Worth buying 3G iPad now?

It all depends upon your own needs. I myself only wanted a G model for the limited times wifi would not be available so the change means really nothing for me.

If you plan to stream a lot of NetFlix while on the 3G network, it might be worth getting it ordered before 6/6 to take advantage of the unlimited option. For the vast majority of users, even the new plans are a fair deal.

If you would ever need/want internet access via AT&T's cellular data or internet network, yes.

If you don't, or having this option would rarely if ever be used, probably not.

Might be better to have the option available to you and not need it than to need it and not have it, which is up to you and your potential needs/wants.

I ordered a 64gb 3G iPad yesterday and I'm not sure if I will ever need the 3G option but if I ever do I will have it. If I had gone with wi-fi only and needed 3G access, well I'd be screwed.

I figure the extra cost is a form of insurance and it's only a one-time charge.

I ordered the wifi only because all of the places I'd be likely to use the iPad have wifi. If I'm in an area without wifi, I always have my iPhone with 3G to fall back to.

m williams1990 wrote:
Would it be worth buying the 3G iPad now with the upcoming changes with AT&T if the only use from it would be minor and for apps such as netflix?

Get it before 6/6 and decide later. If anything, you're pre 6/6 iPad will be worth alot on eBay once 6/7 people come around and realize they've been shafted.

Why not get it now? The whole AT&T bandwidth restriction is overhyped. I doubt you will be doing heavy streaming via 3G since it is much slower and the quality isn't clear. All of that can be done with your in home wifi.

I know the 3G could be extremely useful for me. I am a teacher in a building where internet access is restricted for obvious reasons. I use my own broadband card to access some of the restricted sites for legitimate educational reasons. I'm sure there are policies against it, but the students benefit greatly from increased access (with supervision).

For example, Google image searches are blocked, but, with help, my special education students can use image searches to find illustrations for self-written books. (They orally tell me a story, then I write the book in their own words -- more and less -- and use the photos they find as illustrations. These "selfmade" books really hold their attention and encourage reading because it is their story!) I can also do my own searches for pictures, maps, graphs, etc. for use in lessons. I've created lots of PPT presentations using images from the internet to make them interesting.

Videos are also blocked, but if I am able to select and monitor what is chosen, many Vimeo and YouTube videos are incredible resources.

Using an Ipad connected to a whiteboard or a projector will be quite a bit more convenient than using my laptop. People who regularly work outside away from wifi locations but need regular internet access might also find the 2 GB limit too restrictive -- especially if they use online apps or send/receive relatively large files regularly.

I ordered a 3G iPad on June 1st only to have the AT&T announcement occur the next day. I cancelled the order but after things settled down and the situation became clearer I reordered one today. I still don't like the way it was handled by either company.

Seth A wrote:
I ordered a 3G iPad on June 1st only to have the AT&T announcement occur the next day. I cancelled the order but after things settled down and the situation became clearer I reordered one today. I still don't like the way it was handled by either company.

I completely agree. I'm not too bitter about AT&T going with a cap, although I think in the long term it stiffles innovation and will gouge consumers with higher bandwidth apps on the way - plus the same caps for iPhones and iPads? Ridiculous, they are completely different devices in the way they consume media.

However, I am just completely unhappy with both AT&T and Apple for promoting the iPad at launch and following with really what I consider a bold an breakthrough move of having contractless/unlimited internet at a low fixed price. I thought I was imagining things. Well it turns out... I was! The timeframe between launch and the reworking of the plans has been so short that obviously both companies knew this was coming a long time ago.

Its just a sad way to treat your customers. AT&T its par for the course. But Apple?? iPad isn't looking so magical anymore.

IMO, better to have it available and not need it that to really want or need it and not have it. If there is never a chance for really wanting or needing it, get the wi-fi only.

NO!!!!!! Unless Apple comes up with new 3g carriers for the ipad on Monday
I would recommend that you buy a wifi ipad and maybe a mifi.

Streaming data from the ipad will consume alot of data,much more then a iphone.
The At&t data plan change is terrible.2gb's can be used up in 2 days of a business trip.You will be paying a fortune with this plan.Even one itunes movie rental can use up to 500 mb's or 1/2 gb.Add in music streaming ,etc and youll find the At&t new data plan is for suckers.

Message was edited by: jimmy powder

Message was edited by: jimmy powder

Message was edited by: jimmy powder

Paying $60/month for 5gb of data with mifi makes more sense?

I agree. Mifi is a waste of money for the iPad when it $60 a month. It would be interesting to see what would happen if another carrier would offer mifi for $30 a month for 5gb. Verizon will never do it since they are gaining customers. Sprint could really add customers by offering this and advertising using the iPad on their network and getting more for less. It would not overload their network since they have been losing customers for years. Sprint really has a chance to change the playing field by offering their mifi at a much lower cost. AT&T would bleed rapidly since even sprint has a better 3G network.