To 3G or Not to 3G, That is the Question

[Jeff Campbell]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.zdnet.com/blog/mobile-gadgeteer/5-reasons-you-should-consider-a-3g-ipad-2/4575' target='_blank'>http://www.zdnet.com/blog/mobile-ga...-3g-ipad-2/4575</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"Back before the iPad 2 was released to consumers Robert Scoble recorded a CinchCast message that said no one should buy a 3G iPad because you can just use the WiFi hotspot capability on your smartphone."</em></p><p><img height="235" src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/at/auto/1300812942.usr105634.jpg" width="600" /></p><p>And he wasn't the only one to preach the advantages of WiFi over 3G and why no one really needed the 3G. But there are advantages as this story points out, namely convenience. Much easier to just turn on the 3G instead of the tethering on your iPhone. That isn't the only advantage of course, and if you are a frequent traveler it may make a lot of sense to have 3G so you don't run down the battery on your iPhone. I am going back and forth on this issue and I think, mainly due to convenience, I am going to go with the 3G version. Which version did you go with or are you going to go with, and is 3G capability a necessity for you?</p>

[johnm]

Well I went with Wifi and tethering for the following reasons:

- It is 5.00 cheaper a month to add 2G of tethering vs. 2G of iPad only data.
- I get to share all 4G between the two devices which is far more flexible for me.
- Now I get to also share data with my Laptop.
- I saved 130.00 on the cost of the device.
- The Wi-Fi version is .1 lbs lighter.

The down side is that you don't get GPS. An no, tethering to the iPhone does NOT share the GPS despite the internet myth on the topic:

http://johnmarshall4.tumblr.com/post/4061084217/debunking-the-wi-fi-only-ipad-tethered-iphone-4-gps

[Deslock]

I went wifi only. I have coverage at home, in my office, all over my university's campus, in the nearby college town, and at many local businesses (there is really no need to be "connected" more than that, especially given that I also have a smartphone).

When we go on a trip, I tether it. I use unsanctioned methods, but AT&T hasn't sent me one of those warning messages (probably because I don't do it often, and I keep the downloads to a minimum when tethered).

I wasn't going to buy an iPad2, but my wife wanted my old one, so I made the sacrifice :D

I'm enjoying the improved form factor, lower weight, nifty cover, increased speed, and extra RAM. Safari switches pages more quickly and doesn't need to reload them, and Atomic browser doesn't run out of memory (simultaneously loading numerous graphics heavy pages could be irritating with the iPad1). The camera does in fact blow big, fat, hairy, oozing chunks, but it's OK for FaceTime.