[edh]

Hey Signalman,

If you want to connect to the internet via a cellular network, then you need the 3G. Basically, this is a feature you would need if you wish to connect to the internet and don’t have access to WiFi. You will have to get a 3G account through Verizon, AT&T, etc.

All in all, if you have WiFi where you are going to use the device most, I wouldn’t waste the extra money on 3G. I hope this helps.

[CIB-173RDABN]

My wife has a Kendal - We took it on our last road trip vacation. The advantage of 3G over wi fi is you can down load books on the run - we were in the middle of know where and she could down load a new book

With Wi-Fi you need to be near a router. Either your wireless router at home or a public one.

3G as I understand it uses cell phone towers.

I would pay the extra $50 is you expect to travel with the Kendal

[rstrahan]

The key is where you want to use it. If you are going to load books only at your home or, say Starbucks, where you can piggyback on their free WiFi, then you don’t need the 3G connectivity. However, if you don’t have a WiFi at home, or want the ability to download anywhere, go with the 3G version and use your phone plan. BTW, some recent phones have the capability to create a WiFi hot spot, but that might cost you more than connecting your kindle to your plan. Check with your provider. Good luck.

[Irxfxs]

Get the 3G. It’s quick, easy, free with Amazon account and available anywhere. They say you can download a book in 1 minute. Don’t believe them. 25 seconds tops.

[mdmathis6]

We have the 3g/wifi model which my wife finds is well worth the price in that several times she was able to download materials she needed when there was no wifi in place, say like traveling in a car. There is no monthly charge for the
3g as it instantly connects with Amazon’s ordering dept. The wifi and 3g are also easily turned off to conserve battery power.

Unfortunately the new Kindle Fire that is coming out is wifi only. The Fire will allow color content and videos including the ability to upload ones own pictures. So while it was tempting for us to purchase it, we are holding out to see if a 3g model will appear on the horizon. I suspect it has to do with battery capacities which is why 3g wasn’t being offered with the new Fire model.

[absalom01]

I popped for the 3G version on the Kindle, figuring it would be handy. As it turns out, I rarely need to use it, as wifi connections are very easy to find, at least in a major city.

[Mister Da]

The only thing I would add to the good info you received here is that WiFi is very short range - 100-200 ft. - depending on what obstacles (walls, buildings, etc.) are between you & the wireless router.

As distance increases between the Kindle & wifi router, speed decreases.

So, though you might be able to connect to your neighbor's wifi, the signal strength may be so bad that downloads take forever.

[wyowolf]

I have a Kindle and I travel alot. I got the wifi. Most hotels you stay at now are wifi, and you can store tons of books on it before you even leave. I rarely have to even use the wifi on the go.

A free program called Calibre will let you load tons more content on it...

Love mine... read it every night!

[ChinaGotTheGoodsOnClinton]

Everyone in the fam has one of these but me.

But I’d say even if you are traveling as long as you stay at motels that have WiFi you still don’t need 3G.

UNLESS you want to download stuff as you drive.

[e_castillo]

WiFi access is limited but 3G is not(more or less). 3G is the way to go. Also beware of the initial discounts that some of the devices give you in exchange for popup ads on the Kindle.

[Cyber Liberty]

Tip: If you get the 3G, be sure to turn off the Whispernet (3G) when you are not actually downloading data. It wastes batteries, and you can go a week or two on a single charge this way. I turn it on every morning to fetch my newspaper, then turn it off after a couple of minutes.

I don’t know if there is a similar feature for the WiFi versions.

[vitaman]

If you travel outside the US the 3G is the only way to go. I was on a cruise ship in the mid-Atlantic and I got to read my email through the Kindle. It connects in 100 countries to the internet for free! On a ship they charge Hugh for connecting to the internet. You can connect virtually anywhere in the world and get your daily dose of Free Republic!!

[Squantos]

The wifi 3G version is free net per se .... I even check in on FR on it.

Love the thing yet of late been using a iPad on road trips as all in one media source. The goflex wifi external hard drive holds all the PDF,mobi, epubs etc I can need as well as movies etc... Movies tunes read and 500gb wifi external hard drive that also feeds the smartphone. Kindle wifi/3G is my suggestion based on your question.

Stay safe ...