I'd love to know where everyone is finding free wifi in the U.S. I have my home network and the work network which don't cost anything but most other places I go you need to pay for wifi unless are already subscribed to someone like AT&T or T-Mobile. I found free wifi at one airport but paid only at another. Many hotels (if not most) seem to charge for wifi now also. Are people just getting access from other who are too dumb to secure their wifi networks?
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
iPad Gift, To 3G or Not!
- Thread starter BigRedOne
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I've asked similar questions when buying other products. Do i go for the one with the extras or not? Normally 9 out of 10 times after purchasing the product without the extras, there is always this tiny little ounce of regret that follows me all over.
Your question is written from an angle that would make me believe that no matter what everybody says on here, you are going to by the one with the extras
Your question is written from an angle that would make me believe that no matter what everybody says on here, you are going to by the one with the extras
I haven't regretted buying my wifi only iPad once. I have yet to find a place I want to use it where I can't find a wifi connection.
Great feedback, Thanks. I am most differently buying her an iPad with 3G capabilities. I have an iPhone and when I drive she uses my iPhone to have something to do.
So I suspect if she gets into the iPad like I got into my iPhone, she will at some point want to activate the service even if it is just on the months we go on short vacations (2 or 3 times a year). So, as many of you suggested, it makes sense to purchase the iPad with the 3G feature just in case she wants to get the most out of her iPad gift.
koala123, I was most certainly leaning in that direction.....
So I suspect if she gets into the iPad like I got into my iPhone, she will at some point want to activate the service even if it is just on the months we go on short vacations (2 or 3 times a year). So, as many of you suggested, it makes sense to purchase the iPad with the 3G feature just in case she wants to get the most out of her iPad gift.
koala123, I was most certainly leaning in that direction.....
Hahah this.
And, another vote for 3G. While I do not use it all that much, it is sure nice to have. And if you have an iPhone 4 (or cut down a regular sized SIM) and do not want to pay for the service, you can always switch out SIM cards. Not as big a deal as people make it seem. I've done it a couple times.
Wifi is not "everywhere" and if it is it costs, is locked or flat out won't work. It's not in my car, in a obscure place where i feel like checking my fb so stop saying that. Everytime I see "wifi is so prevalent " I hear the cry of buyers regret or some 15 year old who's mommy wouldn't pay for an iPhone data plan so they have to tell themselves there 2nd gen iPod touch is an iPhone "without the phone". Me? I have the iPad wifi but tether it to my droid. I'll even admit it's just not the same.
After reading this and other replies, I think I would have purchased an iPad 3G if I was in the states. IMHO, the reason for an iPad is to be able to access the Internet everywhere you go. It sounds like WiFi is not a prevalent as I thought based upon what I've heard/read.
I live in a somewhat suburban area and we do have wifi in a lot of places...restaurants, fast food places, bookstores etc...The problem is that it is very inconvenient to hunt out these places in this type of area.
Probably in the city though, there is somewhere with wifi on every block. My guess is that most of the people who say they have no problems finding wifi spend a lot of time in a city.
Just a follow up; I did purchase an iPad for my wife and she is really liking it. I purchased a 16G-3G which I think will satisfy her requirements for now and for the short time future. If down the road she wants something bigger, I will use this iPad and get something bigger for her since I already have a 32g iPhone.
I really like the iPad (first one I ever used) and have to fight myself not to go and grab it for my use when it is not being used by her. I think once she gets over the hesitation of thinking she is going to mess something up when she touches the screen, she will not put it down. Time will tell, but I already achieved my goal, she was very happy to receive it as a gift.
I really like the iPad (first one I ever used) and have to fight myself not to go and grab it for my use when it is not being used by her. I think once she gets over the hesitation of thinking she is going to mess something up when she touches the screen, she will not put it down. Time will tell, but I already achieved my goal, she was very happy to receive it as a gift.
I just got my 3G iPad, in my opinion the 3G feature makes it as flexible as an iPhone. Great GPS and surfing where there are no WiFis. If you can afford the extra upgrade I would say go for it.
--
Edit:
Grats. Hope you enjoy it!!
--
Edit:
Grats. Hope you enjoy it!!
I have a 3G iPad and my wife has the WiFi version. I'm very pleased with my 3G and would buy one again if I had to do it over.
Keep in mind that, even when there is free Wifi available, it might still be better to use 3G. I find myself doing this on my 3G iPad more than I expected. It may be that I just need to access the internet for a second, and don't want to go through the delay of accepting terms and conditions, creating a guest account, etc. (which is often the procedure for many free wifi hotspots). Or it may be that the hotspot I'm using is dog-slow. I run into these issues from time to time, particularly at airports and hotels, and I'm very thankful to have 3G on my iPad.