Guide to the Apple iPad SIM card
Apple had always dismissed the idea of a tablet so it was somewhat surprising when the iPad was first announced. Of course it didn't take for this sexy slab of electronics to prove a massive hit and now they're among the most desirable gadgets on the planet.
As with anything Apple, the design is delicious and build quality is rock-solid. Of course, you pay a premium for that and the iPad range isn't cheap, but it's likely that you'll get good use out of it along with wowing family, friends and colleagues into the bargain.
So, what's the iPad all about? Well, in simple terms you can think of it as an oversized phone device apart from the fact that you can't make calls with it. Alternatively, you can look at it as a very small computer, which is not quite a netbook and definitely not a laptop. It could also be seen as a very pricey eReader gadget, which can be used for reading digital versions of traditional book titles, although in reality it's so much more than that.
No matter what you think it should be referred to, one of the main things the iPad will be able to do for you is get you connected to the internet and your email, but if you want to do that away from the home you'll need to pick an extra item: an iPad 3G SIM. With a SIM card for iPad you'll be able to take advantage of mobile networks all over the UK to get online without the need for a Wi-Fi link.
Get connected with an iPad SIM card
If you're looking to pick up an Apple iPad in the UK, and have heard that you can connect to the mobile internet with it then the goods news is that you heard right. However, hooking up to the online world in this fashion isn't quite the same as getting laptop internet via a dongle connected to your laptop in the traditional mobile broadband fashion. Nor is it the same as connecting via a SIM from your phone either.
At this point in the process it’s also worth pointing out that you should be sure to purchase a 3G version of the iPad. This variant will have a higher price tag, but it’s worth spending the extra cash because without one you won’t be able to access mobile broadband. Instead you'll be reduced to accessing wireless broadband only, via Wi-Fi, which is alright but if you're spending a fair bit on an iPad you may as well get all the bells and whistles, right?
The iPad micro SIM & iPad 2 SIM
Even once you've got your mits on an Apple iPad or iPad 2 3G you're not going to be able to get online via the dongle route. The reasoning behind this is simple, and a little bit frustrating because although the iPad looks a treat there's not a great deal on offer when it comes to connectivity ports. Look around the casing and you won't be seeing any USB ports, which is what USB dongles traditionally get inserted into in order to pass the mobile broadband signal onto the device you're using.
So, as a result, you'll need to go down another avenue in order to start enjoying mobile internet in the same way as you would on a regular laptop or netbook computer. What you'll need to do is get yourself sorted out with a special iPad SIM 3G micro card. This nifty little thing works in the same way as a SIM card usually does, in that it stores your information as per normal, but it’s almost half the size of a standard SIM card.
Nevertheless, despite its diminutive statistics, this little micro iPad SIM, or an iPad 2 SIM card for the newer model, will allow you to access mobile broadband wherever you can get a 3G broadband signal. So, in other words, it'll perform like other similarly enabled devices and allow you to access online activities on the train or while you're away from home on holiday or business. Attaching one to an iPad therefore gives you all of the same handy connectivity that you get with laptops and netbooks, but the overall package is much smaller.
In that respect, the iPad and iPad 2 SIM cards can be an excellent way of staying online without much of the bulk normally associated with computing while you're away from home. And, once you're connected using an Apple iPad, the online experience is undeniably impressive, with a crystal-clear screen to view content, excellent usability from the operating system and, of course, lots of software apps that can compliment your experience. Admittedly you'll need some cheering up after spending all the money on an iPad, but by shopping around for the right iPad SIM deals then you should be able to shave off some of the extra costs involved in enjoying mobile broadband in this way.
The iPad 2 SIM card is exactly the same as the original iPad SIM card 3G option, so if you are upgrading from an iPad to an iPad 2 you should be able to transfer your SIM straight in to your iPad 2 SIM slot. If you have just bought yourself an iPad 2 3G then the next thing to do is get your self an iPad 2 3G SIM card by searching the comparison table above.
What about an iPad 3 and iPad with Retina Display SIM?
If you've got - or are thinking of getting - a new iPad then you don't need to worry about getting a different SIM to other models. Both the iPad 3 and iPad 4 (aka iPad with Retina Display) SIM card is the same micro SIM as previous models so if you've already got a SIM for iPad then you won't need to purchase another.
If you're buying from new and don't already have an iPad you can use our comparison tables to track down the best deals. Be sure to check out our iPad with Retina Display section for some great deals on a contract iPad 4. This way you can get a 3G iPad with SIM for a monthly fee rather than paying for the iPad up front.
The iPad Mini nano SIM
The iPad Mini is Apple's cheapest tablet so far. It's also the first to change the 9.7-inch screen size which has been standard since the original model, and what you're left with is an iPad that's a lot more portable and a great deal more comfortable to hold and use. The compact dimensions and lower price are a great combination.
You don't really miss out on features either. The iPad Mini is still packing a dual core processor, up to 64GB storage and a 1024 x 768 resolution display, and is fully compatible with the full range of iPad apps.
Like its bigger brothers the iPad Mini also has mobile data enabled model. However, it is not compatible with the same micro SIM as the iPad, iPad 2, iPad 3 or iPad with Retina Display. Instead you have to use a new nano SIM.
The nano SIM was first seen on the iPhone 5 and, as the name implies, is smaller than a micro SIM (we're not sure what they're going to do for a name the next time round).
Unfortunately, while it is possible to cut down a standard SIM to fit into a micro SIM slot, this is not an option with the nano configuration. If you want to use mobile broadband on your iPad Mini you must purchase a new nano SIM.
This doesn't affect the deals and you can still get the same offers shown above, just make sure to select a nano SIM when buying.
Still not sure whether you need a micro or nano SIM for your iPad?
Here's a handy table courtesy of Apple which shows exactly which SIM card is supported by each model of the iPad, from the earliest to the very latest edition:
So where are the iPad SIM card deals then?
O2, Vodafone, 3 Mobile, Orange and T-Mobile all offer various types of plans for the iPad, though you'll find these change regularly so it's always worth taking the time to compare the available offers to see which gives you the best value for money.
As with all of our mobile broadband deals listed through the Broadband Genie website, using the comparison table above is a great way of getting an overview of what's available, and the core points to consider when trying to make an informed decision on what deal to go for. Not only can you compare prices to find the cheapest, but you narrow your search by various aspects of your required 3G broadband service. In addition to this you can read current iPad consumer reviews' and find out about their 3G internet experience.
After deciding on the tariff that suits your needs the best then simply press 'GO' to be taken to the mobile broadband supplier's home page. When you get there it's a very straightforward process in order to sign up directly with them, right there and then, depending on the iPad SIM cards that are best suited for your needs.
Getting connected with an iPad SIM card
Once you've decided on an iPad SIM card data plan that best suits your needs you'll then get your card and you'll be up and running in no time at all. All you need to do is to insert your iPad SIM into the iPad in the slot provided, then connect your iPad to an Apple Mac or Windows PC. You'll then need to open up iTunes. When you're ready to connect to the iPad SIM cards 3G service you'll have to follow the on-device instructions where available or simply follow the guidelines supplied with your iPad SIM card.
Depending on what sort of usage needs you have there should be an array of different plans becoming available over the coming months. You might be a fairly lightweight user who doesn’t want to commit to lengthy contracts that tie you in for a long period. If that's the case then you could try investigating a package that only requires that you pay for a months usage at a time, plus there's no requirement for any additional commitment if you think that paying in chunks like this is more favourable than going down a contract route.
There’s actually quite a lot of flexibility involved with using a 3G-enabled iPad to connect to the web. For starters, because you can enable a 3G service at any time there's no need to buy the micro SIM card at the same time. You'll probably find that it's not entirely realistic to add your iPad to an existing deal if you already have an iPhone as phone and data plans for that are generally a separate entity. However, you may find that there is the option for adding a 3G data plan to an existing iPhone package in some cases, although you'll need to run this buy the provider to see if it's possible and allowed under their terms and conditions.
Key points about iPad micro SIMs
Remember that most phone SIM cards will not fit into your iPad, and if they do it's unlikely you'll get any service, you'll need to purchase specialised iPad SIM cards in order to take advantage of the mobile internet access.
You'll also need to read up on the information pertaining to data limits for using a 3G package on the iPad. Invariably you'll always be able to add extra data allowance if you're a heavyweight user, or perhaps switch to a more capable deal that offers much more in the way of flexibility.
Travelling with the iPad? Well, remember that you can always connect to Wi-Fi hotspots pretty much anywhere you go in the world. However, if you're hooking up to your iPad SIMs 3G service then a potentially more effective idea is to buy a micro SIM card from a local network provider when you arrive at your chosen destination. Don't be tempted to simply assume that your deal or package will cover your online needs while you're overseas as getting this wrong can result in very expensive bills. Be sure to check with your network provider on what sort of terms and conditions they specify for connecting when you're on your travels.
iPad SIM UK: compare iPad SIM deals
While it certainly pays to compare the best deals and offers here in the UK before you buy, as well as checking the reviews from consumers, you'll need to search really hard to find the best prices and cheapest deals. That's essentially because Apple doesn't really reduce the price of its hardware and network provoiders find it difficult to do the same for things like SIM cards for the iPad as a result. Nevertheless, there are cheap options out there and by using the comparison tables here you'll definitely be able to find the best deals and offers currently available.
