Ipads and Verizon Unlimited February 23, 2018, 12:55:44 pm Picked up a tidbit at the VZ store today. If you buy an Ipad from VZ, it has a SIM chip that connects to the iPhone and data is unlimited on the phone and pad. [If you have the Unlimited plan] No SIM chip, the Ipad is throttled at 15GB. If I had only known this tidbit before buying the iPads. 2 Likes
Re: Ipads and Verizon Unlimited Reply #1 – February 23, 2018, 01:10:17 pm Quote from: Don Malpas - February 23, 2018, 12:55:44 pmPicked up a tidbit at the VZ store today. If you buy an Ipad from VZ, it has a SIM chip that connects to the iPhone and data is unlimited on the phone and pad. [If you have the Unlimited plan] No SIM chip, the Ipad is throttled at 15GB. If I had only known this tidbit before buying the iPads.Have you checked to see if a Verizon SIM card can be installed?Larry
Re: Ipads and Verizon Unlimited Reply #3 – February 23, 2018, 02:46:59 pm Quote from: Larry W - February 23, 2018, 01:10:17 pmHave you checked to see if a Verizon SIM card can be installed?LarryIf you purchased a 'wi-fI only 'model of an iPad, a SIM card cannot be added.Ed
Re: Ipads and Verizon Unlimited Reply #4 – February 23, 2018, 04:02:33 pm The information you got was incomplete at best.First, as Ed pointed out, the least expensive, Wi-Fi-only iPad models can't connect to a cellular network. (Of course Verizon doesn't sell those.) For about $130 more you get 1) cellular capability and 2) a built-in GPS receiver. (You can't get one without the other.) For an RVer it's probably worth the extra cost. Even if you don't use the iPad on a cell network, the GPS is invaluable for trip planning and navigating.Second, any cellular/GPS model iPad made in the past few years can be given a Verizon (or AT&T or other carrier's) SIM card. If you don't already have one, you can walk into any Verizon store and buy one for ten bucks. They can install it for you, or you can do it yourself--you just pop out a tiny tray on the iPad's side, place the card in the tray and slide it back in.Third, once you have a Verizon SIM in your iPad, you can choose any of a variety of Verizon data plans and apply that plan at any time. Buying an iPad from a Verizon store (usually the most expensive way to get one) has nothing to do with what plan you choose, unless you let them talk you into whatever plan they're pushing that week. Even then you can change the plan after you get home. There is no "store special."Fourth, Verizon's "unlimited" plans, like those of other carriers, have a bunch of strings attached. They are not actually unlimited--at least, not if you think "unlimited" means as much data as you care to use at a fast download/upload speed. Nobody will give you that at a fixed price. All these "unlimited" plans let the carrier substantially reduce ("throttle") your data rate after some amount of usage. Complicating things, that amount is usually not a hard and fast limit--if you're in an area where the local cell tower isn't heavily used, you may get away with overrunning the throttling limit, whereas in a busy area it may be strictly enforced and you may find your internet connection suddenly turning into molasses.To summarize: if you have an iPad with cellular/GPS capability (not a Wi-Fi-only model), you can add a Verizon SIM to it anytime, and choose whatever Verizon data plan suits you. If you buy your iPad from a Verizon store, you won't get any special deal on data.When shopping for an iPad (or other Apple product), you may want to consider getting an Apple-refurbished unit. These are run through the same tests and quality control checks as any new iPad, and they are given new batteries and new cases--no scuffs or scratches. They come with a one-year warranty. They're packed with all the standard accessories. In short, they are indistinguishable from brand new merchandise, but cost significantly less. I've bought a number of iPads, iPhones and macBook laptops this way over the years and have never had any reason to complain.Oh, and in case it wasn't obvious: never believe anything a cell phone salesperson tells you. ;-) 4 Likes
Re: Ipads and Verizon Unlimited Reply #5 – February 23, 2018, 04:26:14 pm Quote from: Don Malpas - February 23, 2018, 12:55:44 pmPicked up a tidbit at the VZ store today. If you buy an Ipad from VZ, it has a SIM chip that connects to the iPhone and data is unlimited on the phone and pad. [If you have the Unlimited plan] No SIM chip, the Ipad is throttled at 15GB. If I had only known this tidbit before buying the iPads.Rumor has it that Apple is coming out with new iPads next month.Don, you can be the first kid on your block to have the latest toy. 👍Ed
Re: Ipads and Verizon Unlimited Reply #6 – February 23, 2018, 05:15:22 pm Andy, some of the refurbished ipads on the link you provided state "for AT&T." Would those work on a Verizon plan? For instance, this one:Refurbished iPad mini 2 Wi-Fi + Cellular for AT&T 32GB - Silver - Apple
Re: Ipads and Verizon Unlimited Reply #7 – February 23, 2018, 05:17:58 pm Quote from: Ed 111 - February 23, 2018, 04:26:14 pmRumor has it that Apple is coming out with new iPads next month.Don, you can be the first kid on your block to have the latest toy. 👍EdNow that Andy has fully explained it, please buy one for me. Refurbished is good. Not being up on anything, I bought a wi-fi only iPad two months back so I could be like Dorothy.
Re: Ipads and Verizon Unlimited Reply #8 – February 23, 2018, 05:24:29 pm More Verizon obfuscation- I went to their unlimited plan for my iPhone, but learned that under that plan one cannot use the phone as a hotspot for the iPad. So I went back to the 10gb plan, where this function is available. Perhaps what the salesman was trying to say is that if you buy the iPad from Verizon you can tether or hotspot the unlimited plan via their phone with the iPad? Who knows. Whatever he said, will likely change next month. The confused state of affairs in cell plans may be the result of healthy competition (thanks to T-Mobile), melded with cell company economics. My excitement over cell plans, coverage, devices is declining. Unfortunately, web functions are so bandwidth hungry simple 3G/4G connections are becoming less and less useable.
Re: Ipads and Verizon Unlimited Reply #9 – February 23, 2018, 05:49:25 pm “ More Verizon obfuscation- I went to their unlimited plan for my iPhone, but learned that under that plan one cannot use the phone as a hotspot for the iPad”?We have the VZ Unlimited plan and routinely put an iPhone in the Sleek booster and use that phones hotspot function to access WiFi on two iPads. Just as a test, right now I’m connected to my iPhone hotspot and not my house wireless router.Between our two iPhones and one VZ JetPack we get 45 gigs(15 per device)/ month of 4G Service. Much more than we need but if we feel like streaming something on Netflix we can.Ed
Re: Ipads and Verizon Unlimited Reply #10 – February 23, 2018, 08:20:15 pm I think it depends on which unlimited plan one has. I just know mine didn’t work, and the Verizon help tech at their help phone line told me no dice. Went back to 10gb and problem solved. I was hot spotting directly from the phone to the iPad as I always do. With a cell system, if you got what you like, don’t mess with it.
Re: Ipads and Verizon Unlimited Reply #11 – February 23, 2018, 08:40:34 pm Quote from: HiLola - February 23, 2018, 05:15:22 pmAndy, some of the refurbished ipads on the link you provided state "for AT&T." Would those work on a Verizon plan? For instance, this one:Refurbished iPad mini 2 Wi-Fi + Cellular for AT&T 32GB - Silver - AppleReading the tech specs for that product, I see this:CDMA EV-DO Rev. A and Rev. B (800, 1900 MHz)LTE (Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26)My understanding is that if it works with CDMA, it works with Verizon. (Verizon is the only major carrier that uses CDMA technology.) My guess is that when Apple's description says this iPad is for AT&T, they just mean it comes with an AT&T SIM card. Swap in a Verizon SIM (I've done this repeatedly with my various iPads) and you should be able to set it up with a Verizon data plan, or add it to your existing Verizon plan.However, if you want to be really sure, call up Apple and ask before buying. I wouldn't want to lead you astray.By the way, that iPad Mini 2 is an older model. The Mini 2 (I own one) is fine for casual web surfing and emailing, but some of today's more demanding software isn't exactly speedy on this model. You might want to consider an iPad Mini 4 instead. It has a faster processor, a much better camera (for both stills and video), Touch ID, and a bunch of other enhancements. For eighty bucks more than the one you mentioned, you get all this and twice the storage (64 GB). I also have one of these, and it's my favorite iPad. Just a thought. :-) 1 Likes
Re: Ipads and Verizon Unlimited Reply #12 – February 23, 2018, 09:27:12 pm Quote from: HiLola - February 23, 2018, 05:15:22 pmAndy, some of the refurbished ipads on the link you provided state "for AT&T." Would those work on a Verizon plan? For instance, this one:Refurbished iPad mini 2 Wi-Fi + Cellular for AT&T 32GB - Silver - AppleFor less money you can get the current model, 9.7” iPad 32 gig from VZ *if* you are good with a 2 year contract and ready to part with $260.Apple iPad 9.7 | Price, Reviews, Accessories | Verizon WirelessFor an extra $100 you can get the 128 gig version. That would be my personal choice.As Andy pointed out, why spend good money on yesterday’s technology.Ed 1 Likes
Re: Ipads and Verizon Unlimited Reply #13 – February 24, 2018, 09:53:29 am Quote from: Ed 111 - February 23, 2018, 09:27:12 pmFor less money you can get the current model, 9.7” iPad 32 gig from VZ *if* you are good with a 2 year contract and ready to part with $260.Apple iPad 9.7 | Price, Reviews, Accessories | Verizon WirelessFor an extra $100 you can get the 128 gig version. That would be my personal choice.As Andy pointed out, why spend good money on yesterday’s technology.That is tempting! I wonder if Verizon would require we upgrade our plan? At present, we have the 2 GB plan which suits our needs right now.
Re: Ipads and Verizon Unlimited Reply #14 – February 24, 2018, 10:22:58 am "For less money you can get the current model, 9.7" iPad 32 gig from VZ *if* you are good with a 2 year contract and ready to part with $260."The 9.7" base-model iPad is indeed a very good deal, if you want that size. Greg (HiLola) had asked about the iPad Mini, so I was responding to that. But the 9.7" version is very attractively priced, and has somewhat better specs than the Mini. If you prefer a larger screen, it's definitely worth considering.Choice of size is a personal thing. I've owned several of the 9.7" iPads as well as two of the Minis, and while the larger screen is nice for my aging eyes, I've found that for me, the Mini is the iPad I use every day. It's about the size of a Kindle, and just "feels right" to carry around with me from room to room.But I'm not trying to talk anybody into anything. I suggest going to a store where you can handle both sizes, and getting a feel for them before deciding. 1 Likes
Re: Ipads and Verizon Unlimited Reply #15 – February 24, 2018, 10:49:49 am Good thoughts, Andy! We currently have a mini and I do like that size but, as you said, aging eyes . . . And I won't even talk about this 5c phone I now have!
Re: Ipads and Verizon Unlimited Reply #16 – February 24, 2018, 12:19:27 pm Whichever choice you make, remember what you hear time and again:People rarely complain because they haveToo much truckToo much solar powerToo much money, orToo much memory in their computer/device/phone.😊Ed 1 Likes
Re: Ipads and Verizon Unlimited Reply #17 – February 24, 2018, 12:38:57 pm "And I won't even talk about this 5c phone I now have!"Yes, that's one place where I did go for the larger model. I have an iPhone 7 Plus, and I very much prefer the larger screen... even though I did end up buying shirts with larger pockets to hold it!Of course, the "Plus" models also have dual cameras--wide angle and telephoto--which I love, since I use my phone as my everyday camera. The tele camera gets a lot of use, and Portrait Mode rocks--blurs the background as if I were shooting with a DSLR. (See attached photos.)Funny how a phone that fits in my shirt pocket has mostly replaced the camera case full of SLRs and lenses I used to carry around. I'm pretty much a technological optimist, but ten years ago I never would have predicted this! 3 Likes
Re: Ipads and Verizon Unlimited Reply #18 – February 24, 2018, 04:50:36 pm Looks like Costco has some good pricing on iPads but the only ones they seem to carry that have cellular are the Pro models. I don't know what the difference is between the Pro and standard models:Apple Cellular & WiFi iPads & Tablets | Costco
Re: Ipads and Verizon Unlimited Reply #19 – February 24, 2018, 07:41:14 pm This article may apply to those considering swapping SIM cards:Verizon To Begin Locking Phones, Starts Down Slippery Slope – Mobile...
Re: Ipads and Verizon Unlimited Reply #20 – February 24, 2018, 07:51:35 pm "I don't know what the difference is between the Pro and standard models"Here are the tech specs pages for the iPad Pro and standard iPad models. Skimming them, the main differences I see are that the Pro has a bigger screen (10.5" vs. 9.7"), a faster processor (A10X vs. A9), and a better camera (12 megapixels vs. 8 megapixels, f/1.8 vs. f/2.4 lens) and the niceties that go with it (optical image stabilization, etc.).And of course a higher price.
Re: Ipads and Verizon Unlimited Reply #21 – February 25, 2018, 01:55:53 am Quote from: Andy Baird - February 24, 2018, 07:51:35 pm"I don't know what the difference is between the Pro and standard models"Here are the tech specs pages for theAnd of course a higher price.Can an Apple Pencil be used on the standard model? It's a feature that I would fine very useful.It's not listed either spec page.Apple Pencil - AppleLarry
Re: Ipads and Verizon Unlimited Reply #22 – February 25, 2018, 06:57:57 am Quote from: Larry W - February 25, 2018, 01:55:53 amCan an Apple Pencil be used on the standard model? It's a feature that I would fine very useful.It's not listed either spec page.Apple Pencil - AppleLarryThe Apple Pencil works with the iPad Pro only.Ed
Re: Ipads and Verizon Unlimited Reply #23 – February 25, 2018, 12:04:54 pm "The Apple Pencil works with the iPad Pro only."Thanks, Ed--I should have mentioned that.I've tried a variety of styluses with my non-Pro iPads over the years, and while they worked, none of them gave precise control--they had about the same accuracy as a fingertip. But recently a new class of styluses has appeared on the market, using electronic means to somehow simulate a fine-pointed pen or pencil. I recently bought this Heiyo "active" stylus, and it does indeed provide fine control.Is it as good as an Apple Pencil? No. It isn't pressure-sensitive, so line widths or opacities don't vary as you press harder. And it doesn't respond to tilt angle. But it does give fine-line control that wasn't possible with any other stylus I've used. It works with any iPad, including non-Pro models such as my iPad Mini 4. (But not with iPhones; they sell a separate model for those.) And it's only thirty five bucks. So it might be worth a try. As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Re: Ipads and Verizon Unlimited Reply #24 – February 26, 2018, 03:43:45 am Quote from: Andy Baird - February 25, 2018, 12:04:54 pm I recently bought this Heiyo "active" stylus, and it does indeed provide fine control. it does give fine-line control that wasn't possible with any other stylus I've used. It works with any iPad, including non-Pro models such as my iPad Mini 4. (But not with iPhones; they sell a separate model for those.) And it's only thirty five bucks. So it might be worth a try.The Heiyo appears to do what I want, thanks for the link. It's a lot cheaper than buying a iPad Pro and a Apple Pencil.Now, if I could write on the laptop's screen, I would be even happier.Larry As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
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