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iPad advice please

GrannyA

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Posted January 17, 2012 at 6:10PM

My husband would love an iPad for his birthday in February. We can afford the iPad but I am told that one then has to have a contract in order to use the internet part. Is this true and how much is it likely to cost. Also, does that mean that traveling with the iPad could prove costly i.e. cost of internet abroad. Also, if the iPad is bought in US will it work anywhere? Granny A

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john bunyan

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Posted January 17, 2012 at 9:11PM

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Noldi

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Posted January 22, 2012 at 9:48PM

i have a iPad but only connect to the internet via a wireless connection at home in Hotels or where I'm working. i believe that the iPad you mention is the 3G with a sim card and for that you need a provider o2 or simular, if you require mobile internet while on a train etc then that is the one. Because I have internet via my phone i dont require it on a iPad while on the move.

Noldi

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GrannyA

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Posted January 22, 2012 at 10:24PM

Thank you both for your replies which have been most helpful. Just need to know now if a US purchased iPad would work here - can anyone help with that? GrannyA

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KRONOS the First

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Posted January 23, 2012 at 5:46AM

This will depend on whether you buy the Wi-Fi model or the 3G model and then there are versions of the 3G model also. A bit of reading for you here: Google.

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Woolwell

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Posted January 24, 2012 at 11:44AM

An iPad is primarily charged through the mains (it does not normally charge through a PC's USB port). A US supplied iPad will come with a US plug but an adaptor can be fitted. A wifi version works universally. My son brings a US version to UK without any problems. 3G is a different matter. Personally I haven't missed 3G. You can use a smartphone as a wifi hotspot for the iPad but this can drain the phone's battery.

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Noldi

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Posted January 25, 2012 at 7:16PM

did as Wollwell suggested today and run a Wifi hotspot through my htc. no problems to watch Sky Go on iPad.

Noldi

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Condom

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Posted January 27, 2012 at 12:33AM

Her indoors has just returned from 4 months touring overseas with her new iPad. She was able to keep in communication using local wifi set ups be it in hotels, cafe's or whatever. Many were free but she had to pay in a few countries, especiallt Australia where she found the charges higher than she expected but not expensive.

iPad's come unlocked so will work in any country and they are not like iPhones where most seem to be locked into phone network suppliers.

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Forum Editor

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Posted January 27, 2012 at 11:12PM

You can access the internet on your iPad via a micro SIM which you can get from your mobile phone provider. I use mine with a T-Mobile SIM, and I get excellent internet access all over the UK for a few pounds a month.

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Woolwell

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Posted January 27, 2012 at 11:15PM

FE - To clarify that is only for the 3G versions.

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