So indecisive about 3G or WiFi only

[mrgreen4242]

IF the price difference had been narrower, I would have gone for the 3G, even just for the GPS (although, it is unclear if the GPS will work without an active 3G plan). For $129, I can get a case, BT keyboard, and a little stylus for doodling and annotations. This seems like a better use of the cash to me.

Of course, my cellphone can do wifi tethering and I have unlimited data already, so I'm likely a bad example.

 

[melman101]

Unless you're definitely only using it at home/next to a wifi spot, it'd be madness to buy the wifi only for the sake of a month. Utter, utter madness.

I'm slightly torn between 32 or 64gb. Normally, I always plump for max capacity but I won't be putting any music on there, purely using it for video, apps and podcasts to listen too around the house. I'll be upgrading my old 3G to the inevitable 64gb iPhone mk IV, so that's music covered.

That said...I'm a sucker for max capacity!

Well, I just question if I really need the 3G version, or if I just want it just to have the best. Like I said, I already have a 3Gs iPhone and I already pay a data plan on that, and showing people the GPS stuff on the iPad would be awesome. But any truly GPS apps that are needed I could always get on my iPad.

So it's really the question of whether I want to wait the extra 30 days for something that I may never use on the device other than to check that its working. Now, the 3G connectivity, that's important, however if I can tether the iPhone, it really doesn't matter.

UGGGHHH SO TORN!

 

[roland.g]

AT&T give us a Prefill pay as you go option with X MB or GB of service loaded at X price. Use it until it is gone, then refill. None of this $15 or $30 a month crap, I already pay you that on the iPhone. You aren't getting me twice like that. Make it like CC gift cards even if you want to, minimum of 10MB per month deducted from prefill for low and non usage just so that it doesn't last too too long.

 

[samcraig]

AT&T give us a Prefill pay as you go option with X MB or GB of service loaded at X price. Use it until it is gone, then refill. None of this $15 or $30 a month crap, I already pay you that on the iPhone. You aren't getting me twice like that. Make it like CC gift cards even if you want to, minimum of 10MB per month deducted from prefill for low and non usage just so that it doesn't last too too long.

Wow. Apple and ATT breaks the current model that ATT has had for data and you still aren't happy?

No plan will every make everyone happy. And everyone will have an opinion (based on THEIR usage) as to how it should or should not be. ATT can't have a plan that meets everyone's needs. Not possible. Good luck.

 

[mrgreen4242]

AT&T give us a Prefill pay as you go option with X MB or GB of service loaded at X price. Use it until it is gone, then refill. None of this $15 or $30 a month crap, I already pay you that on the iPhone. You aren't getting me twice like that. Make it like CC gift cards even if you want to, minimum of 10MB per month deducted from prefill for low and non usage just so that it doesn't last too too long.

That would be a nice option, I could see maybe going for the 3G if that was offered. Still, $129 for the upgrade of only being able to buy something additional is pretty steep (on a $500 device, that represents a full 25% increase).

Personally I predict that among in a year or two all the models will have 3G at the current wifi only pricing, along with some other changes, so getting a wifi model now and then upgrading in a generation or two isn't going to be a bad buy.

EDIT: Also, I'm very curious about the battery life while using 3G as well. It may make a very substantial difference.

 

[mrkjsn]

Personally I think anyone who picks up the WiFi only would be sorry especially since 3G is at a no contract term. The iPad 3G would be so perfect for both long and short distance traveling.

 

[roland.g]

Getting the WiFi only does get you out of having the black strip in your bezel.

 

[grahamtearne]

If I get one it will be wifi only.

To me space is more valuable than 3g, you can get the 32gb wifi for less than the 16gb 3g. I want more space for movies and photos.

Even if I got a 16gb model Id still get wifi. My phone has a 3g connection and is capable enough to check things on the web and use IMing when I do not have a wifi connection.

Do not see the need to buy the 3g model, I will not be using this walking around the street like I do a phone, mainly if I am sat down somewhere like home, coffee shop or a friends house, maybe a train or something, most of these places have wifi these days and if not ill watch a film and use the 3g on my phone.

 

[3N16MA]

If I get one it will be wifi only.

To me space is more valuable than 3g, you can get the 32gb wifi for less than the 16gb 3g. I want more space for movies and photos.

Even if I got a 16gb model Id still get wifi. My phone has a 3g connection and is capable enough to check things on the web and use IMing when I do not have a wifi connection.

Do not see the need to buy the 3g model, I will not be using this walking around the street like I do a phone, mainly if I am sat down somewhere like home, coffee shop or a friends house, maybe a train or something, most of these places have wifi these days and if not ill watch a film and use the 3g on my phone.

Good point, I never really thought about that. The 64GB wifi only iPad is only $70 more than the 16GB wifi+3G.

 

[melman101]

Yeah, I'm kinda leaning towards the 32GB WiFi only. More space for movies. And like I said, I can always tether my iPhone to it.

 

[Lamonster]

I'm looking at wifi only and this.

PdaNet now available for iPhone. PdaNet has been one of the most popular software for Windows Mobile phones and Palm OS phones. With the latest version PDAnet can turns your iPhone into a true WiFi router for your computer, and allows your laptop to go online wirelessly through the 3G network on the iPhone. It also supports USB tethering for both Mac and Windows users.

 

[apopilot]

I am going to buy the WIFI version. I am in Chicago and I just purchased a 4G Clear WIMAX car. There are 1300 tours lit up and I have it in my car via a WIMAX router called the ClearSpot from Clear. My iphone is WIFI in my car. I am not going to pay another fee just to download music//movies//and books.

 

[iSlate Fanboy]

I'm thinking 3G, 32GB but may change my mind!

 

[Ozzhead]

Devil's advocate.

GPS on an iPad - esp if you're traveling would come in handy to find local restaurants without having to enter zip code, etc. In short - anything with "location services" would benefit from having GPS. Could you survive without it if you're not intending to use it for navigation - sure.

Thats kind of what im saying, I already own a 3gs so where ever I go i can use that for Nav/Yelp like appz. I dont what to pay more for anything that I dont think will be sure different to use on a Ipad then my Iphone. But another question, would you be able to use the "GPS"if you dont activate the 3g?

 

[richpjr]

Since I'm on Verizon, I don't get the luxury of having an iPhone and am stuck with a BlackBerry. I'll be getting the iPad with 3G and depending on how easy it is to carry around with resorting to something like a man purse, may look at dropping my BlackBerry and going with a basic phone and the iPad. There are just too many places I go that do not have WiFi coverage where I could use this thing.

 

[drjsway]

WiFi iPad + jailbroken iPhone = save $490 in the first year ($130 + $360 data)

 

[PlayHard]

I'll wait

For me, I think I'll wait for the 3G because I travel a lot and am in places that don't have wifi. Now, I did think about just getting a MiFi so I could use it with my laptop if needed but that seems too expensive. I think I'd like an option to get 3G or not if needed. Besides, I've been bitten before on Apple's 1st generation so I figure the month I wait will give me time to hear feedback in case there are problems.

 

[TraceyS/FL]

For me, I think I'll wait for the 3G because I travel a lot and am in places that don't have wifi. Now, I did think about just getting a MiFi so I could use it with my laptop if needed but that seems too expensive. I think I'd like an option to get 3G or not if needed. Besides, I've been bitten before on Apple's 1st generation so I figure the month I wait will give me time to hear feedback in case there are problems.

I really have been pondering the MIFI also, but i'd want to buy it out right so i could go month to month on it.

BUT, the pricing on the iPad is very tempting.... even if it IS on AT&T. So now i'm just pondering it and trying to sort it all out while i save up the cash.

 

[calderone]

3G for me. Since it pre-paid, I will only use it when I really need to. I would like the option though.

 

[PlayHard]

I really have been pondering the MIFI also, but i'd want to buy it out right so i could go month to month on it.

BUT, the pricing on the iPad is very tempting.... even if it IS on AT&T. So now i'm just pondering it and trying to sort it all out while i save up the cash.

I agree about owning the MiFi out right. I hate having contracts and have enough with the iPhone. That's the reason I think it's too expensive of an option right now. Where I'm located, AT&T isn't really that bad and since the price is not that bad, I'll stick with the 3G version. (Now, the only thing I'm concerned is if AT&T can't handle the current iPhone traffic how are they going to handle the added iPad traffic.)

 

[Michael CM1]

Personally, going for the 32GB WiFi model. 3G would be nice, but I have an iPhone, and honestly, I can't see myself using the 3G much to justify the xtra $150 + WiFi hot spots are everywhere if I do need connectivity in a pinch.

That's about how I'm leaning. Maybe I'll drop the extra $100 on a 32GB model to make sure I can sync enough video and whatever, but the more I go along, the more I think I don't need 3G. If I need it THAT bad, I'll figure out how to use my iPhone to tether.

 

[melman101]

That's about how I'm leaning. Maybe I'll drop the extra $100 on a 32GB model to make sure I can sync enough video and whatever, but the more I go along, the more I think I don't need 3G. If I need it THAT bad, I'll figure out how to use my iPhone to tether.

That's exactly how I'm leaning.

 

[tys]

For an Apple junkie, that month between the Wifi version and the 3G will feel like an eternity. I can see folks buying the wifi version then returning it later to get the 3G, just so they can get their hands on it on day one!
A lot can change between now and when it actually hits the stores, but I'm currently thinking I'll go for the 16GB Wifi model. I can always tether it.
I'm hoping that maybe AT&T will decide to offer a subsidized model for a low price with contract or maybe a discounted rate for current iPhone users, at which point I might upgrade to the 3G. Otherwise I'll wait and go for all the bells and whistles when iPad 2.0 comes out next year.

 

[richpjr]

I keep reading all these posts about tethering your iPad - did Apple announce this was coming? Or is this just something that people are hoping that they will allow?

 

[RMXO]

WiFi iPad + jailbroken iPhone = save $490 in the first year ($130 + $360 data)

This is what I'm thinking also. I plan to get the 64GB Wifi version & using my iPhone when I need 3G access.

I keep reading all these posts about tethering your iPad - did Apple announce this was coming? Or is this just something that people are hoping that they will allow?

I believe they are talking about jailbreaking their iPad & using their JB'd iPhone for 3G access. Correct me if I'm wrong here.