verizon vs ATT

[mfruin]

I am ready to spring for an ipad and am considering the verizon wifi version with a wifi hum and a 3g att version. My question is about data usage. The verizon plan looks more expensive for less time. I wonder on the ATT plans if what 2gb of data time gets you with the ipad. Do most people find it adequate or do they run over? I just want to compare what 1gb vs 2gb gets you. Any thoughts?
Michael

 

[Wakawaka]

The main issue is another device to carry and charge. I have a sprint mifi and for one, it's $60 a month. Two it only lasts 4hr max. Three it's something you have to carry with you in addition to iPad. Four, it's another charger to lug around. It sucks but some people rather go that route.

 

[Seadog]

Question one is how good is the AT&T vs Verizon service. If both are about equal, you are better off with the AT&T simply because it is more convenient and you will not have to worry about battery life and extra equipment.

 

[PhotoJim]

I'm in Canada and have a 250 MB data plan with Rogers, and I have yet to exhaust it. I simply use WiFi whenever I can.

I'd personally prefer to have a single device that could get online rather than needing a second device (like the Verizon solution requires). One other advantage is that I can get a local data SIM in another country (e.g. picking up an AT&T one when I go to Buffalo, NY next week) and still use the cellular connectivity in my iPad.

 

[chesterhound]

mfruin:

I have had the AT&T 3G version for almost 2 months now. There is little doubt as far as cell service that overall Verizon has better coverage. Of course that depends on your location. I have never had any problems with AT&T coverage and I have not exceeded my 250MB plan either since the iPad defaults to wifi. Also, with the AT&T plan, you get free use of a lot of wifi hotspots, such as Starbucks, that may otherwise charge a fee.
The major reason I went with the 3G AT&T version was because I travel overseas to areas without a lot of wifi. Since my iPad is capable of both GSM roaming and unlocked, I can use 3G in other countries. I don't believe the Verizon version is capable of that.

Good luck,

chesterhound

 

[hookbill]

I'm a moderator at Droid Forums.net and I can't tell you how many people drop their iPhone for Android, not because of it being a better phone but because of the poor quality of AT&T's coverage. Verizon definitely is the best.

 

[dutch7man]

what does 1 gb data mean in on line useage dutch7man thanks

 

[chuckz28]

Do you already have a smart phone that can do wireless tethering either built in or hacked? I went with the wifi only iPad route and use the wifi tether on my droid to give myself 3G on the rare occasion that I use it. Much cheaper for the iPad and no monthly charge. Just a suggestion.

 

[PhotoJim]

what does 1 gb data mean in on line useage dutch7man thanks

It's hard to answer that question. It depends on what you do with your iPad.

I web surf, I play the occasional game, I use an ebook reader client and I read email on it from time to time. However, during the week I have a desktop at my desk with wired connectivity, at home I have wired connectivity (and WiFi if I need it) and when I'm at my second job (I teach part-time at a university) I have WiFi connectivity there, too.

I tend only to use cellular connectivity when I'm in a vehicle (not driving of course), at the cottage (we don't have broadband service there; it's cellular or dialup), and while traveling (if i don't have WiFi at a hotel, e.g.). Still, I am lazy and don't usually bother using free WiFi if it involves logging in through a web portal because it's easier to just use 3G (I'd make an exception if I were planning to burn a lot of bandwidth).

Bear in mind that iOS will not let you download apps, podcasts, etc. that are longer than 20 megabytes - you need WiFi to do this.

The cheapest plan I can get here in Canada is 250 MB (the carriers I use also let me buy 5 GB for a little more than double the cost), but 250 MB have always been enough given how often I can use WiFi.

My recommendation would be to buy the bigger data plan your first month (which is what I did) and use your iPad more or less like you'd like to use it (but use WiFi whenever you are at home and wherever else it makes sense). Watch your usage (easy to do) and see how much data you end up burning. Check again close to the expiry of your plan and if you're comfortably below the cheaper allotment's amount, change to the cheaper plan.

 

[geo]

I recently got a Verizon Droid 2 with the 3G Hotspot and will discontinue AT&T at the end of this month. AT&T service for my iPad is routinely poor in this rural area while the Verizon 3G is always 4 bars. The 3G Hotspot on the Droid is not perfect however as it does seem to cut itself off after about 30 minutes of use. With my usage patterns and available home WiFi as my primary connection I should be able to do what I want with my iPad and dump AT&T.

 

[GaurhothW]

Missing GPS

1) Lack of GPS is a deal breaker for the Verizon Wifi iPad + mifi bundle.

2) Another device that needs to be charged on a road trip where I'm already overloading the car's electrical system with phones, mp3 players, video game systems, etc ... no thanks ... (Oh btw, I have 4 kids... so no shortage of electric hum in my Van on road trips

 

[SR45]

10 GB of usage for $80 might be for many and AT&T does not have this.


http://news.cnet.com/8301-13506_3-20021016-17.html?tag=TOCmoreStories.0
　
According to Verizon, the carrier is offering four data plans. The cheapest option offers 1GB of monthly data for $20. The prices go up to $35, $50, and $80 per month for 3GB, 5GB, and 10GB of monthly usage, respectively

 

[pego99]

Do you already have a smart phone that can do wireless tethering either built in or hacked? I went with the wifi only iPad route and use the wifi tether on my droid to give myself 3G on the rare occasion that I use it. Much cheaper for the iPad and no monthly charge. Just a suggestion.

I am doing the same. My droid 1 has a wifi tethering app which connects to my iPad. Works great but I had to root the droid to use this app.

 

[ComicDom1]

1) Lack of GPS is a deal breaker for the Verizon Wifi iPad + mifi bundle.

2) Another device that needs to be charged on a road trip where I'm already overloading the car's electrical system with phones, mp3 players, video game systems, etc ... no thanks ... (Oh btw, I have 4 kids... so no shortage of electric hum in my Van on road trips

Ok, I am a brand new I-Pad owner but I am going to jump in here. There is a GPS app for the I Pad or you can use Google Maps and actually see it on a large screen. I have not explored it completely but Imagine there are several different GPS apps. Second, with the software update coming in Nov you will gain multitasking capability so possibly you can listen to music stored on the I-Pad while you use your GPS. Hmmm 2 devices built into one. Since you have the capability of playing games and then watching a DVD as well now you have 4 devices. I probably should shut up now. By the way I am a Verizon customer and I am picking up my MiFi device tomorrow. Since it will plug into the car and charge I got a feeling the battery life will work out fine for me. I can also always buy and extra battery.

Jason

 

[Seadog]

Any GPS app for the iPad either works with the 3G GPS, or is a refinement of the wifi positioning of the non-3G model. Essentially, the wifi model is not going to be of any use while travelling. Even 3G does not work everywhere if there are obstructions preventing satelitte access. As far as listening to music and using the GPS, that is already a feature of the iPad and has been since day one.