ok you techies--make sense of this for me

[iris lilies]

I'll be getting an IPod IPAD mini to (main purpose) have web access on our first floor. Our computers are all upstairs.

But I will, off and on over the next two years, use cellular access to the web. I know that I can sign up for month-to-month service, and that is swell and is actually the selling point for me. So now I've got to buy an IPod with the chip/whatever term to work with cellular service.

Here's what I don't understand, and is this true: I have to make the choice of which cellular service I'll be using before I even sign on to the service? The IPod comes, preset with whatever company's service I've chosen.

Here's the thing: I haven't chosen a 3G service and won't for a while. so what if I change my mind?

And then, there are pricing options on Amazon that show AT &PT chip/whatever will be higher by a lot than Verizon. Hunh? Or maybe that is tied to these being sold by various sellers.

I appreciate anything relevant you can contribute, thanks in advance.

[Packy]

I'd just forget all that pricey new-tech stuff, and stick with the setup you have. A liirrains' salary---like a teachers' pay--- is far too meager too be buying needless luxuries. Walking is good for you--the added exertion of climbing stairs is even better. You could even cut a hole in the floor, and hang a knotted rope through it, to climb up and down on. That, will keep that upper-body toned, and help maintain bone density. Hope that helps you some.

[Zoe Girl]

if verizon is a good price i would recommend that service. i have had a cell phone for over 10 years with them. we switched to mostly cell service at the very beginning. the plans are a little higher than some but the service works anywhere i have traveled and in local places where no one else gets service. my kids come over and have a hard time getting service in my basement but the verizon service works well there. And they have had good customer service.

i would remember to see if you get an employee discount. i get 18% in my school district! ou can ask people who work in the building what works for them too, avoid any carrier blind spots. As packy said education jobs don't pay well, but i don't recommend running up and down stairs forever either.

[Tradd]

Do you mean iPAD mini?

[iris lilies]

Do you mean iPAD mini?

doh, YES! I change it.

[SteveinMN]

The deal with the Verizon-version iDevices (iPad, iPhone) is that they can run on Verizon's service but also can be assigned to AT&T or T-Mobile, though you cannot use more than one network at a time. At least at this point in time, the AT&T/T-Mobile iDevices cannot be set up to run on Verizon's network even if all the techie bits (appropriate cellular bands, etc.) are present. That versatility and the breadth of the Verizon wireless network are what let them charge more. From that perspective, the Verizon devices offer a little bit of "future-proofing".

But the key is which network offers good service where you want to use it. If AT&T service stinks at your summer place (for instance), choosing at AT&T mobile device isn't a good move. Your best bet probably would be to pick the same network you use with your current cell phone(s) -- unless your phones don't work wherever you want them.

Two more thoughts: T-Mobile offers tablet users up to 200 MB free every month, no contract, no nothing. Tempting if T-Mobile serves the areas in which you want to use your iPad. And selecting an initial network provider does not mean you're stuck with them forever: our AT&T devices can run with any provider which uses AT&T's network, and, if unlocked and they have the right cellular band radios on them, any provider which uses T-Mobile's network. And vice versa. That can result in considerable savings over what the big carriers charge.

Oh -- and you can buy an iPad without having to sign up for service immediately. You do have to choose the network, but you don't have to incur a bill for it until you're ready.

[iris lilies]

The deal with the Verizon-version iDevices (iPad, iPhone) is that they can run on Verizon's service but also can be assigned to AT&T or T-Mobile, though you cannot use more than one network at a time. At least at this point in time, the AT&T/T-Mobile iDevices cannot be set up to run on Verizon's network even if all the techie bits (appropriate cellular bands, etc.) are present. That versatility and the breadth of the Verizon wireless network are what let them charge more. From that perspective, the Verizon devices offer a little bit of "future-proofing".

But the key is which network offers good service where you want to use it. If AT&T service stinks at your summer place (for instance), choosing at AT&T mobile device isn't a good move. Your best bet probably would be to pick the same network you use with your current cell phone(s) -- unless your phones don't work wherever you want them.

Two more thoughts: T-Mobile offers tablet users up to 200 MB free every month, no contract, no nothing. Tempting if T-Mobile serves the areas in which you want to use your iPad. And selecting an initial network provider does not mean you're stuck with them forever: our AT&T devices can run with any provider which uses AT&T's network, and, if unlocked and they have the right cellular band radios on them, any provider which uses T-Mobile's network. And vice versa. That can result in considerable savings over what the big carriers charge.

Oh -- and you can buy an iPad without having to sign up for service immediately. You do have to choose the network, but you don't have to incur a bill for it until you're ready.

Thank you! I pulled the trigger today on an AT & T enabled I-Pad Mini, no contract. I assume AT & T network is fine, I don't really know, I don't use it. DH have Verizon and perhaps that would have been a smarter choice, but whatever, too late now.

I have a project, starting in April, where I will use month-to-month service for a couple of months. Otherwise, I wouldn't have bothered with the cellular part. And I can see it being useful while on a driving vacation.

I need a lot of hand holding with this kind of purchase because my tolerance for electronics shopping is about 7 minutes. My friend is a tenacious shopper and identified the deal that I eventually purchased.

[SteveinMN]

Enjoy, IL!

I am a "tenacious tech shopper" (I rather enjoy sorting the wheat from the chaff, as it were). My experience is that both types are needed -- someone to eventually pull the trigger because tech is always moving and waiting almost always buys you better -- but you have nothing while you wait (which was the point of the whole purchase anyway).

[rosarugosa]

I recently started toying with the idea of an iPad, but I assumed I would be able to use it the same way as my laptop (via WiFi, with our internet service from Verizon DSL). Is that not the case?

[iris lilies]

I recently started toying with the idea of an iPad, but I assumed I would be able to use it the same way as my laptop (via WiFi, with our internet service from Verizon DSL). Is that not the case?

Yes, you can use iPads with Wifi, that's the "basic" model. And then, if you want an iPad that's enabled for cellular, that little upgrade costs more.

You will see when you shop around that the IPad are described as:

Wifi

or

Wifi + Cellular

All iPads are enabled to work with Wifi.

[rosarugosa]

Thanks, IL for your techie wisdom! :)