built in cellular vs hot spot on verizon phone on iPad air

Question

Level 1

9 points

built in cellular vs hot spot on verizon phone on iPad air

I am planning to purchase an ipad air and i'm not sure if i should get the cellular vesion or just use my verizon iphone as a hot spot.

What are the pros and cons?

Posted on Dec 24, 2013 10:26 AM

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Answer 1

SergZak

Level 6

10,828 points

Dec 24, 2013 10:40 AM in response to Mike S

As long as your cellular provider allows for it (as in, you don't have to pay extra), it's a valid option. I have an iPad 3rd Gen Wi-Fi/Cellular (Verizon) that I have never activated nor found the need to activate cellular on. Verizon allows tething under their "Shared" plans and it works just fine for me using my iPhone 5's data. The drawback may be that you'll be somehow limited by the shared data. You're usage will dictate how much data you'll actually need.

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Answer 2

Mike S Author

Level 1

9 points

Dec 24, 2013 10:53 AM in response to SergZak

I could probably increase my family data limit for less $ than it costs to add the ipad to my plan. That is why I want to know if that will limit the performance of the ipad or I will get the same performance just using the iphone hot spot. I will most likely have my phone on me at all times, so it's not like the hotspot won't ever be available.

Your thoughts?

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Answer 3

SergZak

Level 6

10,828 points

Dec 24, 2013 11:03 AM in response to Mike S

Whatever speed you get with the phone you will be tethering to will be the speed your iPad will get. No performance hit when tethering (at least in my experience).

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Answer 4

Mike S Author

Level 1

9 points

Dec 24, 2013 11:14 AM in response to SergZak

$200 less without the cellular plus $30/month additional verizon fees. I don't mind paying the extra if it really will effect performance or other capabilities. But if I can just raise my data limits on my family share plan and get OK performance just using it wirelessly connected to my iphone5 hotspot, then that sounds like the best option. I just want to be sure because of the limits on my ability to upgrade the ipad in the future. I wish Apple would make the pads more upgradeable. The competition has an edge on Apple in that area.

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Answer 5

SergZak

Level 6

10,828 points

Dec 24, 2013 11:22 AM in response to Mike S

I personally purchased an iPad 3rd Gen Wi-Fi + Cellular thinking that I would use cellular feature but the fact is that I have never activated the cellular portion of it. It sits unused. The device is connected to Wi-Fi 95% of the time. The time that I need internet access away from home, I tether it to my iPhone 4 or iPhone 5. I don't believe that I'll ever purchase another iPad with cellular if there are alternate ways to connect to the internet for much less money. Just my personal opinion. I hope this helps you out. Merry Christmas! 🙂

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Answer 6

Mike S Author

Level 1

9 points

Dec 24, 2013 11:28 AM in response to SergZak

Just what I needed to find out. I am so sick of increasing my plan and not using it. I think the wi fi version without the verizon chip sounds like my best path. Thanks so much for your input. Have a great holiday!!

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