3G data on "pad" devices

[JHZR2]

This is mainly oriented to the iPad, as that would likely be what I'd buy... But all options are on the table if there is an alternate that is thinner/lighter/better screen/better battery...

But this is really about data. I use my iPhone a lot. But the screen and keyboard is small. For sending substantial emails, my work bb has a better keypad... But I'm looking for something all around slightly bigger that does 3G data without tethering - it would be an arm and a leg to tether to my MBA for example.

So, 3G. When you buy a 3G device, do you have to buy a data plan with it? Bit seems they are expensive, so are they subsidized by cellphone service?

Assuming you can just get one, can one interchange their sim between their phone and one of these devices? For example if I'm in an airport, can I turn off my phone, pull the sim, and operate with 3G data/voice from the pad device?

Which one is the best? Apple? Samsung? Something else? Not looking for cheapest, looking for best, mainly I terms of the criteria mentioned above.

Thanks!

 

[Bill in Utah]

Can you make your Iphone to be a Wi-Fi "hotspot" for a tablet? Then get a tablet or Netbook (personally I use a notebook now as the net books screen was getting too small for my old eyes) and use the phone for data?

I like the Samsung and Acer tablets that I've played around with. At my old work they were testing Ipads and the lack of flash would have stopped me from personally getting one. Plus Itunes.

Most of the tablets that are 3G you do have to buy a plan to get a lower price I've seen. I don't do cell phone contracts so can not comment there.

Bill

 

[JHZR2]

The iPhone can tether, but of course AT&T wants to charge me additional for data that I've already paid for. I can sort of see the logic, if I would use my phone as my data source at home, for example.

I'd use it enough that 3G data would be good, not enough that the prices they charge would be worth it.

My hope would be that since I'm NOT connecting to a laptop/real computer, I'm not uploading/downloading significant info - I'm just using it as a big screen iPhone... So would just swap devices.

If I had an AT&T blackberry and AT&T iPhone, I should be able to interchange devices by swapping sims... I'd hope I could do the same with a whateverpad.

 

[PandaBear]

Not sure about non iPhone device, but on iPhone AT&T (and probably also Verizon) will force you a data plan if your iPhone was subsidized by AT&T initially. If you do not want to pay for data plan, maybe iPod Touch or use a jail broken iPhone on T Mobile is a better choice.

You can tether using iPhone, but if you do not have a grand fathered unlimited plan you will burn through the minutes very fast, and even a slow dry loop DSL would still be cheaper and faster than 3G due to congestion.

 

[JHZR2]

I dont mind paying for a data plan. I have no issues with that. My issue is that if I have two 3G devices, and I can interchange the SIM cards on them, why should I have to pay for TWO data plans? Especially if one of the devices was not subsidized by the provider?

I see it the same as if I own an AT&T blackberry in the clear, and then go and get a subsidized iphone (Im out of my contract with AT&T, BTW). If I pull the SIM from the iphone and put it in the blackberry, the blackberry will work and Ill have unlimited data with no issues.

Why should it be any different if that blackberry instead is an ipad?

 

[rjundi]

With an Ipad with built in 3G you can turn on and off the service as needed. I believe they do a monthly plan. You don't have to commit unless you buy one through a provider and get it subsidized.

 

[Rand]

I know with rooted droids you can setup a wireless hotspot without paying the tethering fee.
maybe thats something a jailbroken iphone can do also?

I avoid apple so not much help there.

also as far as 3g speeds.. they are faster than basic dsl here.

basic dsl is about .33/1.5 mbits up/down

my 3g is usually worth 1/3.. but of course the ping is bad.

4g is really nice here.. usually about 10/12

 

[PandaBear]

I think AT&T is starting to crack down on people tethering without paying extra based on their usage pattern, even if you grandfathered the unlimited plan. Don't count on relying on that for a long time.