Ipad 2 - go just wifi or wifi/3g?

[pfillery]

My wife wants an ipad for work. There is a programme she can use which is not available on any other operating system.

So there is a fair difference between the cost of an ipad 2 with just wifi, which is all she needs, and one with wifi and 3g.

Mt question is - should we get the wifi and 3g one even though we don't plan on using it remotely, is the device functional without having a sim inserted (ie can you use a 3g ipad on wifi without signing up to a data plan?)

We are thinking of a lot of factors such as potential resale when she decides to upgrade plus having the option to use data if needed. Has anyone faced the same dilema?

[theresanothersteve]

I always said I'd never own an iAnything...
...then I won an iPad.

Before handing over your hard earned make sure there is no alternative to the application for other operating systems, I haven't found anything the iPad can do that I can't get an Android app to do. The advantage with Android is it then plays nicely with my Windows network.

That having been said, the most useful thing I find with the iPad is its ease of use for Internet and email. Again, it can't do anything my smart phone can do, but it does Internet and email so much better due to the large screen.

So, if the iPad is going to be used where you have access to a wireless network you won't need 3G. If, however, you are going to use the iPad away from trusted networks you are going to need a method of connecting to the 3G network.

This means either a 3G capable iPad, or you will need to tether the iPad to a smart phone with a data pack. Although this sounds complicated it is very easy. Even with my Android smartphone it took about 15 seconds.

I'm trying hard to like the iPad, I've downloaded a heap of apps to allow it to edit and share documents, but its not its strong suite. But, when I'm watching TV and something comes up I would like to know something about, it is fantastic. Even my ludite wife has been asked for the 'iThingy' so she can look something up.

[Hymie]

Forget the 3G, just get a WiFi version and Tether it to a phone you can set it up as a WiFi Hotspot.

[pfillery]

That was the first thing I asked because I'd heard the samsungs were better. Sadly it is an app that has been developed for the government and only as an app so no go on anything else.

She can use our home wifi and the same at work, hadn't thought about tethering to a smart phone, we are on a very cheap plan including data so this may be the way to go.


I always said I'd never own an iAnything...
...then I won an iPad.

Before handing over your hard earned make sure there is no alternative to the application for other operating systems, I haven't found anything the iPad can do that I can't get an Android app to do. The advantage with Android is it then plays nicely with my Windows network.

That having been said, the most useful thing I find with the iPad is its ease of use for Internet and email. Again, it can't do anything my smart phone can do, but it does Internet and email so much better due to the large screen.

So, if the iPad is going to be used where you have access to a wireless network you won't need 3G. If, however, you are going to use the iPad away from trusted networks you are going to need a method of connecting to the 3G network.

This means either a 3G capable iPad, or you will need to tether the iPad to a smart phone with a data pack. Although this sounds complicated it is very easy. Even with my Android smartphone it took about 15 seconds.

I'm trying hard to like the iPad, I've downloaded a heap of apps to allow it to edit and share documents, but its not its strong suite. But, when I'm watching TV and something comes up I would like to know something about, it is fantastic. Even my ludite wife has been asked for the 'iThingy' so she can look something up.

[PhilipA]

Just remember that the 3G version is the only one with the GPS receiver and no navigation apps will work with the WIFI only one.
To my mind this is the best use of an ipad.
Regards Philip A

[WhiteD3]

SWMBO has the wifi version and loves it. We have wifi set up at home which is where it lives 99% of the time. Having said that, I just got off Faceview with my sister-in-lay who's skiing in France (her Ipad 2 3G to my Iphone 4s) and while a bit chunky, it worked well.

Horses for courses.

If you have the need go 3G, if not, don't. Ipad 3 is coming out soon and Ipad 2 will be worth less regardless of the flavour.

[Rosscoe68]

yep go the 3g one for mine,
Ipad with AGPs and "mud maps" on Ipad are awesome
look it up, you won;t regret it :)

[theresanothersteve]

Just remember that the 3G version is the only one with the GPS receiver and no navigation apps will work with the WIFI only one.
To my mind this is the best use of an ipad.
Regards Philip A
Not quite true...
My non 3G iPad knows where I am when I'm in the metro area although struggles at home (Adelaide Hills). Its using the wifi networks it can 'see' to create a location. And its suprisingly accurate!

If, however, you are going to use it for navigation go for 3G.

[Aussie]

I have the wifi only iPad, I purchased a powerful little external gps the size of a matchbox and link that to the iPad using a app called BT stack,(allows any device to bluetooth to the iPad) this gps is much better than the internal iPad gps, I also tether my iPad to my phone for net connection.

The beauty of this is that I only pay for one sim but I can have 5 devices hanging off my phone. The wife tethers her laptop to Phone when we go away. I use all the mapping apps and they all work a treat. Battery life in gps is upto 10 hours.

[goingbush]

just get the wifi

if you want internet buy yourself a nextg wifi pocket router
like this ZTE Australia > Products > Mobile Phones > MF60 (http://www.zte.com.au/telstra/MF60.htm)
and then you can run all your wifi gadgets off it

[GregTD5]

Have a look at Kogan website, around $100 less than any one else at moment.

Greg

[wannabeexplorer]

My wife wants an ipad for work. There is a programme she can use which is not available on any other operating system.

So there is a fair difference between the cost of an ipad 2 with just wifi, which is all she needs, and one with wifi and 3g.

Mt question is - should we get the wifi and 3g one even though we don't plan on using it remotely, is the device functional without having a sim inserted (ie can you use a 3g ipad on wifi without signing up to a data plan?)

We are thinking of a lot of factors such as potential resale when she decides to upgrade plus having the option to use data if needed. Has anyone faced the same dilema?

Hi!

It comes down to what you want to do with it... That said, to answer your questions, the resale value between 3g or not is the same as asking the difference between a 64GB or a 16 GB model, you will get x% cash back when you come to sell it.

Some mobile providers have great deals so I'd say why not get one with a plan (basically getting the hardware for free), but again that's only if you intend on taking it on holidays etc and want to keep in touch with family and friends

Personally I'd go for the 3G only because of the GPS that's built in.
So you may ask why, simply because it is an awesome device for satellite navigation - yes it's big, but you don't mount it in the window as you would a phone or similar, so it doesn't block your view. It is much better than those tiny satnav screens and the thing is that you don't need to actually look at it or having to take your eyes off the road, it's just there in the corner of your eye and you can see a whole lot of detail!

Once you've started using the tablet you'll wonder how you managed without it for all this time...

As for android vs iOS, OS X vs, windows or linux - there are a thousand reasons one or the other would be better, some relevant but most the time people will 'promote' the one or the other based on their own experience and preference - Just like you chose to drive either a Landrover, Nissan or Toyota!

[Reads90]

I have both. A 3 g work one and
Y wife has a wi fi one

With the works one they pay for the 3G.

But my wife had a iPad 1 3G and when ever she went to use the 3G the pay as you go had run out of time and not limit. So was a waste

So when she got an Ipad2 she got a wi fi one because when she is out and about , she can connect via Bluetooth to her phone and use the internet on there. With no extra cost. And no wastage of prepaid Internet.