<p>I am having what they call a “milestone” birthday this month. I have really wanted an ipad for a long time and my H says if that’s what I want it’s ok with him.</p>
<p>I’m trying to figure out what would be the best choice. I can buy an ipad2 16g for $399. My H thinks as long as there is a new one out, it’s worth an extra $100 for the new ipad. </p>
<p>Should I buy the 4g or not? I like the fact that you don’t have to get a contract for it so if we weren’t traveling, I would have the choice not to purchase the data plan. </p>
<p>I do not have a smart phone so the 3rd option is to get a smart phone with a data plan and get the ipad with the wifi only. </p>
<p>Any other alternatives? Any advice is appreciated. We are so low tech here and so trying to figure out what to do. Still only have a desktop and no smart phones. :)</p>
<p>i recently bought the new ipad. i had the original ipad. i’m a big fan. the new screen is really impressive. especially for photos, text, and hd videos. </p>
<p>for me, the 4g isn’t a big deal. i usually have wifi access when using the ipad. so, for us, the additional cost + data plan wasnt worth it. if you feel you usually will have access to wifi, putting the extra money into storage may make more sense. </p>
<p>so, if money is not a concern, i’d go for the new one. that said, i would add at least $200. because i would get at least a 32GB version (can only get 16GB for ipad2). some apps are much bigger to support the retina display. and you may find yourself downloading more photos/videos once you see the difference.</p>
<p>Do you have 4g in your area? I’ve heard companies make you pay extra for 4g whether it’s available or not! Don’t know much about it though so someone else will have to fill you in.
The really nice thing on ipad is that the 3g data can be turned on and off (but you do have to contact your company each time to activate and deactivate–bit of a pain but nice when you travel). Most places have wi-fi these days so if you have a smart phone the 3g isn’t really necessary. Just depends on where you plan to travel.
The ipad3 has a nicer HD screen I hear. But not much difference other than that than ipad2. H has ipad2 but I don’t get a chance to use it since he hogs it 24/7.<br>
Bought myself a Kindle Fire for birthday and love that too! Good web browsing and perfect size to carry around to read books. I considered an ipad but actually liked the smaller size.
The best thing to do is decide what you want to do with your new device and then go find one to fit the purpose. NO one device seems to be the best fit for everyone.
If you use a phone a lot and really want to stay connected, get a phone. But the data plan is not a “turn on, turn off” option on those. It’s a matter of economics and convenience.
People suggest 32 G and some sites will say you don’t need that because now you can use the “cloud” for storage. But 32 is probably the best bet because newer apps (sophistication comes with costs!) use a lot of memory!</p>
<p>Here’s how i justified $700 for a 64GB ipad: </p>
<ul>
<li><p>i used my original ipad everyday for at least an hour (probably a sad commentary to be made there). </p></li>
<li><p>if i keep this for 2 years, that’s less than $1 / day. </p></li>
</ul>
<p>My dad was able to use his iPad as a navigation aid while on his bass boat on the ocean because of his 3G. Believe me, I was glad he did because I had no idea where we were within the inlets during low tide when I couldn’t see over the sand bars and grasses. </p>
<p>There will be a time in a car (or a boat) when you will wish you had internet access and you will kick yourself. </p>
<p>p.s. I am hoping to get an iPad also this year … just haven’t coughed up the dough due to my frugal nature.</p>
<p>Apple had a deal where you could get free financing for a year, so I’m paying mine off a little each month. Made it easier for me to rationalize the purchase!</p>
<p>Thanks, I knew I would get good advice here. goru, I like your reasoning ;)</p>
<p>I bought the Kindle Fire when it first came out. Did not like it and sent it back. I have a kindle and I wanted the ipad, not an pale imitation which I thought the fire was.</p>
<p>I have the 32gb iPad2 with 3G. I actually use the 3G a fair amount. I got the ATT one and they have a $15 a month plan that I rarely go over. They will let you know when you are getting close. They will also send you an email each month to alert you the plan will be renewed for the next month, so you can cancel it if you want. Turning the 3G data plan on and off isn’t a big deal.</p>
<p>Fair enough on the Kindle. but the fire has been revamped heavily to take care of many problems with the first version. I hesitated before buying it but since I read how many problems were solved I went ahead and purchased, glad I did!</p>
<p>I love my new iPad. I bought 64gb, but could probably have gotten away with 32gb.
The new apps that they are redoing for the retina display will be larger, so I think you really need 32 gb.
I couldn’t decide about the 4g or not.
I ended up NOT getting it because I have an iPhone & Verizon already has enough of my money.</p>
<p>A really nice thing with iPad (and with iphone too) is the facetime feature. It’s like skype on your computer but REALLY easy (like dialing the phone, hit a button!–in fact the other iPad or phone rings!).</p>
<p>I bought the new iPad, 32GB, no 4g. I have a smart phone & H has an iPhone, so we can surf if the mood arises and no wifi is available. Like EK, I send plenty of money to Verizon every month already. </p>
<p>So far so good. No excessive heat issues and the battery is holding its charge really well.</p>
<p>I got the 32 with 4g with Verizon after having iPad 1 with AT&T. I do not have a smart phone. I used the data plan enough with the first iPad that I knew I wanted 4G; on a few trips I had to renew the plan early. I frequently use it in the car when I am a passenger and the last trip to return my son to school, I played a book on tape from the library. I also am a huge baseball and hockey fan and can listen to games on the “radio” app when i am out of the area. I lost my Internet last Friday so until my new router arrives from Verizon, my iPad is my only access to the Internet. For me, the 4G is most useful.</p>
<p>It sounds like the consensus is the 32g with 4g. Bugger! I really didn’t want to spend that much! </p>
<p>Thanks, it sounds like everyone who has one loves it. I’ve wanted one for a really long time. I’m not very tech savvy, so this is a little out of character for me.</p>
<p>I think if you are getting a smart phone & live in an area with a lot of wireless you really don’t need 4g.
Yes it would be nice to have it, but I actually have been in areas where wireless is available but phone service is not.
I also do have my iPhone, I admit, but it won’t kill me not to be hooked up to everything 24/7.
(I also have my nano that I take to the gym, if I need to listen to the radio).</p>
<p>Get an IPad with as much memory as you can afford. It is NOT able to be upgraded. Re: 4G…I’ve had my IPad without 4G for over a year and have never “NEEDED” to use it where there wasn’t a Wifi connection. I opted not to get the 4g…OR pay for the data plan (although I believe you can do this on an as needed basis…for a month…or more…no two year plan required). Most of my friends who have 4g seldom use it.</p>
<p>Don’t forget you will also need stuff for your iPad. I don’t like the apple covers because I want the whole thing to be protected.
If you want the cover to utilize the sleep/wake function, be aware that the ipad2 covers & even many of the brand new covers don’t work,because of magnet polarity.(even some of the Apple covers don’t work).</p>
<p>I knew I wanted protection right away, & that I would have to go someplace else besides the Apple store. I also wanted a screen protector & I wanted them to put it on. STM wasn’t a company I was familiar with, but I had read that they had gotten the specs early & that both of their cases for the new iPad worked. </p>
<p>My best advice is to USE IT right when you bring it home. When you might go to the computer to look something up (like I do a million times a day) go to the iPad instead. The quicker you get used to it and make it your “go to” the more you’ll see its value.</p>
<p>Make a list of the top 5 or 10 places you think you will use the iPad (your home, work, in the car, at a hotel, cottage - whatever). Then see how many of those places offer wireless and look at the ones who don’t and decide if you can function (ha!) without wireless when there. That might help you with the 4G decision.</p>
<p>I think if you did a survey the 4g vs. NOT will be split. If you don’t NEED to stay totally connected (like for work or something) you may be fine without it.</p>