I have a wifi mini, now im considering cellular. Opinions?

[Sonicrobby]

Currently have my wifi iPad mini and loving it. I'm getting a good amount of cash back from taxes this year! And this happens to coincide with my new obsession: getting rid of the need for my phone. And Ive found a way to eliminate the need for it. [If you want details, read the next paragraph, if you want the gist of it, read the last paragraph]

I use my mini way more than my iPhone, and I have the mini on me more than my phone, especially around the house. I tend to not notice missed calls and texts for hours because my phone is in another room. For me, the iPhone is the additional device I'm carrying around (just in case someone calls or texts me) while my mini is the main device. But lately I've discovered an app called millitalk, which can send and receive calls and texts with a unique cell number on a prepaid plan. Anyway, this app on the mini basically eliminates my need for a separate phone. The issue is I'd need cellular service in order to get the calls/texts when I'm away from a wifi zone.

My phone contract is nearly up, so this is the perfect time to start considering my options. I'm planning on getting the new mini with cellular upon its release, but that probably won't be till October (rumors). So my question to you fellow users, should I wait till the mini 2 to go for the cellular? Or should I get the cellular mini 1 and cancel my phone plan now (which will definitely be saving me a lot of money)? And I know what you all are thinking, "first world problems..." But any advice you give will definite impact my decision! Thanks!

 

[skimonkey]

Decisions, decisions! That's a tough call-to me, I'd wait for the new version to come out and hope it has new guts in it!

You can do a poll from the website if you wish, by pressing the thread tool. See the pic below.




Skimonkey ~~ sent from my iPad using iPF

 

[goofy8275]

Currently have my wifi iPad mini and loving it. I'm getting a good amount of cash back from taxes this year! And this happens to coincide with my new obsession: getting rid of the need for my phone. And Ive found a way to eliminate the need for it. [If you want details, read the next paragraph, if you want the gist of it, read the last paragraph]

I use my mini way more than my iPhone, and I have the mini on me more than my phone, especially around the house. I tend to not notice missed calls and texts for hours because my phone is in another room. For me, the iPhone is the additional device I'm carrying around (just in case someone calls or texts me) while my mini is the main device. But lately I've discovered an app called millitalk, which can send and receive calls and texts with a unique cell number on a prepaid plan. Anyway, this app on the mini basically eliminates my need for a separate phone. The issue is I'd need cellular service in order to get the calls/texts when I'm away from a wifi zone.

My phone contract is nearly up, so this is the perfect time to start considering my options. I'm planning on getting the new mini with cellular upon its release, but that probably won't be till October (rumors). So my question to you fellow users, should I wait till the mini 2 to go for the cellular? Or should I get the cellular mini 1 and cancel my phone plan now (which will definitely be saving me a lot of money)? And I know what you all are thinking, "first world problems..." But any advice you give will definite impact my decision! Thanks!

Wish I could do a poll from the iPF app >.<

Have you checked out the MiFi? It can put cellular on a WiFi device, I think it might be compatible with iPad mini, something to look into.

From the iPad of Goofy8275, iPadForums.net user

 

[Sonicrobby]

Decisions, decisions! That's a tough call-to me, I'd wait for the new version to come out and hope it has new guts in it!

You can do a poll from the website if you wish, by pressing the thread tool. See the pic below.

<img src="http://www.ipadforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=35409"/>

Skimonkey ~~ sent from my iPad using iPF

I know what you mean, the thought of the retina display might be enough to make me wait. But it could be 8 months away, or even 3. Rumors rumors rumors, always impacting my decisions...

And thanks! Got one up there now :]

 

[Sonicrobby]

Have you checked out the MiFi? It can put cellular on a WiFi device, I think it might be compatible with iPad mini, something to look into.

From the iPad of Goofy8275, iPadForums.net user

I have thought of this option, and it had me considering it for a while, but I'm seeking more to eliminate the need to carry multiple devices is what got me to go against it.

 

[skimonkey]

I know what you mean, the thought of the retina display might be enough to make me wait. But it could be 8 months away, or even 3. Rumors rumors rumors, always impacting my decisions...

And thanks! Got one up there now :]

Ok, Sir-I just voted! I had my eye on a mini myself when they first came out, but then other circumstances came about. So...I will wait for the new one to come to compliment my iPad 2. In the meantime, I will be picking up a MacBook Air tomorrow!

 

[goofy8275]

In the meantime, I will be picking up a MacBook Air tomorrow!

Lucky! I'm really hurting for a MacBook Pro...

From the iPad of Goofy8275, iPadForums.net user

 

[skimonkey]

Lucky! I'm really hurting for a MacBook Pro...

From the iPad of Goofy8275, iPadForums.net user

Yes, it's time to replace the desktop running wish less then 1 Gb of RAM!

 

[KevinJS]

Ok, Sir-I just voted! I had my eye on a mini myself when they first came out, but then other circumstances came about. So...I will wait for the new one to come to compliment my iPad 2. In the meantime, I will be picking up a MacBook Air tomorrow!

Good for you, Ski. I'll be joining you soon, hopefully. I finally decided to go the MBA route, rather than the MBP. My main computer will still be at home so the Windows beast will give way to an iMac in the fullness of time.

To get back to the question, I love having two compatible devices so, while I can see the sense in having one device and cramming all of my use into that one, I wouldn't get rid of my iPhone.

 

[Kaykaykay]

This might be of interest: iPhone 6 tipped to team with iPhone 5S inside 2013 - SlashGear

 

[AQ_OC]

I would wait if at all possible. I'm hoping there will be more in the mini 2 than just a retina screen. More RAM and faster processor too.

 

[wrathchild]

You really don't need a cellular model. I've been using the mifi I bought from walmart for the past two months and it works great. And it's dirt cheap. The device is super thin and small and cost about $80. The best part is that you get the choice of two types of plans. With the $10 card you can either have 1.5GB for 30 days or 500MB for a year. The $20 card gives you 3GB for 30 days or 1.5GB for a year. And the $45 card gives you 8GB for 30 days or 4GB for a year. 500MB last me for almost two months using the mifi for around 20 minutes a day every day while at work (minis my days off of course) and that's more than enough for me. Never lost connections and the speed is always fast. As long as you just want to surf the internet and not download files, stream movies, or play games online than it's the perfect thing for you. I bet a $45 card will more than last me for a entire year. Highly recommend it.

http://www.internet-go.com/

 

[scifan57]

One of the advantages of the iPads with cellular capability is the inclusion of GPS. If you have a need for the iPad as a navigation tool, then the cellular model makes sense, even if you never use the cellular data capability.

 

[Sonicrobby]

One of the advantages of the iPads with cellular capability is the inclusion of GPS. If you have a need for the iPad as a navigation tool, then the cellular model makes sense, even if you never use the cellular data capability.

This is true, I forgot about that.

I think I made my decision to wait for the mini 2. I'm an impatient person, but I will need to force myself this time :[
Thanks everyone for your input!

 

[skimonkey]

You really don't need a cellular model. I've been using the mifi I bought from walmart for the past two months and it works great. And it's dirt cheap. The device is super thin and small and cost about $80. The best part is that you get the choice of two types of plans. With the $10 card you can either have 1.5GB for 30 days or 500MB for a year. The $20 card gives you 3GB for 30 days or 1.5GB for a year. And the $45 card gives you 8GB for 30 days or 4GB for a year. 500MB last me for almost two months using the mifi for around 20 minutes a day every day while at work (minis my days off of course) and that's more than enough for me. Never lost connections and the speed is always fast. As long as you just want to surf the internet and not download files, stream movies, or play games online than it's the perfect thing for you. I bet a $45 card will more than last me for a entire year. Highly recommend it.

http://www.internet-go.com/

Hmm...I will have to look at this. I bought a virginMobile unit about a year and half ago and they increased the rates. I like the idea of being able to pay for a month or a year if you want to.

Thanks for sharing this.