The iPad: To 3G or not 3G?

by Ed McKell on Mar 1, 2010 at 08:34 AM - 1970 Views - 1970 this month

 8 Comments

We are just past halfway through the 60 day waiting period that Apple announced for the release of the WiFi iPad. While we don’t know everything about the device, we do know there are six different models split in half by a single feature: a GSM 3G cellular radio for data only. In the last 30 days, the first question many people have asked is “Are you going to get an iPad?” But if the answer is yes, the second question is almost always “Are you going to get the 3G?”

3G ...

The choice to get 3G is tough. First off, the 3G radio will cost you an additional $130. It will also cost you some time if you have already decided to buy an iPad as soon as it is available; the 3G iPad is expected to be available about 30 days after the WiFi only version. This will likely mean you will have to wait until the end of April. It’s not a big deal, but it is something to consider if you aren’t the patient type.

But for that $130 you will get the ability to purchase a micro-SIM card you can use to connect to a 3G or Edge network much like an iPhone does today, but you can only use it for a data connection. One big advantage is that it is currently being offered contract free in the U.S. on AT&T’s network. Apple has also leveraged their relationship with AT&T to get some pretty good rates. They are offering a $14.99/month for up to 250MB of usage and $29.99/month for unlimited usage. Again, this is contract free so you can buy it for a month and then skip several if you want to before you turn it back on.

At this point, it is assumed that since you are buying the device contract free, that it will also be an unlocked device. This would mean that as other companies all over the world announce their plans, you should be able to also purchase micro-SIMs for networks all over the world, and hopefully they will also have monthly plans. This is potentially a great asset for those who travel a lot in the states or globally. In fact, if you only travel internationally once or twice a year, it could still pay off quickly. Currently, international data roaming plans on the iPhone are very expensive. AT&T’s highest available global roaming package for data will only get you 200MB/month and that amount will cost you $199.99. We will have to see what other service providers are going to offer around the world, but Apple and AT&T are off to a great start for the iPad.

Data is not the only advantage you will get for your $130. The GSM radio also comes equipped with a GPS chip. This GPS chip will work much like the GPS in the iPhone, and will be able to use the cell towers as well as satellites so it can more quickly pinpoint your location. This means that the myriad navigation and location apps for the iPhone would also work just as well on the 3G version of the iPad. With the right kind of car mount, the iPad could become the ultimate car navigation system. It would have a nice big screen, and you wouldn’t have to worry about being interrupted by a phone call while you are at a critical intersection. But other location aware social apps or even augmented reality systems would all be able to work well on the 3G iPad. All of this should work just fine without needing to purchase any kind of a monthly package from a service provider.

... or not 3G?

But what do you get if you choose WiFi only? First off, you can save yourself $130. But beyond that, you will still get a WiFi radio that is 802.11 a/b/g/n capable, a step up from the 802.11 b/g radio that come in today’s iPhones and iPod touches. Adding 802.11 a/n means the iPad will be able to connect at faster speeds to a newer WiFi router. This will be especially useful if you are streaming video or moving large files on your local network. The WiFi radio will also allow you to use basic location services based on nearby networks. It’s not always the most accurate way to use location services, but it can be good enough for some social networking apps or to help with finding out what your local weather is. However, it is nowhere nearly good enough to allow you to use navigation apps.

That is the question.

So which should you get? This will depend on several things. The first question is when and how do you plan to use an iPad? If it will be a device that you use mostly at home or work where you have an accessible WiFi network, and if you don’t plan to travel with it a lot, then maybe the WiFi is enough for you. Even if you travel a lot, if you already have an iPhone or some other smartphone with a data plan, you may still want to save yourself $130 and opt out of the 3G. However, if you travel a lot without a smartphone data plan, especially internationally, the 3G data option could actually save you a lot of money and frustration. Plus, the 3G option gives you the ability to use some of the iPhone’s great navigation applications.

The next question is whether you can afford it? If $130 is no big deal, then you may want to go for it. It will make the iPad a very flexible device without locking you into anything that might cost you more money. It will also add a similar amount of resale value to the iPad when you are ready to move on someday. But if money is tight, the WiFi iPad is very usable without that 3G option that many will not use much anyway.

And this is the my answer.

In the end, the 3G decision is a lot like the iPhone vs. iPod touch decision. This time, there is no monthly contract to make the cost difference as big, but the comparison is very similar. To answer this question myself, I will buy an iPad but I am currently planning to do the WiFi only version. I plan to use the iPad primarily at home, or, when I travel, it will be used in hotel rooms or other places that I might use my MacBook Pro today. I already have an iPhone for my domestic travel, and although I do travel internationally, I have found that WiFi is usually available. But the 3G option is still tempting, and it’s possible I could change my mind. I will almost certainly get the 3G version if I upgrade to a newer iPad someday. I especially like the idea of being able to use the 3G without a contract and on any provider available.

March is here and the first iPads should roll out this month. Hopefully we will find out more about it in the coming weeks. I suspect the we will read some reviews from folks like Walt Mossberg and David Pogue as we get closer.

Are you planning to buy an iPad and, if so, will you add the 3G to it? Feel free to discuss your thoughts in the comments below.