As with any kind of product release from the Apple camp, much has been written about the new iPad. Some of it has been bad, but as time goes on and people get used to the concept, it seems that the overall impression of the iPad has generally been positive.
The Apple iPad is certainly an unusual product because it’s not quite a home computer and isn’t a laptop or smartphone either. If you’re planning on just using it for reading ebooks then it’s perfect, but rather expensive. So, what better way to put it to good use than to make sure it can access a 3G mobile broadband supply.
One of the main strengths of this deliciously designed device is its portability, which means that it can be taken with you wherever you go. The iPad is certainly more compact than many rival computing devices, including many netbooks. It looks a whole lot better too. With a quick and easy connection to mobile broadband it can also be turned into a powerful computing tool.
Freedom is an iPad SIM card
Having a device that is so portable means you’re free to move around with it under your arm or in a bag. The only downside is that it’s not possible to make calls with the iPad, so you’ll still need a mobile or smartphone if you can’t rely solely on email and the internet. For these tasks, however, the iPad is an excellent and highly dependable gadget to have.
Getting access to mobile broadband with an Apple iPad is basically the same as using a laptop orsmartphone and works just as well. However, with a laptop you’d normally hook up to the mobile internet network using a plug in USB dongle or built-in card. The Apple iPad does away with all of this because it doesn’t have a USB port and you can’t use regular mobile phone SIM cards in it either.
The secret of the iPad SIM 3G card
What you’ll need to do in order to get online with an iPad is get yourself a special iPad SIM card. What’s more, you’ll need to splash out some extra cash in order to get the 3G version of the iPad because if you only go for the base-level version you can only get online using Wi-Fi. That’s all well and good, but for the sake of some extra money you’ll get a whole lot more use out of an iPad if it’s 3G-enabled.
Once you’ve acquired a 3G version of the iPad you’ll also need that special microSIM card. This is a small sliver of plastic and works along the same lines as a traditional mobile phone SIM. The main difference between the two is that the micro version is about half the size of a regular SIM. With one of these inserted into the chassis of the iPad you’ll instantly be able to gain access to the nationwide 3G broadband network.
Getting an iPad SIM card deal
If you shop around for an iPad micro SIM card deal then one of the main things you’ll notice is that offers are not all that common. Try using a free comparison website like Broadband Genie, which will give you an overview of what deals are available from mobile providers and also the lowdown on their terms and conditions. Buying an iPad SIM card is easy though, and in the space of a few mouse clicks you can order one that’ll get you online in no time.
As with most things Mac, setup is really straightforward. Simply insert the microSIM into the device, connect your iPad to an Apple Mac or Windows PC and launch iTunes. You’ll need to follow a few onscreen instructions that should have come included with your new card. When comparing deals, don’t forget to pick a package that will suit what you need to do online.
If you’re planning on really putting a 3G package through its paces, with lots of downloads, then be sure that your data allowance will cover this. Terms and conditions will always tell you what is included and any penalties if you go over the limits. You might want to add on an extra data allowance if you think you’ll be a heavy user.
Mobile freedom
Having an Apple iPad setup with 3G mobile broadband will allow you to get online in a variety of locations. Remember that the mobile signal can be dependent on coverage, however, but you may find that some areas are also better served by Wi-Fi hotspots. You can always find these areas at places like airports, cafes and fast food outlets throughout the UK.
Watch out for any conditions of use if you plan on going overseas though as data roaming charges can be very high if you tap into a mobile network while outside of the UK. Your package may not even work in another country, but either way, be sure to read up on what the mobile provider says about terms of use abroad. Another option is to buy a microSIM from a local network provider once you arrive at your destination.
Nevertheless, if you follow some simple guidelines then you can look forward to hours of online activity via this excellent new device. It may be expensive, but the iPad certainly delivers the goods in typically stylish Apple fashion.
About the author: Chris Marling writes on behalf of www.broadbandgenie.co.uk, the independent comparison website for broadband, mobile broadband and smartphones.
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