The lovely people at Three Mobile Buzz sent me a MiFi v1 unit recently to try out with my iPad for a few weeks, and I’ve been putting it through its paces while I’ve had it. A MiFi device allows you to create a mobile wi-fi hotspot to connect to the internet when you are out. When James got me my iPad, we decided to opt for more storage space instead of going for the 3g option, for a number of reasons:
- I didn’t want the additional ongoing expenditure, just for 3G internet speeds.
- I have my iPhone for googling and twittering on the go.
- It’s, um, a bit ugly. I’m a bit shallow sometimes.
- The availability of free wi-fi hotspots means if I really need the net while I’m out I can usually find it.
- I could always just tether it to my iPhone or get a MiFi unit in future (we were already considering this option anyway).
- I wanted to have an additional 32GB of storage more than an expensive 3G antenna.
Since using the MiFi I’ve been feeling a bit spoiled, however. The ability to just be able to connect up to the net (almost) anywhere I go is great, and I think I’m going to end up buying the v2 model when it comes out in a few weeks time. Although I’ve been glad to be able to get online out & about with my iPad, I’m still pleased with my decision that I didn’t opt for the 3G model. The MiFi unit & iPad setup has a couple of advantages over the 3G model iPad on its lonesome. To me, a couple of these advantages are high priority, although I understand that some of these might not be as important to other people. They are:
- The MiFi unit is faster – it connects to the HSDPA (3.5G) network in addition to the 3G network. Where I live in South Birmingham the HSDPA coverage is excellent, so I can take it to the park or to work and have great speeds.
- You can connect up to 5 devices to a MiFi network – this is a big one for us as we have two laptops, two iPhones, and one iPad (with a possible second iPad in the future). You can’t use an iPad to tether a laptop, or a second iPad.
- Available on Pay as You Go on Three – no faffing with a rolling contract (I am the kind of person who would just leave it going, even if I wasn’t using it). Just top up when you need data, and leave it alone when you don’t.
- It is cheaper (up front) than the price difference between the wi-fi only & 3G models of iPad.
I’ll let you know my thoughts on the unit itself next week after I’ve played with it some more!
