Comments on: Which Model iPad?

By: WIlson Ng

WIlson Ng — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 11:32:52 +0000

I’m either at home or at work where I have a wifi network available. So it’ll be the non-3G iPad for me.

I just saw this at iLounge:

http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/news/comments/wearable-launches-airstash-wireless-flash-drive

So I can use SD cards to store extra movies for my daughter. I’ll probably get a 32 GB iPad and the Airstash with a bunch of SD cards.

By: Gasport

Gasport — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:32:53 +0000

Dirk,

I am confused. The Novatel site indicates that the 2372 is GPS- enabled.

What is the difference between GPS- Enabled and the Assisted GPS in the 3G version of the iPad?

By: Dirk

Dirk — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 09:28:13 +0000

The MiFi is an interesting option. But if you wait till the last q of the year there should be a MiFi with GPS build in. Current MiFi’s don’t have that yet.

I like the G3 option if only when going on vacation. It has GPS, you can check your emil, the iPad is small and light.

There are both pro’s and con’s.

By: Gasport

Gasport — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 14:45:20 +0000

Katie and NA repliers. What MiFi unit did you purchase? I was looking at the 2200 from Verizon at Amazon. It cost $.01 with a 2 year contract. This is CDMA based. There is a new version, the 2372 GSM which would support ATT. However, I cannot find out much about the availability of the 2372 with ATT support.

By: Ala'a

Ala'a — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 21:44:09 +0000

64G WiFi for me, Thank you!

By: JImmy Tucker

JImmy Tucker — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 15:46:57 +0000

I think perhaps the 16gb wifi model is what I’m looking at. The i-disk compatibility is key for me,and it would be great if the back to my mac screen sharing was available,that would make it complete.

By: David S

David S — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 14:58:24 +0000

I’m really torn on this as well. I thought the GPS was important but I’ll have to check out Don M’s comments about MiFi having GPS and how that helps me. Another thought I was wondering about is the the iPad 3G is unlimited for about half the MiFi plan and the MiFi is not unlimited data is it?

By: Gordon

Gordon — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 14:29:34 +0000

For me, I think I’ve decided on the 64GB WiFi model. As other folks have said in the comments, when I really need to check email or do something critical…I’ll have my iPhone on me. I don’t think the iPad will be an always connected device in the same way that my iPhone is.

Most of the time I’ll be at home or at a friends or in some locale I can get WiFi. If I’m really desperate, I’m very fortunate and I have a work provided MiFi. I think it’s a good solution in that sure it’s twice as much a month but you’ll be able to use that with your laptop and other devices on the road.

I’d say the 64 (or at least the 32) is because the likelihood that I’ll want to rent a movie while traveling is far higher for the iPad than for my phone or perhaps even laptop and even a single rented movie is between 1-4GB depending on SD/HD.

PS: I wonder if they’re promising release day shipping. It’s sad that I kind of hope not. Getting a Saturday delivery to my office or being home for it would be kind of a pain.

By: Pierre B

Pierre B — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 06:58:57 +0000

Because I am not in the US, I will have to wait to the end of April to make my decision (this means that all of your US folks will be my beta testers – only consolation I have for waiting).

At that time, I expect that both the WiFi and 3G will be available.

I am leaning towards the WiFi version because I can get a MiFi for C$35 a month and the cost of the MiFI on a 2 year contract is roughly equal to the price differential that we should see in Canada for the 3GS vs. WiFi. (assuming it is the same as the US, i.e., $130). The MiFi option will cost C$35 a month, roughly the same as the pricing that Apple negotiated with AT&T for 3GS (and I would be surprised if we get a better deal in Canada). As the MiFi will allow me to use it with devices other than the iPad, this makes it particularly interesting and cost effective.

By: Lamike

Lamike — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 21:42:35 +0000

love This post! I am in Don McAllister’s camp. Thus, I’ll be going with the WiFi version of the iPad coupled with MiFi. For ultimate travel flexibility, I have ordered the “Open Box” Novatel MiFi unit. I can drop an AT&T Voice and Data Sim in it for great USA coverage and a pay-as-you go card in it when I am in Europe.

By: Raul

Raul — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 17:10:31 +0000

Hello,

After reading your post I have a question:

“When and for what do you need the connection 3G? For mail? I’ve got my iPhone. For check a web page? Well we have an iPhone.. So wich is the feature that will determinate to buy an 3G model? I think that’s no reason if you have an iPhone.

So the 3G model is for a target of costumers very clear, and the another model is the iPad for the rest of us.

By: Ray

Ray — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 15:43:23 +0000

Great post. I have the same problem and glad I am not alone. I have followed Don McAllister’s comments on this as he is the one who got me thinking about the MiFi as an alternative. I am interested in using the GPS features of the iPad and know the 3G version has the GPS features. But Don indicates that MiFi also provides this.

I will be interested in seeing what you decide. I think it would be a good podcast for Mac Power Users….

By: Bob Rudge

Bob Rudge — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 15:40:56 +0000

From reading this post I think the WiFi model seems clearly the best fit for you. When you’re away from home you can still use the iPad to do the note taking/video watching, you just wouldn’t be online. For those very few occasions when you are both away from home and in need of going online, surely the iPhone will suffice?

And the MiFi option will always be there. So if you deicide, after getting the iPad, that you really really do need 3G access you can buy a MiFi at any time.