Best Buy has started a new promotion that gives customers a free 3G wi-fi hotspot when they buy a wi-fi iPad. The only requirement is a two-year service contract with whichever carrier’s hotspot you choose: Verizon, AT&T, or Sprint.
You can get an AT&T MiFi 2372, a Verizon Fivespot, or a Sprint Overdrive hotspot. These all have the capability of supporting up to five devices at once. Essentially, you’re saving $130, although you are forced to sign up for the aforementioned two-year contract.
Here are the upsides and downsides:
Downsides
- Two-year contract
- Extra device to carry
Upsides
- You save $130 vs. a wi-fi + 3G enabled iPad
- You can choose any of the Big 3 carriers
For anyone thinking of heading to a Verizon store to get a Verizon iPad, there’s really no reason to do that now. The Verizon iPad is just a wi-fi iPad with a Verizon MiFi 2200. It costs $130 more than the Best Buy deal.
These discounts will end on Jan. 2