3G or not to 3G, that is my question, help! :) - Page 2

matt314159 · 08-03-2010, 02:00 PM

On launch day, I ordered the wifi-only version, but then later that day, canceled and got the 3g version. For me, the determining factor was actually the webkit-based browser. All indications seem to say that this will be a much more usable browser than the basic browser on previous models, and, to me, that adds a new dimension of usefulness to the k3's 3g.

Coming from a sony PRS-300, this whole "wireless" thing is new to me and at first seemed unnecessary. After all, I always buy my books on a computer, anyway. I never read on any other devices like my laptop, so I don't care about the whispersync, but overall, like I said, the webkit-based browser is ultimately what sold me. Overall it makes the device that much more useful, knowing I can have that anywhere I go and not worry about tracking down a hotspot.

now, there are certainly other people who don't care so much about the browsing experience, after all, you buy a reader for "reading" and in that case, I think the wifi-only model makes much more sense. If you don't think you'll really want that "go-anywhere" web browser or book sampling (another feature for which i think the 3g will come in handy from time to time), or you're confident you'll always be near a hotspot when you need one, then I think the wifi one makes perfect sense. Different strokes for different folks.

babyd · 08-03-2010, 02:52 PM

just been chatting to Hubby and he told me to keep both on order. That way I get the wifi one on release and I can keep it sealed and wait to see if the 3G arrives 4th Sept or if it gets delayed again........

if it gets delayed and I can't wait then I get to open the wifi, if it arrives 4th Sept then he will pay for the sealed wifi one for our Daughter for Xmas

Seems like a good solution. My main worry was cancelling the wifi one then not getting the 3G by the 4th Sept, just in case that date slips further and I end up with none for months. This way I get to go back to the wifi if the 3G is too much of a wait. Aren't Hubby's wonderful

Mind you, from the email I had from Amazon UK the 4th Sept date is not firm at all......

chilady1 · 08-03-2010, 03:00 PM

I feel your pain babyd but I think you will be happy with either choice. I hope you will enjoy your Kindle as much as I have enjoyed mine over the past two years. My husband is dying for the new one to arrive so he can snatch my old one out of my hands finally! Good luck with your decision and most importantly, ENJOY!

Quake1028 · 08-03-2010, 03:26 PM

I went Wi-Fi only for these reasons:

1.I hardly travel
2.$50 to spend on books
3.I have so many books in my TBR pile that I never have that "gotta have it right now" feeling

For me it was an easy choice. I have a Moto Droid, so my away from home web browsing needs are nicely taken care of.

Josieb1 · 08-03-2010, 03:44 PM

I bought the wifi because I already have an iphone for the 3G experience, and as I have no plans to actually buy any books from Amazon (I read fanfiction and have 1000's of stories already in Calibre) having whispersync won't affect me.

At the end of the day I wanted the Kindle for as less as possible, as not doubt in a years time something newer and better will be around. I've only been reading on ebook for a year and so far have spent £400 on two Sony readers, so getting a better one for £109 is a bargain

rmknight · 08-03-2010, 03:56 PM

I ordered the wifi on Saturday.

Then on Sunday had a change of heart and ordered the 3g version. And cancelled the wifi.

I think I just got in before the out of stock change.

I am glad for £40 i will pay the extra so I dont have the regret

Regards,

Rmknight

tovare · 08-03-2010, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josieb1

I bought the wifi because I already have an iphone for the 3G experience, and as I have no plans to actually buy any books from Amazon (I read fanfiction and have 1000's of stories already in Calibre) having whispersync won't affect me.
...

A bit off topic for this thread, but where do you get your fanfiction and does it offer them as e-books?

Cheers

catsittingstill · 08-03-2010, 04:28 PM

FWIW when I get one I intend to get the 3G. I have wifi at my house but basically nowhere else, and I take my Kindle on the road all the time.

Indeed there have been times when 3G saved my tail because I could access mapquest from the car in a strange city. (Note--someone else was driving; I do not drive and surf the web at the same time!)

But that's me--my Kindle leaves the house regularly, and I live in rural Tennessee, where there just aren't that many wifi hotspots. I can see that someone who expects to have wifi when she reads might do better to save the 50$ for books (or a cover, which might make you more willing to take your Kindle out of the house :-) but then you get into 3G-type situations again...).

babyd · 08-03-2010, 04:59 PM

I am veering back towards the wi-fi only one now.....gosh this is really doing my head in now LOL

My reasons are, more battery life, 3 weeks with wifi on as opposed to 10 days with wifi/3G. I know it doesn't need to be one all the time, but with wifi only if I forgot to switch off it would not kill the battery too much.
The cash saving can be spent on books, lets me try the kindle experience and its fun buying things on new gadgets, the 3G would not leave m,e with cash for books for a month.
I am a bit worried about hidden 3G charges in the future. Already read one blog on the new kindle saying its costs more to get books via 3G and the charge is hidden in the book price, not sure if that is accurate, but made me think.

I have so many unread books I will never finish, as I won't live that long LOL seriously, its crazy, let alone a few hundred more real books waiting to be read.
I have never once been desperate to get on the internet and not been able to, so 3G should not be an issue. My wi-fi at home is pretty much rock solid. And when I go out, its to shop or be with my family, so I don;t even take paperbacks with me, ever.

I have the kindle app on my android phone if needs be.....

I just think I am being a typical woman and wanting it all, regardless of if I need it. I need to take a stand and stick with my wi-fi order, and not give in to my 'what if' demons

I have loved reading all your replies, made me really think about my actual needs.

If I really fall in love with my kindle and they release the white in the UK, I may upgrade later, who knows.

But then tomorrow is another day, maybe I will change my mind again. Do you ever wonder if we have too many choices these days, not always a good thing lol

thanks for all your help, as usual this forum is amazing

tnt · 08-03-2010, 05:32 PM

Hi. I'm new here and currently pondering the same question.

I have a K1, which I really like. The idea of a K3 is tempting... I pre-ordered both versions. I don't have a lot of money, and I like the idea of saving $50 by getting the Wi-Fi only version. (I probably wouldn't be upgrading at all, but I' wouldn't mind having the newest model... plus it would give me the opportunity to give the K1 to someone I care about who loves to read and doesn't even have a computer. Um... that's kind of sneaky and noble at the same time, isn't it?)

I've been looking at the way I use the k1. Almost all the time, I wouldn't need 3G.

But... these days, I like to sit in the park (where this isn't any Wi-Fi) and read every nice day after I leave work. There have been times when I've started to read something, got an idea, and gone off on a tangent. For instance, the other day, I was reading something and there was a reference to Walt Whitman. Suddenly, I wanted to read Whitman. After downloading and reading some of my favorite poems, I wanted to read some stuff by Poe... and that lead to Tennyson... and that led to.... You get the idea.

I may not do that often, but I think I'd miss [edit] being able to do it.

It's looking like the 3G for me.

tomsem · 08-03-2010, 06:08 PM

I have a 3G Kindle but have only EDGE/1x coverage where I live, and even that is a little iffy. So I'm not inclined to pay $50 for that privilege. Wi-Fi served by our router will be much better and faster, and when traveling, there are generally lots of free wi-fi hotspots (Mcdonalds, fedex, starbucks) that will be free to Kindle, in the unlikely event that I have nothing left to read on it.

tovare · 08-03-2010, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tnt

...
But... these days, I like to sit in the park (where this isn't any Wi-Fi) and read every nice day after I leave work. There have been times when I've started to read something, got an idea, and gone off on a tangent. For instance, the other day, I was reading something and there was a reference to Walt Whitman. Suddenly, I wanted to read Whitman. After downloading and reading some of my favorite poems, I wanted to read some stuff by Poe... and that lead to Tennyson... and that led to.... You get the idea.

I may not do that often, but I think I'd miss not being able to do it.

It's looking like the 3G for me.

Cool envisioning of the purchase. You really need the 3G version i think ... or the vision would haunt you daily :-)

delphidb96 · 08-03-2010, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babyd

I have ordered the wifi only version as I am at home most of the time, I got it in time for the release date delivery........

trouble is, it just keeps nagging at me that I may one day need the 3G and will be so annoyed at getting the wifi only one......very rare but possible. What would you do?

If I go with wifi only I get it on release, if I go with the 3G, I know I have all bases covered, but will have to wait longer.
If it arrived 4th Sept no worries, my concern is if the date slips further, due to manufacture shortage or shipping delays. I have seen popular stuff like this sell out then not restock for months before.
So, wifi on release, or 3G later, possibly even more delayed. So annoyed at myself as I originally did order the 3G then cancelled to get wifi only thinking I really didn't need it, still don't, just thinking it may come in handy......all this too-ing and fro-ing is driving me mad !! I was okay-ish with my decision till it sold out then I started kicking myself LOL Typical woman, always wanting what I can't have

When you're sitting the in the dentist's chair, waiting for the novacaine to kick in, and you don't want to read any of the *current* new ebooks on you K3, you're *REALLY* going to be kicking yourself in the pants because you didn't opt for the 3G version!

Just sayin'...

Derek

babyd · 08-04-2010, 01:53 AM

rofl, you see, you raise such great arguments either way.........more time to ponder me thinks.......

08-03-2010, 02:00 PM	#16
matt314159 Groupie Posts: 198 Karma: 1000 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: High Desert, SoCal Device: KSO, NookColor (CM7.1), Samsung Mesmerize	On launch day, I ordered the wifi-only version, but then later that day, canceled and got the 3g version. For me, the determining factor was actually the webkit-based browser. All indications seem to say that this will be a much more usable browser than the basic browser on previous models, and, to me, that adds a new dimension of usefulness to the k3's 3g. Coming from a sony PRS-300, this whole "wireless" thing is new to me and at first seemed unnecessary. After all, I always buy my books on a computer, anyway. I never read on any other devices like my laptop, so I don't care about the whispersync, but overall, like I said, the webkit-based browser is ultimately what sold me. Overall it makes the device that much more useful, knowing I can have that anywhere I go and not worry about tracking down a hotspot. now, there are certainly other people who don't care so much about the browsing experience, after all, you buy a reader for "reading" and in that case, I think the wifi-only model makes much more sense. If you don't think you'll really want that "go-anywhere" web browser or book sampling (another feature for which i think the 3g will come in handy from time to time), or you're confident you'll always be near a hotspot when you need one, then I think the wifi one makes perfect sense. Different strokes for different folks. Last edited by matt314159; 08-03-2010 at 03:12 PM.

08-03-2010, 04:59 PM	#24
babyd Addict Posts: 384 Karma: 1567 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: UK Device: Sony:505, 600, 350, 650, Kindle 3 & PW, Kobo Mini & Aura HD	I am veering back towards the wi-fi only one now.....gosh this is really doing my head in now LOL My reasons are, more battery life, 3 weeks with wifi on as opposed to 10 days with wifi/3G. I know it doesn't need to be one all the time, but with wifi only if I forgot to switch off it would not kill the battery too much. The cash saving can be spent on books, lets me try the kindle experience and its fun buying things on new gadgets, the 3G would not leave m,e with cash for books for a month. I am a bit worried about hidden 3G charges in the future. Already read one blog on the new kindle saying its costs more to get books via 3G and the charge is hidden in the book price, not sure if that is accurate, but made me think. I have so many unread books I will never finish, as I won't live that long LOL seriously, its crazy, let alone a few hundred more real books waiting to be read. I have never once been desperate to get on the internet and not been able to, so 3G should not be an issue. My wi-fi at home is pretty much rock solid. And when I go out, its to shop or be with my family, so I don;t even take paperbacks with me, ever. I have the kindle app on my android phone if needs be..... I just think I am being a typical woman and wanting it all, regardless of if I need it. I need to take a stand and stick with my wi-fi order, and not give in to my 'what if' demons I have loved reading all your replies, made me really think about my actual needs. If I really fall in love with my kindle and they release the white in the UK, I may upgrade later, who knows. But then tomorrow is another day, maybe I will change my mind again. Do you ever wonder if we have too many choices these days, not always a good thing lol thanks for all your help, as usual this forum is amazing Last edited by babyd; 08-03-2010 at 05:01 PM.

08-03-2010, 05:32 PM	#25
tnt Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2010 Device: Kindle 1	Hi. I'm new here and currently pondering the same question. I have a K1, which I really like. The idea of a K3 is tempting... I pre-ordered both versions. I don't have a lot of money, and I like the idea of saving $50 by getting the Wi-Fi only version. (I probably wouldn't be upgrading at all, but I' wouldn't mind having the newest model... plus it would give me the opportunity to give the K1 to someone I care about who loves to read and doesn't even have a computer. Um... that's kind of sneaky and noble at the same time, isn't it?) I've been looking at the way I use the k1. Almost all the time, I wouldn't need 3G. But... these days, I like to sit in the park (where this isn't any Wi-Fi) and read every nice day after I leave work. There have been times when I've started to read something, got an idea, and gone off on a tangent. For instance, the other day, I was reading something and there was a reference to Walt Whitman. Suddenly, I wanted to read Whitman. After downloading and reading some of my favorite poems, I wanted to read some stuff by Poe... and that lead to Tennyson... and that led to.... You get the idea. I may not do that often, but I think I'd miss [edit] being able to do it. It's looking like the 3G for me. Last edited by tnt; 08-03-2010 at 07:03 PM.

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08-03-2010, 02:52 PM	#17
babyd Addict Posts: 384 Karma: 1567 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: UK Device: Sony:505, 600, 350, 650, Kindle 3 & PW, Kobo Mini & Aura HD	just been chatting to Hubby and he told me to keep both on order. That way I get the wifi one on release and I can keep it sealed and wait to see if the 3G arrives 4th Sept or if it gets delayed again........ if it gets delayed and I can't wait then I get to open the wifi, if it arrives 4th Sept then he will pay for the sealed wifi one for our Daughter for Xmas Seems like a good solution. My main worry was cancelling the wifi one then not getting the 3G by the 4th Sept, just in case that date slips further and I end up with none for months. This way I get to go back to the wifi if the 3G is too much of a wait. Aren't Hubby's wonderful Mind you, from the email I had from Amazon UK the 4th Sept date is not firm at all......

08-03-2010, 03:00 PM	#18
chilady1 I devour books! Posts: 789 Karma: 1285226 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: iPad Air, Kindle 3/Kobo Aura HD, iPhone 6	I feel your pain babyd but I think you will be happy with either choice. I hope you will enjoy your Kindle as much as I have enjoyed mine over the past two years. My husband is dying for the new one to arrive so he can snatch my old one out of my hands finally! Good luck with your decision and most importantly, ENJOY!

08-03-2010, 03:26 PM	#19
Quake1028 Guru Posts: 917 Karma: 9155462 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Tampa, FL Device: See signature	I went Wi-Fi only for these reasons: 1.I hardly travel 2.$50 to spend on books 3.I have so many books in my TBR pile that I never have that "gotta have it right now" feeling For me it was an easy choice. I have a Moto Droid, so my away from home web browsing needs are nicely taken care of.

08-03-2010, 03:44 PM	#20
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 bought the wifi because I already have an iphone for the 3G experience, and as I have no plans to actually buy any books from Amazon (I read fanfiction and have 1000's of stories already in Calibre) having whispersync won't affect me. At the end of the day I wanted the Kindle for as less as possible, as not doubt in a years time something newer and better will be around. I've only been reading on ebook for a year and so far have spent £400 on two Sony readers, so getting a better one for £109 is a bargain

08-03-2010, 03:56 PM	#21
rmknight Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Poole, UK Device: Kindle 3 Wifi + 3G	I ordered the wifi on Saturday. Then on Sunday had a change of heart and ordered the 3g version. And cancelled the wifi. I think I just got in before the out of stock change. I am glad for £40 i will pay the extra so I dont have the regret Regards, Rmknight

08-03-2010, 04:28 PM	#23
catsittingstill Guru Posts: 643 Karma: 551634 Join Date: Dec 2007 Device: Kindle 1.0.8, iPod Touch, Kindle Keyboard	FWIW when I get one I intend to get the 3G. I have wifi at my house but basically nowhere else, and I take my Kindle on the road all the time. Indeed there have been times when 3G saved my tail because I could access mapquest from the car in a strange city. (Note--someone else was driving; I do not drive and surf the web at the same time!) But that's me--my Kindle leaves the house regularly, and I live in rural Tennessee, where there just aren't that many wifi hotspots. I can see that someone who expects to have wifi when she reads might do better to save the 50$ for books (or a cover, which might make you more willing to take your Kindle out of the house :-) but then you get into 3G-type situations again...).

08-03-2010, 06:08 PM	#26
tomsem Grand Sorcerer Posts: 6,905 Karma: 27013865 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: USA Device: iPhone 15PM, Kindle Scribe, iPad mini 6, PocketBook InkPad Color 3	I have a 3G Kindle but have only EDGE/1x coverage where I live, and even that is a little iffy. So I'm not inclined to pay $50 for that privilege. Wi-Fi served by our router will be much better and faster, and when traveling, there are generally lots of free wi-fi hotspots (Mcdonalds, fedex, starbucks) that will be free to Kindle, in the unlikely event that I have nothing left to read on it.

08-04-2010, 01:53 AM	#29
babyd Addict Posts: 384 Karma: 1567 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: UK Device: Sony:505, 600, 350, 650, Kindle 3 & PW, Kobo Mini & Aura HD	rofl, you see, you raise such great arguments either way.........more time to ponder me thinks.......

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