[Q] T-Mobile version worth ~$200?

[magus57]

I've seen them go around that much on eBay regularly now, and I'm wondering if it's worth it. Currently have a gaming laptop, but I'll be selling jt for about $600 and want something with a bigger screen than my Note 2 for movies and web browsing in bed, and something with a nice keyboard dock available (the one for the Tab Plus is only $30 on Amazon now).

Anyway, I can get 2GB of web with T-Mobile for $10/month, which is fine since I'll use it on Wifi mostly anyway, but I'm wondering if there are any flaws with the T-Mobile version (or Tab Plus in general) I should be aware of. I'll probably be sticking to stock ICS due to IR and keyboard support, if that matters, and I'm fine with ICS.

 

[SaurusM3]

How do you get 2GB for $10? http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/plans/mobile-broadband-plans.aspx

You can add data to your voice plan for $10, but tethering costs extra ($15/mo., I think). And a phone sim won't work in a data device.

I have a GT-P6210 wi-fi I use at home, and a 4G broadband modem for when I go on the road - just buy a pass when I need to. My wife tethers her iPad too when she's along. The combination is more versatile than a tablet dedicated to a single carrier - I can upgrade (to a Nexus 7) any time,

Edit: Seems they now have a new "Simple Choice" set of plans - higher price, but include tethering.

 

[magus57]

How do you get 2GB for $10? http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/plans/mobile-broadband-plans.aspx

You can add data to your voice plan for $10, but tethering costs extra ($15/mo., I think). And a phone sim won't work in a data device.

I have a GT-P6210 wi-fi I use at home, and a 4G broadband modem for when I go on the road - just buy a pass when I need to. My wife tethers her iPad too when she's along. The combination is more versatile than a tablet dedicated to a single carrier - I can upgrade (to a Nexus 7) any time,

Edit: Seems they now have a new "Simple Choice" set of plans - higher price, but include tethering.

I get it through a friend at T-Mobile, that's not a concern.

And having the 4G built in is just much easier for me, as that's one less device to carry around and worry about battery life with, and I don't even have any other Wifi-only devices that I can't just use hotspost on my phone for in the rare chance I'd need it. And running hotspot every time I want data on the tablet rather than just using it immediately is too much hassle for me personally.

I mean, if the P6210 is considerably cheaper than the T-Mobile version at the time I buy it, I'll get that, but if not then I'll get the T-Mobole version.

But anyway, can you think of any drawbacks or flaws with the P6210 I should be aware, or have you heard of anything with the T-Mobile version? I know the Tab 2 gets more support at this point, but I'd be using stock firmware in this case (for full functionality), and the fact that it will grt Jelly Bean at some point is fine with me (even just ICS is fine).

 

[SaurusM3]

Only complaint I've heard is that US carriers don't allow voice calls on tablets. Not sure why; they allow it in the civilized world.

My only complaint of the Samsung tabs is the donkey 30-pin connector they use for charge & data. Everybody else but Apple gets by with micro USB. HDMI takes maybe 4 more pins, don't know what the rest are for.

There aren't many SGH-T869 models on eBay atm. Don't mess with the unlocked ones (GT-P6200). They'll only work at 2G speeds on TMo, at least where they haven't converted the 1900MHz band over to 4G data yet.

 

[magus57]

Only complaint I've heard is that US carriers don't allow voice calls on tablets. Not sure why; they allow it in the civilized world.

My only complaint of the Samsung tabs is the donkey 30-pin connector they use for charge & data. Everybody else but Apple gets by with micro USB. HDMI takes maybe 4 more pins, don't know what the rest are for.

There aren't many SGH-T869 models on eBay atm. Don't mess with the unlocked ones (GT-P6200). They'll only work at 2G speeds on TMo, at least where they haven't converted the 1900MHz band over to 4G data yet.

Well even if, the P6200 is crazy expensive in comparison. I'm not in a hurry to get it, so I'd be scouting for a good deal anyway. Connector is annoying but I can deal. And I'm not concerned about not voice calls, while its a nice feature, I already hate using my Note 2 as a phone without a headset, I can't imagine how much of a pain it'd be with a full tablet.

 

[bob60626]

Check out Amazon, I remember there being a bunch of them for $200. I bought mine for the same amount off swappa and really like it. I believe it's HSPA 21; even in a good area for TMobile I never really get fast speeds on it, averaging around 7-9 down I think. Netflix works fine though. I like mine but I wouldn't mind a slightly better rear camera and a non-stupid charging port.

I bought an unlocked i717 to replace it and my S2 but I'm probably going back to the S2 and 7.0+ combo. I don't use data often but would for $10/2gigs!


Edit- word is the 869 is fully capable on AT&T when unlocked.