3g vs wifi

[Vehtemas]

So I looked and found no other posts with this conversation going.

What are people's thoughts on the wifi vs 3g models?

Is 3g really that needed considering nearly any business has wifi or a hotspot somewhere?

 

[faith4more]

Depends on if you need access all the time. You can usually find wifi somewhere.

But if you need guaranteed connection all the time without going on a wifi search 3g is a better option. But you could also consider tethering the wifi version to your phone if needed.

 

[marctronixx]

what are your thoughts?

for me, i need to be connected when i want wherever i want without restrictions. to me both are a must.

i pay the 30 bux for hotspot on the evo i use and i can tether, however sometimes i may need to use the phone for other things and having 3G/LTE radio is attractive for me because im a power user of gadgets.

to the casual user, i dont see 3G as being a requirement.

So I looked and found no other posts with this conversation going.

What are people's thoughts on the wifi vs 3g models?

Is 3g really that needed considering nearly any business has wifi or a hotspot somewhere?

 

[xmr405o]

That's the keyword. "Poweruser".

Powerusers need 3g/LTE/4g/10gs...oh geez! If you know you are a poweruser, then 3g is a must. However, some people think they are powerusers but they really aren't so they end up paying for things that they don't need.

I was a pretend poweruser. I admit it. But dang, it gets expensive pretending haha. So I'll have to wait on the wifi model. No shame in that.

 

[marctronixx]

i know what you mean there.. this will get $$$ for me as i now will have another bill (the 80GB plan) because along with the being connected everywhere i go bug i must have the biggest safety net for data which, in this case, is 10gb of data per month... that is just absurd.. sprint you can get all you can eat plus sms/mms, tv, gps.. for under 80 bux.. lol what a racket VZW is pushin'... '-) <---- (thats a smiley thats winkin'.. )

yeah though i think the core group of people VZW is pushing this towards will not need 3G as much and will end up getting the second tier data plan and using wifi at home, coffee shop, bookstore, job and save the data when they are on the beach, etc..

 

[melantus]

Sprint uses a teir plan and they only offer 2 options. So i dont see how verizon data plans for tablets is bad deal. Verizon also still offers unlimted data for smartphones as well.

 

[Mitchrapp]

i expect even casual users getting 3g because there is no wifi at the moment.

 

[marctronixx]

well of course silly wabbit if the casual user wants the tablet on thursday then they have no choice. if there were both versions avail on the same day, the majority would get the wifi only model.

and yes verizons data plans are super silly. 80 bux for JUST 10gb of data? thats foolish...

 

[zdubin9]

I preordered the xoom at best buy. I am gonna cancel the 3G after the first month but then I am rooted so i have wifi tethering. I was really planning on just using my phone if im not anywhere with wifi. Is this definitely a good and efficient solution?

 

[xmr405o]

I preordered the xoom at best buy. I am gonna cancel the 3G after the first month but then I am rooted so i have wifi tethering. I was really planning on just using my phone if im not anywhere with wifi. Is this definitely a good and efficient solution?

I plan on doing the same with my rooted Droid and wifi tether. That's one of the main reasons why I didn't pre-order the 3G Xoom. I know I'm not a power user so paying for a 3G enabled Xoom will probably not be the right decision for me. I figured I can wait maybe a month and hope that the wifi version of the Xoom will come out or at least a definitive release date can be announced. This gives me time to wait for my tax refund check so I can have extra cash to pay for the 3g Xoom or it can save me $200+ dollars by getting the wifi Xoom.

At the end, I know I'm gonna have a Xoom or better! I'm not going to settle for less than what the Xoom can give me.

 

[zdubin9]

Yeah well thats one of the benefits of convincing your parents to buy it for you. They are actually fine with paying for a whole months worth of 3G as well for 2G. idk how fast that will run out but ill just use my DX after that. Still trying to convince them to just pay for 3G every month too hahah

 

[xmr405o]

Yeah well thats one of the benefits of convincing your parents to buy it for you. They are actually fine with paying for a whole months worth of 3G as well for 2G. idk how fast that will run out but ill just use my DX after that. Still trying to convince them to just pay for 3G every month too hahah

Lol that's cool. Like I said that was just for my situation. 3g or wifi, the Xoom is gonna be a great device.

 

[Vehtemas]

Here's the thing, I heard a rumor they are offering $200 off the device if you sign a 2 year contract for 3g...

When 4g comes out I can see them trying to change the price (which would allow you to cancel at no cost to you), or they would be forced to keep the 4g pricing at $30 a month, which would be pretty damn nice.

I am thinking of going with the 3g just for the ability to always have the internet on me... Especially if I can get $200 off the device.

 

[rjoudrey]

i expect even casual users getting 3g because there is no wifi at the moment.

Does the 2 year contract change your thoughts on a data plan:

Motorola XOOM is Officially on for February 24, $799 Full Retail or $599 with 2-year Contract - Droid Life: A Droid Community Blog

 

[Vehtemas]

Is there a good meter read to determine how much of the 1GB/month you have used? Or just utilize the Verizon app that tells you?

 

[xmr405o]

Here's the thing, I heard a rumor they are offering $200 off the device if you sign a 2 year contract for 3g...

When 4g comes out I can see them trying to change the price (which would allow you to cancel at no cost to you), or they would be forced to keep the 4g pricing at $30 a month, which would be pretty damn nice.

I am thinking of going with the 3g just for the ability to always have the internet on me... Especially if I can get $200 off the device.

Very clever but I doubt they'll let you get out of the 3g contract.
But yeah the 2yr price is actually making me think haha. I know its gonna awesome for marctronixx! Your gadget prayers have been answered. That'll save u some cash!

 

[xmr405o]

Is there a good meter read to determine how much of the 1GB/month you have used? Or just utilize the Verizon app that tells you?

Either use the app or dial #data to get the info. I think that's what it is.

 

[Vehtemas]

Very clever but I doubt they'll let you get out of the 3g contract.
But yeah the 2yr price is actually making me think haha. I know its gonna awesome for marctronixx! Your gadget prayers have been answered. That'll save u some cash!

I guess I didn't think they would keep both the 3g and 4g active at the same time and would just upgrade the 3g tablets up to 4g.

Ah well, regardless I know it would be an additional 140 bucks over 2 years, but I think it may be worth it for the ability to use the internet ANYWHERE...

Hmm...

 

[Mitchrapp]

Does the 2 year contract change your thoughts on a data plan:

Motorola XOOM is Officially on for February 24, $799 Full Retail or $599 with 2-year Contract - Droid Life: A Droid Community Blog

Yep