painfully dumb question - 3g v tethering

[eddieras]

any advantage to use the ATT 3g radio in my ipad2 vs tethering it via my Sprint Nexus S?? i know it'll cost me $30 but the tethering is pretty slow- am i correct in assuming it would be no difference with the ATT 3g?

 

[graywolf]

Advantages of 3G iPad;
No phone to rely on.
Don't have to worry about phone battery.
Don't have to juggle 2 devices.

Advantages of tethering;
Umm.....
Cheaper iPad.
That's about it.


I tether to my phone on Verizon and it eats my phone battery REALLY fast so all I can do is like check email.
Wish I had 3G.....
Next iPad will be 3g. Hopefully 4g.

 

[eddieras]

thanks- i have the 3g ipad already- was particularly wondering about the speed of surfing - would there be any speed advantage with ipad 3g vs tethering?

 

[f4780y]

Marginal. The only real speed advantage would be if your phone carrier's service was faster or slower than your iPad carrier's service, assuming they would be different. Other than that, you shouldn't notice too much of a speed advantage / disadvantage...

 

[eddieras]

thanks guys!