iPad mini wifi only?

[fatsatsuma]

I have an iPhone but no tablet. I will mainly use the iPad at home hence thinking I don't really need to pay the extra ££ for cellular connection. Am I right in thinking that free wifi is so widespread now that I won't really miss the cellular?

Depending on your phone contract you should be able to tether the iphone to the ipad and use your phone to get the ipad online when you are out and about.

Yep - there are other ways of solving the problem of mobile wi-fi without buying a 3G-enabled iPad. Tethering to your phone being the simplest one, if your phone provider allows it. Mine (Tesco Mobile) doesn't, so I have a mobile broadband dongle like this. (NB I don't recommend Vodafone it's just an example of the device).

Thanks, I was wondering about that too. I have a 2 year old iPhone 4 on a pretty basic contract now - only have 500 MB a month which is fine at the moment as I mainly use wifi. Do you think I could still use it as a personal hotspot?

Depends on your carrier. You should be able to tell if you're already enabled for it following these instructions. If not, have a look at your phone company's website to see if they allow it.

Sorry tribpot cross-posted with you. Sounds like I will need to check my contract. I'm with Vodafone.

Poor you :) (I am having a very bad time with Vodafone at the moment over my mobile broadband).

However, lots of places do have free wi-fi, you can always see how you get on and then decide later if you want to get your own dongle or a phone contract that will allow tethering (if yours doesn't currently).

Actually Vodafone have been ok for me so far - long may that last! Thanks for your advice - think I've decided to do what you suggest and see how it goes. Didn't know about dongles so that's really helpful.