My wife kind of wants an iPad for Christmas, but I am not sure if getting a model with 3G is worth the extra money. I am thinking it would be nice to be able to use it on trips and such, hence thinking about the 3G. Who sells data plans and about how much do they run? We plan on getting iPhones from Verizon after they become available, as ATT coverage in our area is terrible. What about tethering? I am not too familiar with this technology but a buddy was telling me you can use your phone as a wi-fi hotspot a link the iPad (or anything else) to the internet that way. Would this be a reasonable way to go?
If that's what you plan on doing (tethering) and staying on Verizon Wireless I suggest getting the WiFi only iPad. From someone who ones a 32gb 3G iPad, I find the 3G service invaluable. I use it everywhere. I happened to be one of the early adopters and have the unlimited service for 30, but I rarely go over 2gb a month of usage. I have an iPhone, but don't use the tethering option since it cost more and I have the iPad.
The iPad is not able to use tethering without jailbraking your iPhone & use that like a router. Hence I recommend you to buy 3G + you´ll get GPS (not the case with wifi).
I think it depends on how you use it. I bought it without and I have no regrets. I have 2 reasons. First, I have an Iphone 4 so if I want to find stuff on 3G, I can surf the net, do email, google, etc anywhere already. Second, the places I use the Ipad all have wifi. If I'm at home, at work, and at most airports or airport lounges, I can connect -- and almost all faster than 3G. The places I can't I use the Iphone to connect to the internet. I use the Ipad on the airplane (mainly for movies) and you can't use 3G there anyway. It's not just the additional charge for the 3G Ipad. You have to sign up for a data plan. If you have a smart phone, it doesn't seem to make a lot of sense to duplicate it just for a bigger screen. Now, if you don't have a smart phone and you're going to use it away from a wi-fi, then get the 3G.
I'm getting a new Android phone this summer...it will be able to act as a wi-fi hotspot. If I buy an iPad I'm not even going to bother with the 3G version. The only place I don't have service is sometimes in a hotel where they charge for Internet. I tether my laptop in that case. Every place has wi-fi now: airports, restaurants, hotels, even airplanes. I just don't see the point of paying several hundred bucks for that option but that's just me. Besides, Verizon will be rolling out 4G Androids this summer and I'd rather connect that way. RMX
