I have the same thought as most people here whereby we can always tether it to our phone and have been buying WiFi models only for many years. Recently bought a cellular model for a good price and the convenience is really a plus point.

If your iPad only stays at home then yes by all means get the WiFi model. However if your iPad does leave your house, even if it's only once in a while, I would recommend getting the cellular model. If you've never bought a cellular model, try it at least once, then I believe it can help you decide better for future purchases.

I have been using the Wifi + Cellular iPad models since the first iPad Mini 2 was launched then moving on to the 9.7" iPad Air and then to the 12.9" iPad Pro.

Finally, I thought that I would like to just tether from my iPhone and bought the new 9.7" iPad WIFI model only. It was only through this new experience did I realise what I am completely missing.

1) Yes, tethering from the phone is one possibility, but it definitely drains my phone's battery a lot faster to tether
yes, unlike one uses mifi to share data.

2) Because of that added step of trying to tether, I find the iPad less of a productivity tool and more for just media consumption
if connect from iPad to iPhone via bluetooth, it is not too bad and it can constantly be connected unlike personal hotspot via wifi

3) When I went overseas recently, I couldn't get a local data sim card and use it on my iPad (extremely useful tool to have)
yup, iPad with wi-fi and cellular can act like a good hotspot device. alternatively, if one has a mifi, this can be resolved.

4) Stopped using my iPad more of a note taker because it takes too long to connect and then open a new note
why it takes longer time to open? i tot note even without connection, u can still create a new note, and it will sync when it has Internet connectivity later. Dun really get the longer time part. 

Just my 2 cents

Hi all, sorry a bit off topic...

Any recommendation dataplan for ipad usage?
Preferable prepaid type just in case need to use the ipad outside from wifi.

Thanks, how about hotlink package?

xpax more worth for it?

I just added a sub line for my iPad from my current Maxis One plan, RM48/month for 5Gb of data.

Yup excluding GST, but I get to have the 5Gb of shared data across so in total I have quite a fair bit of data between my phone and my iPad including my dad's line (which I am paying for his sub line as well).

without cellular, the iPad is crippled.

I have owned an iPad 2 (wifi only) and a iPad Air 2 (cellular). Once you have used a iPad with cellular capability, you will not want to go back to wifi only. I'd rather save up and get the one with cellular.