Wi-Fi or Cellular

We use an iPod Touch for email through WiFi. WiFi is nearly everywhere and is usually free. We have used it in Banaue, Luzon, India, all over Europe including Bulgaria and Ukraine. We are thinking about a Mini because its a little larger than the Touch and arthritis is beginning to set it making the little key board hard to use. So far the Touch has gone with us on three 45 day trips and several shorter ones. We haven't considered a phone because if we had one there would be a lot of unnecessary conversation.

Kenneth, A few comments on your questions..... (1) I've found that Wi-Fi is readily available in Europe. However, I can't comment on the "Pacific", especially without knowing which countries you're planning to visit. Wireless LAN is often included in the cost of the Hotel room, but in a few cases there's a charge. In some Hotels, Wi-Fi is available throughout the Hotel, while in others it may only be available in the Lobby or breakfast room area. (2) Wi-Fi which is included in the price of a hotel room is very "reasonably priced". With other locations (ie: Starbucks or McDonalds), Wi-Fi access is often provided for customers for a limited time. I don't often use locations other than hotels, so hopefully one of the others will have more specific information. (3) IMO, it would be worthwhile to buy the Wi-Fi/Cellular version of the iPad Mini, as that would provide flexibility not only for travel but also at home. However, accessing Cellular data while travelling may not be a cost effective option. I assume you're with AT&T so it would be a good idea to check with them regarding the roaming costs specific to the countries you'll be travelling in. Buying SIM cards for each country is a bit more "complicated". These may not be available to non-residents, and nano-SIM cards may not be available in all countries. The costs of data roaming with either an iPhone or iPad can be huge, so it's important to have all the facts before travelling. The easiest solution would be to pack the Wi-Fi/Cellular version of the iPad, but keep data roaming "OFF" for that and the iPhone and use Wi-Fi only. However, if AT&T offers a reasonably priced travel plan, that would be nice to have. Happy travels!

Kenneth, it looks like there are two different cellular versions of the iPad Mini sold in the U.S. One works with Sprint/Verizon and the other with the GSM carriers of T-Mobile and AT&T. Europe follows the GSM standard and that's the one you say you are considering. Not every Asian country follows the GSM standard so the Sprint/Verizon version might be a better choice for that part of the world (but I'm not sure of this). This decision used to be very simple: choose between GSM or CDMA with the right radio frequencies. With newer 3G and 4G technology, buyers now need to look at other standards. For example, both iPad Minis state they will work with "UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz)." The "GSM" version works with "LTE (Bands 4 and 17)" but the Sprint/Verizon version works with "LTE (Bands 1, 3, 5, 13, 25)." LTE is the 4G standard that all the carriers in the world seem to be moving to. I don't know the difference between the two types of LTE bands listed above. The more advanced technologies are being rolled out for the increased use of data versus simple calling. I suggest doing some searching through Apple-centric sites to find which version would be the best to get for the places you'll be traveling. If you go wifi only, of course, this won't be a concern.

I have traveled with my touch and have found wifi readily available. I recently decided to invest in the IPad Mini, which I am using for this post. I decided not to get the one with cellular access, since wifi access hasn't been an issue for me. If it is not available at the hotel I find a cafe or coffee shop that has free wifi. I love my mini. It doesn't have the retina display, but neither does my old touch. I know I will enjoy taking it on my next trip. The screen is larger and makes it easier to read information.

Another option...if you have an iPhone and have, either through a package provided by your cellular carrier, or through the purchase of a local sim card, access to a cellular/data plan for that phone, you can link a "WiFi only" iPad to your iPhone and thus not need to have a cellular package on the iPad. What you do is, in your iPhone's Settings, go to Personal Hotspot and enable that feature, and create a password (all very easy). Essentially what you've done is create a mini wifi network on your phone that has a short range, perhaps several feet. Then, in your iPad's Settings, go to WiFI and connect to your phone's mini wifi ( it shows up in the list as a wifi network ). Once the connection is established( again the personal hotspot has limited range, so the two devices need to be reasonably close to each other ) you can now access the Net, check mail, send texts, etc on your iPad using your phone's package. You still need to use the phone to make phone calls.. I have both an iPhone and iPad (WiFi only ) and while I only take one or the other for out of country travel, within Canada( thus using my regular cellular service ) this combination works great. For example, I have a wifi network in my home, and I can access the Net, send texts, check my email, make Skype calls, etc, from my iPad, as I have the iPad linked to my home wifi network. When I travel, I don't bother with either a roaming plan from my provider, or a local sim card ( my phone stays in Airplane Mode, with Wifi enabled ). I have Skype installed on both devices, and can make phone calls from either wherever I have wifi access. You can get free wifi in most hotels( either in the room or in the lobby ), at airports, ferry terminals, restaurants, etc, etc in many places in Europe.

I want to thank everyone for your replies. I'm going to do some more research for the western and southern Pacific countries before I make a final decision before our next trip in early December, but at least I now am assured that wi-fi only will suffice for our European travels. Thanks again to all
Ken

Wi-Fi is pretty easy to access from most hotels and lots of fast-food chains (plus some cafes and bars). I'm now using an Ipod touch for calls home using Skype (set up to call landlines). I did get a set of earbuds with a mike. Although you can use the internal speakers/mike, I think the earbuds work better anywhere with background noise. If you need to make calls on the road. I think it's better to buy a local cell phone (with a local sim card) than use any international calling/data plan. They're cheap and there are no cost surprises. The small convenience of using your regualr phone isn't worth the cost IMO.