Just bought an iPad 1st Gen

[thesoulyearns]

OK, just bought an iPad 1st gen as a present for mum and completely stuffed it. Typical of me... figured the term "wi-fi" meant it already had the internet and it was ready to go. Turns out, no... you need to purchase the internet separately. (unless I'm wrong?)

So, I guess my question is: Can this iPad have 3G put into it, even though the model didn't actually come with 3G? Basically, I'd like her to browse the net and not worry about payment or anything, so she can use it at wi-fi hotspots, at home, etc. At least, that's how I think it works. She has a Kindle and is able to download books from home, and that came with wi-fi.

Thanks for any help...

[yarmak]

if you can go to an apple store and ask?

[digital*ghost]

Wi-Fi means it can connect to the internet using radio signals (or something), i.e. without wires etc, but you still need need to be able to access a network connection that will transmit the signal wirelessly in order to connect that way. (You can get wi-fi adpaters if your home 'net doesn't have it). It may be, if your mum doesn't have a dedicated service, one of her neighbours has an unsecured connection that she can access, or lives close enough to a wi-fi hotspot. 

Unless the model you purchased was 3G capable, I'm pretty sure it can only connect via wi-fi. (I don't know for sure, I just did a quick google).

[thesoulyearns]

Thanks, D*G. We're not connected to a network or anything, so 3G would have been the only one we could use. It's all ready to go but it just isn't connected to a network. I guess she could ask the neighbours but I'll probably just ask at an Apple store. On the verge of just re-selling it and getting one with 3G but I'd really need to know exactly how the internet works. I want her to be able to use it (ideally) at home and at wi-fi hotspots. I think we're in a wi-fi area, since the Kindle works fine from home. I tried the internet earlier and nothing - so it does need a network as you said.

[digital*ghost]

I'm not all that tech-savvy, so I'm definitely not an authority on this, but if you don't have a net connection of any sort at home, the kindle probably has an inbuilt card.

I use a USB modem for my computer, which connects to the 3G network and is wi-fi capable (for up to 5 devices at any one time - password protected access though 😉 ). You could always get something like that as while not the cheapest 'net access around overall, it's portable and you can buy the modems outright, then pre-pay for data usage blocks. 

[ausfast]

You can connect to any free Wifi "hotspots" around cafe's or Mcdonalds and browse the internet without any charge.

The one that has 3G + Wifi allows you to connect to Wifi hotspots PLUS it also allows you to  connect to Mobile Phone towers giving you more coverage and it acts more like a mobile phone (without the ability to make calls).

If you want to use 3G it is not a free service, you will need to buy a simcard from Telstra, optus etc just like you would for a mobile phone and insert it into the iPad.

This is something that you will need to recharge when it expires (You can buy data packs of 1, 6, 12 months for example).

The Kindle's 3G service is quite unique in that Kindle has (somehow?) managed negotiate a deal with mobile phone companies (I think Vodafone?)  in that they allow all kindle users to  the use of 3G internet anywhere in the world without ever paying a cent or worrying about bills or sim cards. You will not find something similar on the iPad unfortunately.

[thesoulyearns]

Thanks again. I really don't want a prepaid thing. As you said, it's too costly. I want her to access the net anytime, anywhere on that 3G wireless network with no added costs. That's how I think it works but I've asked a few sellers on here and hopefully they'll get back to me regarding that.

[thesoulyearns]

Thanks, austeam. I didn't realise that. OK... so you need a prepaid sim card regardless. Are there any sim cards that come with 3G?

[ausfast]

Thanks, austeam. I didn't realise that. OK... so you need a prepaid sim card regardless. Are there any sim cards that come with 3G?

haha, you mistook me for Austeam 😛

Maybe I didn't make it clear enough.

If the iPad you have bought only says Wifi, then that's all you can use.

If you want access to 3G you will need to return it and buy an iPad that support 3G (and Wifi) connectivity.

3G is a hardware component inside the ipad that allows the iPad to connect to Mobile Network towers (like your mobile phone does).

Only the 3G model will accept simcards, the Wifi iPad model does not have a simcard slot.

Hope that is clear enough.

But yes, even with the 3G iPad, prepaid internet is quite pricey...

[thesoulyearns]

Sorry ausfast. 🙂

ok so I wonder how most people use their iPads. Just around wi-fi hotspots or do they spend quite a bit on prepaid sim cards? I can't imagine many people spending alot of money on sim cards just to browse the net but maybe they do.

I thought people were using them at home, work, anywhere...