Electronics

[Moonchilde]

I have a question that I've been googling for the past hour and am still not clear on. I know that in the 9.7" iPad Pro there is an embedded Apple Sim. What I'm not clear on is whether I'm good to go with a wifi-cellular model purchased *from Apple* on Verizon, vs purchased at a Verizon store. I was burned/lied to with my iPhone and that's not happening again, believe me.

I don't want to buy from Apple and then find out I can't use that specific device on Verizon. I'm looking at a $130 off refurb on the Apple website - great deal, but not if I can't connect to Verizon. 

Does anyone know how this works *for sure*, i.e. you were in this situation?

[egeria]

Hi, Moonchilde.

When I was researching the iPad Mini 4 wi-fi and cellular, I read that it came with a SIM card that would enable it to work with GSM carriers like AT&T and T-Mobile. If you want it to work with CDMA carriers like Verizon, you need to contact the cellular company to obtain its own SIM card. (With Verizon, the SIM card was/is free.)

I also noticed when doing a mock order on the Apple website that Apple asked if you needed a Verizon SIM card, which it would order for you. There was no charge for that.

if you have not already done so, I would verify directly with Apple that the model you want will accept a Verizon SIM. I wound up not purchasing the Mini 4 but when I get around to it (or the next mini model) I will re-confirm my original research info, as things do tend to change quickly in the world of electronics.

Good luck and I hope this info helped.

[Moonchilde]

Thank you, @egeria!

Verizon seems to be more "with the program" now. What I was reading about Verizon store people not being helpful and giving out incorrect info was about 1-1/2 to 2 years ago, and I couldn't find clear current info. I do know that Apple hates the games Verizon plays.

I ended up calling Verizon CS, and FWIW they said I just needed to get a Verizon SIM card. You can get them either by mail - $25 fee, looked like to me - or supposedly in a Verizon store. AFAIC it *should* be free - after I sign up, I AM going to be paying them! And from the Tutorial I would want the Verizon store to install it and get me up and running.

Unfortunately for me, Verizon is the only carrier that gets ANY service at my house, so I honestly have no choice. And the reason I'm considering this is that my cell phone's LTE is faster than our wifi 😫 so I could use it *sometimes* for things like Youtube clips.

I'm going to try and speak to someone at Apple too.

[meem120]

When you place your order on apple they will give you the choice of which carrier you want.  

[Moonchilde]

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@meem120 wrote:

When you place your order on apple they will give you the choice of which carrier you want.  

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Thank you, @meem120 :-)

Yes, if you're buying a NEW iPad. I tested it out with the refurbished iPad and a new iPad. The option to include a free Verizon SIM card comes up when you order a new iPad; it does not come up as a choice when you buy a refurb. I even called Apple CS and asked them and they assured me it WOULD come up for the refurb just like with a new one - but it didn't. Frustrating! And I've been told that Apple stores don't have the Verizon SIMS.

And I get very conflicting responses from/about Verizon - yes the store will give you a free one, yes but they'll charge you, or no if you don't buy the iPad in their store they'll refuse you the SIM card.

And bizarrely - a new iPad is $829, the refurb was $699 - and a new one bought from Verizon is over $1000 - something like $1070! For the SAME iPad. Verizon gets to charge $200 more for theirs?

I will most likely just give up the idea of a cellular model. Sheesh! Still waiting to hear comments on a Verizon forum. Thanks for trying to help.

[Lilysmom]

@Moonchilde, I can't help with your Verizon question but I can tell you I am beyond trusting those that sell the gadgets, Apple included.  They told me when I bought my MacBook Pro laptop that I couldn't use my ereader (Sony which I love) because the software was too old.  It is 5 years old.  I went and bought a new ereader.  I played with the Sony and got it to work in every way except for borrowing epub books from the library.  I found a library called Calibre and used that.

I returned the ereader I bought and am using my Sony no problem.  I was going to go Ipad Pro next time but now I think I am just going to do the mini.  I can use that to borrow epub books and for travel.  I never use my ipad since I got my new computer, which I love.

With those gadget sellers, it is buyer beware as you obviously know.  When I bought iphone 6+, I signed on with Virgin.  They(Apple) promised me my monthly bill would never rise.  I gave Virgin great grief when they tried to increase it.  The wound up giving me an even better deal than I originally had to keep me as a customer.  My phone is unlocked.  Not before a big fight though.  Luckily, I had the name of the guy that sold me the phone.  I was after Virgin to go get him lol.

Happy New Year!  LM

[Lilysmom]

@egeria@Moonchilde@meem120, does anyone know when the next version of ipad mini comes out?  I was waiting for the Pro in the Spring but am now looking at a mini.  TIA.  LM

[Moonchilde]

@Lilysmom, no one knows for sure. Rumor has been saying Spring 2017, but I have read recently that it might not be until summer. I didn't want to wait that long if it wasn't REALLY important. I was reading about the latest best guesses from tech experts as to what any improvements would be.

As far as anyone has guesses/opinions about what a new iPad *might* have, it doesn't seem like anything will change that will matter greatly to me. I care most about the visuals - the screen and how things will look to me. It seems doubtful that anything much about the screen will change, so I started looking at the current Pro 9.7, which has a "better" screen than the 12" device. They have a few refurbished ones on the Apple site at a nice discount.

I have no problems with Apple - my annoyance is with Verizon being as obstructionary and unhelpful as possible if you don't put money directly in THEIR pockets. I may well give up the idea of buying a cellular model if I keep getting nothing but kwap from Verizon. It'll just be their loss of a monthly sum if I do.

[Nuttmeg]

Best Buy has an online sale of the iPad Pro's.

[Moonchilde]

Update:

Have not made final decision yet, but Verizon is having a sale that ends Saturday and I can get a NEW iPad Pro for $629 where the Apple refurb was $699. Can't beat that.  Not sure which plan I will get, or whether I will get a MiFi or not.

The manager at the Verizon store spent a lot of time with me and gave me a new SIM card for my phone as well. So I'm thinkin' it's a Go once I verify prices with him.