If I only plan to use the iPad at home, do I need a 3G model?
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$3 Answers
- You have reliable wi-fi at home
- Your home broadband is fast enough for your purposes
- You are sure you don't want to use the iPad while out and about
... then there is no real reason to get the 3G version
In fact think on this... unlike an iPhone you will most likely use an iPad only in a place where you can sit in comfort for a while. Such places tend to be either home, work, coffee shops, airports etc i.e. Places that likely have wi-fi. For some of the places where you don't have ready wi-fi, like subway systems, you won't have 3G either.
To my mind the number of places where you'd really want 3G on any iPad is quite small.
Maybe it you are in the habit of commuting by bus and can get a good 3G signal but the bus has no wi-fi. Or if you want your kids or spouse to have net access in the car while you drive.
To my mind the scenarios for using iPad 3G are quite limited, so I would most likely not bother with it myself.
A different story with an iPhone where you can imagine many scenarios where you would pull it out of your pocket and use a net service, like checking a price while in the shops, look at maps while walking, or sending a tweet when you are at an event.
EDIT:
Btw don't forget there is a plan B if it turns out you do want 3G... you can buy a gizmo like this and you've got yourself portable wi-fi:
http://hothardware.com/News/Sprint-Targets-iPad-Users-With-Overdrive/
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
What you really need to do is sit down and make up two lists one of reasons why not to have the 3G capability and one that lists reasons to have it. Then go over the lists and determine from there whether it would be worth it to have the ability.
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
If you're like me, you're rarely out of reach of a WiFi signal. Tinfoil hats and cancer theories aside, this has the marked advantage of being able to save some cash on 3G.
I've even gone so far as to reduce my cellular voice package to the very minimum in favor or VoIP. I give people my VoIP number and have the number ring both my cellular and voip desk phone at the same time. This is great because then no matter where i am, I get voip calls and I save a ton of airtime.
Specific to the iPad, always being within reach of WiFi means that you have fast, reliable access to Internet access.
I sure do wish that I could pop the SIM card out of my phone and put it in my iPad, but that's simply wishful thinking for now as far as I know.
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
I guess there is another scenario I didn't think of before.
3G is more secure than public wi-fi, so if concerned about security in coffee shops etc, you might go for 3G. Personally I see iPad as more a consumption device than a work device and am not overly worried about that.