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

Apple's latest iPad, the iPad Mini, went on sale on 2 Nov. It costs from £269 for the Wi-fi only version and £369 for the Wi-fi + 4G version.

The iPad mini is approximately two-thirds the size of the standard iPad, sporting a 7.9in screen (the standard iPad is 9.7in). It doesn’t have Apple’s super high-definition Retina display (found on the 4th generation model), but it does have the same screen resolution as an iPad 2. It's just 7.2mm thick, and weighs only 0.68lbs, making it 23% thinner and 53% lighter than the third generation iPad.

It also features a 4G data connection, however this feature will be redundant in the UK, unless you opt for a tariff with Orange, T-Mobile or their parent company, EE.

For more info, read what tech websites Tech Radar and T3 have to say about the iPad Mini.

Apple says it's iPad with Retina Display, the fourth generation of the tablet, is the best device it's ever made. However there was much umbrage when it launched, as it basically rendered the iPad 3 obsolete, just months after its launch.

The Retina display on this iPad makes everything look crisper and clearer, and colours are more vibrant, because it has 3.1 million pixels. The new A6X chip inside the iPad with Retina Display is up to twice as fast as the previous-generation A5X chip, and it delivers up to twice the graphics performance, without sacrificing battery life, says Apple.

For more info, read what tech websites Tech Radar and MacLife have to say about the iPad with Retina Display.

Apple's second-generation tablet, is a massive step up from its predecessor, the original iPad, not to mention faster and packed with more features and technology.

One of the big boons of Apple's latest iPad launch is that the price of the iPad 2 has dropped to £329. 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 newer models. Because of this, the rest of this guide focuses on the iPad 2.

It's likely the iPad 2 will come down in price further (and may be withdrawn from the Apple site altogether) in the New Year, with cheap refurbished models becoming less scarce.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

Some of the features of the iPad 2 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.

When choosing an iPad, you can opt for a wi-fi only model (which can only connect online with a wireless internet signal), or one with both wi-fi and 3G connections (which can connect to wireless and mobile internet signals).

With all iPad models, the 3G + wi-fi version is £100 more than its wi-fi only counterpart. So there's no point in going for for the 3G model unless you're going to use your iPad 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. As free wi-fi is available pretty much everywhere around the UK, it pays to consider whether you really need a 3G version.

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 a 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. And 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 - Goodybags only support tethering with smartphones, not iPads
• 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, surfing 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).

iPad aren't the only tablets 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 be adding them to the site soon.