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Kindle latest version
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derbrain
04-08-2011
Hi
I'm thinking of getting a Kindle and am getting a bit confused coz there are some things I don't understand (life story there)

Is it worth paying out the extra 40ish quid for the 3G version?
I understand it comes with free wi-fi. Would I be able to surf the net with it whilst abroad. Does this mean I will no-longer have to park out-side a hotel in America and use their open wi-fi connection? or no-longer have to rely on finding a Starbucks, (like London buses they are never where you want them)?

Is this extra nice meal for 2 price worth it? I do tend to have extended driving holidays in USA.

Answers in language my 80yo grand-mother could understand please. I was going to put a 3yo would understand but kids seem to be born with this sort of knowledge now-a-days.

Thanx
Derbrain.
Nasalhair
04-08-2011
Originally Posted by derbrain:
“Hi
I'm thinking of getting a Kindle and am getting a bit confused coz there are some things I don't understand (life story there)

Is it worth paying out the extra 40ish quid for the 3G version?
I understand it comes with free wi-fi. Would I be able to surf the net with it whilst abroad. Does this mean I will no-longer have to park out-side a hotel in America and use their open wi-fi connection? or no-longer have to rely on finding a Starbucks, (like London buses they are never where you want them)?”

If you travel around, yes, it is worth paying for the 3G.

Yes you can surf the net with it - I took mine on holiday this year and looked at things like the news & the scores at Wimbledon on my Kindle. The browser is slow, black & white (obviously), a bit clunky, but it works for simple, text-based sites. Graphics do work but don't expect videos, or sound, or Flash. And don't use it for downloads (somebody once asked me if there is a "fair use" policy.)

Bear in mind the official purpose of the 3G is to let you access the Kindle store to download books while you're on your travels, and the web browser is tagged as being "experimental" - kind of a "it works, but this isn't its real purpose." It's a bit like there are also some games on the Kindle, but it isn't a games device, and you can also play MP3s on it but it isn't an MP3 player - it is an ebook reader.
sla_steve
04-08-2011
if you want the 3G but dont want to py the extra why not go for a refurb? Comes with a full warranty:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/B002Y27P46

3G: £111
WiFi: £80
ironjade
04-08-2011
I'd go for the 3G version (I did) for less faffing. Don't expect miracles from the browser or mp3 player though, both work but are very basic.
Nigel Goodwin
04-08-2011
I would suggest only going for the 3G version 'if you need it', the Kindle is essentially a book reader, it's simple to download books when and where you have a WiFi connection - the Kindle will hold thousands of books, so no need to desperately download them one at a time via 3G.

If you do want a simple 'anywhere' web browsing capability, then go for the 3G one - but I didn't find the extra cost worthwhile, and after 6/7 months haven't missed the capability at all.
io1901
04-08-2011
I would have to agree with Nigel, You can "send" PDFs and the such like over 3G but they will charge you for the privilege. I just use the home wifi.
!!11oneone
04-08-2011
There's a major bonus to the 3G version:

FREE (though basic) web browsing anywhere in the world. Works for Gmail, DS, Twitter etc. Brilliant.
RobinOfLoxley
05-08-2011
I sold one on eBay yesterday (3G £130). There are a fair few going around that price. New boxed unused. Box maybe opened to take the photo.

Ones with cases wallets were going maybe £140-150

I watched a few closings of auctions since I am new to eBay. Bids in last few seconds are common, generally increasing the price £5-10.

http://shop.ebay.co.uk/i.html?_nkw=k..._dmd=1&_ipg=50
IvanIV
05-08-2011
I am happy with mine, I can check my email for free when abroad and don't have to look for wi-fi spots. I can buy a book when on the road. It's all a matter of comfort that you may not need, but I did not have to starve after I had spent extra 40 quid on it.
JulesandSand
05-08-2011
My OH and I each got a 3G version as we do a fair bit of travelling but in all honesty the wifi one would have been perfectly adequate.

There are few, if any, places where we've been since we got them in January where we haven't had wifi access - even on safari in the Kruger.

We also have about 40 books each on the device and that's more than enough for any given trip.

We use ours only for book reading though - I'm not interested in surfing the web or playing music on it - there are far better devices out there for that.
RobinOfLoxley
05-08-2011
True, but battery life is vvv damn good. 1 week with WiFi on, dunno bout with 3G on cos, as I said, I sold it (competition win). I very nearly kept it though.
JulesandSand
05-08-2011
It's best to turn the wifi off when not in use to extend battery life.
belfastkid
05-08-2011
Personally I havn't got one but ive seriously though about it and to me the extra price of paying for 3G is worth it for the simple pleasure of being able to go on the web (text based sites mainly ofc) while on a journey or out in the countryside and stuff.
derbrain
05-08-2011
Looks like it's the 3G one then.

Thanx all,
sla_steve
05-08-2011
Stop! Its a really bad time to buy a kindle:

http://techcrunch.com/2011/08/05/sto...-buy-a-kindle/
IvanIV
05-08-2011
Last time it was quite a campaign, why would they keep it so hush-hush this time? Anyway, the clarity of the screen could hardly get substantially better and touchscreen is the last thing I'd want from a bookreader. I need the screen as clean as possible and not covered with fingerprints.
rick_694
05-08-2011
I've started another thread about buying a Kindle, which you may have read.

The progress (and greed) of technology companies is relentless. I've decided I want to buy a Kindle. Critical date is 26th September. Is anything liable to drastic change before then?
JulesandSand
05-08-2011
I've just bought an Android tablet - I've wanted one or an iPad since they were introduced but every time I was about to nuy one someone said - 'Wait - something better is about to be launched.'

They were right of course but such is technological progress, you simply have to expect that whatever you buy, it will be superseded before too long.

As far as I'm concerned the Kindle is pretty much perfect as a book reader which is all I want from it.
grumpyoldbat
05-08-2011
Originally Posted by rick_694:
“I've started another thread about buying a Kindle, which you may have read.

The progress (and greed) of technology companies is relentless. I've decided I want to buy a Kindle. Critical date is 26th September. Is anything liable to drastic change before then?”

Why are you buying it? If you're buying it because you want the latest and greatest technology, then wait. If you're buying it because you want a really great ebook reader with access to a store with a wide range of books, then just buy one.

If you're holding off to get something more like Barnes & Noble's NOOK Color which is an ereader that's really a tablet, then that option is already available to you in the form of a wide range of Android tablets or the iPad.

For me, the Kindle's all about reading. I don't use it for anything else, and the e-ink technology is unlikely to be drastically improved any time soon.
Kedece
06-08-2011
Personally I wouldnt bother with the 3g version unless youre going to be using it abroad as a browser a lot, but even then its not the best for that.

If youre using it purely for reading the wifi is probably more than adequate. Ive got the wifi model and can honestly say theres never been one occasion where Ive felt the need for 3g
ironjade
06-08-2011
Originally Posted by Kedece:
“Personally I wouldnt bother with the 3g version unless youre going to be using it abroad as a browser a lot, but even then its not the best for that.

If youre using it purely for reading the wifi is probably more than adequate. Ive got the wifi model and can honestly say theres never been one occasion where Ive felt the need for 3g”

If you don't have wireless at home you're pretty much screwed without 3G or at the mercy of various free but often flaky public connections.
IvanIV
06-08-2011
I looked at it this way, I've spent repeatedly more than £40 on more stupid things than 3G Kindle. So I might as well have it
DJW13
06-08-2011
Originally Posted by ironjade:
“If you don't have wireless at home you're pretty much screwed without 3G or at the mercy of various free but often flaky public connections.”

Surely if you don't have wireless you just plug the Kindle into your PC for downloads?
IvanIV
06-08-2011
Originally Posted by DJW13:
“Surely if you don't have wireless you just plug the Kindle into your PC for downloads?”

You could, but that's the advantage of the Kindle that you don't have to. I still do it with the books I converted myself, but being able to both purchase and download the book without going anywhere near a computer is a big plus even for me, even if I am perfectly capable to do it manualy too. And some peolpe have no clue how to do it, so it's good they do not have to try and maybe destroy something in the process.
Nasalhair
06-08-2011
Originally Posted by DJW13:
“Surely if you don't have wireless you just plug the Kindle into your PC for downloads?”

And what about Kindle owners who don't have a PC, or a computer of any kind?
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