So you’ve decided on iPad 2. That was a no brainer as there are not any real compeditors out there. Now the real question is which one will you get. No I am not talking about the color. Because Black is sexy and I don’t to keep cleaning stains of a white device.
No, I am talking about which type of iPad 2 to get. 3G or Wi-Fi. I have the Wi Fi only now and I must say it has worked well for me since I use my phone as a hot spot. The thing is though that my phone dies quickly and that handy GPS feature would have been helpful many a times. So this time I going 3G. But which one should I get, AT&T or Verizon? With both carriers, the plans are month-to-month and can be cancelled at any time. Here is a break down.
AT&T is offering two prepaid and two postpaid plans.
Prepaid
•250 MB – $14.99, $14.99/250MB overage charges
•2 GB -$25, $25/2GB overage charges
Postpaid
•250 MB – $14.99, $14.99/250MB overage charges
•2 GB – $25, $10/1GB overage charges
If you are currently on an unlimited $30 plan with the original iPad, you will be grandfathered into this plan automatically.
In the prepaid options, you pay ahead time for the data and if you use it up before the month is over, you have an option to buy more. In the postpaid options, you will be billed for the data you used at the end of the month.
Verizon is offering a broader range of plans. Four of them as well but seem to be more geared toward people who use a lot of data. People like me.
•1 GB – $20, $20/GB overage charges
•3 GB – $35, $10/GB overage charges
•5 GB – $50, $10/GB overage charges
•10 GB – $80, $10/GB overage charges
With both carriers, the plans are month-to-month and can be cancelled at any time.
Is there more to think about?
Yes there is actually; AT&T has the fastest 3G network but Verizon is the most reliable. AT&T is GSM/HSPA and uses SIM cards. So if you’re an international traveler. You should get that one. Also if you jailbreak it, you can put in a T-Mobile sim card in it.
That is it right?
No, just one more thing to keep in mind. Once you make your decision, that’s it. There is no going back. The AT&T and Verizon iPad 2 are are different hardware.