Question about 3G vs Wireless

[msduncan]

Hate to break the hearts of 75% of the people here that just want to post complaint threads... but I have questions in trying to decide which version to go with....

1. When at a hotel that has only wired internet access in the room -- can you bring and connect your own router and then jump on the iPad through that wireless router connection? I've never tried something like this -- so apologies if it sounds naive...

2. How much of a difference does the 3G assisted GPS make? If I get just the wifi Ipad -- will it still be an effective GPS device if I so choose to use it that way?

3. Can you think of any other glaring drawbacks from not getting the 3G version?

I was thinking of my current situation. usually I'm at home (with a wifi connection, at my parent's with a wifi connection, at my wife's parents house (with a wifi connection), or at work (with a wifi connection). So... the only times I would desire 3G access would be on road trips (where 3G is spotty), and at hotels that don't have internet (rare). If I can get wifi going per item 1 above, then it negates a lot of the hotel problems.... however internet is usually pretty expensive at hotels.

Thanks!

 

[Chaos123x]

Just set your iPhone to send out a WiFi signal that you can use.

 

[Nipz]

The great thing with the 3G is that you dont have a contract, as for the little extra cost for the 3G its worth getting. Better to have the 3G and never or only use it once than want it later on

 

[Julien]

...2. How much of a difference does the 3G assisted GPS make? If I get just the wifi Ipad -- will it still be an effective GPS device if I so choose to use it that way?...

Well it's GPS that has Assisted by triangulation added. this is much like the 3G, 3GS iPhone. The Assist allows for a quicker position and more accuracy when sight limited to the GPS satellites. The wi-fi iPad don't have GPS.

 

[carpets]

2. How much of a difference does the 3G assisted GPS make? If I get just the wifi Ipad -- will it still be an effective GPS device if I so choose to use it that way?

I think you will find that GPS only comes with the 3G model - check out the specs on apple.com!

 

[maghemi]

I think it's pretty clear cut. If you can afford the 3G version, go with that.

Get yourself a pre-paid 3G card and set it so that it prefers wi-fi.

That way when you do find that you can't get a wi-fi signal you still at least have the 3G. Spotty service or not.

 

[bossxii]

I would say Wifi only model if you have a iPhone for the simple fact you will can use your phone as a hotspot (now via jailbreak) or once/if AT&T ever allows tethering, which at some point they said they would. I already pay 30 a month to AT&T and like you for the rare few time I'll be without a Wifi connection, I'll JB my iPHone to have that as backup. I've traveled a ton in the past few years and rarely find myself at an airport, hotel, bar/resturaunt or otherwise that doesn't have free Wifi.

I don't feel AT&T has enough coverage nationwide or outside the city here to bother paying for what will end up being Edge coverage anyhow. If I am in town where 3G is actually usable, I'm near Wifi.

 

[Moocher]

Is there much of a speed difference between wifi and 3G? I assume that wifi is faster.

 

[LSUtigers03]

Is there much of a speed difference between wifi and 3G? I assume that wifi is faster.

Yeah wifi is going to be much faster but AT&T's 3G is still plenty fast.

 

[ugp]

I myself am getting the 3G model. I want the ability to have internet access on the iPad if I need it and I am not close to WiFi. Mainly I think I would use it while driving in the car. My girlfriend can do things on the internet and check her facebook if she likes. The screen on the iPhone gets small sometimes and the size of the iPad would make things a lot easier.

And with the Pre-Paid Data plan it makes it a no-brainer for me. Activation right on the device. No need for a phone call. It couldn't have been setup anyway easier. I am very thankful they did it as a Pre-Paid option. Because I wouldn't need the data on 3G all the time.

 

[DDave]

when you go to a hotel, you can bring a airport express. I have used them many times in hotels, especially in those hotels where the cable is very inconvenient. But even with that some hotel systems just don't like being connected to a router. Hope this helps.

 

[roland.g]

I myself am getting the 3G model. I want the ability to have internet access on the iPad if I need it and I am not close to WiFi. Mainly I think I would use it while driving in the car. My girlfriend can do things on the internet and check her facebook if she likes. The screen on the iPhone gets small sometimes and the size of the iPad would make things a lot easier.

And with the Pre-Paid Data plan it makes it a no-brainer for me. Activation right on the device. No need for a phone call. It couldn't have been setup anyway easier. I am very thankful they did it as a Pre-Paid option. Because I wouldn't need the data on 3G all the time.

There's no word on how the Pre-paid will work but my guess is that you sign up and pay for one month, and unless you cancel it will auto charge you each month to re-up. It's not a contract b/c you can cancel at any time.

I would much rather prefer paying say $30 or $40 for 250MB if I could use it in a Pay As You Go model with and then refill the 250 when it runs out. That might last me several months.

But if that isn't possible then I am going WiFi only, b/c I now pay AT&T $30/month for data, they're not getting another $15 per month out of me.

 

[dekka007]

Do not see a point of the 3G version if you have a jailbroken iphone with myWi.

Save $130.00 on the purchase and don't need a data plan for the ipad as you already have it on the iphone....