Mac from the Gold Coast/Qld/Australia

Mac Howard · 01-24-2011, 01:27 AM

Every time I log onto the forum it tries to persuade me to introduce myself so I'm finally giving in. My name's Mac Howard, I live in an apartment at the north end of Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast, Australia and I currently use the Kindle for the PC on a couple of laptops. I installed them just a couple of weeks back to check the system out.

I have a query maybe someone can help me with.

I'd like to get a WiFi Kindle but I'm unsure about downoading books here in Australia using that. However I'm perfecly happy to download via my PC from the Amazon site and transfer onto the Kindle. I don't have a WiFi setup here - I have a wireless broadband connection via a USB modem on my laptops - so I can't transfer via WiFi.

Can I transfer onto the Kindle from my PC via a USB connection? Could the Kindle use my USB modem 3G connection? Does it have a USB connector?

I'll be getting the Kindle from the USA - too expensive here in Oz despite a dollar that's supposed to be 99 US cents. But I'm concerned about the charger operating from 220/240 volts mains. Presumably it'll be a 110 volt charger from the US - or is it dual voltage?

Sorry if these queries should be in the general section or even if they have already been answered (I've looked but can't see the answers). Would appreciate it if anyone has or can point me in the direction of the answers.

Kymmmm · 01-24-2011, 02:12 AM

Mac, I am in Bris and have a Nook color and I download to Pc and sideload via.usb to my Nook. I don't see why a Kindle wouldn't too. You will need an adapter for your power cord.
Kym

caleb72 · 01-24-2011, 03:28 AM

You will need to log onto a wireless network somewhere at sometime to register your Kindle and activate some of the functionality.

You don't need WiFi to get books onto your Kindle though. As long as your Kindle is registered (see paragraph above), you can choose an option "Transfer via Computer" for purchasing and then you will be able to download to your computer via USB connection - simple drag-n-drop. However, you need to specify that you're downloading to add to your registered Kindle.

I'm guessing you could probably go to your nearest Maccas to use the free WiFi just to register the Kindle and then just shut off the WiFi and never think about it again.

Welcome, by the way.

Regards
Caleb

caleb72 · 01-24-2011, 03:30 AM

I forgot to add - I'm not sure how it will work using the US Kindle in Australia. Mine was the international version.

Regards
Caleb

nohmi2 · 01-24-2011, 04:29 AM

Welcome,

I have a K3wifi and a white K3wifi(not available in Oz) and have downloaded books without any trouble after I had registered.

Also have a look at Calibre when you are setup with your Kindle.

I am sure that brains better than mine will be able to explain further.

Cheers

GeoffC · 01-24-2011, 06:21 AM

There an many from your neck of the woods here, someone will answer - If not look into the Kindle Forum (Link on the main forum page)..

Welcome to mobileread....

Valmore Daniels · 01-24-2011, 09:00 AM

welcome

Mac Howard · 01-24-2011, 04:37 PM

Thanks, Guys. I understand from the above that I'll need to register the Kindle via WiFi (from Maccas or wherever) and find a power adaptor to allow 240 volt charging. And in downloading I'll need to state the download is for my physical Kindle not my laptop. Does that sum it up?

I note that Amazon allow me to download a purchased book to both my laptops but only charging once.

Thanks again.

stargazir · 01-24-2011, 07:00 PM

Hi,

I'm an Aussie that just bought a US kindle while I was there for work. The US version comes with a 2 pin plug however the amazon site says that it works with voltages from 110-240V. I'm therefore planning on buying a plug adaptor which you can get for about $1 on ebay rather than having to buy one that comes with a voltage convertor.

It does also charge via USB however apparently this takes a lot longer.

Javed · 01-25-2011, 04:13 AM

Hello Mac and welcome to MobileRead.

neilmarr · 01-25-2011, 06:21 AM

Good to have your company, Mac. Must admit, though, that if you're downloading from a PC or laptop, I'm not sure that Amazon with its Mobi-exclusive formatting is the best bet. But, what do I know. I'm in France, not Oz. Whatever, good luck and best wishes. Neil

Mac Howard · 02-13-2011, 07:23 PM

Bit the bullet and bought the 3G version. Thanks, guys, for your advice.

01-24-2011, 01:27 AM	#1
Mac Howard Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Surfers Paradise Device: kindle	Mac from the Gold Coast/Qld/Australia Every time I log onto the forum it tries to persuade me to introduce myself so I'm finally giving in. My name's Mac Howard, I live in an apartment at the north end of Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast, Australia and I currently use the Kindle for the PC on a couple of laptops. I installed them just a couple of weeks back to check the system out. I have a query maybe someone can help me with. I'd like to get a WiFi Kindle but I'm unsure about downoading books here in Australia using that. However I'm perfecly happy to download via my PC from the Amazon site and transfer onto the Kindle. I don't have a WiFi setup here - I have a wireless broadband connection via a USB modem on my laptops - so I can't transfer via WiFi. Can I transfer onto the Kindle from my PC via a USB connection? Could the Kindle use my USB modem 3G connection? Does it have a USB connector? I'll be getting the Kindle from the USA - too expensive here in Oz despite a dollar that's supposed to be 99 US cents. But I'm concerned about the charger operating from 220/240 volts mains. Presumably it'll be a 110 volt charger from the US - or is it dual voltage? Sorry if these queries should be in the general section or even if they have already been answered (I've looked but can't see the answers). Would appreciate it if anyone has or can point me in the direction of the answers. Last edited by Mac Howard; 01-24-2011 at 01:31 AM.

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01-24-2011, 02:12 AM	#2
Kymmmm Connoisseur Posts: 51 Karma: 306 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Brisbane. Australia Device: Nook Color and Simple Touch	Mac, I am in Bris and have a Nook color and I download to Pc and sideload via.usb to my Nook. I don't see why a Kindle wouldn't too. You will need an adapter for your power cord. Kym

01-24-2011, 03:28 AM	#3
caleb72 Indie Advocate Posts: 2,863 Karma: 18794463 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Melbourne, Australia Device: Kindle	You will need to log onto a wireless network somewhere at sometime to register your Kindle and activate some of the functionality. You don't need WiFi to get books onto your Kindle though. As long as your Kindle is registered (see paragraph above), you can choose an option "Transfer via Computer" for purchasing and then you will be able to download to your computer via USB connection - simple drag-n-drop. However, you need to specify that you're downloading to add to your registered Kindle. I'm guessing you could probably go to your nearest Maccas to use the free WiFi just to register the Kindle and then just shut off the WiFi and never think about it again. Welcome, by the way. Regards Caleb

01-24-2011, 03:30 AM	#4
caleb72 Indie Advocate Posts: 2,863 Karma: 18794463 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Melbourne, Australia Device: Kindle	I forgot to add - I'm not sure how it will work using the US Kindle in Australia. Mine was the international version. Regards Caleb

01-24-2011, 04:29 AM	#5
nohmi2 Pensively observing. Posts: 1,758 Karma: 12675456 Join Date: Jun 2008 Device: Varied.	Welcome, I have a K3wifi and a white K3wifi(not available in Oz) and have downloaded books without any trouble after I had registered. Also have a look at Calibre when you are setup with your Kindle. I am sure that brains better than mine will be able to explain further. Cheers

01-24-2011, 06:21 AM	#6
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	There an many from your neck of the woods here, someone will answer - If not look into the Kindle Forum (Link on the main forum page).. Welcome to mobileread....

01-24-2011, 09:00 AM	#7
Valmore Daniels Grand Sorcerer Posts: 6,592 Karma: 2822668 Join Date: Jul 2010 Device: Kindle	welcome

01-24-2011, 04:37 PM	#8
Mac Howard Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Surfers Paradise Device: kindle	Thanks, Guys. I understand from the above that I'll need to register the Kindle via WiFi (from Maccas or wherever) and find a power adaptor to allow 240 volt charging. And in downloading I'll need to state the download is for my physical Kindle not my laptop. Does that sum it up? I note that Amazon allow me to download a purchased book to both my laptops but only charging once. Thanks again.

01-24-2011, 07:00 PM	#9
stargazir Enthusiast Posts: 45 Karma: 78 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Sydney, Australia Device: Kindle 3	Hi, I'm an Aussie that just bought a US kindle while I was there for work. The US version comes with a 2 pin plug however the amazon site says that it works with voltages from 110-240V. I'm therefore planning on buying a plug adaptor which you can get for about $1 on ebay rather than having to buy one that comes with a voltage convertor. It does also charge via USB however apparently this takes a lot longer.

01-25-2011, 04:13 AM	#10
Javed Grand Sorcerer Posts: 10,270 Karma: 1126878541 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: Astak Pocket PRO, iPod Touch, PRS-650	Hello Mac and welcome to MobileRead.

01-25-2011, 06:21 AM	#11
neilmarr neilmarr Posts: 7,215 Karma: 6000059 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Monaco-Menton, France Device: sony	Good to have your company, Mac. Must admit, though, that if you're downloading from a PC or laptop, I'm not sure that Amazon with its Mobi-exclusive formatting is the best bet. But, what do I know. I'm in France, not Oz. Whatever, good luck and best wishes. Neil

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02-13-2011, 07:23 PM	#12
Mac Howard Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Surfers Paradise Device: kindle	Bit the bullet and bought the 3G version. Thanks, guys, for your advice.