Advice on buying a kindle.

[scoob101]

Hi, I am about to buy a kindle but dont know which one to buy, is the 3G worth the extra money or is the latest version wifi just as good. Also is there a good range of books available and what is the price range like compared to books, and are new books available straight away via the kindle or is there any delay from the paper version to the e version.
Thanks.

[fairkatrina]

3G is worthy every penny. If you go with wifi you can be charged by amazon for downloading stuff to your kindle (about 20p per GB). With 3G it's free to download anything from amazon. Only problem with it is it's far too easy to download new books that way!!

There are something like 850,000 books in the amazon store, many of them free. you can also get books in mobi format (which is what kindle uses as default) from smashwords, project gutenberg and a number of other sites. Kindle books range from free (and these aren't just the classics and public domain books but new releases too) to about £8, but they are few and far between. It's not often you'll pay more than £3 or so for a novel.

Usually ebooks come out at the same time as paperbacks, even a little earlier in some cases. Most publishers are working on getting their back catalogue uploaded, but there's still thousands of books available right now. I honestly think the kindle is worth every penny, and I wouldn't be without mine now!

[scoob101]

Thanks Katrina for the very helpfull answer, I was swaying towards the 3G before your reply I think now its a must have. Again thankyou.

[falconfan1]

I have the 3G with keyboard - I don't know how easy the new one will be with just the basic buttons, but it is quite a bit smaller because of this.

The battery will last much longer between charges if you only switch the wifi on when you download. The most I've paid for an ebook is about £5, but there is plenty of choice of books between free and £2 each. Very convenient to take on holiday or on long bus or train journeys!

[rojash]

"3G is worthy every penny. If you go with wifi you can be charged by amazon for downloading stuff to your kindle (about 20p per GB). "

Total and utter drivel!

[EcclesCake]

As a Kindle might be something I buy this year as a gift, would you care to elaborate Rohjash???

[AB Editor]

EcclesCake - Amazon won't charge you for data-usage over wifi. I don't believe they charge over whispernet (their "3G" service). The 3G kindle is well worth it.

[EcclesCake]

Thanks Ed.

Happy Birthday.

[hc4361]

I have had my Sony eReader for at least two years now and find downloading books via usb connected to my laptop or desktop is more than adequate.
I can download from the public libraries this way, too, as well as from a huge range of sellers and free sites.

I really don't see the need for a wireless or 3G connection if you have a pc.

[AB Editor]

Yes, I reckon so Trigger. Get the one with 3G and a proper keyboard though, unless they'll not take it out anywhere with them.

If it's eyes you're worried about you can enlarge text simply and painlessly.

[AB Editor]

"I really don't see the need for a wireless or 3G connection if you have a pc."

You can't buy books in the bath.

[rojash]

"would you care to elaborate Rojash?"

The kindle 3G allows you to access the Amazon site and download books via the 3G mobile network. The 3G also comes with wifi.
The wifi version allows you to access the Amazon site and download your books via wifi. In neither case does Amazon charge you for the download. (Think about it - if they let you download from a mobile network that they are subsidising, they are hardly going to charge you for downloading when using your own resources.)

If you don't have the 3G version you can download via your own internet/wifi connection or you can use the free wifi available in many cafes (such as Starbucks) and other places. You can (of course) also connect to a paid for wifi connection like those that you find in some hotels and internet cafes.

You can also ddownload books direct to your home computer, and transfer them to you kindle using the USB cable supplied.

Some people find the 3G connection worth the extra money, some don't (I don't ). But in any case the cost to you of a download from Amazon is entirely free.

[hc4361]

I wouldn't dare use my eReader in the bath!
I use library books for that.

[hc4361]

Very easy to use, trigger. My disabled 80 year old neighbour copes much bigger with her eReader - she finds it easy to read the large font and easier to turn the page.

[craft1948]

I have the cheapo kindle and there is no charge for downloading via my wifi. I usually download 4 books a week, but I don't have a bath.

[EcclesCake]

Rojash, thanks for the clarification.....and apologies for typo in your name.

[DTCwordfan]

they are fantastic, just like reading a book, even in bright light and you can buy a cover with a small light as an option (which I have)

If you are buying it to carry 3500 books or whatever the limit is on the £110 or 3 G (newer version is limited to only 1400(!)) and to travel overseas a lot on business or pleasure, then 3G. If you are in the UK and regular access to internet, here or in sensible coubtries, the middle version is fine......

Amazon does not charge you for downloading purchases......

There are magazines and newspapers available but a little limited at the moment - and no colour pics.

[AB Editor]

The Sony e-Reader is fairly good too. It's all easy to use in terms of reading books etc. Getting online is kind of tricky sometimes.

AB kind of works on it, just so you know :)

[AB Editor]

Woodcuts look good though DTC.