Cheap iPads Cheapest iPad 2, new iPad 3 and 3G data plans

Apple revealed the latest tablet to join its iPad portfolio on Wed 7 Mar. The 'New iPad', as it's called, is the third generation of the device. It costs from £399 for the Wi-fi only version and £499 for the Wi-fi + 4G version.

It doesn't differ massively from its predecessor, the iPad 2, in terms of features. It has an improved Retina display with 1080p full HD, a 5 megapixel camera and a faster, more powerful A5X chip with quad-core graphics.

It also features a 4G data connection, however this feature will be redundant in the UK, for a while at least. For more info, read what tech websites Tech Radar and T3 have to say about the New iPad.

One of the big boons of the New iPad launch is that the price of the iPad 2 has dropped by £70 - though you can get an extra £10 off at Tesco Direct (see prices below). Apple has only cut the price of the iPad 2 16GB model though - the 32GB and 64GB models have been discontinued.

As the iPad 2 is still a fantastic device many will be content with it, especially as it's now much cheaper than the New iPad. The rest of this guide focuses on the iPad 2.

It's likely that once the New iPad is more readily available, the iPad 2 will come down in price further (and may be withdrawn from the Apple site altogether), with cheap refurbished models becoming less scarce. We'll update the guide as and when we know more.

Apple's second-generation tablet, the iPad 2, is 33% thinner and 15% lighter than its predecessor, not to mention faster and packed with more features and technology. Some of the features include:

• Two cameras. One camera on the back plus one camera on the front equals FaceTime video calling and full HD video recording. Reviews suggest its cameras aren't as good as other tablets' cameras, as Apple hasn't included a flash. So while photos look decent on its own display, according to magazine Macworld, they're "noticeably grainy and muddy" when printed.
• 10-hour battery life. Perfect for watching films on long journeys, doing presentations in meetings and finding places when out-and-about, the iPad 2 has a longer battery life than it's predecessor. And recharging the iPad 2 takes much less time than the original iPad.
• Dual-core A5 chip. This tiny piece of technology makes the iPad 2 a fast, powerful multitasking tablet. It can do twice the work at once; apps load quickly, and the touchscreen responds instantly. The graphics are also nine times that of the original iPad, so gaming, videos and photos are sharper and clearer on the iPad 2.
• iCloud and iOS 5. Apple's latest development, iCloud, stores your music, photos, documents and more remotely, and wirelessly pushes them to your other devices so they're always available to your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, or PC.

• Wi-fi or 3G? If you plan to use your iPad out-and-about, you should opt for the Wi-fi + 3G model. If you'll just be using it at home, the Wi-fi only version is more suitable (and cheaper). Read below to help you decide whether you need Wi-fi only or Wi-fi + 3G.
• How much storage do you need? Like the iPhone, the iPad's storage capacity can't be expanded, so make sure you get one with enough storage for your needs. The iPad 2 is available in 16GB, 32GB and 64GB models.
• Do you need Flash? Though great for surfing the net, the iPad 2 doesn't support Flash software for videos and audio, so you may often come across broken pages where photo slideshows, videos and audio should be. The lack of Flash can also be a problem for gamers, though apps/games bought from the App Store are designed around this Apple 'flaw'.
• Do you want to use it to make calls? One of the most exciting features of the iPad 2 is FaceTime; a video-calling app. However, FaceTime only works with the latest Apple technology (can only call other iPad 2s and iPhone 4, iPhone 4S owners), and only over wi-fi, so you won't be able to ditch your mobile just yet.
• How much data do I need? Three Mobile suggests 15GB/month will let you send 15,000 Outlook/HTML emails, surf the web for 150 hours, download 75 four-minute videos and download 480 four-minute music tracks. If you're worried about your usage, there are a number of free apps that you can download from the App Store that can help you track the amount you're using. Read the data usage section in the Cheap iPhones guide for more info.

Apple offers two versions of the iPad 2; one with just wi-fi (which can only connect online with a wireless internet signal), and one with both wi-fi and 3G connections (which can connect to wireless and mobile internet signals).

As it's £100 more than the Wi-fi only model, there's no point in going for for the 3G model unless you're going to use it on the go (or in places where free wi-fi isn't available). Yet if you travel a lot and want an "always on" connection, the 3G model - which uses a mobile internet signal to get you online - is the only option.

If you think the Wi-fi only model is enough for your needs, prices start from around £329 - see below to find the cheapest iPad 2 Wi-fi.

The Wi-fi + 3G model costs from £429, however data will cost you extra per month (or on a pay as you go basis). See Cheapest iPad 2 Wi-fi + 3G for the best deals.

If you have wi-fi at home, you can get online on your iPad through your wireless network. The iPad will usually find a network on its own, and ask if you want to connect, so it's easy to set up.

You're not limited to using it just at home, as wi-fi hotspots are popping up everywhere these days. From coffee shops and pubs to fast food joints and train stations, wi-fi is fast becoming the norm, and any hotel worth staying at should have free wi-fi. McDonald's outlets, Wetherspoons and Walkabout pubs, and Starbucks coffee shops all offer free wi-fi.

Read our Free Wireless Internet guide for more info.

Tethering effectively turns your mobile phone into a wireless mobile router. It uses the 3G signal on your phone to power the web on your laptop, tablet or e-book reader.

You'll need to have a 3G handset and mobile tariff that supports tethering. You can set your phone up to create a wi-fi hotspot, which you can then use with other wi-fi devices, including the Wi-fi only iPad, to get online wherever you are.

Once set up, any data you use will come out of your phone’s monthly mobile data allowance.

Will it cost me extra to tether to my iPad?

Whether you can tether depends on the tariff you have. Anyone who takes out a new O2 or Vodafone tariff, for example, can now tether at no extra cost. But if you have an older contract don't assume you can do this. Three Mobile also allows free tethering on some tariffs.

As your internet usage on the iPad will count towards to your mobile data allowance when tethering, it's important you make sure you don't go over this allowance - otherwise it could be costly.

Below are links to each of the main providers' tethering pages:

• Tethering for Vodafone customers
• Tethering for O2 customers
• Tethering for T-Mobile customers
• Tethering for Orange customers
• Tethering for Three Mobile customers
• GiffGaff - currently does not support iPhone tethering
• Tesco Mobile - currently doesn't support any tethering.

If in doubt, contact your mobile provider. It'll be able to tell you if there are any charges for tethering, charges for going over your monthly data allowance (helping you avoid potential bill shock at the end of the month), and talk you through the set-up process to enable tethering.

Is it worth paying for tethering?

Before deciding whether tethering is right for you, and whether it's worth paying extra to tether if your mobile provider doesn't allow it for free, consider when you're likely to use your iPad the most, and what you'll be using it for.

Mobile data allowances are usually a maximum of 1GB a month. This is fine for occasional use, sufing the net and checking emails, but not really suitable if you want to spend a lot of time online, watching TV or movies, downloading music etc.

If you're going to be using your iPad a lot, both on the go and at home, compare the 3G data deals below. As these have a bigger usage limit, you may find that it's cheaper to buy a Wi-fi + 3G model with a data tariff and bigger usage limit, than paying the extra to tether your smartphone to a Wi-fi only iPad and risk going over your mobile phone's data limit (and being hit hit with a hefty charge).

The iPad 2 isn't the only tablet on the market. There are plenty of alternatives that cost a lot less. All the big name mobile manufacturers offer some kind of tablet, including Samsung, Motorola, BlackBerry and HTC.

We'll update this guide with more tablet options soon.