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iPad with cellular: why?
- Thread starter clunkmess
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There's an awful lot of pilots out there with cellular (GPS) iPads using ForeFlight or similar apps. Not "a lot" in terms of overall iPad sales, but the GPS is good reason to get the cellular iPad. I have the free 200mb and I find that I use it occasionally when I don't have access to wifi and don't need to dig out (or go get) my phone to tether.
One example would be on a plane. I usually read with the Kindle app on my iPad, and I stash my phone in my bag for the flight. As we sit at the gate I'll use the cellular data to download a book or look at emails, and when we land I'll flip on cellular to check the weather and connecting flight information (plus email!).
Ultimately I don't use the cellular all that much, but it's nice to have since I do need the GPS anyway.
One example would be on a plane. I usually read with the Kindle app on my iPad, and I stash my phone in my bag for the flight. As we sit at the gate I'll use the cellular data to download a book or look at emails, and when we land I'll flip on cellular to check the weather and connecting flight information (plus email!).
Ultimately I don't use the cellular all that much, but it's nice to have since I do need the GPS anyway.
I have a free tablet line with unlimited data on my T-Mobile account so why wouldn't I get the cellular version?
How about cellular for travelling abroad, while out and about, navigating and so on.
In many cases, you can't tether while roaming.
In many cases, you can't tether while roaming.
Lol, I tether my laptop to the iPad when needed. Tethering to my iPhone would kill its battery life. Tethering to my iPad is a negligible drain.
And yep, I bring my iPad everywhere.
I do this as well. This is half the appeal of an iPad to me. If you can't connect it to the web easily, why bother? As someone who is still in undergrad and does a fair bit of commuting, I do think people overestimate the reliability of public wifi (especially hotels...ugh). No to mention, that data plans are rather cheap theses days and adding a tablet to your data plan is usually only going to run you $10-15 more a month. The only true cost to it is getting the actual hardware at this point.
I have, after changing my mind twice, decided to go with a cellular 256 gig Pro.
Should be handy while on vacation, even at the beach where wifi can't always reach.
Should be handy while on vacation, even at the beach where wifi can't always reach.
For those with the new Verizon Unlimited cellular Plan, is the $20.00 line access fee for the iPad all there is, if you want to add the iPad to your account, or do you have to have a separate data plan for the iPad, even if you have unlimited on the iPhone?
The first four iPads for the family were all Wifi only. Just would tether to the phone. I then tried out a Cellular Air 2. The freedom of easily using cellular on the iPad has made me a believer. Not to mention that using personal Hotspot is a major battery drainer in the phone. I actually use the cellular iPad as the Hot Spot now for the other wifi only iPads.
That being said, $130 + monthly charge is a big difference. Probably worth it on the Pro, not so sure for the regular iPad.
That being said, $130 + monthly charge is a big difference. Probably worth it on the Pro, not so sure for the regular iPad.
Im completely the opposite. I dont see why I would want an iPad that is not cellular. My iPad is used more than my iPhone is.
My home router was out for 3 days so I used my cellular connection instead both directly and as hotspot when using my Mac.
Try it with cellular for a couple months. It's really cool and trick to just unlock the iPad and go. It's not the end of the world, but, if you are on the iPad a lot, it's great to simply get online without having to also unlock the iPhone, enable hotspot, then link the iPad to the phone.
And if you travel a lot, it's almost a necessity. You'll save money by not having to use garbage hotel wifi, and you're always ready to go with just the iPad. Plus, some cellular plans include data. Another benefit: you can buy super-cheap data SIMs in many parts of the world, just pop it in and go. Then you can avoid costly and outrageous fee gouging by your home-based cell provider, and you can avoid pricey fee-based internet cafes (which I never ever trust due to malware and keyloggers).
Cellular iPad is the way to go -- especially because you don't have to use it. If you need it, just pop open the nano SIM tray and you're set. Super easy and convenient, and very likely cheaper than other options.
I got the cellular model because I have a free unlimited tablet line from T-Mobile and the old jump on demand plan so I can upgrade whenever I want. Also one thing about tethering with any of the major carriers is that your data is always prioritized (not throttled) which kind of sucks.
I travel with my ipad for business and the cellular is critical for me at airports, meetings, etc. No need to seek out wifi passwords (except in one of at&t's gaping data holes).
AT&T revised their tablet plans to include an "unlimited" data (not unlimited LTE) plan for 29.99. They say that when you top 22gb they will/may throttle. It is a pay as you go plan with no long term commitment. So even if you only get 22gb of LTE data out of it every month, it seems like best plan of the top carriers for a dollar a day.
I ended up ordering the iPad Pro 10.5" WITH cellular. The extra cost is mitigated by the peace of mind that i won't have to seek out Wi-Fi in certain situations. Plus, i can add the iPad to my AT&T Unlimited Plus plan.
I bought my LTE iPad Air 2 from Verizon and I regretted it. I never used it outside of the house and of course you pay $130 extra upfront and $10 per month for service. I eventually paid it off a year early so that I could cancel the monthly fee. I've always had hot spot capability on my phones for years so that's why I bought the 10.5" pro outright without LTE.
The only negative is GPS but I never used it for serious navigation, just your typical open maps to find a location. My 10.5" works fine with location from wifi. If anything carriers should sell the cellular iPad's at the same cost but under 24 month payment plan with $10 a month service (Verizon).
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Do you have hot spot capability on your phones with AT&T?
The only negative is GPS but I never used it for serious navigation, just your typical open maps to find a location. My 10.5" works fine with location from wifi. If anything carriers should sell the cellular iPad's at the same cost but under 24 month payment plan with $10 a month service (Verizon).
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Do you have hot spot capability on your phones with AT&T?
i bought the 10.5 with LTE from Verizon. Benefits for me: I don't have access to Wifi on personal devices at work (federal government) so tethering to phone all day is a non starter.
I can add it to my unlimited plan for $20/month which gives me 22 GB a month before potential throttling.
Lastly and most importantly, I can sign up for the monthly payment plan which amounts to an interest free loan from Verizon. If I ever decide to leave Verizon all I have to do is pay off the remainder of what's owed and keep the iPad. So no contract. Why pay the whole price upfront when Verizon will front it for free? Especially since I needed an LTE plan anyway for the above reasons
I can add it to my unlimited plan for $20/month which gives me 22 GB a month before potential throttling.
Lastly and most importantly, I can sign up for the monthly payment plan which amounts to an interest free loan from Verizon. If I ever decide to leave Verizon all I have to do is pay off the remainder of what's owed and keep the iPad. So no contract. Why pay the whole price upfront when Verizon will front it for free? Especially since I needed an LTE plan anyway for the above reasons