WiFi now or wait for 3G? 16, 32, or 64gigs?

Personally, I ordered a 32g 3G model.

I don't plan on using 3G but I want to be able to if I need it. Also, I really wanted the GPS, so I didn't have to hope for the best with WiFi triangulation.

As for memory size, again, I wanted more rather than less in case I needed it.

As when considering hard drive storage capacity when purchasing a computer, IMO it is better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. Different from a computer, whatever storage capacity you decide on with an iPad you will be stuck with.

You won't have wi-fi access while traveling by car and if not available when arriving at your destination where AT&T's data or internet access via their cellular network will be available and having internet access available at all times will be important to you, wait for the 3G version. This will be an additional monthly cost which can be cancelled at any time without penalty. It is also unlocked so if T-Mobile decides to support the iPad at some point, you can choose between the two.

3G will be fun in the car with Google maps or similar — a very large screen GPS! Personally I find the GPS harder to give up than the 3G in the next model. Like you I kind of want something right away, for travel in my case.

cruisinsince75 wrote:
Thanks for your answers. Looks like 3G is better to wait for and either 32 or 64g on memory?

But, that means I need to wait and not get one now... OK, I can resist, I can resist, I can resist... Oh, but I want it now!!! LOL

The difference in price between 32 and 64 g is so small that you should get the biggest you can afford. I'm not sold on the 3G, but I might regret this if everyone around here raves about it. Also, I'm kind of peeved that I have to pay for a data plan on my iPhone and on iPad. So for now, I'm sticking with my iPhone for 3G needs on those off occasions where I'm not close to a WiFi network. As for GPS, my personal opinion remains that I just wouldn't use the GPS function on the iPad. I'm not going to mount it on my car's windshield (but wouldn't that be cool...and somewhat dangerous) nor take it on a hike (there is one great hiking app on my iPhone that is nearly perfect).

But remember, if you're not going to use the 3G, you're going to save a lot of money by not buying it. Remember, over a year, it's going to add $360 of cost to your iPad.

I have a MBP for home use so for the peace of portability I would opt for a 64G 3G version, though the $900 price tag is a bit steep.

Though looking at the price of apps you will be potentially adding on another $20-30 dollars on top of the unlimited $30 a month.

I'm hoping that within a few months the price of apps will come down as more and more apps flood the app store.

Not yet ordered mine, still waiting for to test drive one down the store when things calm down a bit.

I bought the wifi version on day one, and I'm now regretting not having waited for the 3G. I didn't realize that the wifi didn't have gps, and I had hoped to use it as an in car nav. Also, I'm beginning to realize that it would very nice to have 3G on family trips, so we can look up destinations, restaurants, etc. I may return this one, take the restocking hit (anyone know a way around this?), and wait for the 3G. Hate to not have one for a few weeks, though.

Don't waste money on the 3G model. Even though it's "unlocked" it uses a micro sim card which means you can only use it on ATT. Anyone with an iPhone can tell you how crappy their network is. You'll end up using the wireless almost all the time. My guess is apple will sell few 3G models. ATT is just not worth it.

As far as size take a look at your mp3 and pic files. If you don't have a lot of them 16 or 32 will suffice.

By the way I believe the wifi has gps. I've been using both maps and zillow. They work greets.

cruisinsince75 wrote:
spend in the car. We also travel about 3 times per year and it would be nice to carry this instead of my much heavier laptop to surf the web, and answer emails.
We primarily would be using the IPad to surf the web, read books, post on facebook, answer personal and work emails, download a few movies to watch occasionally, and to load pictures onto, and to do a few game apps, that we can play with our Iphone friends.

It depends on where your travels take you. If you always stop at Starbucks and McDonalds, you can count on their free wi-fi and don't need 3G. If you are going to be other places where you can't assume free wifi (either everybody encrypts theirs or it's simply not there), then AT&T 3G would be more reliable. I don't mean super reliable, I mean more chance that there will be a signal for you to use at all. If you happen to be traveling in AT&T service areas. Really, you need to take a look at the wifi vs. AT&T coverage for the areas where you travel most.

how much memory would you suggest?

More memory is not needed to run apps better, that would be in the non-expandable RAM. The iPads with more memory are for people who carry all of their music with them, if you store many movies for the kids, subscribe to high definition video podcasts, or store large data sets (onboard maps for GPS so you don't have to download them). Or if you plan to use the iPad camera connector to offload pics from your camera.

If you really are just going to use it for mostly Internet and some movies, you probably don't need more than 32GB. If you plan to keep a lot of movies around and you have a lot of music you want to have with you, maybe 64GB.

I would only look at the 16GB if you didn't plan to store movies and videos at all. I don't know about you but my music library alone is over 30GB.

I don't believe there is anything preventing T-Mobile from providing and supporting the micro-SIM card for the iPad.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micro-SIM

Anyone with an iPhone can tell you how crappy their network is.

Not me - not where I live and the places I frequent most, and I seriously doubt AT&T would remain a close #2 to Verizon with the number of subscribers if their network were crappy everywhere. AT&T was a close #2 to Verizon with the number of subscribers before the iPhone was released passing Verizon due to the iPhone. Verizon passed AT&T again only after purchasing Alltel.

I just bought my iPad on first day at the Best Buy store. I really thinking hard between 3G and Wi-fi.
Recently, I have to move out from my APT and I had to use internet it was very stressful however, I found out I could turn my cell phone as wireless internet if you ask your current provider. However, you have to have som newer phone like blackberry that I have. It is kind of expensive using your phone a modem but, you can always add up service to your current cell phone if you needed. If you travel you can just add that service for a month and cancel it next month. It is just easy as that. You just need to put your cell near the ipad and it connect it using your bluetooth.

Cruisinsince75,

In your particular instance, it would be more than wise to wait for the 3G, since your enjoyment of the machine will be mostly based on road trips, in the car, and since you are "rarely at home." Unless the places where you find yourself when you are "rarely at home" are equipped with wifi, it is smartest to wait for the 3G.

Since you mentioned a significant other, you might probably want to do what I'm planning to do: pull the trigger now, buy the 3G in a month, and give your wifi to your significant other. My wife will be quite pleased with the wifi, since she has wifi almost everywhere. Your significant other will likely be pleased with the "hand-me-down" token of your appreciation as well.

Jesus

The 3G is totally contract less. You only have to pay for it when you want to use it. For example you can pay $15 for one month nothing for the next month. Per the description on the website:

Because you sign up for a data plan in monthly increments, you can cancel your plan at any time and then sign up again whenever you need 3G service.

This means if you get the 3G you only have to pay for it in monthly increments when you decide to use it and not pay for it when you don't. Seems like the best of both worlds to me.