Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

The Tablet Debate: 3G Or Wi-Fi?

Posted by samzenpus on from the pick-a-side dept.

Barence writes "We regularly review tablets and mention the fact that X tablet has Wi-Fi, Y tablet has 3G, but how many people are interested in each? Do most people view 3G as a must-have extra, or is Wi-Fi plenty for a device most commonly used in the home? We asked our readers for their opinions and the responses were fairly evenly split between those on both sides, with a healthy proportion also saying they may not choose it but like to have 3G as an option. What do Slashdotters think? Is 3G a must-have for tablets or will a tethered smartphone do the job?"

4 of 395 comments (clear)

  1. Too pricey. by MrQuacker · · Score: 5, Informative

    I would love 3G, so I can get web access all over the place, but when they want to charge me $50/month for 5Gb of data... GTFO

    1. Re:Too pricey. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

      Virgin mobile has a plan that is $25 for 300 talk minutes and unlimited text/data. Their phone choices aren't that great, but there ARE options available in the US with very reasonable data plans.

  2. Neither, instead go with ... by Super+Dave+Osbourne · · Score: 3, Informative

    the trusty pile of sticks and blanket.

  3. Re:wifi? by icebike · · Score: 2, Informative

    It hardly matters which you use, other than wifi if a far more secure interface and much more robust.

    You are going to run another radio anyway, why opt for bluetooth over wifi, especially when they are usually built into the same chipset. There is no power saving involved in one over the other.

    When I turn on my wifi tethering in my Nexus One, AT&T doesn't know its tethering, and I have a fully encrypted WPA2 hotsopt.

    --
    Sig Battery depleted. Reverting to safe mode.