Posted: 7/11/2017 8:22:19 PM EDT
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Hello guys & girls, I have a question for ya about the iPad mini and cellular
I want to get an iPad mini for my work and use it with cellular data so I can use it anywhere (that has coverage  ), so my question is:
I wanna use straight talk, do I need to just buy a sim card and a plan or do I need to buy a Hotspot? I tried to figure it out on there website but it doesn't really say? Has anyone setup an iPad like this? If so what did you do? And please no "Apple is gey", I'm just asking a basic question 
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| I use an iPad and hotspot, works fine and we get a little more mileage from the hotspot plan since we can pass it around when someone else has a need or use it as an access point for more than one device at a time. Only downside I can see is dragging one extra device around that needs an occasional charge. I personally don't care for the mini, too small for serious work and I think the mini specs were a little lower than the other pads. |
Really? 
My plan is to set it up in my POV and use it for the Fire Company (responding apps, paperwork/notepad, etc.) I already have an iPhone 5 that I use, Should I just go with a bigger iPad then? Also if the iPad has cellular does it need a hotspot? I really don't wanna spend the extra money unless I have to? |
If the size works for you then that's great. I'm old and I have to look at a lot of construction drawings  If you get the cellular pad you don't need a hotspot. For what you're planning to use it for you'd probably be best served with the cellular pad anyway. Do play with the bigger pad though before you decide, you might like the roomier keyboard.
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| I have an original iPad mini, with cellular. Bought it when we were house hunting to pull up houses we saw while out and about. I still take it with me whenever I take a trip, use it in the pickup a lot. I don't know if I'd get another one, or a bigger iPad, but I will have one or the other from now on. |
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I have a full size iPad Air 2 and also a mini 4. I take the mini with me about 80% of the time when I think I might want a bigger screen. They are great when going somewhere you might have a wait, like the dentist, DMV, etc. The mini fits in the back pocket of my cargo shorts, so I can keep my hands free while moving about. I'm considering the new, Pro 10.5" to replace the Air 2, simply because I like the screen size and overall improvement is imaging.
You can use the mini as a stand alone cellular device without a hotspot with a data plan from most carriers. I don't know if Straight Talk has a data only (Mobile Internet, or MI Plan) plan, or if you can run the mini on a voice with data plan. Their website should specify. The big 4 carriers all have MI plans, and generally they are cheaper than the voice with data plans. |