iPad mini WiFi version or do I need the cellular too?

[Chewbecca]

Excuse my limited knowledge on this.
I currently have an iPad 1 which inlovd but I don't take it out and about because I find it too heavy (wimp). I use it at home linked to my home wifi.
I've decided to buy an iPad mini but don't know which version to go for, can i get away with the cheapest model? I can't quite work out what the differences between them mean to me (other than the memory size). I'm pretty sure the 16gB is ok for me as I have used less than that on this iPad which I've had for a couple of years. I don't watch films or store music. Use it mainly for surfing the net and reading the newspaper. I'd like to try reading books on the ipad mini too - they won't take up tons of memory will they? Do I need the 32 if I read books on it too?
My big question though is I have wifi only, will I be able to use it on the train to work?
Any other points I should bear in mind?
Sorry if it is a daft question!
Thanks.

[MTSgroupie]

Books don't take up much memory. It's the videos that eats up the space. So, 16GB should be enough. Incidentally, only about 14GB is actually available for you to use. The rest is reserved for system stuff.

As for using it on the train, you obviously won't be able to surf but if you are just reading newspapers through apps and books then you don't need an Internet connections.

[XBenedict]

You could still surf the net if you wanted to by using your phone's network via your personal hotspot. I have the 16g ipad mini and regularly access the Internet using my phone.

[Chewbecca]

Ah, thank you, 2 especially interesting points there
1 I think I'm fine with the 16, very unlikely to ever watch a video.
2 I need to learn how to make a personal hotspot!

Thanks

[Chewbecca]

Oh, I only have a 3GS phone, think that means I can't use the hotspot thingy.

[Turniphead1]

I just have 3G - via my iPhone. And it's easypeasy to link it via hotspot to give my iPad internet access. Daft to pay extra for iPad to access the very same 3G.

[MTSgroupie]

Isn't using your phone as a hot spot extra? Mine has that capability but Three told me that I had to pay extra.

[PedroPonyLikesCrisps]

I didn't pay extra for tethering, but I can still do it. It's a con from the networks.

[XBenedict]

No I haven't paid extra but I guess networks/contracts are all different. Would be worth checking though before you buy

[Redbindy]

Get a nexus and save yourself a few quid.

[BertieBotts]

OP has an iPhone though Redbindy. Makes sense to keep everything the same.

Hotspot is a good plan, but also a lot of trains have wifi access now too. You just have to log in using your browser. Tends to be more reliable than a fluctuating 3G signal.

16GB will be fine. Books don't take up much space at all - games and movies take up the most space.

[wannaBe]

16 gb will be fine. afaik it doesn't cost extra too use your phone as a hotspot, the reason why you're told charges may apply is because you are essentially then using two devices on the same connection and therefore data will be used more quickly.

Check with your network provider whether there is any bt openzone access for instance then you may be able to use that instead...

[XBenedict]

And just be aware of your download limit.

[Chewbecca]

Ooo, all good stuff, thanks.
I will check out the hotspot with Orange. I do have data limits that I've never exceeded but might start to if I am changing 'habits'.
Also have home wifi with BT and I do get open zone messages on my mobile sometimes but always ignore as don't know what it's about. Need to read that properly.
No wifi on the train (C2C) sadly. They did a trial a while back but it was super slow and now seems to have stopped altogether.
Many thanks again for the pointers.