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ipad 4g or to nor 4g? Any pay as you go plans?

vivithemage

vivithemage

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jul 12, 2008
681
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I do not have an ipad yet, I have a MBA, and iphone 4...ipad will be used primarily for TV via remote potato actually, which I have loved on my iphone, just been wanting a larger screen, bingo -> ipad.

So by the off chance we ever wanted to use data on the go ... do they make a pay as you go plan for ATT or Verizon?

I assume Verizon is a better ipad to get, because I hear it's backwards compatible with ATT?

Also, correct me if I am wrong, but you need a 4G ipad to have GPS, if you go wifi only, no GPS.
 
Curious: having GPS on the 4G model means that someone will be able to use the Maps app without internet, like while driving? Because if not, I don't see the significance: my WiFi-only model can find my location so long as I'm on WiFi.
 
Wirelessly posted

I believe Verizon only offers pay as you go.

Also Verizon let's you use the hotspot for no additional charge. ATT has yet to announce if they will do the same.
 
jcb815 said:
Wirelessly posted

I believe Verizon only offers pay as you go.

Also Verizon let's you use the hotspot for no additional charge. ATT has yet to announce if they will do the same.
Click to expand...

link to Verizon's pay as you go pricing model?
 
vivithemage said:
I do not have an ipad yet, I have a MBA, and iphone 4...ipad will be used primarily for TV via remote potato actually, which I have loved on my iphone, just been wanting a larger screen, bingo -> ipad.

So by the off chance we ever wanted to use data on the go ... do they make a pay as you go plan for ATT or Verizon?

I assume Verizon is a better ipad to get, because I hear it's backwards compatible with ATT?

Also, correct me if I am wrong, but you need a 4G ipad to have GPS, if you go wifi only, no GPS.
Click to expand...

Yes, they both are prepaid. You buy a month at a time when you want it. If you buy from Best Buy or Verizon Store they will try to stick you on a POSTPAID MONTHLY plan. DO NOT let them activate it for you. If you buy anywhere else there is no problem.

Correct, 4G model only has GPS and NO you don't need data to use GPS if you have an app that saves the map on the iPad. "MAPS" app won't work without Data. GPS works with cellular data off and sim removed.

Yes to Verizon, you can also use ATT SIM but there is no ATT LTE, just 3G & HSPA+(3.5G).
 
TB07-NJ said:
Yes, they both are prepaid. You buy a month at a time when you want it.

Correct, 4G model only has GPS and NO you don't need data to use GPS if you have an app that saves the map on the iPad. "MAPS" app won't work without Data.

Yes to Verizon, you can use ATT SIM but there is no ATT LTE, just 3G & HSPA+(3.5G).
Click to expand...

Good to know, thanks.

I am not talking prepaid, I am talking more pay as you go ... I would probably use data maybe 1-2 times a month.
 
vivithemage said:
That is a shame!
Click to expand...
Well, if you want to use a T-Mobile SIM (in eaither model) they have "daily internet plans" real cheap but all you will get is 2G Edge speeds. Still no roll over for weeks, months. NO ONE has that even on Postpaid. I'd love to buy 2 gig for $30 and keep it for a year. NEVER gonna happen with any provider.
 
TB07-NJ said:
Can't be done.
Click to expand...

Of course it can be done. I signed up on my iPad the day I bought it, and still have not gone through all of the data and have NOT been charged anything since.

My son's, on the other hand, was signed up over the phone with Verizon, and he is being charged monthly even though he had 1.5 GB of data left. Ridiculous.

Does anyone know how to reset the iPad so I can sign him up as Pay As You Go plan? thanks.
 
Go with the 4G model - I chose the 3G model of the 1st generation iPad, and when I recently upgraded to the new iPad, I stuck with the same option of cellular connectivity. It really is worth it and you'll be glad you spent the extra money when there's no Wi-Fi where you are or when you're traveling. FYI, I chose Verizon as AT&T's network sucked for me unfortunately on my first iPad and now I couldn't be happier.
 
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vivithemage said:
I was hoping pay for 250mb, and use it over the course of a year or something, not be stuck to just the one month.
Click to expand...

TB07-NJ said:
Can't be done.
Click to expand...

Bossyman said:
Of course it can be done. I signed up on my iPad the day I bought it, and still have not gone through all of the data and have NOT been charged anything since.
Click to expand...
The data you "didn't go through" EXPIRES after 30 days whether you are on iPad PREPAID or iPad POSTpaid. That's how it works. You're simply wrong or not understanding.

Either you haven't completed the 30 days you originally paid for yet and your data is still working, or your being charged and don't know it (check your credit card bill), or you THINK you have data but it has actually expired.

There are no other possibilities unless you are the only iPad prepaid data plan owner in the world that has a special plan.

Maybe we are misunderstanding each other. You said you "was hoping pay for 250mb, and use it over the course of a year."

You CAN'T DO THAT on AT&T (or VERIZON). After 30 days the data expires and you only can use WI-FI for data until you pay for another month. **IF** you still have data (not wi-fi but cellular) I would be willing to bet that after you purchased your first 250MB you didn't opt out of the "automatic renewal" and you are being billed and don't realize it.

My son's, on the other hand, was signed up over the phone with Verizon, and he is being charged monthly even though he had 1.5 GB of data left. Ridiculous.
Click to expand...

It's only ridiculous because your son (or you) didn't clearly understand what you were supposed to do (but don't feel bad, you're not alone). Your son should have signed up for the prepaid through his iPad under SETTING/CELLULAR DATA not by calling Verizon. By doing that he is on POSTPAID not PREPAID. You need to call VZW and cancel his account which will create another problem. When you do that it will kill his SIM card and all I can say is GOOD LUCK trying to get a replacement from VZW because if you do you will be back on POSTPAID again. You will need to find a source for a sim card (eBay) then have him sign up through the iPad and NOT call VZW and NOT go to a VZW store.

Read this thread https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1351655/ for info about that.
 
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