kindle wi-fi or kindle wi-fi + 3G

anthonyw · 11-09-2010, 09:03 AM

I have no technical knowledge. Could you tell me what the difference is between
kindle w-fi
and
kindle wi-fi + 3G
and what wi-fi and 3G mean in practical terms
Thanks
anthonyw

hal2814 · 11-09-2010, 09:13 AM

wi-fi means you need to have a wireless access point to get on the Internet. That's how laptops typically get on the internet. 3G is a type of digital wireless that some cell phones use. 3G internet runs through cell phone towers so your coverage is similar to a cell phone. So for wi-fi if you're away from home, you'd have to find a wireless hot spot to get back on the internet. Fast food places, libraries, etc tend to have that them. 3G will get internet just about anywhere an AT&T phone will get reception. Personally I love my 3G Kindle because I can fool around on the internet while we're on long car trips but your mileage may vary.

GeoffC · 11-09-2010, 09:25 AM

Welcome to mobileread....

[hal2814's reply may be US-centred, other countries will have providers other than AT&T; otherwise, what (s)he said!]

mldavis2 · 11-09-2010, 09:55 AM

If you expect to use the Kindle as an internet browser, I think you'll be disappointed. The eInk screen is optimized for black and white text display, not web pages. The browser function is under "Experimental" features on the menu, which is appropriate.

For me, as a reader, I cannot think of a situation in which I would be far enough away from home or a WiFi hotspot that I would ever need a link to the internet for downloading yet another book. With hundreds of books out there, I can always find one on the Kindle to read by stocking it at home before leaving on a trip. 3G is just not worth the $50. Having said that, I do use a laptop computer on the road for my internet browsing in 15" living color, so I would never use the Kindle for that.

anthonyw · 11-09-2010, 10:13 AM

It looks like wi-fi only is the answer for me especially as I do not have or need a cell phone. Many thanks for helpful advice

anthonyw

mldavis2 · 11-09-2010, 10:21 AM

The 3G access is paid for by the $50 extra. You don't need a separate cell phone account. It just isn't a feature I would use, so I saved the $50. Many people do use it. I read on my Kindle, not surf the 'net. Your mileage may vary.

techiegirl · 11-09-2010, 10:24 AM

It's not a need for a cell phone. Even if you have a 3G Kindle, you wouldn't be able to make a call with it. The issue is, would you have a need to purchase and download a book right from your Kindle when you're away from home?

I bought the 3G model so I can buy a book anywhere.

desertgrandma · 11-09-2010, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anthonyw

It looks like wi-fi only is the answer for me especially as I do not have or need a cell phone. Many thanks for helpful advice

anthonyw

Think of it this way.

With the wi-fi model, you are always connected at home, or ou can connect anywhere there is a free hotspot.

With the 3g model, you are always connected, anywhere you are, regardless... This allows you to download an ebook in line at the post office, at the grocery store, etc.

BUT the question is.........do you really need that? Like others have said, the Kindle is not a great internet browser, and it doesn't make calls.

MickeyC · 11-09-2010, 09:45 PM

Hi anthonyw and welcome to MobileRead

Maggie May · 11-10-2010, 01:13 PM

Hi anthonyw and welcome to MobileRead.

Mag.

Sandra Edwards · 11-10-2010, 05:37 PM

Welcome to MR!

Sandy

ImogenRose · 11-10-2010, 10:39 PM

Hello and welcome to MR!

Imogen

anthonyw · 11-12-2010, 04:33 AM

Dear everybody
Thank you for your very useful replies which were much appreciated. I bought the wi-fi only kindle and am now with thanks permanently leaving this blog.
Kind regards
anthonyw

happy_terd · 11-22-2010, 12:40 PM

Hello and welcome to MR!!!

11-09-2010, 09:03 AM	#1
anthonyw Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2010 Device: none	kindle wi-fi or kindle wi-fi + 3G I have no technical knowledge. Could you tell me what the difference is between kindle w-fi and kindle wi-fi + 3G and what wi-fi and 3G mean in practical terms Thanks anthonyw

11-09-2010, 10:13 AM	#5
anthonyw Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2010 Device: none	kindle wi-fi and 3G It looks like wi-fi only is the answer for me especially as I do not have or need a cell phone. Many thanks for helpful advice anthonyw

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
The Frugal Kindle ~ Frugal Finds Under $9 for the Kindle (Kindle eBook Resource)	eTrubrown	Self-Promotions by Authors and Publishers	3	10-10-2010 07:12 PM
Transfer Kindle books from Kindle PC to Kindle 3	ppearce	Amazon Kindle	15	09-16-2010 06:11 PM
Font hacks for the Kindle 2, Kindle International and Kindle DX	edge777	Kindle Developer's Corner	17	04-30-2010 05:11 PM
$0.01 in Kindle Store: Interactive Sudoku for Kindle 2 and Kindle DX - Volume 1	Xia	Deals and Resources (No Self-Promotion or Affiliate Links)	2	11-07-2009 11:06 AM

11-09-2010, 09:13 AM	#2
hal2814 Connoisseur Posts: 65 Karma: 2460 Join Date: Oct 2010 Device: Kindle 2	wi-fi means you need to have a wireless access point to get on the Internet. That's how laptops typically get on the internet. 3G is a type of digital wireless that some cell phones use. 3G internet runs through cell phone towers so your coverage is similar to a cell phone. So for wi-fi if you're away from home, you'd have to find a wireless hot spot to get back on the internet. Fast food places, libraries, etc tend to have that them. 3G will get internet just about anywhere an AT&T phone will get reception. Personally I love my 3G Kindle because I can fool around on the internet while we're on long car trips but your mileage may vary.

11-09-2010, 09:25 AM	#3
GeoffC Chocolate Grasshopper ... Posts: 27,599 Karma: 20821184 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Scotland Device: Muse HD , Cybook Gen3 , Pocketbook 302 (Black) , Nexus 10: wife has PW	Welcome to mobileread.... [hal2814's reply may be US-centred, other countries will have providers other than AT&T; otherwise, what (s)he said!]

11-09-2010, 09:55 AM	#4
mldavis2 Coffee Nut Posts: 410 Karma: 298350 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Missouri Device: Kindle 3; K4PC; Calibre	If you expect to use the Kindle as an internet browser, I think you'll be disappointed. The eInk screen is optimized for black and white text display, not web pages. The browser function is under "Experimental" features on the menu, which is appropriate. For me, as a reader, I cannot think of a situation in which I would be far enough away from home or a WiFi hotspot that I would ever need a link to the internet for downloading yet another book. With hundreds of books out there, I can always find one on the Kindle to read by stocking it at home before leaving on a trip. 3G is just not worth the $50. Having said that, I do use a laptop computer on the road for my internet browsing in 15" living color, so I would never use the Kindle for that.

11-09-2010, 10:21 AM	#6
mldavis2 Coffee Nut Posts: 410 Karma: 298350 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Missouri Device: Kindle 3; K4PC; Calibre	The 3G access is paid for by the $50 extra. You don't need a separate cell phone account. It just isn't a feature I would use, so I saved the $50. Many people do use it. I read on my Kindle, not surf the 'net. Your mileage may vary.

11-09-2010, 10:24 AM	#7
techiegirl Groupie Posts: 169 Karma: 1014914 Join Date: Nov 2010 Device: Kindle Voyage, iPad Mini, iPhone 6+	It's not a need for a cell phone. Even if you have a 3G Kindle, you wouldn't be able to make a call with it. The issue is, would you have a need to purchase and download a book right from your Kindle when you're away from home? I bought the 3G model so I can buy a book anywhere.

11-09-2010, 09:45 PM	#9
MickeyC Grand Sorcerer Posts: 16,731 Karma: 12185114 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Florida Device: iPhone 6 plus, Sony T1, iPad 3	Hi anthonyw and welcome to MobileRead

11-10-2010, 01:13 PM	#10
Maggie May Grand Sorcerer Posts: 8,907 Karma: 87755439 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ireland Device: CYbook Gen3 and Sony PRS 3505 Kindle 3 G Nexus 7 iPad	Hi anthonyw and welcome to MobileRead. Mag.

11-10-2010, 05:37 PM	#11
Sandra Edwards Queen of Procrastination Posts: 1,884 Karma: 1802 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Nevada Device: K2, K3, Fire	Welcome to MR! Sandy

11-10-2010, 10:39 PM	#12
ImogenRose PORTAL Posts: 7,204 Karma: 2884640 Join Date: Apr 2010 Device: Kindle 1, Kindle 3 (3G), iPhone	Hello and welcome to MR! Imogen

11-12-2010, 04:33 AM	#13
anthonyw Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2010 Device: none	Dear everybody Thank you for your very useful replies which were much appreciated. I bought the wi-fi only kindle and am now with thanks permanently leaving this blog. Kind regards anthonyw

Advert

Advert

11-22-2010, 12:40 PM	#14
happy_terd Banned Posts: 13,045 Karma: 10105011 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Finally made it to Walmart. Device: PRS 420	Hello and welcome to MR!!!