Kindle vs Kindle 3G

The Amazon kindle eReader is the best selling item on their website and has been for the past 2 years. It has the best feedback and is on the most wanted lists of any item on Amazon, so it is no wonder that so many people want to buy the kindle.

But if you are thinking of buying a kindle then you many be wondering which version you should get - should you just get the basic kindle (which does actually come with free wi-fi) or should you get the kindle 3G version? There is a price difference between the two kindles of around $50 so it is a significant difference in the base cost of the kindle.

In order to decide whether to get kindle or kindle 3G you obviously really need to know what the difference is between the two gadgets.

Both the kindle and the kindle 3G come with wi-fi included, so essentially you can download your books as long as you are in a wireless zone. Perhaps you have wireless at home and so you can use that to connect to the Amazon store and download your kindle books from there. Even if you do not have a wireless network at home you can connect to other wireless networks that are available - in particular AT&T wireless networks are free to kindle users.

However, if you do not have frequent access to a wireless network where you can download your books for your kindle, then the kindle 3G may be better for you. With kindle 3G you have a permanent* connection to the internet to download your eBooks. So if you are anywhere that does not have a wi-fi connection then you can still download eBooks to your kindle 3G.

The kindle 3G is also useful if you travel a lot and want to have constant access to the book store. As long as you are in a 3G coverage area then you can connect to the sore and download books.

* you will have a 3G connection as long as you are in a 3G coverage area - but over 100 countries are covered by 3G so there is a good chance you will be covered.

My first thought when I was thinking about the 3G kindle option was - "do I have to pay for the 3G?" and "how does kindle 3G work without a SIM card?". Well the answer is that no, you do not have to pay for the 3G connection, it is included in the cost of the kindle 3G when you buy it, so there are no monthly fees charged for downloading your books. you don't need a SIm card for the kindle 3G as it is all built in to the device itself.

Amazon have effectively included the price of the 3G connection in the price of the kindle 3G, so rest assured you don't have to pay more than the purchase price.

So, choose your kindle - wi-fi only or wi-fi and 3G...

So the wi-fi version of the kindle in the UK is around £111 (prices may fluctuate). You can get free Super Saver delivery with the kindle wifi so check it out:

Kindle Wi-Fi UK

And the kindle 3G with wi-fi is currently priced at around £152 with occasional special offers to go with it. So if you think the kindle with free 3G is for you check it out here:

Kindle Wi-Fi and Free 3G