“I always thought that the iPad 2 had a great screen — until I got my hands on the new (3rd generation) iPad,” Larry Magid reports for forbes.
“Now, all of a sudden the text and graphics on that ‘old’ iPad seem a little fuzzy,” Magid reports. “No complaints — the iPad 2 remains a great tablet, as does the first generation, but after viewing it next to the new one, I can see why my colleague Walt Mossberg wrote that ‘Using the new display is like getting a new eyeglasses prescription.'”
Magid reports, “But before buying a 4G model, consider getting a Wi-Fi version and a separate device that allows you to generate your own Wi-Fi signal. All the major cell carriers offer devices like the MiFi which are capable of picking up 3G or 4G signals and creating their own hotspots. The advantage is that one device and one service plan provides data service to all your devices — your iPad, your laptop, even your home PC or game console if you want it to. Of course, it’s a bit less convenient than having 4G built-in, but it’s cheaper and more versatile.”
Read more in the full article here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Fred Mertz” for the heads up.]
Ummmm… the whole idea behind this is to have connectivity when wifi isn’t available. The ‘solution’ offered here begs the question.
You also don’t get the GPS features, with the Wi-Fi only model.
exactly. GPS is reason alone for me
GPS will work with a iPhone personal hotspot, but … too much hassle. So I have a 3G iPad also.
Wrong. Apple doesn’t put a GPS chipset in the Wi-Fi only models.
I think the iPhone’s GPS will send coordinates to the iPad one every minute or something. I could be wrong, but I recall reading that somewhere. Then again I also recall reading that someone tested it and it didn’t work, so I don’t recall, but I think that’s what Johnny Appleseed was referring to.
Ditto. Lack of GPS is why the wifi only model will not work for me.
Need the GPS – I use the iPad as a stand-alone chart plotter on commercial boats. Nothing better.
Poor Larry doesn’t realize that the new iPad does 4G and 3G and it is able to create it’s own hotspot.
Except that you have to sign a contract to get the MiFi or similar devices, whereas with the iPad you can elect to use it one month and not the next if you choose.
Not with Virgin. I pay 20.00/ month and get all the wifi I need. No contracts. The MiFi costs about 35.00 on Amazon.
Ok, so yet again drag out another device…
And another cord to charge said device…
And 99% of the time I’m on the iPad cause…. Get this… I’m not using my MBP or iMac… Shocker.
I bring the iPad so I don’t have to carry the MBP with me. My iPad damn near replaces my MBP. So now I should only get the wifi, and leave it at home.. Drag my MBP and a 4g device and set them up…
Ok I considered the wifi only like the article asks. And decided I don’t want to go backwards.
What if you have an iphone too? Couldn’t use tether the iPad to the iPhone’s data plan via hotspot?
and toss my unlimited plan..
But I’d you didn’t have the unlimited plan, it’s cheaper to use the iPhone with tethering than pay for an extra device..
The guy is just an idiot.
Two things I’ve noticed so far..it gets pretty warm..and some apps (iBooks, Jump) are buggy with the new resolution. Real Racing HD is pretty choppy too. Can’t wait till developers optimize over the next few weeks.
If I had more money, I’d Do rather than “Consider.”
Most people don’t consider the battery life the MiFIs. Nothing competes with the battery life of an iPad with 4G/LTE at 9 hours. My mobile hotspot from the cell companies has never gotten even 2 hours of battery life and it’s a mess to carry the charger. Absolutely get a 4G/LTE iPad if you can.
Second that.
Must be nice to get your iPad, but for those of us who were relying on UPS, not such good news. They’ve been deliberately delaying delivery, in some cases sitting on the packages for as long as 5 days in en-route locations. NOT what Apple wanted or intended, I’m sure
I feel ya. I’m sitting at a FedEx waiting for the driver to get here. This after spending the day at home, waiting, with the signed leave at my door note I downloaded from Apple/FedEx, and another note explaining that I am home but that the call box doesn’t work, do just knock. Then I checked outside every 20 minutes and the last time I checked there’s the FedEx slip next to my note saying sorry we missed you come get your package after 5:30.
At least I’m not alone. There’s now a huge iPad line forming.
when I placed my order I saw the “pick up in store” option.. It took me about 3 seconds to decide to pick it up at the Apple store.
Too many UPS/FedEx F-ups to deal with them on the iPad.
Walked into the Apple Store today about 5, and had zero problems.
I have not purchased iPhoto for iOS yet so I was playing with it on a new iPad. Impressive to say the least.
Retina on an iPad, you don’t even have to put an iPad 2 next to it to see how great it is… But when you do put them side by side. um… iPad 2 looks bad 🙂
You guys need to learn to read. What Larry gave was an option. I use my iPhone as a hotspot and it is super convenient. Once you make the connection the first time, all future connections are simple. The cost of having multiple data plans (if I understand it correctly) is basically doubling your cost. So, at $30/mo that equates to $360/year. In two years you just paid for an iPad.
The iPad + 4G is a mobile hotspot.
Mobile Hotspot Service is $50 a month (5GB) for 24 months. That’s $1200 without taxes. The iPad + 4G has no contract options and hotspot capabilities up to the 5GB a month plans and no need to carry a second device.
I was thinking exactly this when I pre-ordered my 3rd Gen 64GB 4G unit, with the iPad there is no contract and with the other device you have another monthly charge, I would rather only pay if I need the data which I don’t usually because most places that I go have Wi-Fi.
Even though I rarely use 3G, my ISP offers subscribers an iPad SIM for $1 a month with 150MB of data – perfect for those odd occasions when I need it, plus plenty cheap enough to keep activated all the time.
Ok, consider it a lining time ago, my complaints:
Mifi device:
-Another device!
-Another charger to haul. iPad uses my iPhone charger or the iPad charge my iPhone.
-Battery life is not great. iPad built in lasts longer iPad.
-Service contract for two years. iPad Month to month.
No GPS. Have maps I use during hiking or camping.
-Sorry, but I think not. This is the kind of numnuts
Guys,the New iPad untethered jailbroken
http://jailbreakone.com/ion1c-untethers-jailbreak-the-new-ipad/
That’s exactly what I did last year – got me an AT&T Elevate, and I love it.
SJ Mercury news has never been favorable with Apple for years. That’s where this Magid is their technology columnist. True to form he can’t help himself plugging Android and Amazon Kindle. read some of his previous articles. He’s almost as bad as the three stooges of iHater so called journalist.
I live within a reasonable distance from the first Apple Store (at Tyson’s corner in Virginia) and I heard about the lines. Best Buy, Walmart, and Target are all in walking distance of my house; they started selling right after midnight and were out of stock. The online Apple Store was having shipping delays.
About mid-afternoon, I went to the Apple Store in Fair Oaks Mall. There were plenty of iPads in all carriers, sizes, and colors, and dozens of Apple TVs on the shelf. I bought an iPad and an Apple TV. No delays, no hurry.
If there’s more than one Apple Store in town, it’s all about which one you choose.
I use my phone for a gps device.. lol as if i would use an iPad to find my way!! hahahahahahahahahaa looooosers!! lol hahahahahaha!!!
you forget that PILOTS use the iPad in cockpits, not the iPhone.
My Samsung LTE hotspot gets about 6 hours. You are really only as portable as your largest battery. But a spare battery can be had for the Samsung if needed. Mostly I plug it into the nearest outlet and use my iPad unplugged.
When LTE Advanced comes to my area I’ll buy an integrated radio.
Your all Pilots? lol!! hahaha. Pilots fly around with iPads using Google maps? Hahahahahahaha lol hahahahaah..
I almost choked on my CoCo Puffs.. Wahahahahaa lol.