What is the best iPad deal for you?

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By Jonathan Thomas
Know Your Money Editor

The much-talked-about Apple iPad is now available for UK customers to pre-order and three mobile phone networks are offering data deals.

For those of you who want the device, but at the best price, now could be the time to take a look at what is on offer and weigh up which will prove the best value for your money before the May 28th launch date.

Where can you get it from?

Consumers wanting to browse the web on the go may be keen to hear the three major networks - Orange, Vodafone and O2 - are offering deals for the Apple iPad and the best deal may vary depending on how you plan to use the device.

Naturally the more you plan to use the internet the more money it will cost, but there are some variations.

O2

The cheapest deal it offers is £2 a day for 500MB of data per month with unlimited wi-fi across 7,500 BT Openzone and The Cloud hotspots.

Alternatively those who plan to regularly use wi-fi and 3G could choose to pay £10 per 30 days for 1GB of data and unlimited wi-fi across 7,500 BT Openzone and The Cloud hotspots.

Heavy users might find it best to plump for paying £15 per 30 days for 3GB, again with unlimited wi-fi access.

Orange

Pay-as-you-go customers can use their iPad at a price of 5p per MB, this allows for no unlimited 3G usage up to a maximum charge £40 per month. There is no wi-fi.

Those planning to use up to 200MB - with no wi-fi - can pay £2 a day, while £7.50 per week will get 1GB of data.

£15 per month will get users 3GB - with wi-fi capped at 750MB per month but available in 3,800 BT Openzone and 150,000 BT Business Hubs.

While £25 per month will provide 10GB - again with wi-fi capped at 750MB per month.

Vodafone

The only network that has opted not to offer the iPad 3G with pay as you go data.

Only monthly contracts are available and £10 per month users will get 1GB of data.

But for £25 a month 5GB of data is available, although this compares poorly with the £25 deal offered by Orange.

What data plan is best for you?

It might be wise to take a look at what it is possible to achieve with the data you have available to you.

Consumers may wish to consider on average how often in a month they would do the following and find the price plan that is the best value for their money. Here is the breakdown of data usage/requirement by website buzzintechnology.com:

• An email: 10KB
• A typical webpage: 150KB
• A single page in word/pdf: 35KB to 100KB
• A photo from facebook/picassa: 60KB
• A presentation with 10 slides: 1MB
• A photo from a six-megapixel digital camera: 1.5MB
• A ten minute Skype call: 5MB
• An average eBook: 2MB
• A five minute MP3 song: 5MB

Important Notice
This guide is intended for general information only and is not intended as, and does not constitute, any form of advice, recommendation or endorsement by us of any particular product(s) or services and you should rely on your own further research and professional advice in relation to your specific requirements and circumstances before purchasing any products or services. Use of this guide is subject to the Terms of Use of the KnowYourMoney site.