"storage & wifi" vs "less storage & 3G" - can someone share the reality?

[TraceyS/FL]

I'm a good ways off from being able to consider an iPad for myself, but am pondering on storage vs cost thing like most people probably are.

We will be getting a 32gb for my daughter. She needs to be able to carry some significant amount of video with her, along with PDFs and hopefully books. Then add in space for what her sisters might need to throw on there, we probably *should* be getting the 64. Her music will continue to probably live on her Nano.

But for me, my main storage needs could be met with keeping my PDFs/files on my iDisk, i'd probably keep the majority of my music on my Touch, and can't see at this point needing more than the 16 for myself for what i see myself using it for.

SO i'm wondering if those of you with iPhones could share the realities of using the "cloud" to store your files. I'm talking about needing to pull up a report to show a doctor because he hasn't gotten it yet and that type of stuff (the endocrinologist was happy to SEE the copy of the xray i had on the Touch last month since the written report didn't contain it). So obviously, time is of importance. Is this a reasonably speedy thing to do right now? Or should i just budget a chunk of space to these files.

Gee, then i guess technically i should have a copy of the kids files - or at least access to it.... at least i have time to decide. LOL, probably in time for version 2!

 

[wikoogle]

I think it's strange how the pricing is.

You pay $100 more for just 16 gigs of extra storage, a price of about $6 per gb.

Then you pay $100 more to get 32 gigs of extra storage, a price of about $3 per gb.

The jump up from 16 to 32 gbs is a much bigger rip off than the jump up from 32 to 64 gbs. Apple should've only charged an extra $60 or so for the jump from 16 to 32gb.

Though actually, I think both upgrades are ripoffs, the extra storage couldn't cost more than $20 to incorporate.

But the 3G upgrade is ridiculously over priced. $130 just for a 3G antenna! I can pick up a brand new 3g phone with the 3g antenna built in for $10 total in many parts of the world. Plus on top of that, you have to pay $30 a month for 3G service. Seems like a rip off to me.

As for advice, I would leave that decision up to your daughter. Since she'll be using it, it would feel best if she got to decide which she wants more, 3G or extra storage. If you don't plan on spending an extra $30 a month for 3G service, I would go with the storage option.

 

[roland.g]

Cloud computing isn't as great yet as what it is made out to be in my opinion because uploading bandwidth from most providers is so much slower than download.

I have an iPhone 3G and made the mistake when I sold my original iPhone of not getting more for it and not upgrading to the 16GB. So my iPhone is always cramped for space. I have no video other that music videos on it (really who wants to watch a feature film on the iPhone) and each time I put music on I have to take some off first.

With the iPad I really can't see myself putting music, much anyway on it, as it will be more of a surfing and email and video app. Movies on flights with the kids, etc. But I don't want to put headphones in it and what not when I am just using it around the house. I can simply play my iTunes using the remote app through my Apple TV and stereo system. While I do have BT stereo headphones, I don't use them that much because then my wife would yell at me for not hearing her or the kids.

So my inclination is to go for more storage, not for music, but certainly to not be wanting of it, and for video and photos etc. I feel that the 3G may be an option for the next model I would get, but unless I hear that the pricing plans will include a Pay as you go refill or be bundled at a higher rate to my iPhone plan, I'm not paying $15-30 a month for data access I would rarely need outside of WiFi.

Wikoogle:

The pricing of storage is typical of Apple's iPod and iPhone pricing tiers. Maybe not what you want to see, but typical. As far as the 3G costs, I won't go into the fairness of the $130. But I will say again that the data access is over priced. I have said many times I would pay $30 for 250 MB that I could use until it ran out and then buy more, even with a minimum 10 MB per month hit. I would also consider upping my iPhone data plan from $30 to 40 a month for unlimited iPad usage but come on AT&T I won't be using both devices at the same time for 3G and I don't expect my 3G usage to go up. Hell, I'm happy to even sign up for a 250 MB per month plan on the iPad at $15 if I can drop my iPhone down to 250 MB for $15 instead of the $30 I pay now.

 

[samcraig]

I think it's strange how the pricing is.

You pay $100 more for just 16 gigs of extra storage, a price of about $6 per gb.

Then you pay $100 more to get 32 gigs of extra storage, a price of about $3 per gb.

The jump up from 16 to 32 gbs is a much bigger rip off than the jump up from 32 to 64 gbs. Apple should've only charged an extra $60 or so for the jump from 16 to 32gb.

Though actually, I think both upgrades are ripoffs, the extra storage couldn't cost more than $20 to incorporate.

But the 3G upgrade is ridiculously over priced. $130 just for a 3G antenna! I can pick up a brand new 3g phone with the 3g antenna built in for $10 total. Plus on top of that, you have to pay $30 a month for 3G service. Seems like a rip off to me.

It's sales and marketing STRATEGY. They know you'll look at the difference and figure the best investment is to just get the 64gig.

I used to wonder why I would ever be happy with a 16 gig iPhone as a replacement for my ipod which was 40gigs and had all my music with a few gigs to spare. Clearly 16gigs wouldn't be enough. But here's the thing. How much of my entire music library to I really need portable? How many movies at one time do I need on the device?

I still have my 40gig ipod with my music library on it - it's hooked up to my home stereo so I have my full cd collection at the touch of a button.

I have about 10 gigs of content on my 16gig iPhone which is plenty. Tons of music and several videos.

Would more space be good to have. I wouldn't turn it down. And if my usage/requirements warranted more - I would upgrade or whatnot. It's all a question of what do you really NEED/WANT on the device vs what would be nice to have. If your iPad is going to be your one and only device - go large.

BTW - as for 3G pricing - I would bet that part of AT&T's deal to have no contract included getting a piece of he action on the 3G devices - which is why they are $130 more. Apple is probably compensating AT&T which is why they got the deal they got. Makes the most sense - and is a win-win.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

The problem with living in the cloud is that when the cloud is down or 3G service is slow or non-existent (hello NY, SF, and other cities at times, you might as well be on an uninhabitable island. I have some docs only in the cloud, but for truly important stuff I keep them local and in the cloud. I think the cloud is a nice place to visit but I wouldn't want to live there.

 

[TraceyS/FL]

But the 3G upgrade is ridiculously over priced. $130 just for a 3G antenna! I can pick up a brand new 3g phone with the 3g antenna built in for $10 total in many parts of the world. Plus on top of that, you have to pay $30 a month for 3G service. Seems like a rip off to me.

As for advice, I would leave that decision up to your daughter. Since she'll be using it, it would feel best if she got to decide which she wants more, 3G or extra storage. If you don't plan on spending an extra $30 a month for 3G service, I would go with the storage option.

This isn't the one my daughter is getting - she will get the 32gb wifi one next month.

I have a smartphone with no data, and currently spend about 7 hours a week "waiting" for kids in ST/OT and activities. I will get 3g for me - the pay as you go is cheaper than i can get data on my phone and the no-contract option rocks and fits my life/financial needs perfectly.

But right now i do the "storage & wifi" thing with my Touch, and can't compare it to "less storage & 3G" because I have no access to an iPhone to try it on.

Cloud computing isn't as great yet as what it is made out to be in my opinion because uploading bandwidth from most providers is so much slower than download.

So do you find download acceptable? Or would you be irked at the time to DL & open a PDF file to show a waiting doctor?

I have an iPhone 3G and made the mistake when I sold my original iPhone of not getting more for it and not upgrading to the 16GB. So my iPhone is always cramped for space. I have no video other that music videos on it (really who wants to watch a feature film on the iPhone) and each time I put music on I have to take some off first.

I have a 30gb video iPod and went to an 8gb Touch this past summer. PAINFUL. I just recently got my 32gb and life is good. I wanted the 64 for cushion but decided against it. So far so good!

While I do have BT stereo headphones, I don't use them that much because then my wife would yell at me for not hearing her or the kids.

This is why i don't have them, but there was this kid at gymnastics that had me RUNNING to the store to buy them. YE GADS. I need the sound isolation... which reminds me, it's gym night.

So my inclination is to go for more storage, not for music, but certainly to not be wanting of it, and for video and photos etc. I feel that the 3G may be an option for the next model I would get, but unless I hear that the pricing plans will include a Pay as you go refill or be bundled at a higher rate to my iPhone plan, I'm not paying $15-30 a month for data access I would rarely need outside of WiFi.

I have ZERO access to wifi where i go. I'd have to buy 3 access points to give to the people where i go weekly to gain it. WHile i'd prefer the model of buying the chunk and it lasting until i use it all up, the $15-30 for me is cheaper than the alternatives. With that available, I will NOT be going to a dataplan on a smartphone again.

Would more space be good to have. I wouldn't turn it down. And if my usage/requirements warranted more - I would upgrade or whatnot. It's all a question of what do you really NEED/WANT on the device vs what would be nice to have. If your iPad is going to be your one and only device - go large.
.

This is why i was able to go with the 32gb Touch over the 64 this month. The 32 meets my needs, and the 64 was my want..... LOL!! It's working better than i thought - not having to do any shuffling like i was doing daily with the 8gb i passed onto the kids.

 

[TraceyS/FL]

The problem with living in the cloud is that when the cloud is down or 3G service is slow or non-existent (hello NY, SF, and other cities at times, you might as well be on an uninhabitable island. I have some docs only in the cloud, but for truly important stuff I keep them local and in the cloud. I think the cloud is a nice place to visit but I wouldn't want to live there.

Thanks for the input.

That is my concern with relying on the cloud. I have no experience with it - so i have no clue how reliable it might be in the area either.

I think i need to get back onto the scanning the docs i need to have with me and see what my size is looking like. unfortunately, life with a special needs kid means it multiplies monthly.

 

[Night Spring]

While I wouldn't depend on the cloud for content, like music, videos and your medical docs, 3g connectivity is nice for certain functions -- quick lookup of internet info, finding restaurants nearby, using google maps, price comparison apps, etc. I'd probably take a hard look at the 32GB 3g if your budget allows for it.

 

[roland.g]

I have ZERO access to wifi where i go. I'd have to buy 3 access points to give to the people where i go weekly to gain it. WHile i'd prefer the model of buying the chunk and it lasting until i use it all up, the $15-30 for me is cheaper than the alternatives. With that available, I will NOT be going to a dataplan on a smartphone again.

I think the 32GB with 3G for $729 is pricey but the best option. $100 less really doesn't cut it and you feel screwed for 16 GB. $100 more and you just spent $829 on an iPad. I agree that having the 3G is necessary for some and I can see many instances where it would be useful to have that access on the road. Surfing the web as a car passenger for me or my wife, or getting online with it when at someone's house who doesn't have WiFi. But for the most part I would be using it at home instead of going to my iMac or powering up my MacBook which I will probably sell.

I use my iPhone quite a bit, checking email, light websurfing because the screen is too small for moderate usage, checking sports scores through apps, a lot of traffic data and store locations through mapping, and yet I only use 75-150 MB of data per month. My 3G iPad usage would be less than that because I wouldn't have it everywhere I go and use it for that much data outside of WiFi. Web surfing and email doesn't use a lot of data. So I can't see needing that much 3G access but still wanting to have it. At this point my iPhone 3G data usage would probably drop slightly but not that much. Combined I don't think I would break 250 MB, and so I can't justify spending the $30 on my iPhone data plan and another $15 on an iPad data plan (that I would probably use just a little of every month) and yet I can't go iPod Touch because I do have everything integrated on my iPhone. So unless AT&T give me a lower cost option on my iPhone data plan or a refillable option for the iPad or a bundled option for both through my iPhone billing, then I can't justify $45 a month for being that 'connected'.

But once the iPad 3G is out and more details about the workings of the no contract plan surface, I'm sure there will be more questions and answers there, and be sure I will be on the phone to AT&T demanding better pricing models for existing iPhone customers.

Oh, and I have to ask, what part of Florida?

 

[Nebrie]

But the 3G upgrade is ridiculously over priced. $130 just for a 3G antenna! I can pick up a brand new 3g phone with the 3g antenna built in for $10 total in many parts of the world. Plus on top of that, you have to pay $30 a month for 3G service. Seems like a rip off to me.

GSM patent royalties (~$100), guess who is paying them and guess who isn't.

 

[jav6454]

But the 3G upgrade is ridiculously over priced. $130 just for a 3G antenna! I can pick up a brand new 3g phone with the 3g antenna built in for $10 total in many parts of the world. Plus on top of that, you have to pay $30 a month for 3G service. Seems like a rip off to me.

As for advice, I would leave that decision up to your daughter. Since she'll be using it, it would feel best if she got to decide which she wants more, 3G or extra storage. If you don't plan on spending an extra $30 a month for 3G service, I would go with the storage option.

Head over to HP or Dell and try to CTO a laptop with a 3G modem built in, the cost will not be lower than $100 to get that. Also, those $130 get you a A-GPS, which is even better.

 

[TraceyS/FL]

While I wouldn't depend on the cloud for content, like music, videos and your medical docs, 3g connectivity is nice for certain functions -- quick lookup of internet info, finding restaurants nearby, using google maps, price comparison apps, etc. I'd probably take a hard look at the 32GB 3g if your budget allows for it.

Thanks - I will be saving up for it anyway, so i guess i'll just pencil in the 32gb. Although, I might have to go back to pondering the MIFI too. Hmmm, back to the spreadsheet. I have a 17" MBP, but it's not as handy for carting around to where i go - and the battery is junk despite having been replaced. The old one was better... reminds me i need to call before Apple Care runs out.

At least I'll have a feel for the real world apps before with the one the kid is getting. And depending on how much "Daddy guilt" the middle one can pull off - she might end up with one on her birthday in June (nasty ongoing divorce). She asks ME for one oh, about every hour. Going to be a loonnngggggg 60 days around here! LOL!

Oh, and I have to ask, what part of Florida?

Right "there" (About an hour NW of Orlando)

 

[roland.g]

At least I'll have a feel for the real world apps before with the one the kid is getting. And depending on how much "Daddy guilt" the middle one can pull off - she might end up with one on her birthday in June (nasty ongoing divorce). She asks ME for one oh, about every hour. Going to be a loonnngggggg 60 days around here! LOL!



Right "there" (About an hour NW of Orlando)

Mine are a bit over 2 years old and the other is 3 months old. So I don't have that just yet.

I grew up (Jr. High and H.S.) in Tampa and my folks are still there, Tampa & St. Pete. My step sister is in Orlando.