iPad 3G vs iPad 4G-LTE
Apple’s iPad 3 is the latest sensation in the tablet market. With its breathtaking hardware specs mixed with a magnificently intuitive operating system, iPad 3 will blow the minds of consumers. However, once decided to invest in an iPad 3, the next question arises is, which model to choose. Whether to choose Wi-Fi only or 3G or a 4G model is a dilemma for many. This article intends to provide a guideline for those technology novices.
Basically, in user’s point of view, the only difference between the iPad 3G and 4G models is the network connection speed. In the evolution of the mobile telephony the standards made for 3G and 4G network has revolutionized the next generation mobile capabilities of the subscribers. Both the standards are aimed at providing high data rates, which is the paramount factor for various upcoming applications and user needs like multimedia, streaming, conferencing etc. But indeed there exists many differences between the two standards and the technologies used for each specification and handsets being used.
In the down link, 3G networks offer a data transfer rates of 144Kbps minimum for moving handsets, 384Kbps for pedestrian traffic, and 2Mbps in indoor conditions while, theoretically, 4G networks could offer 100Mbps data rate in high mobile environments and 1Gbps in stationary environments. In practice, those carriers having 4G networks claim to offer 10 times faster connectivity than 3G. However, 4G network coverage is very limited even in the few countries that have started migrating to 4G environment. Even if you have iPad with 4G connectivity, when you go to places where no 4G coverage, it will be automatically handed over to 3G networks. Also, most of the carriers are upgrading their network to HSPA+, which can go up to 84Mbps. Some carriers refer this also as 4G, though theoretically it is not so.