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I'm thinking "WiFi" owners might get the last laugh

Chupa Chupa

Chupa Chupa

macrumors G5
Original poster
Jul 16, 2002
14,835
7,396
I bought a WiFi model on Day One then sold it when the 3G came out. Originally I did not want the 3G, but as I used the WiFi realized it might be nice when WiFi wasn't available since it was at the time no commitment for 30day unlimited service.

Of course we know what happened weeks later and "unlimited" effectively became "subscription required."

Today Virgin Mobile USA (owned by Sprint) will start selling it's PayGo MiFi for $150, about the cost of the iPad upgrade from WiFi to 3G. Service is more expensive at $20/300MB, $60/5G, etc., BUT you can use it w/ other devices, even simultaneously for the multi-taskers in us.


Also coming out is BestBuy's own branded, but Sprint serviced, PayGo service at the similar prices

As a 3G owner, knowing unlimited PayGo is dead, this makes me very jealous. Well done WiFi owners, well done. I think next year I'm going WiFi all the way.
 
I'm a little shocked that more 3g owners weren't livid at the bait and switch on the whole unlimited plan fiasco.

I originally bought a 3g and was very happy with it but ended up exchanging it because it had dust under the screen. I unfortunately received a lemon that crashed constantly on video, so i decided on waiting a couple weeks before going back and buying a replacement 3g.

Now i'm ready to buy another ipad and it seems that the wifi is the only reasonable decision.
 
In my case, 2GB or 5GB (in Canada) is not different than unlimited as I don't use data anywhere close to the limit.

I also pay a $30/6GB plan for my iPhone. Guess what, I am not close to using 10% of that. For me, the only way I can use a lot of data is streaming a movie, which I don't really do over 3G.
 
I bought WiFi only because I knew I was going to tether with my iPhone. :). One of the best decisions I ever made.
 
well.... I am using my my mini gsm in my old 3gs with adapter... and then create a hotspot for ipad. So it's 2 devices with one 3g connection.

Helps me still use my old iphone, as I have switched to verizon earlier this year.

and I am grandfathered in already.....

ALso wifi users do't get GPS.... and GPS is GooooooooD on a big screen.

that's all... :D
 
What's the big deal? I can tether my 3G iPad via wifi if I ever decide I want to do that....

...plus, the GPS. And I don't have to hook it up to some other device (hassle).

Anyone who believed that the unlimited data for $30 plan was going to be permanent for ever and ever must have been crazy.
 
The idea of carrying around another device is repulsive to me!
Long live my 3G and the unlimited plan I am now in for life!
 
also I don't get it ????

the difference between 3g and wifi models is also $150ish. With that you get prepaid option WITHOUT needing to carry another device ..... and ALSO get GPS...

You tell me which one is a better deal ? .... I think wifi owners should be laughing at themselves... for paying extra $150 and not getting GPS.... lol

:D
 
Chupa Chupa said:
I bought a WiFi model on Day One then sold it when the 3G came out. Originally I did not want the 3G, but as I used the WiFi realized it might be nice when WiFi wasn't available since it was at the time no commitment for 30day unlimited service. Of course we know what happened weeks later and "unlimited" effectively became "subscription required."
Click to expand...

Unfortunate that you live in a territory with only one choice of 3G provider.
 
I laugh everyday when I turn on Mywi on my 3Gs and connect my iPad.

Unlimited Grandfatherd since 2007!

ha-ha-ha-haaa
 
atomicbatteries said:
The idea of carrying around another device is repulsive to me!
Long live my 3G and the unlimited plan I am now in for life!
Click to expand...

Haha then don't carry around your ipad. :cool:

Your 3g, I am sorry friend, will last as long as the first gen is currently hot. 2nd gen wifi, with pay as you go contenders coming out of the wing? That is a win. :D
 
I'm hoping unlimited data returns with the introduction of 4G networks--that's when the speeds will finally start being adequate enough that I think some will get rid of home broadband.

Since I've currently go home broadband I just don't need 3G data most of the time and most coffee shops have some kind of wifi--even public parks are starting to get it. I'm keeping my unlimited plan throughout the summer due to some trips coming up, but after that I just might cancel.

I know it matters more for others though and I think its very shady for AT&T to pull the unlimited plan the way they did.
 
cenetti said:
also I don't get it ????

the difference between 3g and wifi models is also $150ish. With that you get prepaid option WITHOUT needing to carry another device ..... and ALSO get GPS...

You tell me which one is a better deal ? .... I think wifi owners should be laughing at themselves... for paying extra $150 and not getting GPS.... lol

:D
Click to expand...

You are paying for the ability to use your mac, your ipod, your significant other's mac, their ipad, their ipod, your kid's computers, their ipod etc...up to 5 devices ...

with 3g ipad...you just get to use your ipad all by your lonesome. :D
 
I went WiFi only and went with the Sprint Overdrive. I'm fortunate enough to live in a city with excellent 4G coverage, and the 4G speed is incredible. Yeah, it's $59/month for service, but honestly, spending the additional $30 per month for 4G vs. AT&T's horrible 3G service?

It's a no-brainer, especially given the fact that I can connect my iPhone, my wife's iPhone and laptops when needed, plus GPS, all at 4G speed.
 
Na I like my 3G iPad, carrying a mifi thing around would be abit annoying... id be worried if i left it somewhere plus they dont last very long when charged up. Its easy to just have it all built into the iPad. Plus I will only be using 3G while im on the bus traveling to uni (which takes 1 hour 30 mins each way) everywhere else I am normally has Wifi.

So 3G was the better option for me.
 
peapody said:
You are paying for the ability to use your mac, your ipod, your significant other's mac, their ipad, their ipod, your kid's computers, their ipod etc...up to 5 devices ...

with 3g ipad...you just get to use your ipad all by your lonesome. :D
Click to expand...

I guess you didn't read it .... I get to do all that for only $29 plus get GPS...

and have the freedom to go to a wonderful carrier called Verizon... and actually
have crystal clear voice plan.... :D
 
Yeah this mifi is a better option for me, since I carry my macbook pro around almost as much as my iPad. I am especially looking forward to using it to access email at my work. :rolleyes: Websense blocks gmail at my work. Now that is just ridiculous.


I like that I can also share my net with my boyfriend who has a wifi ipad as well. Two internets for the price of one :D.
 
Everyone has different needs. I use my phone a lot, mifi is just not an option, especially considering the battery drain. The entire point of me getting the ipad was to travel light. Adding a device and another bill didn't make sense.

I have no real need to have a bunch of devices online at once. For some, that might make sense.

Lastly, most the apps I use require internet connectivity. Even business stuff, I'm syncing with a cloud somewhere. For my use, the iPad turns into a touch ipod with not connection so 3G was a no brainer. The advanced GPS stuff is a great help too, much easier than fighting the tiny phone screen.



ash =o)
 
Each to his own...my wife has the Wifi only and hates the fact that she can't go out of the house without constant connectivity...she's not interested in jail breaking her iPhone 3G for miwi... plus, my guess is that in the future ATT will find and penalize those that are not paying for their tethered service anyway....:eek:

I, on the other hand, use the 3G iPad, I travel internationally, use GPS a lot, but I am grandfathered in and work pays the $30 monthly bill, so no big deal, plus I would hate to use two devices, but that's just me. I'm just glad we had a choice of the two, right?
 
Mifi makes the world happy

It's great to be able to announce "Free WiFi" to everyone on the train a couple times a day. I love to see the reaction.

That alone makes the Mifi worth it.
 
richpjr said:
Well, the device costs more than the difference in price between a wifi and 3G model, the data plan costs more, and it requires lugging around two devices. Not much of a bonus, unless you need to tether multiple devices.
Click to expand...

I really don't understand why people use the word "lug" when the device is as small as a credit card. Are people that lazy/weak these days? :D

I am for one, glad this went prepaid, since I have been looking into a mifi for my computer for a while.
 
I do not want a separate device for data access and I have already signed up for unlimited, and do not intend to cancel or interrupt the service.

So I have the first and the last laugh. In fact, I am laughing pretty hard right now.

(I have had Verizon MIFI for a year. I intend to cancel it.)
 
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