I can use a hotspot. But it's awfully convenient and not very expensive ($20/mo).
Depends on the iPad for me. I have cellular on my 11 Pro and Mini 6 as I take them with me more often than the 12.9 Pro. I also have a 2 year old and want the mini to have service when we are out in case we need it.
I recently switched from cellular (Air 2) to wi-fi (Air 4) and it's not because my usage has changed, it's simply because when I'm on my iPad my iPhone (AT&T unlimited) is always inches away so it's just too easy to enable the hotspot and not pay for a separate plan.
I'm curious how often do you use your LTE on your iPad? Maybe it's based off of where you live? i don't find myself often in a place where I needed LTE on my ipad.