Quote:
Originally Posted by njbchbum
how does one connect to the internet with an ipad2 - do you have to have an internet service provider? if i use at&t for my isp can i use the same contract for an ipad2? would i be able to use an ipad2 while riding in the car between maine and florida? i think i want one but i know so little about them.
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They are great devices, but don't entirely replace a laptop for some uses. I would read about them more on the internet or browse the book section at a bookstore.
There are 2 ways to connect to the internet with an ipad: wifi using 802.11n and a 3 G network just like a phone uses. The 3 G option would be a different contract from the one you currently have. For wifi you can use ATT if they are your provider at your home. Riding in a car from Maine to Florida would be good, but the battery might fade as it is good for around 11 hours. There are chargers and probably it wouldn't be in use the whole trip. It kind of depends on what you want to use it for as you ride.
Keep in mind a 3G will cost more initially and there is a charge or the data plan. I wouldn't suggest watching a movie in the car as it would gobble up bandwidth. I didn't bother with the 3 G network. Wifi was good enough. Plus if I wanted to briefly go on the web I could use my iphone. You can always use the wifi in a restaurant or hotel to check on messages, make reservations, plan your route, check the weather, do a video conference, etc.
I you did go with the 3G you pay by the month. So say you are traveling in July you can activate the 3 G for that month and cancel from the ipad when finished. It might be $25 a month. The 3 G option adds $130 to the price of the ipad. So instead of $499 for the entry level model it would now be $629.
For the next few months, until sometime in September with the release of iOS5, you will need a computer to set up the ipad. Some retailers such as an Apple store or maybe Best Buy will set it up for you.
While not driving I can use the ipad for music, playing games, reading a book that I downloaded, etc. That 1150 mile ride never gets as boring as it was in the past.
If you are currently in The Villages keep in mind that there is a Mac User group that has a SIG (special interest group) that meets on the second Wednesday of the month at Paradise Rec Center. This is a good place to learn and get help. The 9am group deals with the iphone and ipad.
ipads are on back order due to increased demand.It might take a week or two.