3G Or Not 3G

[Smowball]

I'm just abourt to order my son's birthday present online- a tablet - and have noticed that it comes in 2 versions, one with 3G and one without. but they are the same price. Im not very clued up on all that so what is the benefit of the 3G and which is better? TIA

[Jomlett]

3G is a must, but most companies are now offering 4G.

[Old_Geezer]

That is the question.

I'm no tablet expert but I figure you could dispense with mobile comms data connections if you always used WiFi, but I'm unsure tablets are sold like that. What was the one without 3G offering ?

[Ellipsis]

I am surprised they are the same price, but "With 3G" won't be much good unless you sign up for a mobile contract, which you may be committing to if you buy that version of the tablet - so take care.

In most circumstances the best value solution is "Without 3G". Normally you have access to a wifi connection and, even if you don't, it should be possible for your tablet to piggyback (the technical term is "tether") onto your mobile phone's data connection if it needs to connect to the Internet and there's no wifi available.

[mccfluff]

the one without 3g will only work online with wifi . the one with 3g will work in with wifi and data roaming, like a mobile & like a mobile you will need a sim with a data allowance

[Smowball]

Totally different answers lol

[VHG]

A tablet without 3G will only work with Wi-Fi, so you have to be near a wireless router. Many homes now have a wireless router but also many shops, pubs, restaurants also have wi fi.

I would guess most tablets people buy are wi fi only.

But some tablets come with wi fi AND 3G.

So they do wi fi like all tablets.

But the ones with 3G can also act like a mobile phone, you put a sim in it and you can connect to the internet anywhere, even if there is no wi fi around.

However you will have to pay for the sim (monthly charge) so that will be an on going cost.

If you buy the wi fi only device it will have no on going cost.

[mccfluff]

how is he going to use the tablet - in the house only connected to the wifi - you don't need 3g

if he's likely to take it to out & about & will not always have access to wifi you need the 3g version

[Old_Geezer]

Not that different. Just disagreement that 3G is a must. Is your son planning to always use it via WiFi or does he want to be able to use it anywhere using his mobile phone account data allowance ? Did any of them have 4G :-)

[Smowball]

he will be using it at home 90% of the time and connecting to our router. Very occasionally when he stays with grandparents I guess he would want to take it there - they also have a router?

[Old_Geezer]

Oh plus the tethering option of course.

[Jomlett]

Then WiFi only, Snowball.

[Old_Geezer]

If they have a WiFi router then 3G isn't vital. But given they are the same price, find out why.

[mccfluff]

sounds like he only needs wifi version BUT if the price is the same, why not get the 3g enabled, then if you need it, you have it

[Smowball]

Ahh brilliant. Thankyou muchly xx

[-Talbot-]

If they are the same price then it is a no-brainer, get the 3G.

VHG has stated there is on going extra cost but that is not the case.
You buy credits and only get charged when using the 3G, a monthly contract is not needed.

[Mick-the-Miller]

Yes, it depends where he's going to use if - if it's at home and you have access to broadband then you'd only need the wifi version - if it's somewhere else you'd need a 3g SIMS card.

[Sycamore3House]

I have 3G on my ipad2. I have wifi at home & quite a few places I go also have wifi (pub, coffee shops, even the gym). I am with BT for my broadband package & I can also pick up their hotspots when I am out & about at no extra charge. I also have a PAYG sim in my ipad which if I top up costs me £10 per month on O2. I usually only do this when I am away from home and know I can get online easily. Personally I think 3G is great as you can get on line anywhere.

[woofgang]

if they are the same price, does the one with 3g come with less storage or a slower processor? Do check as this is not usual.

[hc4361]

I have a wifi only tablet and on the very rare occasions I need to use it where there is no wifi I connect it to my smartphone via the smartphone's hotspot facility.

[Daffy6543]

Get it with if the prices are the same!