I'm NOT slamming Kindle 3G users . . .

[zeppo]

Besides just for the browser, you need the 3G to download books if you don't have WiFi access, which not everyone does.

Are you saying the Kindle 3 doesn't have a USB port?  I didn't realize this, if this is the case.  Another reason I may opt  for 3g version if true.

[musclehead]

Are you saying the Kindle 3 doesn't have a USB port?  I didn't realize this, if this is the case.  Another reason I may opt  for 3g version if true.

Both versions of the K3 have USB ports.  You can transfer books to the Kindle via USB.

[Fireheart223]

Are you saying the Kindle 3 doesn't have a USB port?  I didn't realize this, if this is the case.  Another reason I may opt  for 3g version if true.

No, it does. Sorry, I should've said that you need 3G to download wirelessly if you don't have WiFi. Forgot about manually since I never use it 

[mlewis78]

I buy a lot of my books from other sources (including free public domain classics), so I email from Calibre to the free kindle address, via Wi-Fi.

[zeppo]

No, it does. Sorry, I should've said that you need 3G to download wirelessly if you don't have WiFi.

Actually what I think you should have said then is you need 3G or a usb connection to the internet if you don't have WiFi.  Not everyone that has an internet connection has WiFi, though I guess that is changing rapidly.  I'm a little behind the times in that respect.  But that is where I was confused.

[Gail K]

. . . but why would a person want a Kindle 3G to connect remotely (other than Wi-Fi) to download media when they could just download via Wi-Fi then take those books/etc. with them?  I realize the Kindle does have an "Experimental" web browser but, in my opinion, the Kindle's web browser is pitiful as a tool to access the internet -- which is why it's still in the experimental stage.  (I'm really looking forward to a more refined browser when it's available.)

If a 3G user travels a lot I'm certain they can still download media via a hotel/motel Wi-Fi -- or the many other places that offer Wi-Fi.

I'm not being on the offensive here, I'm just trying to understand the benefit of the 3G and why someone would want to own it.

Thanks!

My DSL modem conked out a few weeks ago and we lost our WIFI for a few days until Verizon sent us a new modem.  3G came in very handy when I wanted to buy a book.

[beesocks]

I have the wifi only model.  My next kindle will have 3G   I did it to save money, but I'm NEVER near a wifi signal, don't have it at home, don't visit any places with it.  I knew of course that I'd need a wifi signal to download, but i thought I would sideload everything.   I didn't realize how annoying it would be until I got it, so my poor K3 sits ignored in favor of my trusty K2.  Its actually faster to load via USB than the 3G download to kindle, but sometimes you just don't want to move to get another book

[ScaryMerry]

I usually have access to wifi (at home, at school, and at work), but my problem is that I'm still on my parents' phone plan (I'm in college) and my dad refuses to let anyone get any sort of data plan (because he's a cheapskate that's cheated the phone company into a ridiculously cheap voice plan and doesn't want o "mess it up" ). So whenever we go vacation or to visit my grandparents, etc., I'm left cut off from the rest of the world, essentially (again, I'm in college and I'm used to being plugged-in all the time). With the free 3G, I can actually check my e-mail, facebook, etc.

So yeah, I got the 3G as a lifeline.

[NYCKindleFan]

Um hate to say it but it happens alot to people using wireless routers... I had this router for a year now so No I don't need to throw it in the trash... Even with other routers I had the same problem happened a lot... It's a common problem for people who use wireless routers....

No it's not. I've had my current router for two years and before that we had another for nearly 3. We've NEVER had the issue you are describing and neither had anyone I know with a router. You either have a misconfigured router or one that is a piece of junk.

[NYCKindleFan]

When I upgrade to the K3 I will most likely get the WiFi only model. We have excellent WiFi at home and I have a 3G/4G hotspot from my cellular provider that gives me access everywhere so paying the extra $50 doesn't make sense for me. I can understand why most people prefer it though!

[Organized_Chaos]

. . . but why would a person want a Kindle 3G to connect remotely (other than Wi-Fi) to download media when they could just download via Wi-Fi then take those books/etc. with them?  I realize the Kindle does have an "Experimental" web browser but, in my opinion, the Kindle's web browser is pitiful as a tool to access the internet -- which is why it's still in the experimental stage.  (I'm really looking forward to a more refined browser when it's available.)

If a 3G user travels a lot I'm certain they can still download media via a hotel/motel Wi-Fi -- or the many other places that offer Wi-Fi.

I'm not being on the offensive here, I'm just trying to understand the benefit of the 3G and why someone would want to own it.

Thanks!

1. 3G is faster than my internet at home.
2. I don't have to go hunt for a wifi spot to download a book.
3. Edge is faster than the wifi at my home.
4. My phone doesn't have internet

The main reason I bought the 3G version was because of #3 and #2. Seriously. It just depends on the user's needs. If you have fast internet in your home and you are always around wifi, then you don't need the 3G model. There are two places in the nearest town with free wifi. An it's a 15 minute drive for me to get there. Since my wifi is slow and unreliable, 3G was the better choice for me.

[Amiedoll]

I don't have 3g on my new kindle, I barely used it on my k2i, so wireless was fine for me. I can see why others would get it though. I have hundreds of books on my kindle and since I usb charge it anyway I just use calibre to organise my books.
I got my k3 today, and it hooked up to my wireless easily and I sent it some of my Amazon books with no problems, it was just as fast as usual so that's fine  .

I don't tend to travel so not having wireless is not an issue since my kindle barely leaves my home, and when it does I make sure I have everything I want to read on it already.  

[CoffeeCat]

I love it because I live in the boondocks, 8 miles from the nearest town, in which there is one McDonald's and that's the only public wi-fi hotspot.  I have wi-fi at home and in my classroom (but that may change). I want to be able to download a book or a sample whenever and wherever I want. If I'm somewhere and I hear about a good book or an interesting author, I want to be able to browse the Amazon store while the author or book is on my mind. I also want to be able to buy a book after having read a sample, wherever I may be.

I realize that many people have wi-fi access nearly everywhere, but I don't. I figured that the extra $50 necessary to buy the 3G Kindle 3 would be money well-spent, and I still feel that way.

This.