i-pad WiFi only

absfabs

Hi guys,
thinking of buying an the new i-pad, WiFi only. Now someone told me that if I changed my mind and needed internet access elsewhere, e.g. when travelling abroad, I could just buy a SIM card to temporarily make it "cellular".
Can someone confirm if this is so? Or not?
Many thanks,
abs

Lifeforms

No. If you want that, you need a 3G ipad unlocked.

You could get internet other ways, but definitely can't get 3G on a wifi only model.
Unlocked mifi typed units, universal travel routers (that then connect to a broadband dongle), or a smart phone are your only options pretty much. Oh and free wifi, assuming it connects fine.
All need to be unlocked to take a sim card from whatever country. If you want the easy option, then 3G, used as wifi only when needed, with a data sim thrown in when you want internet. Be aware that sometimes data only sims aren't as easy to pick up when you are on holiday, the same as phone/text/data sims are.

The wifi on ipads doesn't guarantee a connection all the time, with free wifi in places. I've used it in a few that has worked, but equally some that haven't. notably east coast train wifi, but that's generally hit and miss sometimes anyway.

DCFC79

As ^^ lifeform says if you want the option to use a sim or put a sim card in it you need an ipad that has both capabilities eg wifi and 3g, of course you could tether the pad to a smart phone if you have a smart phone and if the pad allows tethering.

absfabs

Thank you, both! It's coming back to me know, the person I talked to did say via the smart phone would be an option.
We mainly want the i-pad for home use, so should connect to home wifi. OH has smart phone, so if it connects via that when we are travelling, that should hopefully do. I know hotel free wifi can be hit and miss, I don't NEED the internet access, just trying to have my cake and eat it, I suppose.
Thanks again

TadleyBaggie

I have a Wifi iPad, there is no way to put a SIM card in it.

absfabs

Thanks, great advice from all of you.
:beer:

poppy_f1

just bear in mind if travelling abroad and going to use the tethering to a smart phone that if using a uk sim then it will also cost a fortune

Lifeforms

poppy_f1 wrote: »

just bear in mind if travelling abroad and going to use the tethering to a smart phone that if using a uk sim then it will also cost a fortune

Yes, it will cost you a fortune, and you wont know till you get back home, a few weeks after, then you suddenly get a rather large mobile phone bill Data is shockingly expensive for the tiny amounts used.

If you are planning to tether overseas with a smart phone, then you need to get a sim for that country, sometimes you can prior, otherwise you can usually pick them up fairly easily, but make sure you have data allowances on it first. (and that the phone is definitely unlocked, check before you leave)