Kindle 3G or not?

Shack70 · 12-05-2010, 10:50 PM

Took me little while but I decided that I want the Kindle as an E-reader. I'm not sure if I should get the 3G. What exactly can I do with the 3G? Can I do things like Twitter and Facebook? How do web pages look on it? Can I use the 3G to surf the web or is is limited somehow? I understand the pages need to be converted to e-ink, but are they readable? Can I go to forums such as these and read/post? How about news feeds?

Thanks for any info/opinions!

SkyDream · 12-06-2010, 01:49 AM

Wifi will do everything 3G will do except that you need network access (WLAN,Wifi whatever you call it). 3G is your network everywhere you go. With 3G you may access the net even when you don't have WLAN or Wifi access e.g. in the bus.

ProfCrash · 12-06-2010, 09:45 AM

I believe that the 3G/WiFi Kindle checks for WiFi access first and if it is not available uses the 3G access. Essentially you will have more coverage with the 3G option.

If you are going to be in locations where you know it is easy to get free WiFi, then the WiFi option is probably a fine way to go. I have yet to buy a device where WiFi is an option. If I had to make the choice and I had the extra money, I would probably go with the 3G option because I like having the extra coverage. I travel and I never know where I might have WiFi and where I might not.

Shack70 · 12-06-2010, 01:36 PM

Great to hear, but how is the device for webpages? Viewing/using Facebook or Twitter? I understand things like flash and graphics are out of the question, but is the Kindle usable?

dreadcptflint · 12-06-2010, 11:06 PM

My wife was just recieved a Kindle 3. She has gotten onto live Journal. Facebook has locked up a couple of times. A few more days she will figure it out. Any tips for logging onto social network sites?

ProfCrash · 12-06-2010, 11:09 PM

Use the mobile version of the website instead of the full version.

RubberDucky451 · 12-09-2010, 08:47 PM

I bought a Wifi version over the 3G. For a few reasons.

Kindle's browser is pretty mediocre. The keyboard is not very responsive, so you're not going to be writing more then a sentence or two. Everything is in black and white with mediocre contrast which weakens the web experience. Finally the speeds, even over wifi, are slow.

I would like the 3G for looking up definitions or using wikipedia in a pinch. I'm either at school or at home-both of which have wifi. If you're not around wifi a lot and looking up words or people a lot, then go for the 3G but remember it's not the best experience at this time.

ProfCrash · 12-09-2010, 08:52 PM

You should be able to use the dictionary without WiFi or 3G.

Yeah the browser is a nice bonus but it is not particularly great. It works best on sites that have a mobile version for cell phones and the like.

rpv · 12-09-2010, 10:41 PM

3G is definitely nice to have. Especially with no monthly fee, it is a real deal. I will highly recommend it. Kindle 3 web renderings is much better than DX due to webkit engine

Shack70 · 12-14-2010, 05:23 PM

Got the Kindle 3g

ProfCrash · 12-14-2010, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shack70

Got the Kindle 3g

Congrats. Enjoy!

harold1066 · 12-14-2010, 05:53 PM

Try www.kintweet.com for a twitter client designed for the kindle

coolbreeze · 12-14-2010, 06:01 PM

3G is better because you can, say grab a book right before you take off on a long flight. You can use the social media settings wherever you are (publishing quotes on Facebook and Twitter). Your newspapers and magazines are always delivered for you in the AM without having to worry if you are still connected to Wifi (in a hotel for example).

Its free for life and well worth the $50 premium.

RubberDucky451 · 12-17-2010, 01:02 AM

Congrats.

Grab Calibre if you haven't already

screwballl · 12-18-2010, 03:15 PM

Personally I saw no need for the 3G myself, especially since I will not be buying books on the fly like that. But that was my preference, I saw no need to spend the extra $50 for a service I would rarely/never use.

12-05-2010, 10:50 PM	#1
Shack70 Guru Posts: 777 Karma: 1043626 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: York, Pa Device: Kindle Paperwhite 11th Generation	Kindle 3G or not? Took me little while but I decided that I want the Kindle as an E-reader. I'm not sure if I should get the 3G. What exactly can I do with the 3G? Can I do things like Twitter and Facebook? How do web pages look on it? Can I use the 3G to surf the web or is is limited somehow? I understand the pages need to be converted to e-ink, but are they readable? Can I go to forums such as these and read/post? How about news feeds? Thanks for any info/opinions!

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 06:12 PM
Transfer Kindle books from Kindle PC to Kindle 3	ppearce	Amazon Kindle	15	09-16-2010 05:11 PM
Font hacks for the Kindle 2, Kindle International and Kindle DX	edge777	Kindle Developer's Corner	17	04-30-2010 04:11 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 10:06 AM

12-06-2010, 01:49 AM	#2
SkyDream Wizard Posts: 1,377 Karma: 9400 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Europe Device: PRS-650, iPod touch 4G, iPad 3	Wifi will do everything 3G will do except that you need network access (WLAN,Wifi whatever you call it). 3G is your network everywhere you go. With 3G you may access the net even when you don't have WLAN or Wifi access e.g. in the bus.

12-06-2010, 09:45 AM	#3
ProfCrash Tea Enthusiast Posts: 8,554 Karma: 75384937 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Somewhere in the USA Device: Kindle1, Kindle DX Graphite, K3 3G, IPad 3, PW2	I believe that the 3G/WiFi Kindle checks for WiFi access first and if it is not available uses the 3G access. Essentially you will have more coverage with the 3G option. If you are going to be in locations where you know it is easy to get free WiFi, then the WiFi option is probably a fine way to go. I have yet to buy a device where WiFi is an option. If I had to make the choice and I had the extra money, I would probably go with the 3G option because I like having the extra coverage. I travel and I never know where I might have WiFi and where I might not.

12-06-2010, 01:36 PM	#4
Shack70 Guru Posts: 777 Karma: 1043626 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: York, Pa Device: Kindle Paperwhite 11th Generation	Great to hear, but how is the device for webpages? Viewing/using Facebook or Twitter? I understand things like flash and graphics are out of the question, but is the Kindle usable?

12-06-2010, 11:06 PM	#5
dreadcptflint Enthusiast Posts: 29 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Wenatchee Device: Sony 950	My wife was just recieved a Kindle 3. She has gotten onto live Journal. Facebook has locked up a couple of times. A few more days she will figure it out. Any tips for logging onto social network sites?

12-06-2010, 11:09 PM	#6
ProfCrash Tea Enthusiast Posts: 8,554 Karma: 75384937 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Somewhere in the USA Device: Kindle1, Kindle DX Graphite, K3 3G, IPad 3, PW2	Use the mobile version of the website instead of the full version.

12-09-2010, 08:47 PM	#7
RubberDucky451 Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2010 Device: none	I bought a Wifi version over the 3G. For a few reasons. Kindle's browser is pretty mediocre. The keyboard is not very responsive, so you're not going to be writing more then a sentence or two. Everything is in black and white with mediocre contrast which weakens the web experience. Finally the speeds, even over wifi, are slow. I would like the 3G for looking up definitions or using wikipedia in a pinch. I'm either at school or at home-both of which have wifi. If you're not around wifi a lot and looking up words or people a lot, then go for the 3G but remember it's not the best experience at this time.

12-09-2010, 08:52 PM	#8
ProfCrash Tea Enthusiast Posts: 8,554 Karma: 75384937 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Somewhere in the USA Device: Kindle1, Kindle DX Graphite, K3 3G, IPad 3, PW2	You should be able to use the dictionary without WiFi or 3G. Yeah the browser is a nice bonus but it is not particularly great. It works best on sites that have a mobile version for cell phones and the like.

12-09-2010, 10:41 PM	#9
rpv Enthusiast Posts: 41 Karma: 502 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Bay Area, CA Device: Kindle DX	3G is definitely nice to have. Especially with no monthly fee, it is a real deal. I will highly recommend it. Kindle 3 web renderings is much better than DX due to webkit engine

12-14-2010, 05:23 PM	#10
Shack70 Guru Posts: 777 Karma: 1043626 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: York, Pa Device: Kindle Paperwhite 11th Generation	Got the Kindle 3g

12-14-2010, 05:53 PM	#12
harold1066 Member Posts: 19 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2010 Device: Kindle 3	Try www.kintweet.com for a twitter client designed for the kindle

Advert

Advert

12-14-2010, 06:01 PM	#13
coolbreeze Addict Posts: 214 Karma: 2600 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: Nook Color, White 3G K3	3G is better because you can, say grab a book right before you take off on a long flight. You can use the social media settings wherever you are (publishing quotes on Facebook and Twitter). Your newspapers and magazines are always delivered for you in the AM without having to worry if you are still connected to Wifi (in a hotel for example). Its free for life and well worth the $50 premium.

12-17-2010, 01:02 AM	#14
RubberDucky451 Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2010 Device: none	Congrats. Grab Calibre if you haven't already

12-18-2010, 03:15 PM	#15
screwballl NewKindler Posts: 504 Karma: 1865773 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: NWFL Device: Kindle3 Wifi	Personally I saw no need for the 3G myself, especially since I will not be buying books on the fly like that. But that was my preference, I saw no need to spend the extra $50 for a service I would rarely/never use.