So indecisive about 3G or WiFi only

[bossxii]

I think we shouldn't have to pick between a 3G and WiFi model, it should be an all in one solution.

I dunno if i'm gonna pick up the Gen 1 iPad i'm really tempted but from the features they have missed out on the 1st, which i think they have done to include in the 2nd Gen i may sit on my hand and see what happens.

You clearly haven't seen the spec page or the keynote? Their is a model with BOTH 3g AND Wifi...

? Not sure what you have read, but you don't have to chose one or the other. You simply have to wait 30 days longer than someone only wanting Wifi. I'm glad I don't have to pay an extra $130 bucks for something I don't' need. Wifi work perfect for me.

 

[JohnH]

Battery life of 3G vs WiFi

I am wondering if there is much difference between the battery life of the 3G model and Wifi model?

 

[SleepyHead157]

I'm in a similar boat and what makes the decision harder is the no contract on the data plans. If there was a contract, my decision is pretty easy but the no contract makes it a little tougher. I don't see myself using it in places other than the train, at home or maybe the coffee shop. In the train there's no need for data, and coffee shop offers wifi, so I may just opt for the wifi version. In between I have my phone with 3g service.

We still have time to make this decision, by then reviews from tech blogs will already be out, so the decision will be that much easier.

 

[fjfjfjfj]

Same Boat

I'm not sure if reading this thread was good or bad. On one hand I was happy to see that there were others as neurotic as I am about having this device on day one, on the other hand this type of talk only justifies my sickness!

I'm torn because I swore that I would NOT pay for another data plan. I pay for internet through the cable company at home and on my 2G iPhone. Then Mr. Jobs had to throw me a curve ball and announce those low priced, no contract plans.

In the end, I think I will get the 32gb Wifi Only. I really don't want another data plan, even though I know I will wish I had it from time to time, it will help force some financial responsibility. I have a long flight to Tokyo in early April, which I would love to have the iPad for as well. In a land where most of my electronics look so obsolete it will also be nice to have the latest Apple gadget in hand!

On a day to day basis, the iPad will get most use on the train commuting to and from work. I can update the NYTimes app from home and office before I head out in either direction and use my iPhone for any urgent browsing needs.

So I'm sure I'm getting the Wifi only version...(I think)...

 

[melman101]

I'm not sure if reading this thread was good or bad. On one hand I was happy to see that there were others as neurotic as I am about having this device on day one, on the other hand this type of talk only justifies my sickness!

I'm torn because I swore that I would NOT pay for another data plan. I pay for internet through the cable company at home and on my 2G iPhone. Then Mr. Jobs had to throw me a curve ball and announce those low priced, no contract plans.

In the end, I think I will get the 32gb Wifi Only. I really don't want another data plan, even though I know I will wish I had it from time to time, it will help force some financial responsibility. I have a long flight to Tokyo in early April, which I would love to have the iPad for as well. In a land where most of my electronics look so obsolete it will also be nice to have the latest Apple gadget in hand!

On a day to day basis, the iPad will get most use on the train commuting to and from work. I can update the NYTimes app from home and office before I head out in either direction and use my iPhone for any urgent browsing needs.

So I'm sure I'm getting the Wifi only version...(I think)...

Yeah I think I'm going 32GB Wifi only version as well. And yes, I am definitely neurotic. I already jailbroke my phone and bought MyWi for Wifi tethering to the iPad .

 

[gsampson]

This thread really f-ed my day up!

I assumed the wi-fi and 3g both has GPS! I was going to go with the 64gb wi-fi, but now I might have to wait... I really like the idea of GPS on an iPad...

But seriously... should I spend the extra $ when I can just use my iPhone?

Maybe I'll just go wi-fi and save the $$ to buy the new iPhone...

GR!

 

[newyorksole]

You clearly haven't seen the spec page or the keynote? Their is a model with BOTH 3g AND Wifi...

? Not sure what you have read, but you don't have to chose one or the other. You simply have to wait 30 days longer than someone only wanting Wifi. I'm glad I don't have to pay an extra $130 bucks for something I don't' need. Wifi work perfect for me.

I think you missed what he was saying. He is saying that he wishes they ONLY sold a model that has WiFi + 3G instead of having 2 different models. If there was 1 model it probably would be priced a little bit less too.

 

[melman101]

This thread really f-ed my day up!

I assumed the wi-fi and 3g both has GPS! I was going to go with the 64gb wi-fi, but now I might have to wait... I really like the idea of GPS on an iPad...

But seriously... should I spend the extra $ when I can just use my iPhone?

Maybe I'll just go wi-fi and save the $$ to buy the new iPhone...

GR!

That is exactly my thought. If I spend $800 on 3G + 32GB iPad, I definitely can't get iPhone. Not that $700 is any better. But I know I'm gonna want the iPhone as well (Those prices include tax and accessories).

So 32GB Wifi only is my choice.

 

[gsampson]

Well I'm planning on going through Amazon, where there is no tax Unless Apple does a good Edu discount.

I think I'm going to jailbreak and go wifi. That seems like it makes the most sense, for me. I'll be up for an ATT renewal, so for the price I would have paid for the 3g I can get a new iPhone!

 

[jclardy]

I'll be going for 16 or 32GB WiFi version. I still have my iPhone data for another year at $30 a month so I won't really want to pay for more 3G. And I'm hoping for iPhone data tethering...But I can also sell it in two years when the iPad 4G comes out

 

[JohnH]

Battery life of 3G vs WiFi

I am wondering if there is much difference between the battery life of the 3G model and Wifi model?

For me, the battery life of the iPad is pretty important and if you look at the iPhone 3GS spec's... Battery life for internet access is up to 5 hours on 3G and up to 9 hours on Wi-Fi...

Apple states that the iPad's battery life is "Up to 10 hours of surfing the web on Wi-Fi, watching video, or listening to music"... i wonder if it will drop down to around 6 hours if you surf the web on 3G?

 

[DaveSW]

I'm getting my wife a 32GB Wifi and a 16GB Wifi for myself.

I'm getting another 3G+Wifi iPad when it comes out and give my old 16GB Wifi to my sister.

 

[sassenach74]

Well I'm planning on going through Amazon, where there is no tax Unless Apple does a good Edu discount.

I think I'm going to jailbreak and go wifi. That seems like it makes the most sense, for me. I'll be up for an ATT renewal, so for the price I would have paid for the 3g I can get a new iPhone!

Just be aware that if you intend to use the jailbroken iPhone as the data service for the iPad, it's not a given that the new iPhone will be Jailbreak-able. I'm sure they will find a way though....maybe.
Also, note that if there is such a jailbreak it might be a tethered only solution as it is with newer models of the 3GS. If your battery dies while out and about you're SOL until you can connect it to a computer. Just things to consider.

 

[melman101]

Damn, that's a good point. What if they can't break the new iPhone? I mean, it took them a while for the iPod Touch 2G or something. You know what? I think I am going to wait for the 3G version. ****, that was a very good point. I don't want to wait though, lol!

Does anyone else realize that http://www.apple.com/iPad says Shipping Late March Wifi only, and April 3G... Why didn't they say Late April if it was 30 days later?

I might have to wait now for that 3G version. ****!

Edit: I also have a trip to San Francisco in early April, and that makes the decision harder. But I have to wait for the 3G version. sassenach74 brings up great points.

 

[Moocher]

3g vs. wifi for 82 yr old mother

My mother currently uses a white iMac with some difficulty only for mail and very little web use. She doesn't really understand what she's doing and I spend time on the phone trouble shooting with some difficulty. I'm thinking that the iPad will be easier for her and she might enjoy ebooks since she's a heavy reader. Some questions:

1. Will the ipad switch automatically from wifi to 3g and back or will the user need to do anything? If not automatic, then I think wifi only would be best.

2. How much slower is 3g?

3. What do you think about my hypothesis that the iPad will be easier than an iMac for her for mail, a little browsing, and possibly ebooks?

I appreciate any thoughts.


Mooch

 

[sassenach74]

My mother currently uses a white iMac with some difficulty only for mail and very little web use. She doesn't really understand what she's doing and I spend time on the phone trouble shooting with some difficulty. I'm thinking that the iPad will be easier for her and she might enjoy ebooks since she's a heavy reader. Some questions:

1. Will the ipad switch automatically from wifi to 3g and back or will the user need to do anything? If not automatic, then I think wifi only would be best.

2. How much slower is 3g?

3. What do you think about my hypothesis that the iPad will be easier than an iMac for her for mail, a little browsing, and possibly ebooks?

I appreciate any thoughts.


Mooch

In answer (as best I can)
1. Yes it will switch automatically between WiFi & 3G, as does (all?) devices such as the iPhone.
2. That's not entirely answerable as it depends on the speed of the WiFi connection you're comparing it to. My broadband at home is 50MB, but every place can be different, you get what you pay for. For me 3G is more than adequate when not in a WiFi zone.
3. Agree, agree, agree.

Hope I have been of some help.

 

[melman101]

In answer (as best I can)
1. Yes it will switch automatically between WiFi & 3G, as does (all?) devices such as the iPhone.
2. That's not entirely answerable as it depends on the speed of the WiFi connection you're comparing it to. My broadband at home is 50MB, but every place can be different, you get what you pay for. For me 3G is more than adequate when not in a WiFi zone.
3. Agree, agree, agree.

Hope I have been of some help.

Which one are you getting sassenach74?

 

[Moocher]

In answer (as best I can)
1. Yes it will switch automatically between WiFi & 3G, as does (all?) devices such as the iPhone.
2. That's not entirely answerable as it depends on the speed of the WiFi connection you're comparing it to. My broadband at home is 50MB, but every place can be different, you get what you pay for. For me 3G is more than adequate when not in a WiFi zone.
3. Agree, agree, agree.

Hope I have been of some help.

Thanks. I appreciate it. I am on my second Touch, but I don't have any experience with an iPhone, so I don't know how the switching from 3g to wifi and back works. If it automatically switches back and forth then the 3g version should be best for mom since no matter where she uses it she'll have a connection.


Mooch

 

[sassenach74]

Which one are you getting sassenach74?

I plan to get the 64GB WiFi & 3G model, but it's going to take some serious willpower to wait from March-April.....im pretty weak that way hahaha.

 

[melman101]

I plan to get the 64GB WiFi & 3G model, but it's going to take some serious willpower to wait from March-April.....im pretty weak that way hahaha.

I plan to get 32gb 3g now, lol. but that wait will be killer.

So, did anyone notice on Apple's site

Wifi models shipping Late March
3G models shipping April.

If he said at the keynote, 60 days Wifi, 90 days 3G, why wouldn't it say 3G models shipping Late April?

Hopefully it's not 30 days .

 

[rittchard]

I plan to get the 64GB WiFi & 3G model, but it's going to take some serious willpower to wait from March-April.....im pretty weak that way hahaha.

I'm weak too - while I've convinced myself it makes more sense to get the Wifi only version, the truth is I would have bought whatever version came out first; the month delay is too much for me to bear lol.

Now if we were given both choices simultaneously I'd have to really think about it hard. I like the idea of having internet access everywhere, but I'd have to really figure out if I truly intend to bring this device with me everywhere I go, and just how much I'd gain from it over my iPhone. Not to mention the need to pay yet another monthly fee for access. In a better world we'd all have blanketed WiFi coverage everywhere and there wouldn't be an issue. All things considered (cost, ease of access, usage, etc) I think it makes more sense for myself personally to stick with a Wifi only version for now. Given that I have the iPhone for 3G everywhere usage, I plan to use the iPad primarily at home where I'd only need Wifi.

 

[melman101]

I'm weak too - while I've convinced myself it makes more sense to get the Wifi only version, the truth is I would have bought whatever version came out first; the month delay is too much for me to bear lol.

Now if we were given both choices simultaneously I'd have to really think about it hard. I like the idea of having internet access everywhere, but I'd have to really figure out if I truly intend to bring this device with me everywhere I go, and just how much I'd gain from it over my iPhone. Not to mention the need to pay yet another monthly fee for access. In a better world we'd all have blanketed WiFi coverage everywhere and there wouldn't be an issue. All things considered (cost, ease of access, usage, etc) I think it makes more sense for myself personally to stick with a Wifi only version for now. Given that I have the iPhone for 3G everywhere usage, I plan to use the iPad primarily at home where I'd only need Wifi.

I had thought the same. However, given the fact that I love to be on the Internet on my iPhone everywhere, I would be kicking myself if I had the iPad and it was not able to connect to the Internet for whatever reason. My 3GS died. My iPhone can't be jailbroken, whatever reason. So I think, while waiting the month will be killer, the guilt I would feel had I not got the 3G version would kill me even more .

Edit: The thing is, if they both came out the same day, I know I would go for the 3G version. So thats why I must wait.

 

[Clix Pix]

Up until this morning I was saying to myself that I would get the wireless-only iPad and that would be just fine. UNTIL.....this morning I got up and my internet service (cable ISP) was down. I pulled out the iPhone and checked email and one of my forums on it, and all the while I was thinking, "now, if I had a wireless/3G iPad this would be so much easier!" So I guess the decision is made.... While it's not often that we lose cable connectivity at home, this was due to the extreme weather conditions (BIG snowstorm) that we had here, so it wasn't as though I could easily just jump in the car and go to a nearby Starbucks, B&N, library or somewhere else and get on the internet via wireless with my laptop..... This situation got me rethinking my choice and it looks as though I'll be making a different one than originally planned.

 

[alvse]

I'll be getting the WiFi only version... then if I find I actually need the 3G... wait till next years model... can't justify to myself (or the other half) 2 iPad purchases in as many months ... lol

 

[melman101]

I'll be getting the WiFi only version... then if I find I actually need the 3G... wait till next years model... can't justify to myself (or the other half) 2 iPad purchases in as many months ... lol

I'm telling myself I can't get next years model. I have to keep this one for a bit . Hence why I'll grab 3G version .