Hot Spot vs. built-in cellular

[drjones]

I have had an iPad with built-in cellular since the very first model, and I love and use the hell out of it both for work and play.

Now that I have the Surface Pro 3 and get so much use out of it, AND I'm likely going to buy the iPad Pro when it comes out, I wonder if it doesn't make more sense for me to get a wifi hotspot instead, that way I can tether all my devices to it, including my wife's iPad, and offer wifi to a technician when I'm out working in the field. That way I don't have to pay for cellular on all these multiple devices, and of course the wifi-only models are cheaper to start with.

OR should I enable the wifi hotspot capability on my iPhone? Actually now that I think about it, I think that is the best option, as I'm not adding another device into the mix...

Any thoughts on a dedicated wifi hotspot device vs. enabling hotspot on my iPhone, vs. using the built-in cellular in the iPad? I'm reluctant to enable hotspot on my iPhone because of how much I imagine it will drain the battery...am I wrong? I have the new 6S Plus.

The only con I can think of with a wifi hotspot is that it becomes one more device to charge, manage, etc, but I'm very good about keeping all my devices charged, and I think the benefits will be worth it.

Curious what you guys are doing.

Thanks!

 

[Markverhyden]

I've maintained a data plan on my iPad as well as having my AT&T Sierra stick. That way an Internet connection on my laptop or something else and still be able to do things on my iPad. If I were in your situation I'd probably keep the data plan the iPad and use the hotspot feature on the new iPhone.

 

[drjones]

I think I just answered my own question: Called AT&T; between my iPad + iPhone, I'm paying $153 / mo.

I just changed to a plan including hotspot capability / tethering on my iPhone, keeping unlimited talk + text, AND keeping cellular active on my iPad, 5GB data total to share (I use an avg. of 4gb the past 3 months between both iPad + iPhone)
For only $100 / mo!!!! So I'm saving $50 / mo!!!

AND they gave me a $100 credit on my account since I'm technically adding a line to my iPhone account!!!!!

Just logged into my savings account and increased my savings contribution by $60 / mo since it's money I was already spending. anyway.

Awesome!!!

 

[Markverhyden]

Great to hear. Yeah, they are hungry to keep customers. Last year I stopped off at a local store to discuss things. I was paying close to $350/month - 3 voice lines and 2 data. They did their thing, got two 2 new iPhones, and my new monthly bill is $250/month with 20gb data.