looking around for a tablet...what is the difference

March2012

of one with a sim in it and one without. thanks for any ideas .what is the versus brand like? thanks!

devizes18193

the sim tablet can be used anywhere you get a signal , the other is wifi dependent .

victor2

If it will take a SIM, it can probably directly use a mobile network, with the appropriate SIM of course. If not, it may rely on WiFi or if it has USB, it may be able to use a dongle to connect through a mobile network.

If you already have WiFi where it will be used most and/or can turn your internet connected mobile into a WiFi hotspot (which quite a few can), then that will be a cheaper option.
That will dictate to a large extent the models you look at. OH has a Kindle Fire HD and uses it all the time to access the internet through our WiFi at home. If I were looking to buy one now, I'd look at the Nexus or Galaxy Tab. There are cheaper ones around, but I believe you get what you pay for to a large extent with these devices.

earthstorm

If you have a smartphone then most 3G tablets will work by pairing the tablet to your smartphone as long as your smartphone is in the same location as your tablet you use the signal from your phone

cookie365

earthstorm wrote: »

If you have a smartphone then most 3G tablets will work by pairing the tablet to your smartphone as long as your smartphone is in the same location as your tablet you use the signal from your phone

The whole point of having a tablet with a 3G sim slot is so that you don't need to bother doing this.

And many smartphone tariffs don't allow you to 'tether' a tablet to your phone's 3G.

vuvuzela

cookie365 wrote: »

The whole point of having a tablet with a 3G sim slot is so that you don't need to bother doing this.

And many smartphone tariffs don't allow you to 'tether' a tablet to your phone's 3G.

Quelle surprise, earthstorm posting more incorrect info...

vuvuzela

March2012 wrote: »

of one with a sim in it and one without. thanks for any ideas .what is the versus brand like? thanks!

Versus tablets look like cheap Chinese ones with their branding on it.
What's your budget and what size tablet are you looking for ?

BlueStone

Many phone contracts do allow you to tether your tablet to them (some don't, and it does depend on how much data comes with your phone contract as to whether this is worthwhile) - personally I always tether my tablet to my phone.

Also - of course - if you get a tablet with a sim slot (and don't tether to your phone) then you will need to buy a new sim with a data allowance. I can see this being useful if, for example, you use your tablet whilst out and about and in certain areas your phone's network provider does not get a signal (and a different network does)- or if you have limited data on your phone. Plus some sims come with data allowances particularly intended for tablets.