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Tough decision.. iPad or iPhone 4.

I

ilikemonkeys

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jul 11, 2006
27
0
Firstly, I do understand that there are already threads for people asking this. I get that this might be frustrating that I'm posting yet another one. Boo hoo. Each person has their own individual reasons for wanting one.


So here's my dilemma, iPhone 4 or iPad. I've never owned an iPhone or a phone (never needed one and I'm only 18). I've been wanting to get an iPad ever since they launched it but I've also been finding myself needing an phone a lot.

My main issue is data. I need it everywhere. Originally I was really wanting an iPad 3G just cause it's got a pretty good deal on the monthly plan (at least in Canada it does). Sucks not having WiFi always readily available. Both the iPad and iPhone fulfill this need.

Like I said earlier though, I've been finding that I need a phone sometimes. Not a lot but nice to have for texting friends and uses for work. With it having just launched in Canada each of the carriers are having a special promo for the data plans I'd like to take advantage of.

---------

I've wanted an iPad because I've just fallen in love with it. I've done plenty of thinking over the past few months about whether I would get any legitimate use out of it. I actually ended up selling my old MBP in favour of getting the iPad because everything I used my laptop for was just what the iPad does better (browsing etc.). That nice big display is awesome and the apps I keep seeing are so compelling. Not to mention the data fees are pretty minimal and also no contract.

Having an iPhone 4 would be great because I'd have that data I need, it's a great little phone (aside from that minor antenna issue) and the plans are affordable for me. Considering I'm paying tuition and all that though, the contract for 3 years is a little disconcerting. My main thing not making me jump to iPhone is that small screen and the apps. I've got an iPod and presumably if there is a new iPod coming in September I'll be upgrading to that.

----


So could I get some help making this decision? Which product are you using more or liking more? Give me compelling arguments for which way to go.
 
Oh jeez. Rogers is awful. 3 Year contract? Ouch.

Basically it comes down to if you need a phone or not. That's really the only question here.
 
Actually I'm looking at the Telus contract:

$65.00 iPhone Plan
Minutes:
-200 daytime + 100 bonus minutes
Data:
-1GB + 5GB (6GB)
Evenings & Weekends:
-Unlimited at 6PM (6PM is a limited time promotion; evenings normally start at 9PM)
Choose one of:
-Unlimited Text Messages, Double Your Minutes (500), Free Talk/Talk to 5
Numbers Nationwide
Included features:
-Visual Voicemail, Call Waiting, Conference Calling
Promotion:
-Six months unlimited local calling, $35 activation fee waived
Click to expand...

----

I mean sometimes I need a phone when I really wish I had one. I mean I never need it to actually phone and talk with people. Also that portability factor comes in. Nice to have the iPhone in my pocket, but then the iPod does the same thing just without the data.
 
The iPad has a very niche usage area. You truly have to find exactly what you want to use it for so that you can justify your purchase of it to use it with or instead of a notebook/desktop.

The iPhone 4 on the other hand is an absolutely amazing smartphone and I doubt you will have any trouble finding a use for it since you will take it everywhere. It truly is nice to have the Internet in your pocket all the time.
 
You'll probably get more everyday use from the iPhone. You will like the ability to text with your friends and you still have a very good mobile browser for the internet etc....

I think the ipad is great but it is not as portable as the iPhone nor can it be used for messaging the same way a phone can.

You should get a Blackberry curve on a plan (its like $20 for the phone on a plan) and you can use that for you phone/texting/messaging and then you could still get an iPad wifi (or 3G if you really want?) because you won't be spending $200+ for the phone itself.
 
iPhone first, then get an iPad once you can afford it. Having a mobile phone is more important (I don't think you can e-mail for an ambulance). I wouldn't skimp on the phone and get something cheap and cheerful,to be honest, as you might find that the iPhone actually negates the necessity for an iPad.
 
Ciclismo said:
iPhone first, then get an iPad once you can afford it. Having a mobile phone is more important (I don't think you can e-mail for an ambulance). I wouldn't skimp on the phone and get something cheap and cheerful,to be honest, as you might find that the iPhone actually negates the necessity for an iPad.
Click to expand...

I don't know according to David Pogue's latest video you can IM 911 now lol
 
You can text people from the iPad -- there are apps for that. I have one on my iPad, and I use it to send text to my friends' cell phones all the time.

So it really comes down to how much you need a phone. There are also VoiP apps that work from the iPad, but whether or not that works for you would depend on how you use phones. You could also buy a cheap cell phone with a voice-only plan. If you don't use it that often, a pay-as-you-go voice plan might even work for you.

You didn't mention exactly what you plan to use the iPad for, but you do sound like you are very much taken with the idea of it, and a phone is more of an afterthought for you. If you can afford both, that will of course be the best, but if you can get only one, you should go with the device that makes you happier. I personally don't have much need for a phone myself -- I use a phone a few times a month, if that. For me, the iPad is perfect, and now that I have it, I use the phone even less, because when I need to get hold of my friends, I just text them. So despite so many people telling you to get the iPhone first, like you said, everyone's differnt. Think hard about what *you* want from the iPad or iPhone, then decide.
 
I now have both and what I find is that although I prefer using the iPad to the iPhone because of the screen size, the reality is the iPhone4 is a more portable device that you can carry everywhere. I sold my old iPhone 3GS and tried to operate with just an iPad but the truth was it just isn't as portable and although it was great for carrying to and from work and to the coffee shop etc for true portability you can't beat the iPhone which does virtually everything an iPad can do plus a lot more....

My advice is get an iPhone and then as and when (if you need it or you can afford it) get an iPad.
 
So maybe I should get the iPhone and wait for the second generation iPad? Maybe that might be a better choice. I'm still not liking the idea of a 3 year contract. Mainly because of being a student and then my current job my hours fluctuate a lot. Hmmm...
 
Well I had another thought. So at the moment I can afford both an iPad and an iPhone but I really don't want to buy both of them right now. So what I'm thinking is I have two options:

1) Buy an iPhone and take advantage of the special promo. Continue saving my money and if after a month or so I find I still want an iPad get it. Maybe not the 3G model (I'm sure with a jailbroken phone there is some way to share it like a mifi or something. Not a big deal).

2) Buy the iPad right now. Keep using it until around mid-September before the carrier promotions end. Contemplate whether I still have a need for a phone or if I can wait.


----


Right now I think I'm going to go with the 2nd option. The first one while I'm sure I'll love having an iPhone that basically has me jump into a 3 year contract. No turning back. I have no idea if I'll use it a lot or what. Whereas option 2 I have time to decide whether I've still got the need for a phone and I can take advantage of the offer. By then hopefully I should know if the new iPods are out. That way I still get the portability of an iPhone (maybe not with the calling though) but no contract.

We'll see. Thanks peeps. I've got one more day to be convinced otherwise :p
 
Alternative idea: get a phone that allows you to set it up as wifi hotspot, and use this with your wifi iPad. I know various Nokia phones allow this, not sure about other brands. Just make sure you get a data plan that allows for the data you might rack up.
 
iPad, and a cheap pay as you go phone now.

Why do you 'need' data everywhere ?

What are you using for data everywhere now ?

I say iPad now because you mentioned you sold your notebook to get one. iPad is a laptop replacement for SOME, but you aren't going to do it with an iPhone.
 
MrWillie said:
iPad, and a cheap pay as you go phone now.

Why do you 'need' data everywhere ?

What are you using for data everywhere now ?

I say iPad now because you mentioned you sold your notebook to get one. iPad is a laptop replacement for SOME, but you aren't going to do it with an iPhone.
Click to expand...

@MrWillie and Stix,

Spot on posts guys. I have a spare Nokia phone that I installed JoikuSpot on to turn the phone into a hotspot when I had the wifi only iPad. Now I have a 3G/wifi version so the phone just sits, however having data handy all the time is very useful. Then again, I live in Finland where data usage is actually encouraged.
 
Yep, JoikuSpot is what I use. I have a PAYG 3G plan for the iPad and it's a fixed charge per day. But if I only need a little bit of data I just hook up to my phone (which is paid by my employer :D) and use that. If I need more, I use the 3G though (I'm too honest :eek:)
 
Unless you have difficulty seeing small print, the iPad has less capability than an iPhone. In terms of portability, the iPhone wins. I've got both, and I love my iPad, but it replaces my desktop and laptop around the house when I want to surf/email/consume media content. When I'm on the road, I settle for the iPhone for its size (and I only need the 1 device to to all of the above, phone, take pics/video...)
 
Get the 8GB iPhone 3GS and a WiFi iPad (hopefully this will allow you afford both), then jailbreak the iPhone and install MiFi. Data on both devices wherever you go right there, with only one contract.
 
I would not suggest to anyone to get the 8gb 3GS when the iPhone 4 is available. It's $99 vs $199, but you're paying over $70 a month for 24 months, which is clearly the bulk of the cost. The $100 difference is totally worth paying.

As to the OP's question: Quite a dilemma! :eek:I'm getting an iPad.
 
By the way... the iPhone 4 16GB is $159 in Canada. Probably cause of that 3 year contract.


So I've pretty much made my decision I think. In the end I'll be getting both, however I'll be going iPhone 4 first. After listening to everyone in this thread, the guys at the sorta-Apple Store and thinking it over myself... probably just best to get the thing that does everything. Now I have to choose carriers (Bell or Telus).


iPad I'll hopefully get later on maybe after a few paychecks. Thinking about it I still need one to replace my laptop but I don't need one for very much outside my home. If I have an iPhone, I'll probably just use the iPad for travel, home and work. So I'll go for the 16GB WiFi model (since I'm a little wary about the 2nd gen iPad and I don't want to be burned too bad). Anytime that I need 3G or whatever I'll just use the MiWi thing (I'll be jailbreaking the iPhone 4).
 
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