T-Mobile has been truly living up to its latest marketing campaign of being the "Un-carrier" launching Operation Tablet Freedom today. In part 2 of 3 in a barrage of promotions, you can now head on over to T-Mobile and expect to save the $100 to $130 for an LTE enabled tablet. Now, you don't have to decided whether or not it's worth it to go for the cellular enabled tablet because WiFi or LTE, they're the same price!
Beginning April 12th, customers can get nearly 1.2 GB of free 4G LTE data every month through 2014 on America's fastest nationwide LTE network.
Have a T-Mobile voice plan? Bring, buy or trade in a tablet and get:
Up to 1GB FREE 4G LTE data per month through 2014
PLUS up to 200 MB FREE monthly 4G LTE data for as long as you own your tablet
Existing T-Mobile voice plan customers: Get our 1GB plan FREE after a $10 credit
And for further clarification, you'll still have the ability to take advantage of their 100% free 200MB data plan on the LTE enabled tablet that is owned and registered with T-Mobile once the calendar turns 2015. And you're still unsure about your T-Mobile coverage, head on over to their awesome map!
As much as I wanted to like Microsoft's latest Surface Pro 2, the price doesn't justify it's target utility. At $999 for the 128GB model, Apple's MacBook Air is the better laptop and the cheaper iPads or even Android tablets are the better tablet especially when it comes to using many of the apps we are already familiar with. I'm glad to see the upgrade and refinement but I'll be waiting for its next iteration. Until then.
Until then, the Surface Pro 2 is a great machine if you can deal with some of the compromises. If you can't, there are plenty of great tablets, and plenty of great laptops.
As of 2100 EDT on the 14th of March, the media embargo from Apple was lifted and the reviews are in. Everyone LOVES the Retina Display and LTE. I might as well reiterate it again; EVERYONE LOVES THE RETINA DISPLAY!!!
Truth also be told, I'm glad I went with the 32GB Verizon model and can't wait to pick mine up on Friday. Some have already asked and yes, I might end up asking if I can up it to the 64GB version being that applications are coming in weighing at at least 1.5 times the size and some even up to 5 times larger! Here are a couple of snippets from the sources that I believe run true to the way that I analyze new hardware, tech and software.
"...it just looks otherworldly; like a glowing piece of paper." - Joshua Topolsky; The Verge
" The new iPad is the most functional, usable, and beautiful tablet that any company has ever produced." - Joshua Topolsky; The Verge
"It has the most spectacular display I have ever seen in a mobile device. ... Using the new display is like getting a new eyeglasses prescription — you suddenly realize what you thought looked sharp before wasn’t nearly as sharp as it could be." - Walt Mossberg; WSJ: All Things D
"Since it launched in 2010, the iPad has been the best tablet on the planet. With the new, third-generation model, it still holds that crown." - Walt Mossberg; WSJ: All Things D
"Reading on the big retina display is pure joy." - Jon Gruber; Daring Fireball
Techcrunch has a great review with pictures detailing the difference in Tweetbots's iOS Twitter client; Retina vs. non-Retina.
Check it out:
Props out to Tapbots for hurrying up the development of Tweetbot for iPad and getting it rushed out into the Apple App Store Ecosystem! SWAG! (you'll be getting my donation in first thing on Friday!)
Here's another close up from The Verge on the difference in screens of non-Retina vs. Retina.
Update 1: One of the newest and one of my personal favorite sites, The Wirecutter, also just posted their tablet recommendation. I've also included The Loop's review as well.
"This is the tablet you want." - Brian X. Chen; The Wirecutter
"The bottom line is that it's the best tablet and everyone who reviews one agrees. And even people who love Android phones kind of can't say much about how Android tablets stack up against the iPad. And unlike with computers or stereos or cameras, you don't really need my help, or anyone else's help, to understand that. So, I will end here." - Brian X. Chen; The Wirecutter
"So, what did I like about the iPad? Simple — the experience. Nobody in the market today can touch the Apple experience." - Jim Dalrymple; The Loop
