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to 3G or not to 3G

G

grafix

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Apr 10, 2008
7
0
I'm trying to decide if waiting for the 3g is going to be worth it or not. Or should I pull the trigger and get just a Wi-Fi enabled one.

I like the idea of being able to use it when I'm out for the weekend in the middle of somewhere with no Wi-Fi but cell coverage and the possibilities of using the "GPS" on long trips to help find things our regular GPS doesn't. Just was wondering what others thoughts are on the pros and cons of the 3G vs just Wi-Fi.
 
grafix said:
I'm trying to decide if waiting for the 3g is going to be worth it or not. Or should I pull the trigger and get just a Wi-Fi enabled one.

I like the idea of being able to use it when I'm out for the weekend in the middle of somewhere with no Wi-Fi but cell coverage and the possibilities of using the "GPS" on long trips to help find things our regular GPS doesn't. Just was wondering what others thoughts are on the pros and cons of the 3G vs just Wi-Fi.
Click to expand...

this was my #1 issue when i was deciding as well. i have the iphone 3gs so i can get 3G whenever i really need it (altho rarely have it on). i sat down and made a list of where i do and dont have wifi access, and really the only place i dont have wifi is at work (and i shouldn't be using the it there anyway).

of course have 3G on it would be nice, and i hear (or rather read from Apple) theres minimal battery difference when using the 3G, but i'd hate to pay for 3G twice.

in the end i realized this won't be the last ipad i get, i can see big things happening with this device, so if i really feel that i missed out on the 3G goodness, i'll get that option on the next gen or the third gen

just my $0.02
 
I decided to order a wi-fi only model, I feel my iPhone is good enough if I am out and about and need to pull up info. The iPad will be more indoors, and some outdoors, but most likely in areas with wi-fi.
 
I'm getting the 3G version. The fact you are not locked into a contract and can enable the 3G whenever you wish is well worth the extra $130. The iPad is meant to be connected to the internet and the times I find myself out of range of wifi are the times I most wish I had access to it strangely.
 
xmnj said:
I decided to order a wi-fi only model, I feel my iPhone is good enough if I am out and about and need to pull up info. The iPad will be more indoors, and some outdoors, but most likely in areas with wi-fi.
Click to expand...

+1

Never without my iPhone so dont really see the point in spending all the extra £££ on it.
 
I spent the extra 130. It isn't like I can do an aftermarket upgrade if I feel like I want 3G later.
 
I ordered the 3G because I know at some point I'll be in a situation where I need it and will be kicking myself for not getting the 3G. I'm saving myself from a future ass-whooping from me. :D
 
We went out yesterday to the Apple Store so my wife could play around with the iPad. She owns an iPhone, but is not a tech geek to say the least. After a couple of moments, she was loving the thing...size, versatility, app options, etc. She wanted to purchase one immediately for her birthday present. When I told her the 3G was coming out "shortly", she said, "Then I will just wait, there's no way I would want to be locked into wi-fi while someone else next to me has data connection most everywhere". If you can swing it financially and can hold out a few more days, I'm guessing there will be a ton of early wi-fi only adopters jonesing for 3G coverage.
 
I've wrestled with this for a couple of weeks now. I went ahead and ordered the 3G model. I figured if I was wrestling with the issue, then I may have some regrets if I don't get the 3G model.

I read someone say on one of the forums that if you didn't have 3G with your iPad, it would suffer the same fate as the iPod touch, where it will mentally be a device that you keep at home and never take with you, due to the limited connectivity. I have to certainly agree with this, as my iPod Touch stays at home. I don't really think of it as a mobile device, and I've always said, if only they'd make an iPod Touch with 3G capability.

So I started to think where would I use this 3G connectivity that I don't really think about using it right now. I started to think of my kids sporting events, perhaps an afternoon at the mall, park, Disney hotels that charge $10 a day for wifi of which we go quite frequently living in Florida, parents house (as they have no idea what their wifi password is), and of course vacations.

My wife has an iPhone, but I'm not really interested in doing the tethering thing. Having to rely on another device to accomplish connectivity seems to defeat the purpose of having the all inclusive device such as the iPad.

And at the end of the day, if I never used it, it will most likely hold its resale value a little better than the rest, as the 64GB 3G iPad is the top of the line and will move to mediocre status.

I can't say that I won't change my mind again, as there is certainly compelling arguments for the wifi version, especially in terms of saving $140, but this is where I am today. And I did make the cutoff on pre-order to have it shipped at the end of this month, in roughly 10 days.:D
 
I'm getting my friend to pick me up a wifi only model, would have picked it up myself yesterday if it weren't for the ash stopping my flying.

I did wonder about the 3G model but since i have an iphone also and don't really want another data contract and have no idea whats coming to the UK I went with the wifi only option and picked up one of these

http://www.store-3.co.uk/3-three-broadband-3-mifi-mobile-wifi.html?ref=product_headline

I believe the same sort of thing is available in the US. So all I'm missing out on is GPS and I have that on my phone.
 
ginguar said:
I'm getting my friend to pick me up a wifi only model, would have picked it up myself yesterday if it weren't for the ash stopping my flying.

I did wonder about the 3G model but since i have an iphone also and don't really want another data contract and have no idea whats coming to the UK I went with the wifi only option and picked up one of these

http://www.store-3.co.uk/3-three-broadband-3-mifi-mobile-wifi.html?ref=product_headline

I believe the same sort of thing is available in the US. So all I'm missing out on is GPS and I have that on my phone.
Click to expand...


I was looking at this thing aswell. depends really on what the plans from O2 and orange end up being like.
 
DKatri said:
I was looking at this thing aswell. depends really on what the plans from O2 and orange end up being like.
Click to expand...

Between the fact that I'll get it sooner, it works out cheaper to buy there and bring back and with it showing to the ipad as wifi i'll be able to do skype calls from it as well as use it with my laptop if necessary this worked out the best route for me, but realise it's not for everyone.

Also I got the pay as you go one not the contract.
 
I've got an Acer netbook that has Wifi but no 3G. I love the things, but I can't tell you how many times I'm stuck with a useless brick in my hands for one of the following reasons:

  1. Location has no wifi
  2. Wifi isn't working or is so slow it is unusable.
  3. Hotel wants $24/day and I'm too cheap to buy.
  4. Stupid filters in place (like at a hospital wifi). Too lazy to bypass filters with VPN

Sure I can check my email on my iPhone, but doing any kind of "work" or responding to longer emails is too much of a pain in the ass on the tiny iphone screen. There was no way I was ordering a NON-3G version.

The only way I'd order a wifi only version is if I had a phone with tethering or something like a verizon mifi portable wifi router.
 
lordhamster said:
  1. Location has no wifi
  2. Wifi isn't working or is so slow it is unusable.
  3. Hotel wants $24/day and I'm too cheap to buy.
  4. Stupid filters in place (like at a hospital wifi). Too lazy to bypass filters with VPN
Click to expand...

  1. Airport Express
  2. You just described AT&T 3G
  3. Legitimate concern...but I don't think I've ever seen $24/day internet even at Disney World.
  4. ? With a little effort it can be done
 
msduncan said:
  1. Airport Express
Click to expand...

Doesn't work so well when the place I'm at has no wired internet either. If I'm waiting 1 hour for my oil change, where would I plug in my airport express?

If I'm at Ye Olde European Hotel with room wiring from 1945, where do I plug in my airport express?

msduncan said:
  1. Legitimate concern...but I don't think I've ever seen $24/day internet even at Disney World.
Click to expand...


I travel alot. The more expensive the hotel, the less likely it is to have free or (reasonably priced) internet.



The added price to get the 3G radio isn't such a big deal, and if you need it you can still activate it. You certainly don't have to.
 
no 3G here, there is plenty of Wifi around here, plus when I had my Iphone I hardly ever got a 3G signal anyway, it was mostly on Edge.
 
I got the 3G instead of buying a new phone and having a data plan. The iPad works better for my mobile data needs, and not having a contract makes it really nice. No plans to EVER lock into a long term data contract again.
 
TraceyS/FL said:
I got the 3G instead of buying a new phone and having a data plan. The iPad works better for my mobile data needs, and not having a contract makes it really nice. No plans to EVER lock into a long term data contract again.
Click to expand...

i sold my 32gb wifi an pre-ordered a 64gb 3g on saturday, got in right before the change to may 7th and got my email that it will ship end of april still :). I decided same thing better to have then not have, im only kicking myself for going 64gb i really dont need the space on the ipad I don't plan on carrying around my music library with me and videos. 16gb is more then enough to throw media together for a trip before i go, and with 3g and orb you can always stream media :).

Thought: AT&T should have added a day pass option people would use it alot more. I mainly got the 3g to have it in case and GPS! A day pass even at $3.99-4.99 or so would be awesome. Same thing they charge for starbucks etc. If you go on a trip and need it for a day or so the day pass would be an instant purchase as opposed to thinking "do i need to pay for this whole month"
 
If the new leaked iPhone 4G is real and the microSim card could be used on both the iPhone and iPad, then the 3G would be a great option.
 
I decided on just the wi-fi model. I have a Nexus One and I can turn it into a wi-fi access point at anytime.
 
I'm springing for the 3G. I may see myself using it at some point.

It's better to have and not need than to need and not have.
 
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