Of 3G iPads and MiFis
Saturday, May 29, 2010 at 5:22PM Today I asserted on Twitter that a 3G iPad is far superior to a WiFi iPad paired with a MiFi device. To save myself answering the "why do you say that" question twenty times, here's the tl;dr version.
Let me say that a MiFi makes perfect sense if you have multiple, WiFi-only devices that you want to get online. If you take issue with my claim, please save yourself time and stop reading now, happy in the knowledge that I have not been Wrong On The Internet.
My computing life consists of an iMac, an iPad and an iPhone. That's all I own. I also have a 3 MiFi. Let me explain why I vastly prefer the integrated 3G in the iPad over a WiFi iPad with a MiFi (hereinafter referred to as an iPad/MiFi for ease of typing).
Reason 1: call it User Experience, or Connectedness or Ceremony.
When using the 3 MiFi, there is too much setup involved for casual use. A lot of this is down to the poor design of the 3 MiFi. Here's what you do to get online:
- Power on the MiFi
- Wait for it to acquire the network (20 seconds, in my absolute-best-case experience - usually much, much worse)
- Turn on the WiFi radio - another 10 second operation
- Turn on the 3G radio - 10 seconds to turn on, another 10 to get to 3G status
- Unlock the iPad, get it associated with the MiFi, get an IP address - another 10-15 seconds
The MiFi will power off after a period of inactivity, so you're talking about a total of around a minute or so every time you want to connect. 56k dial-up modems didn't take that long to get you connected. When I was using an iPad/MiFi, I found that there were times when I wanted to use the iPad online but would just fall back to using the iPhone because it was already online.
Compare to the 3G iPad: you unlock it, you're online.
Reason 2: Battery Life
It's true that the iPad 3G doesn't quite achieve the stellar battery life of the WiFi model, but you'll still get many, many hours of runtime.
With an iPad/MiFi you're only working online for as long as the MiFi can stay alive - in my experience, about two hours of continuous use. With a 3G iPad, your internet connection is hooked up to the iPad's impressive battery and you're online as long as your iPad is alive.
Reason 3: Less Stuff
Perhaps a minor point but in this new world of lightweight, minimalist computing perhaps relevant. With an iPad 3G, you just keep that baby charged and you're good. With a separate MiFi, you're taking an extra charger on holiday and you've got one more thing to remember to keep charged.
Reason 4: On-board Status
My MiFi is on the 3 network and that's not a great network around here (despite what the coverage checker says grumblegrumblegrumble). The MiFi has an incredibly poor signal strength indicator: green for "good" (not, surprisingly, always equivalent to "actually working" in my experience); yellow for "not that good" and red for "bet you're glad this is Pay As You Go, sucka!". At the same time as the MiFi is fluctuating all over the place, the iPad is still convinced that it's on a super-solid five-bars WiFi network.
Tricking the iPad into thinking its on WiFi does have some benefits, though: all the "you can only download this over WiFi" restrictions from the App Store and iTunes are lifted because all of those restrictions depend on the radio status of the device itself.
The downside is that, when the network goes away, the iPad doesn't know about it. All it knows is that packets aren't coming back. Instead of failing immediately because there's no IP, apps will keep trying and trying until they hit their timeouts. This sounds trivial but it's incredibly frustrating in practice.
On balance, I prefer to have the network status up there in the status bar on the device - with more than three guesswork colours to distinguish them - and to have the OS and apps know more about the network.
Reader Comments (15)
Fraser,
I so agree with the elegance of not having two devices to carry and operate. I'd like to add some more things to the comparison:
location - big plus for 3G model - it almost always knows where it is and WiFi + MiFi not so much
streaming quality - plus for MiFi assuming decent network conditions
I've used sprint and Verizon in the US of A and often thte MiFi is faster than the 3G. Not always, but more than not. Also, the content on the iPad is nearly always the higher quality LAN stream and not the lower quality version. I have even seen this when the AT&T 3G is clearly faster than the MiFi yet the baseball video stream on the MiFi was far superior than on 3G network.
sorry to hear the speed on your side of the pond is a negative.
Would your opinion be changed if you could tether your iPhone to the iPad?
@jim Possibly, but this isn't particularly about the additional cost for iPad 3G (the rates over here are quite reasonable). It's much more about the usability and, in particular, the speed of getting connected.
I have a Sprint Mifi here in the states, i also have a 3G ipad.
Mifi connection time for me is a bit faster, probably about 30 seconds but still forever in terms of instant gratification.
Power saving mode can be disabled if you want but power really drains then when you forget to turn it off. I've got power savings on and it is annoying to read a long web page and have to flip it back on. I believe i can adjust how long before it powers down. I might have to extend it a bit and see how it goes.
Although I've got a laptop and an iPod Touch that both use the Mifi on occasion, when my contract expires next year the only way I'll renew is if 4G is reliably available in my city and it actually delivers what it promises.
On the iPad, especially around the house, i find i throw it into airplane mode then turn wireless back on to get my battery life back.
And if you really want to see the battery drain quickly, turn on 3G, wireless and bluetooth and hook up a bluetooth headset.
Kevin
I've had both a 3G iPad and a 3 Mi-Fi since yesterday.
Overall I agree with your assessment. Having everything integrated is a huge thing. However I have some comments on the details. First the 3 network around here is better than O2's 3G network. Obviously that will differ in different areas - also I could just put a 3 sim in my iPad (which I may do).
But wrt the time it takes to get the Mi-fi started - I found it only takes 5-10 seconds to get the 3G signal - and I can connect the other things in parallel - so it's really more like 20 seconds to get online.
That's still 20 seconds too long in a casual mobile context, of course - but for use in the office or on the train it's acceptable.
Just my 2g's worth.
I have the same mifi device on 3. It takes 15 seconds for me connect to my iPad, which automatically connects to the network. The only buttons I have to press are the power and mifi. Wireless is automatic. Maybe you should return yours for a replacement?
For me one words sums up why the 3G version i far superior to wifi version + 3g modem: GPS.
Location is going to be a huge part of next generation web.
There is no doubt that an all in one device is more convenient.
However, a better version of the firmware for the mifi device is readily available where you can configure the device to automatically connect and switch on wifi after power up. You can also adjust or switch off the auto disconnect.
I have a WiFi iPad and a MiFi on Verizon. The choice is much more clear for me than for you: in the US, a 3G iPad is tied to AT&T, and that's not acceptable if you do much traveling, and I do. Verizon's 3G has worked in remote, rural areas for years, and AT&T's still doesn't. So that's the primary reason.
I also use it with my laptop, and I have an iPod Touch, too, though I don't use that to go online almost at all any more now that the iPad has arrived. So, I have the multiple-device reason, too.
It takes about 10 seconds for the MiFi to acquire the network, and once it does, the iPad picks it up automatically, so I'm not sure your description of the process is accurate. I have power-saving turned off, also. When I want to use the iPad online I just press the MiFi button and I have network in 10 seconds or so. No big deal.
Having to have the second device is definitely less convenient, but there's no practical alternative for multiple devices -- business limitation, not technical, as there's no technical reason there can't be a cellular radio in each device all on the same data plan.
The biggest problem, as you say, is the MiFi's battery life, or lack thereof. Mine goes about three hours. Even my MacBook Pro lasts longer than that. This is the very real downside.
But as long as the iPad's 3G has to be AT&T, that's going to be a show-stopper. This is the reason I don't have an iPhone, too. But, even if there were a Verizon iPad, I'd still need something to get my laptop online, and a cellular card for that would require a whole other data plan.
I think the bottom line is something like: we're not quite there yet.
I work for Verizon, so I get a MiFi for free. So this set up made a lot of economic sense for me. That said:
It very rarely takes me more than 10 seconds from power to signal & surf on the iPad. Those times it has taken longer is because the iPad's wifi is less than robust, not because of any signal acquisition issues.
As for having another device to lug around, fair enough. But because I don't usually carry the iPad outside of a bag, it hasn't been that big of a deal. The MiFi case came with a nice metal hook which I've attached my VPN token to, and I just attach them both to a free carry bag I got at BlackHat last year. It works real well so far. It's also been great in the car. I just attach the MiFi hook to the rear view mirror and the car is a mobile hot spot. On a recent family trip we had an iPad, an iPod Touch, and a PSP all connected to it while we drove a couple of hours.
Finally, my MiFi doesn't seem to have either the Battery or Power Off problems you mention above. And I'm sure many US readers can appreciate how much better the Vz network coverage / throughput is vs. ATT.
What I don't like about my iPad/MiFi set up:
1.) I can't charge the MiFi from the same USB charger (I do plan on getting a two-USB charging brick soon to solve that problem)
2.) I never use the MiFi. Seriously (and I life way out in the mountains) 95-98% of the time I'm near WiFi.
The only other problem I have with the MiFi is that I can't get my MBP's IPSec VPN to work right. I have to use an SSL VPN option (the same one that works for my iPad).
Interesting and timely post. Some thoughts:
I mulled over iPad 3G vs WiFi for a little while, and came down on the side of wifi + mifi combo.:
Both myself and the partner have iPads, so two 3G ones would be £150 extra (taking off the £50 for the mifi here). London is generally well served for wifi connections, so I don't generally struggle to get one for free.
If we both travel and want a data connection, two 3G iPads would require two data subscriptions, and I still can't network other devices...
I can't comment on mifi battery life yet, but it is better than three hours. Will test and report back.
The firmware that 3 ships is awful, and poorly set up. Upgrading the firmware allows access to the web interface, where you can configure connection settings, and then four steps become one.
Unlocking it will give you flexibility to use is abroad (£15 is what 3 will charge to do it legitimately on the PAYG version, though you can get it for free elsewhere if you're happy to invalidate your warranty). Micro-sims may be constrained in supply/availability, certainly in the short term (although I grant you can cut them down to size, but if you're a one bag traveller, no sharp objects allowed).
I can understand the simplicity of the 3G iPad, and the UX is of the 3G connection is invisible, which is brilliant. Chargers are a PITA, granted.
Not wanting to stir up a hornets nest but the 3G iPad vs. MiFi tradeoff seems similar in many ways to the Mac vs. Windows tradeoff.
The MiFi option is cheaper, more flexible and technically more capable (you can connect up any WiFi device you may have with it).
The 3G iPad is more convenient to live with and use (instant on, on-screen status, no separate charger, longer battery life).
This time I went for the "Windows" route even though the household (like Alistair I share my MiFi with my partner who has her own iPad) is overwhelmingly Mac based. Most of the time I'm in range of fixed Wifi anyway so it was worth saving the cash. The deal I have with the MiFi (I paid £33 for 12Gb of data I can use over 12 months) is also better than anything I've seen on the iPad and didn't require me to cut up the SIM.
P.S. It's worth noting that the "MiFi" devices sold by 3 here in the UK are made by Huawei and different from the ones you get in the US. I've updated the firmware on mine and it takes exactly 45 seconds from pressing the power button to connectivity (the iPad can connect to the WiFi a bit before this so no delays there).
My MiFi experience is different than yours. Admittedly I'm using it on a full laptop, not an iPad, but I think some of these differences would carry over. It's a Sprint MiFi, in case that makes a difference.
1) I have my MiFi set up to auto-connect when I fire it up. My laptop knows the SSID of the MiFi, so my workflow looks more like this:
1a) Turn on MiFi. While it comes up, open laptop and flick the RF kill switch (I could leave it on, but I use an Ethernet cable at the office).
1b) Once I'm logged in to my machine, wait for wifi to come up. It frequently beats me (is up before login is completed). Admittedly I'm using Win 7, not my Mac, but it's not that much slower :)
1c) Work.
That entire process is sub 1 minute. As for auto disconnects, it hasn't been an issue. Maybe I just have enough bits flying around that I don't ever time out?
2) I haven't had battery life issues. I don't use it for an entire work day, but I think I'm getting better than 2h on a charge.
3) It charges from a micro-USB cable, which I'm already carrying around for my phone (BlackBerry, not iPhone). So, meh. Anyway, I carry a huge backpack, and there are cables floating around in there without giving me any issues.
4) Good point. I haven't run into it much, as I normally use the MiFi while sitting somewhere (not on the train or whatnot), but I'm sure that's a frustration.
Anyway, just wanted to throw in my perspective :) The company provides the MiFi, so I don't have much choice in providers or hardware, but I've appreciated it.
You could skip the MiFi and the iPhone and just get a Nokia or Android wifi enabled phone, both of which will let you set themselves up as wifi hotspots with software like JoikuSpot.
That means one less device + charger + data charge.
Of course it makes the iPhone pointless .... :)
I have an iPad 3G and a Sprint Overdrive. The Sprint Overdrive gives me unlimited 4G for $60/month. It's easy to use: I turn it on, and about 20 seconds later it's acquired 4G. That's it.
Now, you're right. It's inconvenient to carry two devices. My wireless is limited by the lesser of two batteries, usually the Overdrive battery dies first. The iPad sucks enough juice that most dual-USB wall chargers can't charge both the Overdrive and the iPad at the same time. Many limitations there, which is why I also have the $15 iPad 3G plan.
But my point is that it doesn't have to be complex to use a mobile wifi hotspot. In my case it's dead easy. It's not uncommon in an airport for my wife and I to each have our iPads, iPhones, and laptops all accessing 4G via the Overdrive.