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4 Reason Why Not to Buy AT&T's 3G iPad 
The cheapest version of the AT&T's iPad 3G sells for $629, compared with the $499 pricetag on the original iPad, which features only WiFi connectivity.  Not too mention the hefty international data roaming rates below: 
  • $24.99/month: 20 MB
  • $59.99/month: 50 MB
  • $119.99/month: 100 MB
  • $199.99/month: 200 MB
1 - AT&T 3G Data Congestion - The AT&T 3G iPad was released today and implies that users really want to going use their iPads outdoors or on the go? I am not sure I agree with this and think most Apple iPhone users learned their lessons with AT&T.  I think the iPad is great and will likely buy one for the family when they figure out the video / flash thing but not the 3G version.  Why would you want to compete for cell phone tower access when there are plenty of Wifi networks?   I can already see the emails from angry customers saying "here we go again" with the poor AT&T data coverage and data congestion.  

2 - Indoor Wi-Fi is Sufficient - The iPad has lots of utility for me in the following locations: Bed, Office, Airplane, Family Room, Coffee Shop.  All of the these locations I frequent have Wifi and I am not sure paying AT&T for 3G is worth it.  On the other hand if the iPad was 4G, LTE or Wimax enabled that might be a different issue and I might be more inclined to subscribe to a data service.   However, wifi competes with paid 4G, LTE, Wimax and it remains to be seen if mainstream wireless users will actually pay for higher data speeds on the go.

3 - 3G Creates Battery Life Issues - The last issue that will likely make headlines soon is the iPad battery drains too quickly always looking for a 3G cell phone tower.  I have heard the having too many apps on the iPad drains the battery significantly and 3G is only going to amplify the problem.

4 - VoIP Works Fine - A little secret that most people don't know is that the iPad works just fine with Skype, Google Voice or Truphone VoIP services for phone calls. Why pay extra for an expensive data plan? 

Jail Breaking your iPhone is probably the best option.  Watch this video from KenRadio to learn more. 

10 comments

  1. Anonymous // April 30, 2010  

    AT&T executives are already freaking about this blog post. You can see their IP addresses on FeedJit? on the right hand side of the blog.

  2. Anonymous // April 30, 2010  

    iPad: How will the iPad 3G perform compared to its Wi-Fi only brother?
    http://blogs.zdnet.com/mobile-gadgeteer/?p=3150

  3. Anonymous // May 01, 2010  

    Here's some insight from someone who owned an iPad wifi since day one and just bought an iPad 3G yesterday. Don't waste your money on the wifi.

    It is incredibly sad the first time your walking away from your house with your wifi iPad in hand... Surfing the web... And you sit down in your car... And the whole thing dies.

    Yes I'm usually at home or the office...

    But I speak from experience when I tell you that you WANT the 3G one.

    And I've had no issues with AT&T here... Least of all with the iPad.

  4. Anonymous // May 02, 2010  

    Out of-this-world Apple iPad 3G has 5 antennas http://bit.ly/ciD90I @networkworld WTF does this mean? How many antennas on the iPhone?

  5. Anonymous // May 04, 2010  

    The international data roaming rates are simply ridiculous.

  6. ctdonath // May 25, 2010  

    "Why would you want to compete for cell phone tower access when there are plenty of Wifi networks?"

    Because there aren't. I'm writing this while walking to my car in a wifi-free parking lot. I'll be watching real time traffic maps while driving to my destination. I'll be listening to pandora en route. Look ma, no wifi!

  7. Anonymous // June 02, 2010  

    AT&T Smashes "All You Can Eat" Data Plans
    http://www.deadzones.com/2010/06/at-smashes-all-you-can-eat-data-plans.html

  8. Anonymous // June 07, 2010  

    As Macworld's Dan Frakes points out, AT&T has pulled a "switcheroo" on iPad buyers who, drawn by the promise of unlimited data, were willing to pay an extra $130 for the 3G model. Should Apple make amends? There is some precedent here. When Apple lowered the cost of the original iPhone by $200 about two months after its June 2007 debut, it offered a $100 store credit to early buyers who'd paid the introductory price. Even if AT&T is to blame for the data-plan mess, Apple would earn brownie points by tossing 3G iPad buyers a bone.

  9. Anonymous // June 08, 2010  

    Reasons Why You Shouldn't Buy the iPhone 4 http://bit.ly/ciMZUq

  10. David // October 31, 2010  

    Your an idiot. I have had an iPad 3G 64GB since launch day, and the 3G comes in handy very often. For example: at work, the wifi blocks most websites, switch on 3G- problem solved. Another: no need for Tomtom, iPad 3G with the maps = giant screen PND. Speaking of in the car, when I am not driving, I have entertainment for long trips. And even when I am driving, I have access to Internet radio if my 1200 song library gets stale. I'd like to note that I have never had an issue with network congestion on my iPad, iPhone or other cell phone on AT&T. I really don't understand why people always hate on them for dropped calls and such. I have never dropped a single call with them. In fact, my inlaws have T-Mobile and MetroPCS, and I can never get a hold of them, due to the crappy coverage. Also, why would anyone go to sprint? 4G coverage is available for an amazing 12 people.. Sorry, but I love my 3G on my iPad. Kinda sucks for those that didn't get the unlimited.. Didn't mean to be rude, but I read this and just laughed-out-loud.

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