Rethinking 3G Purchase...

JerryinOCMD · 11-29-2010, 09:48 PM

Pulled the trigger on a new 3G Kindle today, and now I'm wishing I'd just gone with Wifi instead. I've agonized over this decision for months, and thought I'd convinced myself, but alas, I've reconsidered. How would Amazon handle an exchange for the Wifi only model? What are my options?

JerryinOCMD · 11-29-2010, 09:51 PM

I'm rarely without wifi coverage, and feel like the $50 would be better spent on accessories, etc. If the browser was capable enough I was considering dumping my $30 per month blackberry plan. I use gmail and google calendar. How do they work on the Kindle 3G?

CyberpunkDad · 11-29-2010, 10:50 PM

In a pinch the web on the kindle is okay. Given the chance you will use any other device for web access. If you ever do any travelling you will be glad you had the 3G in a pinch for web or book purchases. At home wifi is fine, if I was out and about I wouldn't want to screw around with finding a hotspot and trying to wrangle the Kindle to get it to work. Bear in mind that a lot of hot spots require you to complete a web setup to even get it to work. Hopefully someone who travels more and uses wifi in cafes etc. can comment.

daffy4u · 11-29-2010, 10:56 PM

Kindles purchased from Amazon have a 30 day return policy. It will be very easy to exchange the 3G version for WiFi only. In fact, since you just ordered today, try contacting Amazon to see if you have time to switch it before shipping. Use the link in my sig.

Leep · 11-29-2010, 11:05 PM

I have the Kindle wifi and find it perfectly adequate for everything. When I do purchase new books, I tend to browse via my computer because it's vastly quicker. Remember, the K3 does not have a mouse, just a 5 way controller button, and now uses alternative keys for typing numbers and symbols making it very slow and clumsy for email and browsing. Can it be done in a pinch? Yes.

The only feature that I miss when I'm on the road and not near a wifi zone is news/magazine subscriptions. But I usually solve that problem by logging into a wifi hotspot on a day by day basis. Once you learn how, it is relatively easy to poll for hotspots and change the wifi settings on your K3 accordingly so I do not consider that a problem. Also, if you are travelling internationally, Amazon will charge a surcharge for 3G access other than for purchasing a ebook.

cheers

CyberpunkDad · 11-29-2010, 11:08 PM

Any extra $50 for a case or a reading light like the new hyper sexy Octovo Solis wouldn't hurt either.

Ervserver · 11-30-2010, 12:04 AM

I went with the wi-fi version and spent the saved $50 on booze

erictoma · 11-30-2010, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ervserver

I went with the wi-fi version and spent the saved $50 on booze

booze

CyberpunkDad · 11-30-2010, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ervserver

I went with the wi-fi version and spent the saved $50 on booze

Nice. Hams or Schlitz?

desertblues · 11-30-2010, 01:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JerryinOCMD

I'm rarely without wifi coverage, and feel like the $50 would be better spent on accessories, etc. If the browser was capable enough I was considering dumping my $30 per month blackberry plan. I use gmail and google calendar. How do they work on the Kindle 3G?

For me the extra dollars for the 3G are well worth it. When travelling, and not having wifi around; it's good to be able to at least check the mail.

But, I wouldn't want to use my Kindle for extensive browsing. I've an iPad for that or PC. The Kindle-browser is experimental and BTW: it is an ereader.

Josieb1 · 11-30-2010, 03:04 AM

I have two, a wifi and a 3G, the 3G is my main one. I commutte to work and it's lovely to be able to download any sample or book while travelling, and at work as downloads won't come through my firms firewall. That's why I love my 3G

TheKindleWorm · 11-30-2010, 04:11 AM

I've been glad I got the 3G version a million times over.

The 3G was a godsend on a 2 week cruise because everytime the ship docked somewhere, I could use my kindle for emailing (gmail works very well) getting news feeds delivered and browsing my favourite sites. The Kindle browser isn't great - but it is adequate enough for emailing and many text-heavy websites. It saved me paying for the very expensive onboard wifi.

We've also had a lot of problems with our wifi connection at home. My Kindle came to the rescue again and I even used the Kindle to purchase some lightening deals in the Black Friday Amazon sale. While many other people were complaining that you needed a fast Internet connection or a mega computer to get hold of anything! Well the Kindle managed just fine

So, for me, it was definitely worth paying the extra. But I can understand that if you have a better alternative, you probably wouldn't choose to use your Kindle web browser. It works but it is a little slow and can be difficult to navigate some websites. But if you travel abroad it can definitely save money over using a smartphone for instance. And, here in the UK, we're not exactly inundated with free wifi hotspots except for McDonalds.

curstpriest · 11-30-2010, 05:19 AM

its 50$ for free internet forever, that is nothing imo.

JerryinOCMD · 11-30-2010, 08:51 AM

I appreciate the helpful comments, and I will give it the obligatory 30 day try. I'm sure that I'd rather have 3G than not have it. Browsing the internet on Kindle can't really be any worse than trying to browse on my BB Curve 8330 (just about useless). Now I can't wait for delivery of my Kindle tomorrow! I've been getting myself worked up, however, worrying about the reboot issue with the lighted Amazon covers...Of course, that's the cover that I ordered ;-)

Josieb1 · 11-30-2010, 09:29 AM

I have a lighted cover and don't even know what the 'reboot' issue is

11-29-2010, 09:48 PM	#1
JerryinOCMD Enthusiast Posts: 28 Karma: 696 Join Date: Nov 2010 Device: Kindle 3	Rethinking 3G Purchase... Pulled the trigger on a new 3G Kindle today, and now I'm wishing I'd just gone with Wifi instead. I've agonized over this decision for months, and thought I'd convinced myself, but alas, I've reconsidered. How would Amazon handle an exchange for the Wifi only model? What are my options?

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11-29-2010, 09:51 PM	#2
JerryinOCMD Enthusiast Posts: 28 Karma: 696 Join Date: Nov 2010 Device: Kindle 3	I'm rarely without wifi coverage, and feel like the $50 would be better spent on accessories, etc. If the browser was capable enough I was considering dumping my $30 per month blackberry plan. I use gmail and google calendar. How do they work on the Kindle 3G?

11-29-2010, 10:50 PM	#3
CyberpunkDad Neuromancer Fanboi Posts: 49 Karma: 480 Join Date: Nov 2010 Device: Kindle 3 / 3G	In a pinch the web on the kindle is okay. Given the chance you will use any other device for web access. If you ever do any travelling you will be glad you had the 3G in a pinch for web or book purchases. At home wifi is fine, if I was out and about I wouldn't want to screw around with finding a hotspot and trying to wrangle the Kindle to get it to work. Bear in mind that a lot of hot spots require you to complete a web setup to even get it to work. Hopefully someone who travels more and uses wifi in cafes etc. can comment.

11-29-2010, 10:56 PM	#4
daffy4u I'm Super Kindle-icious Posts: 6,734 Karma: 2434103 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Long Drive, Calinadia Candafornia Device: KDXG, KT, Oasis	Kindles purchased from Amazon have a 30 day return policy. It will be very easy to exchange the 3G version for WiFi only. In fact, since you just ordered today, try contacting Amazon to see if you have time to switch it before shipping. Use the link in my sig.

11-29-2010, 11:05 PM	#5
Leep Guru Posts: 739 Karma: 1018859 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Near Seattle Device: kindle1, K3, K3G (thanks MR), iTouch, Kindle Touch	I have the Kindle wifi and find it perfectly adequate for everything. When I do purchase new books, I tend to browse via my computer because it's vastly quicker. Remember, the K3 does not have a mouse, just a 5 way controller button, and now uses alternative keys for typing numbers and symbols making it very slow and clumsy for email and browsing. Can it be done in a pinch? Yes. The only feature that I miss when I'm on the road and not near a wifi zone is news/magazine subscriptions. But I usually solve that problem by logging into a wifi hotspot on a day by day basis. Once you learn how, it is relatively easy to poll for hotspots and change the wifi settings on your K3 accordingly so I do not consider that a problem. Also, if you are travelling internationally, Amazon will charge a surcharge for 3G access other than for purchasing a ebook. cheers

11-29-2010, 11:08 PM	#6
CyberpunkDad Neuromancer Fanboi Posts: 49 Karma: 480 Join Date: Nov 2010 Device: Kindle 3 / 3G	Any extra $50 for a case or a reading light like the new hyper sexy Octovo Solis wouldn't hurt either.

11-30-2010, 12:04 AM	#7
Ervserver Wizard Posts: 2,624 Karma: 1008294 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Iowa, USA Device: Nook Simple Touch	I went with the wi-fi version and spent the saved $50 on booze

11-30-2010, 03:04 AM	#11
Josieb1 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,082 Karma: 18051062 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: UK Device: Kindle Scribe, Coloursoft, PW SE, Kindle 6, Kobo Libra Colour, Libra 2	I have two, a wifi and a 3G, the 3G is my main one. I commutte to work and it's lovely to be able to download any sample or book while travelling, and at work as downloads won't come through my firms firewall. That's why I love my 3G

11-30-2010, 04:11 AM	#12
TheKindleWorm Guru Posts: 860 Karma: 177868 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: East Anglia UK Device: Kindle 3G, iPhone 3G, iPod 4G, PB 360, Sony 600 sold, Kindle 2i sold	I've been glad I got the 3G version a million times over. The 3G was a godsend on a 2 week cruise because everytime the ship docked somewhere, I could use my kindle for emailing (gmail works very well) getting news feeds delivered and browsing my favourite sites. The Kindle browser isn't great - but it is adequate enough for emailing and many text-heavy websites. It saved me paying for the very expensive onboard wifi. We've also had a lot of problems with our wifi connection at home. My Kindle came to the rescue again and I even used the Kindle to purchase some lightening deals in the Black Friday Amazon sale. While many other people were complaining that you needed a fast Internet connection or a mega computer to get hold of anything! Well the Kindle managed just fine So, for me, it was definitely worth paying the extra. But I can understand that if you have a better alternative, you probably wouldn't choose to use your Kindle web browser. It works but it is a little slow and can be difficult to navigate some websites. But if you travel abroad it can definitely save money over using a smartphone for instance. And, here in the UK, we're not exactly inundated with free wifi hotspots except for McDonalds.

11-30-2010, 05:19 AM	#13
curstpriest Confused Posts: 402 Karma: 5538 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Bay Area Device: Kindle DXG	its 50$ for free internet forever, that is nothing imo.

11-30-2010, 08:51 AM	#14
JerryinOCMD Enthusiast Posts: 28 Karma: 696 Join Date: Nov 2010 Device: Kindle 3	I appreciate the helpful comments, and I will give it the obligatory 30 day try. I'm sure that I'd rather have 3G than not have it. Browsing the internet on Kindle can't really be any worse than trying to browse on my BB Curve 8330 (just about useless). Now I can't wait for delivery of my Kindle tomorrow! I've been getting myself worked up, however, worrying about the reboot issue with the lighted Amazon covers...Of course, that's the cover that I ordered ;-)

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11-30-2010, 09:29 AM	#15
Josieb1 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,082 Karma: 18051062 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: UK Device: Kindle Scribe, Coloursoft, PW SE, Kindle 6, Kobo Libra Colour, Libra 2	I have a lighted cover and don't even know what the 'reboot' issue is