Pluses and (only a few) Minuses

[warobison]

We officially became a two kindle couple on Friday afternoon, August 27th, with the arrival of the new Kindle Wi-Fi.  We've only had our Kindle 2 for a couple of months, but since we always seemed to want it at the same time, we gladly jumped at the lower price for the wi-fi.  For those of us who live in the boondocks, 3G is a wasted accessory (we can't get the slightest "whysper"), so for home use the wi-fi is ideal.  (But we are looking forward to using the 3-G while on a road trip in a couple of weeks.)   The things I like:  (1) wi-fi as mentioned-- very fast, easy to use, (2) a little smaller and lighter, (3) much easier five-way for me, and (4) less glare when directly under a lamp or bulb.  Minues:  (1) I liked the "home" button on the side-- even though I did mis-hit it a few times and (2) I think the keyboard on the kindle 2 is a little easier on these old eyes (but I don't use it very often.)

Now, here's an improvement that I haven't seen mentioned elsewhere.  I've just been working on a book that requires lots of internal links.  With the varied font sizes, sometimes a link will appear alone at the top of a page.  My Kindle 2 will not automatically give me the linking hand icon in those instance.  It has to be forced by going past the link with the five-way and then moving back or by moving the five-way to the right when it reaches the link.  (I even included a technical note in the intro of the book to cover that issue.)  With the Kindle 3, that's not an issue.  Even if the link is at the top of the page, as soon as it's reached the hand icon immediately appears. 

So, overall, I'm pretty happy with both kindles.  Maybe, if I had to do it over again, I would have waited the extra month or two and ordered two of the kindle 3's, one with 3-G + wireless, and one with just wireless. 

WAR

[Cardinal]

So are you guys now reaching for the K3 at the same time?

Looking forward to getting my K3.  I plan to keep my K2, time will tell how often I actually use it once the K3 arrives and I get a cover for it. 

My parents live in the boondocks where there is no AT&T coverage and I was really happy to find the Kindle was able to get hold of whispernet, but I am sure it is a pain for the people that can't access it; I agree WiFi is a great addition.

I like the keyboard layout of the K2, I am sure I will adjust to the K3.

Thanks for your thoughts, I always enjoy reading reviews.   

[ldidge]

I have a K2 but my friend just got the K3 with 3G & Wi Fi.   Her questions to me is does she have to install a wireless router to use her K#?  I didn't think so if she just wanted to read her books - she is not that computer savey at all.

Thanks for any info.

[pidgeon92]

I have a K2 but my friend just got the K3 with 3G & Wi Fi.   Her questions to me is does she have to install a wireless router to use her K#? 

Not if she got the one with 3G, and you indicated that that is the case.

[CoffeeCat]

Thanks for the review! I love my K2 but I am leaning toward upgrading to the K3 with 3G and WiFi largely because I don't have 3G coverage at my house. Glad you're enjoying the purchase.

[Saffina Desforges]

Hey...

I have the K3 with 3G and wi-fi and I LOVE it! ONLY one minor irk for me (and it is the same with all models I guess) is not being able to read it in the dark. I love reading in bed and sometimes, if my partner wants to sleep, I have a tiny, low-wattage night light on, or I write on my laptop, but with the Kindle, this isn't possible without a light attachment. I understand the reason for not having it backlit and I think that this outweighs the negative. All in all, I love it!

[techWHAM]

Hey...

I have the K3 with 3G and wi-fi and I LOVE it! ONLY one minor irk for me (and it is the same with all models I guess) is not being able to read it in the dark. I love reading in bed and sometimes, if my partner wants to sleep, I have a tiny, low-wattage night light on, or I write on my laptop, but with the Kindle, this isn't possible without a light attachment. I understand the reason for not having it backlit and I think that this outweighs the negative. All in all, I love it!

I love the little light attachment. It makes it seem more intimate while reading at night too.

[cindyvine]

I'm humming and hahing about whether to get the wireless or the 3G.  I live in the wop wops in Tanzania and am not sure if with the 3G I have to belong to an internet provider.  Can someone please advise me?

[GBard]

If you are in a 3G coverage area Amazon has a contract with AT&T and it covers your Kindle, you do not have to contract with a provider. If a smart phone (iPhone etc.) works, your Kindle 3G will work. Wi-Fi will work if Starbucks, McDonalds or a local library has free Wi-Fi. Again, you do not need a contract.

[SamIam]

I prefer the wifi version just because it doesn't require a contract

[Tails]

I prefer the wifi version just because it doesn't require a contract

I'm in South Africa, and I have a K3 with free 3G and it requires no contracts?

I think its great, if I'm ever camping or on the beach reading, I can always have access to books and even (though cumbersome) Facebook Mobile for free

[valleycat1]

I have the opposite problem - no wifi at home & limited access to wifi around town.  So mine reverts to 3G or some other phone-based system for the whispernet downloads.  It's only a tiny bit slower than downloading via wifi.  The only added cost after purchase on the 3G is when you send personal documents via ATT not using the free.kindle address - no phone contract is needed.  And I set my price limit for download charges at $0.00, so if I forget, they won't go through!