I am getting an Ipad for my daughter for her birthday. I need some advice since i dont quiet follow Apple's poducts. I will most likely get the 32GB Wifi + 3G version. Or maybe 64GB version.... Where is the best place to get one and who offers 3G service for it? Can it be bought from X retailer and then will I be able to get 3G from Verizon when needed?
I bought mine from the apple store. The have better support and will take you through a tutorial once you buy it. If your daughter has a hotspot on her phone or is always in a wireless environment you dont really need the 3G and can save 100-150 bucks. I have a hot spot on my phone but rarely use it unless I'm in airports of if hotels charge for Internet.
I have the 16gb one with just wifi. You don't have to get 3G like others mentioned especially if you're always surrounded by wifi. Save the money IMO, but it's up to you.
If you buy the 3G, then yes you can add that service later if you like. It is not on a contractual basis like cell phones and you can pay month to month. I went with Verizon.
data service, yes. 3g to a non-3g ipad?, I don't believe so, maybe eventually? As others mention, it's nice to have it, as you don't have to have a contract, and can get the data when you need it and not pay when you don't. That said, if you have a device that you can tether it to then you really don't need to shell out the $100-$150 extra, and most of the time most users are on wifi anyway. That said, it's a bit of a drag for me in that I have a "grandfathered in" unlimited data plan on my iphone, but they won't let me tether an ipad with that connection unless I switch to a newfangled limited data contract. I would probably never go over, mind you, at least not often, but it's one of those things. at&t.
So you can buy the 3G one but not have it activated? If you are already paying for a data plan for your phone can you use that for your Ipad? I am getting one for my wife for Christmas and have no idea which one to get her...but really don't want a contract etc, because we have wi-fi everywhere pretty much. I have an Ipad 1 and 2 for work, and both just use Wi-fi...pretty much connected all the time... DD
I have that same grandfathered plan.... And I didn't know you could tether an Iphone, is that true? Also, right now Target will buy your old IPhone 3GS and give you $100 off on a new 4, essentially getting an upgrade for $74. DD
The prices will generally be about the same (new) everywhere. There's not really much competition on price, since it's the same product everywhere, unless they have a deal. I don't know right now of any. As someone above answered, the APPLE store has knowledgeable people because that's ALL the tablets they sell. I would NOT buy the 3G, though, because most of the places where I am or where I would use it for the stuff I have would already be in a Wi-Fi area, like my home or work. That's what SHE said. :grin:
I bought one for the missus for Christmas and I went with the Verizon 3G model because she is often in places without Wi-Fi. We are with AT&T for cell phones but I went with Verizon because they seem to have better coverage in our area and she'll probably use more than 250 MB of data a month but less than a 1 GB. I've been using it without activation without a problem. I'll get it activated the day before she gets it though. If you have Wi-Fi pretty much everywhere I'd save the extra $120 and buy the Wi-Fi only model. If you do choose to go 3G just remember, the carrier you choose will be the carrier you use because AT&T iPads will not work with Verizon service and vice versa.
I wouldn't buy the 3G version, if you want Internet everywhere you could buy one of those Verizon 4G hotspots, gives you faster Internet plus you can use it with other devices as well.
My wife has a Samsung phone so we can tether her device to her phone. There are always apps that come out that allow Tethering on the IPhone and then they get pulled, got to get on them quick. Itether got pulled just 2 weeks ago,,,,, Handly light got pulled (that one had hidden tether features). DD
I have the Ipad 2 wifi, 16gb. I got an apple keyboard to go with it. Now it is just like a laptop or net book. We have wifi at home, but none at work. We're so busy at work it really doesn't matter. I have AT&T account so I get free wifi at their hotspots, like the fed-ex kinkos a few blocks from the job. I go there often at lunch. I don't listen to music as much as I used to. I also don't watch movies all that often. So, 16 gb is good enough for me. All the restaurants & cafes that have free wifi get my lunch business. The others that don't have it better have some really good food & service or they don't see me that often. I wanted to get the wifi + 3g, but I am satisfied with what I have. The ipad is very convenient. I just use the laptop at home.
Since they're pretty much the same price anywhere you buy them, you usually save money by getting gift cards with them. Right now Target is offering $75 gift cards with iPad 2 with 3g purchases and $40 with iPad 2 wifi purchases. Pugs
Question regarding service plans for those of you who own iPads. What benefits does the apple service plan include? Is it better to go with a third party warranty, such as square trade? This is probably a dumb question but does apple provide a plan that covers accidental damage?
