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I have the wifi pad -- should I switch to 3G?

random person said:
Well this final version of the iLounge review clinched it for me, as it reminded me of my primary reason for sticking with the wifi version: I hate giving ATT more money!

I'm happy with my choice again!

http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/reviews/entry/apple-ipad-with-wi-fi-3g-16gb-32gb-64gb/P0

I figure if my hairdresser, dentist, internist, slacker cafe, house, etc all have wifi -- I can live without the 3G.
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melman101 said:
+1 for MyWi :). I barely take my iPad out of my house. So when I do need it, I just tether. I spent a week in San Francisco tethering to my iPhone while it was plugged into a wall in a hotel with no free wifi. It worked amazingly well. I definitely don't need to spend $130 + $30 a month.
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I'll add another vote for JB your iPhone and get MyWi. The new spirit jailbreak is a breeze and MyWi works great. Since it doesn't sound like you need 3G access often or for prolonged periods of time, it sounds like this route is your best bet and offers the best value.
 
tbayrgs said:
I'll add another vote for JB your iPhone and get MyWi. The new spirit jailbreak is a breeze and MyWi works great. Since it doesn't sound like you need 3G access often or for prolonged periods of time, it sounds like this route is your best bet and offers the best value.
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I am worried about jailbreaking -- am thinking instead of mifi but without a contract. Mmmm.
 
theman510 said:
this x one million

by paying $9.99 once and getting mywi on my iphone, i am saving the $130 initial cost difference between wifi and 3G models and an additional $360 per year. let's say you have your ipad for two years, that's $720 just on 3g alone!! add that to the $130 and there's $850 you just saved.

we're in the year 2010, internet access shouldn't cost this much.
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That's assuming I choose to even turn on 3G. And let's not forget, wifi is available on the 3G iPad as well. So basically I'm paying $130 for the added protection. I definitely don't intend on renewing my 3G every month if I do decide to turn it on, and I'm definitely not tied down to a $30/month contract, so in the end you end up paying more than me, provided you renew your iPhone contract.

Nothing against you but I'm tired of hearing this argument.
 
iSingandiDance said:
That's assuming I choose to even turn on 3G. And let's not forget, wifi is available on the 3G iPad as well. So basically I'm paying $130 for the added protection. I definitely don't intend on renewing my 3G every month if I do decide to turn it on, and I'm definitely not tied down to a $30/month contract, so in the end you end up paying more than me, provided you renew your iPhone contract.

Nothing against you but I'm tired of hearing this argument.
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FYI: the OP has "iPhone 3G 16 gig" in his/her sig, so for this individual the suggestion is one that would save $130 + 30/mth for each month of activation.

Do you not have a phone with a data plan :confused: I suspect most here do and those who are suggesting this option are doing so with this in mind; you are comparing :apple:s to oranges.
 
MT0227 said:
Do you not have a phone with a data plan :confused: I suspect most here do and those who are suggesting this option are doing so with this in mind; else we are comparing :apple:s to oranges.
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. I don't, but even if I did, it wouldn't matter as the argument is flawed.
 
random person said:
I am worried about jailbreaking -- am thinking instead of mifi but without a contract. Mmmm.
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It's a fairly easy process, if you have a friend that is capable of doing it or has done it already...I'd certainly try it out. My iPhone works flawlessly, the MyWi app works real well. Just backup, give it a try...worst case you restore back to where you left off. Good luck!
 
iSingandiDance said:
That's assuming I choose to even turn on 3G. And let's not forget, wifi is available on the 3G iPad as well. So basically I'm paying $130 for the added protection. I definitely don't intend on renewing my 3G every month if I do decide to turn it on, and I'm definitely not tied down to a $30/month contract, so in the end you end up paying more than me, provided you renew your iPhone contract.

Nothing against you but I'm tired of hearing this argument.
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The OP has an iphone, are you assuming he will be cancelling his iphone contract? Because then it would be cheaper overall. I never addressed YOUR specific situation. I answered the OP's post.

If the OP renews his iphone contract, he will end up paying WAAAAY more than you.

Nothing against you, but in the end, I pay my $30 iphone data plan (+ voice & messages) which gives me data on my iphone AND my ipad.
 
iSingandiDance said:
. I don't, but even if I did, it wouldn't matter as the argument is flawed.
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How so :confused: The suggestive posts are taking into account the OP is already paying for something that can be turned into an effective solution to provide the same or similar level of 3G service that would cost him/her an additional $130 out of the box + $30/mth if used.

I can see if you don't have a data plan, you may opt to burn $130 for that "added protection". Those of us that already have one and use it extensively are suggesting to those similar to explore a choice that is incrementally free. You are not the same user as the OP who already has the data plan, thus your posts and suggestions are aimed at the wrong user.
 
theman510 said:
The OP has an iphone, are you assuming he will be cancelling his iphone contract? Because then it would be cheaper overall. I never addressed YOUR specific situation. I answered the OP's post.

If the OP renews his iphone contract, he will end up paying WAAAAY more than you.

Nothing against you, but in the end, I pay my $30 iphone data plan (+ voice & messages) which gives me data on my iphone AND my ipad.
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I never said anything about whether you were addressing the OP's problem or not. You just used an argumentation that was wrong.

To assume that one must activate 3G just because they bought iPad 3G, and on top of that assume they'll renew every month is wrong.

In fact, Internet would be more expensive for the iPhone owner than it would be for someone with only iPad 3G for the simple fact that iPhone users are bound by a contract.

Again, it isn't against you, but I kept seeing this argument used as the reason why iPad wifi is somehow better than 3G, when in fact it's really not.
 
iSingandiDance said:
I never said anything about whether you were addressing the OP's problem or not.
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Wouldn't that be the reason for the OPs post? Looking for suggestions to help what works for HIM/HER ??? What is the point of your post here???


iSingandiDance said:
Again, it isn't against you, but I kept seeing this argument used as the reason why iPad wifi is somehow better than 3G, when in fact it's really not.
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Again, this is in the context of the OP already paying for a 3G plan with the iPhone. For the OP, it would be more economical to explore MyWi than pay for a 3G iPad. I don't think anyone (in this thread) is saying the WiFi iPad is "better" than the 3G per se; however for this OP, the WiFi iPad may be a better choice.
 
MT0227 said:
Wouldn't that be the reason for the OPs post? Looking for suggestions to help what works for HIM/HER ??? What is the point of your post here???




Again, this is in the context of the OP already paying for a 3G plan with the iPhone. For the OP, it would be more economical to explore MyWi than pay for a 3G iPad. I don't think anyone (in this thread) is saying the WiFi iPad is "better" than the 3G per se; however for this OP, the WiFi iPad may be a better choice.
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First, I wasn't even addressing you. Second, I don't care if the person I was addressing--clearly NOT you--was assuming OP would use 3G every month, to say it would cost him that much more is overshooting the point. Activation of 3G is not required of the 3G to even include those
figures especially since OP has stated he has wifi at home, so he probably isn't even going for the unlimited plan if he were to activate at all.

I really don't know why you even felt the need to add your two cents. I didn't
quote you or anything. And it's not even that serious.

OP has already resolved his problem; I was just addressing the argument's glaring faults.

Carry on.
 
MT0227 said:
Wouldn't that be the reason for the OPs post? Looking for suggestions to help what works for HIM/HER ??? What is the point of your post here???




Again, this is in the context of the OP already paying for a 3G plan with the iPhone. For the OP, it would be more economical to explore MyWi than pay for a 3G iPad. I don't think anyone (in this thread) is saying the WiFi iPad is "better" than the 3G per se; however for this OP, the WiFi iPad may be a better choice.
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Exactly. The OP has an iphone, I think he should jailbreak it, use mywi on an unlimited basis, and NOT get a 3G ipad. Unless there are some extenuating circumstances (like you need 3G on your ipad for hours upon hours every single day), nobody with an iphone that is jailbroken should pay for a 3G ipad. at that point, a 3G ipad is just a waste of money.

iSingandiDance, I don't know if you're trying to defend your reason for getting 3G and frankly, I don't care. I was responding to the question asked by the OP.
 
iSingandiDance said:
I was just addressing the argument's glaring faults.
Click to expand...

For you as a user, perhaps...but then again I'm pretty certain the arguments were made with out you as a user in mind.

For the OP as a user, there are no faults in the argument. He/She would be paying an additional $130 for something he/she can have for free (at the moment) ..period end of story.


iSingandiDance said:
I really don't know why you even felt the need to add your two cents.
Click to expand...

To dis spell factually incorrect logic and reasoning.

iSingandiDance said:
Carry on.
Click to expand...

I have
 
My bad -- I fixed my signature to reflect ownership of an iPhone 3GS 32gb.

Thinking strongly about mifi -- am I a fool to not jailbreak? Werent there horror stories?

Why won't AT&T support tethering "officially."
 
random person said:
My bad -- I fixed my signature to reflect ownership of an iPhone 3GS 32gb.

Thinking strongly about mifi -- am I a fool to not jailbreak? Werent there horror stories?

Why won't AT&T support tethering "officially."
Click to expand...

It really is so simple to do. I don't consider myself anything special when it comes to computers and phones and stuff. But read up on jailbreaking in the iPhone hacks forum and take the 5 minutes it takes to do it. You'll be very happy that you did. I'm so happy with mine that I'm still on firmware 3.0. With my jailbreak I see no reason to upgrade right now.

Worst case scenario, you have to restore it and you are right back where you started.
 
random person said:
My bad -- I fixed my signature to reflect ownership of an iPhone 3GS 32gb.
Click to expand...

Well...I think the latest JB software *Spirit* will now "work" on the 3GS and still enable you to use MyWi. I'd keep an eye out in the iPhone section for the "working" status of *Spirit*.

random person said:
Why won't AT&T support tethering "officially."
Click to expand...

So they can charge you for the bandwidth you are using on a device "officially" connected to their network.

Personally, I think they should certainly allow it for customers with existing data plans, as you are not using 2 X the bandwidth with both devices. One counter argument is that you are apt to use more bandwidth with the iPhone as a modem since you are now given to option to add a device with more capability and functionality to use more.
 
For most of us, having the 3G capability in the iPAD is nothing new. However, think of it this way.

The extra $130 buys you insurance / protection for 3G capability, should you ever want it. It will also help the resale value when you upgrade to a future revision of this product.

The $30/mo ensures that your iphone battery is not drained (let's face it, tethering to your phone sounds like a good idea, but it will drain the **** out of it). Tethering is not the ideal choice for long term use, as I would rather have battery life on my iPhone to use as a phone / mobile device.

So in the end, think of that $30 as extra battery for your iPhone. =)
 
timeslip said:
It will also help the resale value when you upgrade to a future revision of this product.
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Isn't that kind of a half-truth? I mean sure you'll get more for a 3G than a similar WiFi, but it also cost $130 more too. I also doubt you'll get the full $130 spent for the 3G. So ultimately, you will lose more money reselling a 3G vs. a similar WiFi model. It's the same as when you buy a loaded car -- you only get a tiny fraction of the money spent on the options.

(I have a 3G BTW, so not knocking it, but reality is what it is, and your statement is fuzzy logic.)
 
I am certainly going to wait for a significantly more sweeping hardware upgrade than just a 3G radio.

(um... besides, there's no 3G anywhere near where I live, and probably never will be.)
 
timeslip said:
For most of us, having the 3G capability in the iPAD is nothing new. However, think of it this way.

The extra $130 buys you insurance / protection for 3G capability, should you ever want it. It will also help the resale value when you upgrade to a future revision of this product.

The $30/mo ensures that your iphone battery is not drained (let's face it, tethering to your phone sounds like a good idea, but it will drain the **** out of it). Tethering is not the ideal choice for long term use, as I would rather have battery life on my iPhone to use as a phone / mobile device.

So in the end, think of that $30 as extra battery for your iPhone. =)
Click to expand...

External battery is one solution

HyperMac Mini battery gives 6x iPhone battery power

Paperback book size 8oz. and fits in ones backpack

I'm considering it for a EVO all day on the go iPad surfing
 
I get frustrated when I see people posting about all the cost savings and options you have for mobile internet with a wifi vs a 3G.

Theories are cute but in practice a lot of these suggestions aren't very practical.

Mifi/Personal mobile hotspot-$40-$60 a month and you have to get a contract. The advantage of 4g is nice but the battery life on these things are only 4-6hrs. It's probably a worthwhile solution if you have multiple ipads but it all depends on whether both ipads users will always be together when they need wifi.

I don't get why people suggest this as a solution when it's more expensive than just getting a 3G and I can't stand the fact that something I'm paying more for can't even outlast my 3G iPad in battery life.

Tethering-Free but there are limits on how much data you can use depending on your carrier. If the phone doesn't have an extended battery it'll totally burn through your battery.

I think this solution is very realistic for some but not for most. Jailbroken iPhones make this an easy solution but what are you supposed to do when your battery is dead. A problem with tethering that nobody ever brings up is if your on a cdma network(sprint/verizon) you can't use data and voice at the same time. So whenever a call comes in you lose your internet till your off the phone. That even includes the almighty 4g evo that can do simultaneous but sprint won't allow it. The fact that I kill my phone battery just makes tethering a bad idea for me. I've been there and done that.

I used my 3G today at work from 12:30 to about 5 and still had about 55% battery life and my palm pre still had 74% battery life. It's more than worth it for me.

An iPad is an expensive toy for most of us. Who wants to be the kid with the remote controlled car with the cord attached.
 
If you're on the go all day and need to be on your ipad constantly then go for it.

But you already have the tools you need for a 3G connection. Just jailbreak, install mywi and be done with it.

For me if i know I might need some extra power I just toss my xpal battery pack in my bag. That little sucker will give me an all day hotspot if I need it.
 
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