iPad---to 3G or not to 3G?

Lisa Frank

If you have an iPad, did you get the 3G unit, or the plain wi-fi??

I can't decide which one makes more sense. I don't see us using the 3G right away, but it'd be nice if the unit was 3G capable in case we ever wanted to add the plan.

We currently have iPhones and a Macbook at home, so do you think it's really necessary?   I don't miss the wireless too much when I have my laptop out of the house, so will I miss it on an iPad?

Pros/cons?

tasilva923

I have the non-3G version.  I mostly use it at home where I already have wi-fi so that I can still be in the same room with the kiddos.

I will say, though, that I am kinda a tech nerd and that I also have a jailbroken iphone with MyWi on it so that even if I am out and about (or on long road trips with DH driving) I can tether my ipad to my jailbroken iphone and use the 3G signal from my iphone to use my ipad.

I know.  I'm a nerd. 

mgh2008

I have it without and have been fine without it so far.  Might be nice for long car rides, but other than that, don't really see it being a necessity.

deo

I got the IPad 3G... it was a Christmas present from work.    Honestly, I haven't even activated the 3G yet.  I didn't see the need to pay for a data plan when I already have a data plan on my cell phone.   Plus pretty much everywhere I go that I will be using it has Wi-Fi.    To me, I don't think the 3G is necessary.

GreenBride624

A)  What is a jailbroken iPhone???

deo:

I got the IPad 3G... it was a Christmas present from work.    Honestly, I haven't even activated the 3G yet.  I didn't see the need to pay for a data plan when I already have a data plan on my cell phone.   Plus pretty much everywhere I go that I will be using it has Wi-Fi.    To me, I don't think the 3G is necessary.

  Damn!  Where do you work? 

tasilva923

GreenBride624:

A)  What is a jailbroken iPhone???

I can't explain better than this:

Question: What Does It Mean to Jailbreak an iPhone?

Answer:

In essence, jailbreaking your iPhone means freeing it from the limitations imposed on it by AT&T and Apple. You install a software application on your computer, and then transfer it to your iPhone, where it "breaks open" the iPhone?s file system to allow you to modify it.

Why Would I Want to Jailbreak My Phone?

It lets you do everything from customizing the look of your iPhone to installing third-party applications and customized ringtones on it. Depending on how far you're willing to go, you can do even more than that: Jailbreaking even lets you to unlock your phone so you can use it with a carrier other than AT&T.

Why Wouldn't I Want to Jailbreak My iPhone?

Once you do it, you're on your own. You may have voided your warranty, so you can't rely on AT&T or Apple to fix any problems you encounter. All of the applications that jailbreak your phone are unauthorized and could damage or completely disable your iPhone. Your slick smartphone could end up as nothing more than a very expensive paperweight.

Oh. Why Would I Want to Do That, Again?

There's a ton of third-party apps available once you jailbreak your phone. Some of them are really fun, some of them are really useful, and plenty of them are really cool.

Can I Fix My iPhone if Something Goes Wrong?

Maybe. Some users have reported that they were able to connect a malfunctioning iPhone to iTunes and restore it to its original settings, which resolved the problem. Not all users have had this experience, though, and you certainly can't count on AT&T or Apple to provide you with tech support once you've taken this unauthorized step.

 

 

FTR, I still use AT&T.  I just love some of the apps I can now have on my phone and how I can make all the little icons customized.  My iphone currently looks all Christmas-y on the background and icons are so cute!