IPad + cellular?

Ipad cellular has a monthly fee that doesn't need wifi to download its data where the wifi model has to be on a wifi network. I'm sure some full timers can explain ways they hook up the wifi model through things like your cell phone when no net work is availiable. Myself for home I just have wifi and when I take it camping sometimes it works ok with the campground net work, sometimes not so well.

You don't NEED the cellular version of the iPad, as you can use your iPhone as a HotSpot, if there is no other Wifi alternative available to you. Having the cellular version iPad is a matter of convenience, however.

If there is no Wifi available to you, or you prefer not to activate the hotspot feature on your iPhone, you can use cellular data with the iPad on a month to month basis, as needed.

Only the cellular version has a built-in GPS. Some people get the cellular version for that reason. One does not have to activate the cellular feature of iPad cellular and incur the monthly fee. Is the extra money worth the GPS and option to add add a cellular plan, sometime in the future? Only you can decide that.

Tom

the cellular models have a chip that enables the GPS functions...and you do not need to put the ipad onto a cellular plan and pay for data unless you want to. i'm a general aviation pilot and use my ipad mini as a navigation aid when flying. the ipad is included in our Verizon 'share everything' plan so I can use it for data but rarely do...usually just in airports that do not offer wifi.

Ditto on the GPS.
This is the only reason my next iPad will have cellular capabilities.

The cellular version gives you several advantages. First it has enhanced GPS capabilities. There are GPS functions that don't work on the non-cellular ipad. For this reason alone, we chose the cellular version on our first iPad . . . even though we never hooked it up to cellular.

Second, the new iPads can be used as hot spots. IF you are on Verizon, this is REALLY handy to not have to tie up your phone as a hot spot. With AT&T, it's not an issue.

When we bought our new iPad from Verizon they gave you $100 off with a 2 yr contract. The monthly "add on" access fee for the cellular iPad is only $10. So, that brought the true monthly access fee down to $5.83.

For me, it's well worth $5.83 a month to be able to use the iPad anywhere, anytime, "As is".

Everyone must evaluate how they will use it and decide which is the best fit for their needs. Just remember . . . you can not add cellular later!

If you are going full time invest in a laptop with mobile broad band. Trust me you can't do all what you will need to do with a pad that has no usb plug, tethered to this or tethered to that or running around with your RV looking for wifi. Just saying, my 2 cents, from experience of 6 years on the road full time.:C

I have the normal iPad and iPhone. It works really well but there is one other thing to be careful about.
On the cellular you can select which apps are allowed to use data on 3G/LTE and which can only use data on wifi.
If you use the iPhone as a hotspot it looks like wifi to the iPad and it will download app updates, newstand subscriptions and other such things. Could be a problem with a limited data plan.
I usually turn off the hotspot on my iPhone as soon as I am done to prevent this. Also I don't have any subscriptions that auto-download. App updates are still a problem and I like keeping those to auto download from wifi.

pulsar wrote:
Only the cellular version has a built-in GPS. Some people get the cellular version for that reason. One does not have to activate the cellular feature of iPad cellular and incur the monthly fee. Is the extra money worth the GPS and option to add add a cellular plan, sometime in the future? Only you can decide that.

Tom

x2
You would be amazed at how many apps use GPS

Hmmmm...... I touch my laptop once per month, to scan & file bills and important documents. Other than that, my iPad does whatever I need.

rockhillmanor wrote:
If you are going full time invest in a laptop with mobile broad band. Trust me you can't do all what you will need to do with a pad that has no usb plug, tethered to this or tethered to that or running around with your RV looking for wifi. Just saying, my 2 cents, from experience of 6 years on the road full time.:C