| So, what's the difference between an iPad with WiFi | | | | $30 per month "unlimited" plan. The unlimited plan was |
| and an iPad with 3G plus WiFi. It's a question that | | | | discontinued pretty quickly and now you can get 2G |
| seems to come up frequently, so I thought it would | | | | of data for $25 per month. |
| be worth finding out some answers to the question. | | | | Number 3: iPad with 3G also has built in GPS service. |
| I've found five major differences between the two | | | | The WiFi version can do some triangulation; you need |
| models and keep on looking for more. Here are the | | | | a 3G iPad to get a really accurate location fix. |
| five differences: | | | | Number 4: Some small physical differences. On the |
| Number 1: Limited connectivity vs. Extensive | | | | back of the 3G iPad there is a black plastic section |
| connectivity. With the iPad WiFi your connectivity to | | | | that enables the iPad to get a better connection to |
| the internet is limited to areas where you can access | | | | the wireless network. The 3G version also has a door |
| the web via WiFi. With the 3G version of the iPad | | | | on the side for you to insert the Micro SIM card. |
| you can connect both via WiFi or the 3G cellular | | | | These differences are probably not that big a deal |
| network. That means it should have connectivity | | | | given that you will probably want to use an iPad |
| anywhere you get cell phone coverage. To get the | | | | cover to protect your iPad. |
| same coverage with the WiFi version you would | | | | Number 5: Shorter Battery Life for the 3G. Using the |
| need a portable WiFi, like Verizon's MiFi or some of | | | | 3G network chews up more battery. From what I |
| the smart phones that can act like a WiFi. | | | | have read it cuts battery life from about 10 hours |
| Number 2: You Pay for More Connectivity. The 3G | | | | down to between 7 and 8 hours. Not bad, but it |
| iPad costs more to buy. At the time I write this, the | | | | does count at the end of a long day. |
| difference is about $130 in the US. To use the 3G | | | | So to sum it up, if you are just using the iPad around |
| wireless service you need to have a wireless data | | | | the house, get the WiFi version and if you need to |
| plan with you carrier. In the US, AT&T provides data | | | | use it out in the field you are probably better off |
| plans for a price. To start they had a $14.99 per | | | | getting the 3G version of the iPad. |
| month data plan with 250MB of data included and a | | | | |