I've been patiently waiting for my work to stock the AT&T 3G version of the iPad 2, but as of yet, they have not done so. I'm tired of waiting, but I definitely want the 3G version, so I'm considering getting the Verizon 3G iPad 2, which my work does have in stock now. I've got the AT&T 3G iPad 1 with the grandfather unlimited 3G plan. I would really hate to lose it, but really, I've barely used more than 2GB of downloads over 3G in almost a year. I really think the unlimited plan is sort of overkill for my needs. I feel like I could save some money by changing to the Verizon 1GB monthly plan for $20, instead of the $29.99 I pay for the unlimited AT&T 3G service. Here are my questions. Has anybody here changed from the AT&T 3G ipad 1 to the Verizon 3G iPad 2? Are you satisified with your decision? Also, can anybody confirm whether Verizon is charging an activation fee for a new 3G plan? I've checked the interwebz, but there are conflicting reports and not much has been updated since early March. I really don't want to pay an extra $35 for the plan, especially since I have an existing AT&T plan that I could transfer if I were to get the AT&T 3G iPad 2. Is there anything else I need to consider? Overall, I think that my area is pretty well covered by both AT&T and Verizon 3G, so I don't think that's really a factor in my deicision at this point.
Well, I'm not sure anybody cares, but I bit the bullet and bought the Verizon 3G 64GB iPad 2. Can't wait to try it out. Fingers crossed that I don't have the bleeding issue or the 3G connectivity/roaming issue. After several days worth of research I decided it's probably a safe bet. I've got good Verizon coverage in my region. Plus, I'm due to upgrade my iPhone as soon as iPhone 5 is out, so if all else fails, I'll be able to tether the iPad to the iPhone 5. And, I'll have the Verizon iPad 2 and the AT&T iPhone 5, so it'll be the best of both worlds and double the coverage. I'll report after getting some time to compare them, in case anybody else is in the same situation as me.
I went with the Verizon iPad 2 for two reasons: 1) I couldn't get a damn AT&T 3G model anywhere (not even the ugly white ones)! Scalpers were in line 24/7 and buying up all the stock to send overseas. 2) I end up with 2 different cell networks for coverage (with AT&T on my iPhone 4), so if one does not work I can try the other... similar reasoning to yours. What I can say after using both for a while- I travel quite a bit, and found that Verizon supplies a fairly consistent 1.0 to 1.2 Mbps everywhere I have used the iPad 2. AT&T speeds are very dependent on your area. With my iPhone 4 I can see 3.5 to 4.0 Mbps in my home town, but at times as little as 0.3 to 0.4 Mbps when in other parts of the USA.
Well, I figure I might as well give an update for all of those on pins and needles wondering how things turned out. Not good, unfortunately. I purchased the Verizon 3G model. After setting up my 3G service, I found that I could barely connect to the network. My download speed wouldn't exceed 0.10Mbps in most cases and wouldn't even register an upload speed. That's SLOW! Many times, my connection would time out before even downloading anything. I took it to Apple and they said it was likely a hardware issue. Nobody would admit that the Verizon service in my area my be crappy. I didn't really want to exchange for another Verizon 3G iPad 2, so I swapped out for the AT&T model. I don't know if the Verizon network is that poor in my area, or if it truely was a hardware issue. At this point, I'll never know. I've got my shiny new AT&T model in front of me. Now, I just need to hope that none of the other issues (bleeding, dead pixels) are present in the new one. That's the worst, considering the Verizon model was perfect, except for the 3G antenna. Anyway, the iPad 2 is a great upgrade from the iPad 1. I was unlucky with the first one I got, but I'm hopeful that the new one is perfect. After a few hours of setup time tonight, I should be back in business.
Either my AT&T 3G iPad 2 doesn't have the bleeding issues, or it just isn't anywhere near as noticeable as has been suggested. In any case I've never noticed any problem with it. The 3G works well for me on my train/bus commute. I opted for the 250 MB plan and that has been working out. I don't stream audio with it, just browse the web, email, play online games like Carcassonne and Disc Drivin', etc. In my first month I used about 220 MB, and that actually did include some audio streaming before I decided to stick to doing that with my iPhone 4, where I've got an unlimited plan, so I expect I'll use a bit less this month.
I have the AT&T Unlimited 3G plan on my iPad 1. I plan to transfer that service to my iPad 2, so in the end, I think I'm in a better position with the AT&T model vs. the Verizon model. It's nice not having to monitor usage. I still have the unlimited plan on my iPhone as well.
