topic Re: Need Help Purchasing My First I-Pad in Community Chat

Need Help Purchasing My First I-Pad

Sparkle Babe — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 11:30:40 GMT

I am so confused about I-Pads. I thought I would get my hubby an I-Pad for Fathers Day (he knows nothing about computers but I want him to learn). I went on the Best Buy website yesterday to order one & seems like there are two different kinds (you either get one with Sprint or AT&T for which you pay a monthly fee to access the internet OR you get one where your cable company has to install (I believe a Router) & there is no monthly fee. I don't know if I am correct on that since I don't know much about electronics myself. Can anyone tell me which is the best way to go. Hubby is getting ready to retire & I really don't want any additional monthly charges, yet I want access to the internet away from home if need be.

Re: Need Help Purchasing My First I-Pad

gidgetgh — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 11:42:25 GMT

If you're always going to use the iPad where there's a wireless connection (WIFI), you don't need the one with the Sprint, AT&T, etc. capabilities.

If there's a possibility that you'll be somewhere where there isn't WIFI, and you want to use your iPad, you'll need it then. You activate it only when you need it and pay for a "block" of usage. It's not a monthly charge and there's no contract. You should pick the one (sprint or AT&T) that has the most coverage for your area.

My husband and I recently travelled to visit family in PA and my aunt doesn't have an internet connection. I activated my AT&T coverage right there in her living room and used it during our stay with her. Then, I let it expire because we were back home. The block of coverage you get is good for 30 days or until you use it up, whichever comes first. Unused amounts expire after 30 days.

Re: Need Help Purchasing My First I-Pad

glb613 — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 11:44:23 GMT

There are 2 types of iPads. One has Wifi only and the other have Wifi and cellular connection. You don't have to pay for the cellular connection if you have wireless at home. If you have either cable internet or DSL, you need a wireless router. You only pay for the cellular connection as needed which is 30 days at a time. I do know of people (my sister) who use a cellular connection as their only internet access but most don't. My iPad has both and I've never used the cellular connection.

The iPads with both Wifi and cellular are branded to a certain carrier. So if you buy an iPad with a Verizon connection, you can only use Verizon. The same is true if you buy one with AT&T or Sprint. So if you want an iPad with cellular capabilities, buy the carrier in your area with the best coverage.

You can find free Wifi at many places including hotels/motels. So you may not need to pay for cellular while traveling. A lot depends on where you go.

Re: Need Help Purchasing My First I-Pad

Sparkle Babe — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 12:02:39 GMT

Thank ya'll so much. You have explained very well; however, I still have to ask another question. Do I still have to get a wireless router no matter which way I go?

Re: Need Help Purchasing My First I-Pad

brii — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 12:10:37 GMT

Yes, you will need a wireless router at home.

You can activate a cellular plan when you are away from home, when needed.

Re: Need Help Purchasing My First I-Pad

Sparkle Babe — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 12:52:33 GMT

Thank you, Bril. I have another question. If I get an I-Pad with (4G LTE), what does that mean?

Re: Need Help Purchasing My First I-Pad

brii — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 13:00:36 GMT

On 6/11/2014 Sparkle Babe said:
Thank you, Bril. I have another question. If I get an I-Pad with (4G LTE), what does that mean?

4G LTE gives you the ability to browse the web, stream video, and download at an amazing speed - which is what you want.

Re: Need Help Purchasing My First I-Pad

greamy — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 13:18:15 GMT

Don't know about the technical stuff or advice on what to buy, just want to say, I love, love, my IPad and enjoy using it. Good luck with your research on what to buy.

Re: Need Help Purchasing My First I-Pad

Sparkle Babe — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 13:26:32 GMT

Okay, I am about ready to order but, hopefully, one last question which I am still not clear on. Can I order the WIFI only I-Pad (not a cellular branded one) & still get cellular capabilities should I be in an area where there is no WIFI?

Re: Need Help Purchasing My First I-Pad

Sparkle Babe — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 13:28:35 GMT

Re: Need Help Purchasing My First I-Pad

brii — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 13:36:03 GMT

On 6/11/2014 Sparkle Babe said:
Okay, I am about ready to order but, hopefully, one last question which I am still not clear on. Can I order the WIFI only I-Pad (not a cellular branded one) & still get cellular capabilities should I be in an area where there is no WIFI?

No.

WiFi only gives you one option. If there is no WiFi available, you won't be able to get an internet connection.

Re: Need Help Purchasing My First I-Pad

gidgetgh — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 14:13:11 GMT

On 6/11/2014 brii said:
On 6/11/2014 Sparkle Babe said:
Thank you, Bril. I have another question. If I get an I-Pad with (4G LTE), what does that mean?

4G LTE gives you the ability to browse the web, stream video, and download at an amazing speed - which is what you want.

The 4G is the cellular connection.

Re: Need Help Purchasing My First I-Pad

BootLvr — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 14:18:35 GMT

If I were you, I'd get one with WiFi and 4G. You'll pay more up front, but you'll always be able to access the internet. To me it's a safety net in case there is no WiFi in the area.

Re: Need Help Purchasing My First I-Pad

~moxie~ — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 14:51:51 GMT

I have cellular data on mine so I can get on the internet if there is no wifi available. It costs me $10 a month.

Re: Need Help Purchasing My First I-Pad

KathyPet — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 15:09:22 GMT

You can purchase a IPAD air with and without cellular capabilities. If you buy one without cellular capabilities it is less expensive but you will never be able to surf the web unless you are in a WI-FI hot spot. If you pay more for a IPAD with cellular capabilities you still have to set up the service and pay for it when you use it. I have a IPAD air without cellular service capabilities. I also have a IPHONE 4 with 3G. I find that I can pick up a Wi-Fi hot spot lots and lots of places. If there is no Wi-Fi hot spot then I use my IPHONE to surf the web and get my mail If you go to the Apple Store website you can get a phone # to call and they will also help you understand the difference between the different models.

Re: Need Help Purchasing My First I-Pad

hckynut — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 15:15:44 GMT

Need Help Purchasing My First I-Pad

Don't forget there is another choice out there called Android. I personally don't understand paying hundreds of dollars more for any electronic technology that can be had for much less. While certain names have meaning to this "old electronics geek", that is not enough for me to not do extensive research on other options.

I won't go into this as I do on occasion on the Electronics Talk Forum. Just wanted to say that there is "another option" out there and that option happens to be the #1 system right now and has been for some time.

Not sure what you mean by "monthly charges" to use a tablet be it iPad or Android. If you have Wi-fi in your home(via cable/satellite or own your own modem/router)there is no extra fee, that I know about anyways, for using any Wi-fi device. One can go about anyplace now and be able to connect to Wi-fi and for my wife she has never paid any extra for using her tablet or phone.

Even though I love technology, portable gadgets are not my thing/never have been and I doubt they ever will be. My wife as a Samsung Galaxy SII, which is the Android Systems. She has a cell phone plan with Virgin Mobile for $35 per month that comes with 300 talk minutes and Unlimited Text/Data, which means access to the internet. For her this is the best plan available for what she wants to use her mobile devices.

For me it is my $5.95 per month TracFone, which is a Android Smart Phone, but I seldom use it even as a phone and to use it for all it's other capabilities is not in my foreseeable future.

Re: Need Help Purchasing My First I-Pad

Mj12 — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 15:19:21 GMT

OP - enjoy your new iPad - it's the best!

Re: Need Help Purchasing My First I-Pad

brii — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 15:21:31 GMT

On 6/11/2014 MJ 12 said:

OP - enjoy your new iPad - it's the best!

LOL

That was just a lot of pointless words...

Re: Need Help Purchasing My First I-Pad

raven-blackbird — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 16:00:28 GMT

On 6/11/2014 KathyPet said: You can purchase a IPAD air with and without cellular capabilities. If you buy one without cellular capabilities it is less expensive but you will never be able to surf the web unless you are in a WI-FI hot spot. If you pay more for a IPAD with cellular capabilities you still have to set up the service and pay for it when you use it. I have a IPAD air without cellular service capabilities. I also have a IPHONE 4 with 3G. I find that I can pick up a Wi-Fi hot spot lots and lots of places. If there is no Wi-Fi hot spot then I use my IPHONE to surf the web and get my mail If you go to the Apple Store website you can get a phone # to call and they will also help you understand the difference between the different models.

OR................if you get an Ipad air, and your cell phone comes with Hot Spot..........you can just pair the two and have internet where ever you can get a phone signal..........which is pretty much anywhere...........not to mention there are WiFi hot spots everywhere...............................raven

Re: Need Help Purchasing My First I-Pad

NoelSeven — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 16:34:18 GMT

My advice is to get your iPad at an Apple store. They're trained to know what you need, otherwise you're getting a salesperson who doesn't really know what they're talking about.

Apple stores are all over, look for a store locator. They have an extra guarantee plan that may be worth it to you, I got that and the keyboard which makes for easier typing. You might also want to get the longer cord for recharging.

If you get it from an Apple store, they're always around to answer questions for you and fix the product if you have trouble. That would not be true for other stores.