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to 3G or not to 3G

I'm sticking with my wifi only for now and have cancelled my 3g order.

Xfinity wifi is available throughout my region and it works well. I'll be spending 80-90% of my time in the region and have my company blackberry for whenenver I'm not.

No need to pay extra.

Also, I'm not real keen on the ATT network.
 
tethering from iphone

wonder if we ever get tethering from iphone...then ipad wifi only would be the way to go!
 
I don't want to pay ATT again for 3G when I already have it for the iPhone. And besides, if I ever desperately needed to get online on the iPad, I can just stop by the nearest Starbucks and get free Wi-Fi with their gift card thing...
 
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.
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I am having the same thoughts here. But don't want to pay the extra $130 for the 3G model really, and the $15 a month for the 3G service.

I have the original iPhone and it is showing the wear over the last three years. So I may end up getting the next iPhone in June.

stahscream said:
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
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Good points.

The only reason I am thinking of the 3G iPad is because of work during my lunches and breaks. Would be nice to read my news sites these during those breaks. Otherwise I would have my iPhone with me for everything else.

I guess I am looking at the 3G iPad being the best of both worlds for when I do my limited travel. Hate paying for wifi at hotels, but the iPhone sucks for me for emails and such - too small of a screen.

ScubaCinci said:
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
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Sort of my feelings as well. Still very torn as you can tell. Just know that there is a 3G/4G iPhone in the cards for me this year.

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.
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That was one of my first thoughts over the last couple of weeks. Then I looked at how I was using my iPhone. Like how connected I am with it. Just don't see my taking the iPad out for an evening romp in town.

Now if ATT would allow tethering of the iPhone for $15 to the iPad wifi model then all would be good. :)

OceanView said:
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.
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Thanks for the reminder :)

Wonder if there would be away that ATT could disable 3G on the iPad using the 3G network with a iPhone microSim though?

Your heads up gives me reason to maybe look at the 3G iPad.




In the end like many here I would not mind saving $130 for the wifi only iPad. But I don't want to regret be "cheap" either.
 
As I say in all these threads that pop up daily, I passed on the 3G for the wifi for 2 big reasons.

1) I have a Sprint Overdrive that can run my iPad on 4G, why limit myself to 3G? Plus, I have my turbo Roadrunner connection going thru a router at home which is like 20 times faster than AT&Ts 3G.

2) AT&T is awful and so is their overcrowded network.
 
aluren said:
I don't want to pay ATT again for 3G when I already have it for the iPhone. And besides, if I ever desperately needed to get online on the iPad, I can just stop by the nearest Starbucks and get free Wi-Fi with their gift card thing...
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Or stop by McDonalds :)

For me the 3G would be a connivence thing for where I work. Where I work the shopping center does not have a single wifi spot - but the shopping center next door has Panera Bread, an ATT store and a Star Bucks.

For me I loose about 10 minutes of my lunch break going over there. Plus I am trying to eat right and save money by not eating out for lunches.
 
One word.... GPS.

I dont want to be left out on using apps that are location based. Plus I think having a huge navigation unit would be cool.

I also want the flexibility to use 3G if I want it. At $30 a month for unlimited usage is amazing.
 
I just sold my iPad to a friend and ordered an iPad 3G. Too bad I ordered today instead of last night as I had originally intended :(
 
originally ordered 3G, switched to wi-fi on launch day. Figured that I already have 3G from my iPhone and iPad is too big to carry to most places and too expensive to leave in my car. If I get a job in another city that lets me ride the train/subway/bus to work, I'll just go and buy a 3G iPad and chalk up the expense as a cost of doing business.

if I were still in school, by all means, i'd get 3G. Anything to bypass the school's crappy wifi and its filters...
 
Thanks all for your input. Many have backup my feelings and others have made valid points about things I haven't thought about. I don't have an iPhone just my Touch which I love and use all the time.

I will wait and get the 3G iPad as it will be a great asset to my business and staying connected more consistently.
 
Chip NoVaMac said:
Now that the rumors of the new iPhone gaining traction I may just get the 3G iPad and hope that the microSIM card works between the two.
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Exactly. If greedy AT&T won't allow it, hopefully someone will create a jailbreak program for it.
 
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