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Editorials April 30, 2010
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Gear Diary Readers I Need Your Help!

Gear Diary Gear Diary Readers I Need Your Help! photo

I’m going to make this as brief as I possibly can in the hopes that you, the Gear Diary reader, reads through it and has time to leave me some advice by filling out the poll below.

Here’s the deal.

I have the WiFi iPad.  After having it for a week or so I picked up a Sprint Overdrive 4G hotspot.  I figured I’d use it along with the WiFi iPad until the 3G iPad I also ordered arrived.  Yes, I ordered both iPads.

Now it’s decision time.

The 3g iPad will be delivered 4/30.

I need to decide whether to keep the WiFi iPad along with the Sprint Overdrive OR return the Overdrive before my 30-day trial expires, sell the WiFi iPad and keep the 3G version.

Here’s the PROs & CONS I’ve come up with for both scenarios.

WiFi iPad & Sprint Overdrive

Pros: Works with up to 5 devices, will allow iPhone apps that are restricted to WiFi only to work most anywhere, 4G speeds in some parts of my area, Easy on, easy off, possibly better battery life on WiFi iPad due to lack of 3G.

Cons: 2-yr. contract, $60 per month, 5 Gig data cap, shorter battery, another device to carry.

3G iPad

Pros: Integrated wireless, no contract, $30 per month, GPS.

Cons: AT&T service, limited to iPad only, 3G speed, could have weaker battery than WiFi model.

So Gear Diary readers, if you were me what would you do?

Keep the WiFi iPad and the Sprint Overdrive OR return the Overdrive, sell the WiFi iPad and keep the 3G iPad?

It’s time to vote!

[poll id="3"]

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About LarryGreenberg

View all posts by LarryGreenberg
I have always had a passion for gear and gadgets. It all started for me with the release of the very first Palm Pilot. I've always had an interest in handheld electronics. From handheld PDAs, to cell phones, Mp3 players, watches and other products, I'm the first person my friends, family and colleagues call when they need advice on tech. I have roots in the online tech. forum community. I served as the Administrator to Howard Forums.com and as a Moderator at both Treo Central.com and Blackberry Forums.net. Under the screen name “lgreenberg” I've amassed 50,000+ postings. I also manage my own YouTube channel under the user name larrygreenberg. I'm always eager to help.
  • http://twitter.com/lgreenberg/status/13142650888 Larry Greenberg
    • myalteregohamish

      I’m in the same boat, I am on a 30 day eval with a sprint contract on a mifi device. 4G will not be in the area until the fall and even then they said that was speculation. So I chose the 3G device because the battery means more to me than the promise of higher bandwidth. But I’m on the fence about whether to keep this thing. On one hand I like the flexibility of it on the other I would love if it were directly integrated. I guess what it comes down to is that it’s kinda bootsie to carry a hotspot around in your breast pocket…..I don’t know I’ll probably just keep the mifi and just suck it up.

  • http://mike.karrmedia.com mikekarr

    You know, the 5 GB cap is only true in 3G areas. Unlimited in 4G.

  • Larry Greenberg

    @mikekarr – i do thanks. 4G is in some of my area, not all.

  • http://twitter.com/techvudu/status/13143007099 dino

    RT @GearDiarySite: Gear Diary Readers I Need Your Help! http://goo.gl/fb/gc9kM

  • http://twitter.com/brettcallow/status/13143214990 Brett Callow
  • http://twitter.com/breakinggadgets/status/13143468228 Breaking Gadget News

    Gear Diary Readers I Need Your Help! http://bit.ly/abt7NB

  • http://twitter.com/seanpek/status/13143538704 Sean Peck

    RT @BreakingGadgets Gear Diary Readers I Need Your Help! http://bit.ly/abt7NB

  • http://twitter.com/misha24/status/13143665865 misha24
  • http://www.geardiary.com Michael Anderson

    Tough call … my thought is it depends on how much non-iPad utility the 4G would get?

  • webbahboy

    Tough decision, Larry – though I would feel tempted by the 3G option because of the price.

  • The Yaz

    I know its $30 more a month, but with all of the technology you get your hands on, I just see an advantage to using Sprint’s service than AT&T. Besides, you can use the Overdrive for your laptop just as well :)

  • arvindr

    The way I look at it is that Larry saves $30 a month. In a year that is $360 which can be used to buy the next shiny thing (iPad 4G) that comes along. After all there is a lot of noise about ATT building 4G networks in the next few months or so.

    Not sure if this makes a difference and if so how but Verizon and ATT are going for LTE in their 4G offering whereas Sprint is WiMax. So who knows iPad 4G might even work on Verizon.

    Now about the laptop argument, if you already have a laptop connect card, does having overdrive mean, no more laptop connect card charges? If yes, then maybe you are saving more with the overdrive but then the inconvenience factor of carrying two+ things comes into play.

  • vicicasas

    Seen the iLounge article yet? The 3G iPad is running into snags with video apps that downscale the image (YouTube) or refuse to play entirely (ABC). I vote Overdrive.

  • runningman

    I agree with arvindr, it’s all about the bucks…plus we’re talking Sprint. Ask Judie…

    Bill

  • http://www.geardiary.com Douglas Moran

    I’d go with the 3G iPad, me; cheaper, one less device to lug about.