Wireless connectivity for tablet (Android or iPad). Advantages and disadvantages of the models with 3G and wifi connections

The tablet will not be as useful for work, but they certainly are convenient, enjoyable and also very useful to browse the internet and use applications from the couch, bed, and around.

For a tablet, be it of a Nexus 7, Kindle Fire or Samsung Galaxy with Android is that it is an iPad, the Internet is important because many apps they need to function.

My advice in this opinion article, is to always save a lot of money by buying the Wifi-only version, without 3G data connectivity.

The ability to be online almost anywhere using Wifi + 3G is certainly very attractive, but, for my point of view, not so important.

You can absolutely survive with an iPad or Android tablet without 3G, Wifi only with the following advantages.

First of all, any brand it is, a Tablet wifi only costs less.

Not only the price is lower, but also avoids having to enter into another contract with the telephone company subscription that will take a minimum of 10 euros per month for a traffic always limited.

The only expense to do would be, if there is not already, to a wifi router (about 60 Euro) in order to be able to connect to the internet from home Wifi.

Even not having a router, you can create a wifi hotspot from your computer with Windows 7.

We must consider that the tablet is not a phone then is rarely carried around outside the home or office.

Most of the time is used in a domestic setting, if covered with wifi, will be able to connect to the internet at any time, without paying any extra.

 

The obvious question then would be: If I travel, how do I connect to the internet with the iPad?

Although this is a false problem.

When you go around, especially abroad but also in Italy, there are always public hotspots to connect to the internet with wifi.

Generally they are present in bars and restaurants, especially the big chains.

In the hotel there is always or almost free Wi-Fi and the same goes for airports.

I do not think there is anyone who needs an iPad when it goes on the beach or on the ski slopes and in any case, even if the tablet had the 3G, it would not be sure there's field to navigate and find the line (as it takes make believe TV commercials).

 

However, if you would need internet connection and there was not near a wifi hotspot, you can easily create a hotspot for the occasion.

It is enough to have a cell phone Android smartphone or an iPhone that has the ability to connect to the internet with 3G and you can share the connection by connecting the tablet.

Almost all Android smartphones, iPhone, Windows Phone has the function hotspot or tethering to extend 3G wireless connection, turning your phone into a real modem.

The only drawback to this is that the phone battery will run out much sooner because the hotspot function is quite power hungry, but if you can connect the phone to a power socket the problem does not arise.

Obviously there will need a subscription mobile internet, if you have a smartphone, you should already have.

 

A tablet can then be used for many things, even without an internet connection, for example, to play, to read a book or read the email.

You can also surf the internet without a connection, if you want to revisit a web page already visited before.

There are several applications that allow to read articles and open websites offline without connection, as for example, Pocket.

If you are watching a video on YouTube, after it has been loaded, it can be seen without internet thanks to caching.

 

Who needs an iPad 3G then?

After you have proven that you can live without data connection, there may be people who really need a 3G connection.

For example, those who use the iPad for business and need to connect quickly even from outside the office.

Even those who use the tablet like a computer, such as main point of access to the internet might prefer to have the 3G connection.

For all other clinical, my advice is to save money and buy a tablet WiFi only because there is no need any more.

 

20/11/2012

 

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Translated via software

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Source:

Italian version of ReteArchitetti.it