The estimated reading time for this post is 7 minutes
Welcome back to Tech-Knowledgy, where your tech question are answered. I continue to get many great questions from readers and am posting the questions and answers below so others can learn and/or respond. Post your tech questions in the Comments section or email me at wonderoftech@gmail.com.
Q. I’m excited to get my iPad 2 on Friday but I’m not sure where is the best place to buy the iPad from. I would have to drive pretty far to get to an Apple Store. What do you suggest?
A. How exciting for you to be buying your iPad 2 today! The iPad 2 goes on sale in stores in the US at 5pm today (and on March 25 the iPad 2 will be sold in 26 other countries). Unlike previous iPhone and iPad launches, Apple will be selling iPads in multiple places: Best Buy, AT&T, Verizon, Target and Wal-Mart, in addition to online and at the Apple Stores. 18 different models of the iPad 2 are being sold and the choices include black or white; 3G + Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi only; and 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB models. There isn’t a price advantage between the stores, so let’s look at the pros and cons of buying from each place:
Apple Store
Pros:
They will have the most iPads in stock.
They will help you set up the iPad so if you have never had one before, this could be helpful (though it’s very easy and kind of fun to set up an iPad by yourself).
Cons:
The lines will be the longest.
Even though they will have the most iPads in stock, they may run out of the particular model you want.
Best Buy
Pro:
Best Buy just started a Buy Back program for electronics where they promise to buy back your electronic devices when you purchase the device and the Buy Back program from Best Buy. No word yet on how much Best Buy will charge for the Buy Back program for the iPad 2, but it’s something to consider.
Con:
No word on how many iPads Best Buy stores will have in stock.
Wal-Mart and Target
Pro:
There is no real advantage to buying in these stores so the lines might be the shortest.
Con:
No word on how many iPads these stores will have in stock.
AT&T and Verizon
Pros:
Easy to set up a 3G data plan with AT&T or Verizon in the store when you buy your iPad.
Each will only be selling six different models, so chances are better that they may have what you want.
Lines may be shorter because these stores are only offering 6/18 different models.
Con:
AT&T will only be selling AT&T 3G iPads, no Wi-Fi only iPads or Verizon iPads. Verizon will only be selling Verizon 3G iPads, no Wi-Fi only or AT&T iPads.
Apple.com
Pros:
Free shipping.
Ordering started at 4am EST today.
The website will have the most iPads in stock so you can make sure you get the iPad you want.
No lines.
Con:
Waiting until next week to get your iPad.
No store other than apple.com is offering the iPad 2 online yet. (Note that the iPad 2 is excluded from the 1% rebate from Mr. Rebates on apple.com purchases.)
If you are buying a 3G model, I suggest you go to either Verizon or AT&T, depending on which carrier you will be using for your 3G data. Since these stores will only be stocking the 3G models, you won’t be waiting behind someone who wants a Wi-Fi only model. Each store will be offering only six different models (16GB, 32GB, or 64GB, and white or black) so you should have a better chance of getting the 3G model you want.
Decide before you go to the store what features you’re willing to compromise on. You will have this iPad a while and use it frequently so if you compromise on something you really care about, chances are you’ll regret it. If you really wanted a 3G model but your store only has Wi-Fi models left, go to another store or order your iPad online. If you truly care about the color (and some people do), don’t get white if you had your heart set on black.
Q. I know I want a 3G iPad 2 because I want to be able to get on the Internet without having to worry about being near a Wi-Fi signal. But how do I choose between Verizon and AT&T?
A. Your decision is important because once you buy a 3G iPad 2, you cannot switch between carriers. You either buy an AT&T iPad 2 or a Verizon iPad 2, so it’s good you’re considering this ahead of time.
There are three factors to consider when choosing between AT&T and Verizon for your iPad 2 data: coverage, price of data, and download speeds.
Coverage
Verizon is reported to generally have better coverage than AT&T, but the coverage where you are is what matters most. I have found with my iPad 1 that my AT&T signal is stronger with my iPad than it is with my iPhone, so your AT&T iPhone coverage may not be an accurate indicator of how good your coverage will be with an AT&T iPad.
Some people have suggested that whichever carrier you use for your phone, you should use the other carrier for your iPad so you will have the best chance of getting Internet access on either your phone or your iPad.
Price of Data
AT&T and Verizon have very different prices for data. Generally, if you’ll be using only a little 3G data, AT&T has the better prices, but if you will be using a lot of 3G data, Verizon has better prices. Here is an article from Macworld with a data comparison chart: Macworld: AT&T vs. Verizon Data Plans.
Download Speeds
The iPad 2 has a much faster processor than the original iPad and the updated operating system, iOS 4.3, allows for faster downloading of web pages. But to take full advantage of this increased speed, you want the carrier with the fastest 3G data speed. PC World tests conducted in December 2010 and January 2011 show that AT&T has much faster 3G data speeds than Verizon. PC World: 3G Data Speed Tests.
Q. I read your article about what to do with your iPad if you’re upgrading to the new model, but I don’t have that problem. I have a very old computer I need to get rid of, but I don’t know what to do with it. It’s too old to be of much good to anyone, but I know I shouldn’t just throw it in the trash. What should I do with it?
A. You’re absolutely right, you should not throw an old computer in the trash. Gazelle, the website mentioned in Getting an iPad 2? What To Do With Your Original iPad, has a recycling search website where you can find a recycling center in your area that takes old electronics. Gazelle Recycling Search
Q. If I want to sell my old iPad, how do I make sure all my information gets erased on it before I give it to the buyer?
A. You can either wipe the data off of your iPad directly from your iPad or through iTunes. First, sync your iPad with iTunes to back up your data. Then, you can go into your iPad to wipe your data by going to Settings =>General => Erase All Content and Settings. Or, you can erase the data through iTunes by clicking on the name of your iPad on the left column and selecting Restore from the main menu. Again, please make sure to back up your iPad before you wipe the data so you can transfer your data and settings to your new iPad.
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Follow Up to Ready, Set, Charge!
Ready, Set, Charge! told you about nifty devices called the Chargepod and Fuel Tank from Callpod. Good news! Callpod is offering a 30% discount on their website, callpod.com, with the coupon code “CALL678”. No word on when this special deal expires so grab it soon!
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Can’t wait to get your iPad 2? Stephen Colbert shares your fervor!
The Colbert Report | Mon – Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c | |||
Stephen Wants an iPad 2 | ||||
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Tim says
I just checked with my local AT&T store but they don’t have any iPads. Best Buy has some, they won’t tell me how many, but there is a line.
Carolyn Nicander Mohr says
Hi Tim, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! It’s 3:45 and I’m in line for the iPad 2 at Target. There are about 50 people in line and the store is rumored to have about 100 iPads. I’m about 16th in line and hoping I get the 1/18 models I want. Good luck, I hope you get your iPad today!