An
important first step with any Apple device is figuring out your wireless
Internet situation forstreaming media.
The obvious trend is toward a heavy focus on mobile Internet capability, and
you can get that with both laptops and iPads.
Wi-Fi
networks typically give you Internet service in a well-defined area (i.e. a
house, apartment, office, or school). Mobile Internet, on the other hand, lets
you get online in more places, without seeking out Wi-Fi networks. So whether
you’re in a hotel, a restaurant, or a friend’s house, you’ll still have
Internet access on your devices.
Today
we’ll give you a quick breakdown of the different ways to access mobile
Internet on
your
new iPad or Macbook. Particularly with the recent release of the iPad Mini,
it’s an important time to understand the differences.
Mobile
Internet for your iPad
Whether
you have an iPad Mini, an iPad 2, or an iPad with Retina Display, you’re likely
interested in the mobile Internet capabilities of your new device. All three
can connect to a Wi-Fi network, and are mobile-ready in some way.
The
iPad with Retina Display (iPad 3)and the new iPad Mini both offer Wi-Fi and
cellular data options. That means you can sign up through a cellular provider
(Verizon, AT&T, or Sprint), and your iPad can access the Internet in the
same way as your smartphone. So, whenever you have cell service, you have
Internet service on your iPad as well. This feature costs extra, however, and
cellular data can be turned on and off at any point .Both of these devices are
compatible with any 3G or 4G network that your carrier may offer.
The
iPad 2 does not have 4G internet capability, but it is compatible with Verizon
and AT&T’s 3G netwoarks. If you sign up via one of those two providers,
you’ll have 3G access wherever it’s available. Otherwise, you’ll need to
purchase an external USB or mobile hotspot device to access mobile Internet.
Mobile
Internet on your laptop
None
of Apple’s laptops currently have built-in mobile broadband capability, and
thus require an external device. Wireless Internet companies like CLEAR offer
devices that give you access to 4G Internet while you’re on the go. CLEAR
is MAC compatible, making it a great option for mobile Internet on your laptop.
Why
should I sign up for a mobile Internet plan?
Even
if your laptop or tablet already has Wi-Fi capability, adding a mobile Internet
plan can still be a great idea. A strong mobile Internet service gives you a
lot of flexibility for where you can get online. On top of that, mobile
Internet plans are affordable and have small, easy-to-use devices.
If
you choose a Wi-Fi only tablet, you can always add mobile capabilities through
CLEAR or another provider. This can actually be a good way to save money up
front, while still giving yourself the freedom to upgrade later.
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