Going round in circles

[Deleted User]

I am going round in circles trying to sort out a tablet.

I have been advised to get an Ipad 3 16gb Wi Fi + 4G.

We have a caravan and I want a lighter way of keeping up with family, bank etc when we are away rather then taking two heavy laptops and a mobile Dongle.

Now..... I know I can use it at home by connecting to my sky router, can someone explain to me how it works without using the dongle and I presume you have to sign up with a provider for the 4G???? Is it possible to get a deal where by you only pay for the internet etc when we are travelling???? so I do not have to pay a monthly amount, but a set amount for say 1 months use when we are away. If so who would be the cheapest?????

I am confused..........very

HereAgain_2

Who advised you? Someone who thinks that you should waste you money?

You can have a Netbook for around £100 and use your existing USB modem or you can spend £350+ on a iPad with 4G which you won't use anyway.
No one uses 4G on a standalone basis because it's too expensive at the moment.
So you'll just use 3G anyway...as you do with your USB modem. So just a waste of money.

bigfreddiel

just get a mifi device, then you cab create your own wifi in your caravan, and access it with your existing laptops

just google mifi to find out more

ipads, dont waste your money - over hyped rubbish - i had one, sold it ebay a day later and went back to my 5 year old asus eeepc

cheers

fj

Johnmcl7

To answer the first question, you use the Ipad 3G/4G much the same way as you would a phone so you buy a sim card and stick it in. The difference is you're better to go for a sim card plan tailored for data as you won't be using it for voice, I'm not sure who is doing the best deal at the moment but I used to buy three month preloaded sim cards from Amazon for around ten pounds which came with 3GB data that could be used over three months then just got another one when it was done.

I agree with the posts above though that it isn't a good solution, a mifi type device is fairly cheap and extremely flexible (works pretty much with any that has wireless) and for the cost of an Ipad there's plenty of small and light laptops that would be fully capable devices (budget would allow for quite a bit more than a netbook, I only mention this because people always tell me how much better their Ipad is than a netbook but ignore the large difference in price), much more so than an Ipad.

John

Humphrey10

Don't buy an iPad 3 - Apple don't even sell them any more. Get an iPad 2 or 4 ("iPad with Retina display" on Apple's website) or mini if you want an iPad.

I've got an iPad - I prefer it to a laptop/netbook, it's just so light and portable. For ease of use iPads are great, and Apple have amazing customer service. The App Store is also a big selling point.

But if you are just going to be browsing the Internet and sending emails there is really no point in spending that sort of money, get a cheaper tablet, there are lots of good ones available.

HereAgain_2

Humphrey10 wrote: »

Don't buy an iPad 3 - Apple don't even sell them any more. Get an iPad 2 or 4 ("iPad with Retina display" on Apple's website) or mini if you want an iPad.

I've got an iPad - I prefer it to a laptop/netbook, it's just so light and portable. For ease of use iPads are great, and Apple have amazing customer service. The App Store is also a big selling point.

But if you are just going to be browsing the Internet and sending emails there is really no point in spending that sort of money, get a cheaper tablet, there are lots of good ones available.

But then what about the 3G/4G capability? You'll still end up paying over the odds for the latest craze if you want it built in. The alternative maybe to use a MiFi unit.

The iPad is a bit of a joke though. As even after you paid out for the thing, you then need some accessories..

I prefer my simple Netbook for travel.

I_have_spoken

can someone explain to me how it works without using the dongle

The iPad for cellular contains the same electronics/aerial that are in the dongle and has a slot for a micro-SIM card.

Do you have a smartphone or an iPhone? Quite a few of these can create wi-fi 'hot spots' on demand so a wi-fi only iPad can use the phone's 3G link to access the internet. That's how I use my iPad/iPhone 3GS.

Is it possible to get a deal where by you only pay for the internet etc when we are travelling?

Most carriers offer no-contract data plans for iPad SIM cards, so you pay based on data used only; likely the SIM in your mobile dongle is linked to a similar plan.

If so who would be the cheapest?

I assume you go to different locations in the caravan, so the carrier with widest coverage may be best, so probably avoid 3 or EE.

I want a lighter way of keeping up with family, bank etc

I have an iPad with Retina and it's ideal for email, web-browsing, taking pics/videos, listening to music, streaming radio/iPlayer, games etc. etc. I still have a laptop, but the iPad is great when travelling.

mehera

Get a pay as you go data sim and then you can just pay a 5er to bung some usuage on when you need it!

No point in paying for a monthly plan if you already have sky at home . . .

[Deleted User]

Thanks for the advice, yes I do have a mobile phone buts its a PAYG, just to keep in touch with my OH when I am out in case he needs me.

NATPC 9.2" Economy Android Tablet PC - 5 point Capacative Display Touchscreen with DUAL CAMERAS - Android 4.0 ICS (Ice Cream Sandwich

I found this on Amazon would something similar to this do the job? using a prepaid sim card.........cannot see on the info how you would use a sim P resume there is a slot for it somewhere.

I will mull over all the suggestions made and do some more research. My present mobile dongle contact has almost finished which is why I am looking for an alternative, its cost me over £100 just to use if for a few weekends amd a weeks holiday in the van.

I_have_spoken

cannot see on the info how you would use a sim P resume there is a slot for it somewhere.

That one's wi-fi only. TBH I wouldn't go fishing in the bargain bucket for a tablet - buy cheap, but twice.

Get something with up-to-date Android 4.3 on it or go for an iPad

[Deleted User]

I_have_spoken wrote: »

That one's wi-fi only. TBH I wouldn't go fishing in the bargain bucket for a tablet - buy cheap, but twice.

Get something with up-to-date Android 4.3 on it or go for an iPad

Recc's prepared to spend 250+