iPad 2 WiFi or WiFi & 3G?

[shready]

I'm possibly going to get an iPad 2 32gb and wondered what the collective here thought about the 3G model versus the WiFi only.

I cannot get 3G at home and when I am travelling I usually have access to WiFi in hotels etc. Plus, I have an iPhone anyway so could get anything I need on that I guess.

Have I missed anything else?

 

[sv1000s]

I just got the 64GB wi fi 3g, the reason being as I would at least like the luxury of having both. I've not tried the 3G part of it yet as I'm waiting for the micro sim to turn up.

It's £100 extra.....but at least I have to option.

 

[Andy B]

I have an iPad 2 32Gb 3G. I've never used the 3G! I did get a Pay As You Go O2 micro sim card (Free from your local o2 shop) for it because I thought they had about the best deal - £2.00 per day on a day-by-day basis and you could buy it from the iPad rather than having to phone anyone or log onto another PC.

What I have found is that for probably 85% of the time I can find WiFi (I have to go looking for it sometimes but because my daily routines are fairly stable I know where to look). When I can't I can use my Nokia 6500 Classic which has 3G to tether to the iPad using Bluetooth and so access the internet at no extra cost (because of the Orange contract I have).

I seem to recall someone mentioning that you need the 3G on an iPad to get the benefit of GPRS. I'm sure someone else will be along to advise shortly. Certainly, I find a lot of apps need to know where you are to work.

 

[siwhite]

iPad 1 wifi does not have GPS - instead it uses the location of wifi hotspots to give you a rough location fix. 3G model has a proper GPS chip, hence i have a 3G but have never put a SIM in it. Not sure if the IPad 2 is the same - would assume so.

 

[MickyBlueyes]

iPad 1 wifi does not have GPS - instead it uses the location of wifi hotspots to give you a rough location fix. 3G model has a proper GPS chip, hence i have a 3G but have never put a SIM in it. Not sure if the IPad 2 is the same - would assume so.

Your assumption is correct

 

[Jiffy176]

I've got the 64 iPad 2. I was undecided between 32 3G or 64 wifi. I then learnt that I could tether when I get an iPhone 4. I would just get the wifi and tether. I think it costs 5 quid a month with most providers.
All depends how much you will use it away from wifi. Mine would be once in a blue moon. As for the gps. I think it's too big for that the iPhone fits the bill better. However the mapping seems fairly accurate but i haven't really tried it. Whatever you choose they are brilliant.

 

[siwhite]

PAYG 3G SIM cards with built in data are available on eBay for about £10 which will last three months or so.....

 

[Yonkyo]

I went for the ipad2 64gb wifi without 3G. As I have an iPhone 4 on contract with 3 mobile, I have unlimited data, so I can simply tether the iPad.
Works a treat and provides pretty fast web acces and download speeds.

 

[Gipsy]

I have an IPad 2 without 3G, and use an unlocked Mifi device available on EBay. I carry a selection of prepaid data sims and use whichever has the best reception.

 

[dongleplonk]

I have a non 3G Ipad2. I tether my iPhone (Personal Hotspot) and works fine. Although I usually end up with wifi somewhere so its only used if no wifi.

iPhone tethering for me is free on O2 because I'm on a business tariff.

I did hear it was £6 pm otherwise.

But - I very happy with the non 3G and iPhone tethering solution - works for me.

 

[repomanbe]

I concur with just about all above, I have iPad2 non 3G and it's fine. Wi-Fi at home and free Wi-Fi just about everywhere when I'm out and about, perfect for browsing and mail.

 

[shready]

Well I'm posting this on my WI-FI only iPad

Happy with it and have used it tethered to my iPhone, no problem.

 

[snappo]

How easy is the tethering process for ipad then chaps? I've got an iphone4 on Orange, and I'm looking at an ipad, just cos I want one!

Not sure if I need a 3g one or not after reading some of these responses..

 

[Yonkyo]

How easy is the tethering process for ipad then chaps? I've got an iphone4 on Orange, and I'm looking at an ipad, just cos I want one!

Not sure if I need a 3g one or not after reading some of these responses..

Very simples

Enable tethering on your iPhone, then pair your iPad to your iPhone with Bluetooth.

That's it...

 

[Yonkyo]

Oh, and make sure your iPhone contract includes Thethering, as some service providers block this function on there handsets.

Works perfectly on my iphone4 with 3 mobile...

 

[the director]

Oh, and make sure your iPhone contract includes Thethering, as some service providers block this function on there handsets.

Works perfectly on my iphone4 with 3 mobile...

Exactly the same for me with the unlimited data contract from 3.

 

[Andy B]

I would go in store and ask them to demonstrate. I've been tethering with a Nokia 3G phone for years and that was a doddle.

However, just got a data sim card from Orange for my iPad - £5.00 per month.

 

[Yonkyo]

I would go in store and ask them to demonstrate. I've been tethering with a Nokia 3G phone for years and that was a doddle.

However, just got a data sim card from Orange for my iPad - £5.00 per month.

That seems cheap. Is that all you can eat, or limited data allowance ?

 

[Andy B]

250MB: http://shop.orange.co.uk/ipad/ipad-choose-your-plan#