To 3G or not to 3G

[Garet Jax]

Hello all,

I am toying with the idea of getting a nook or a kindel (ebook reader), but have a question about 3G.

They offer two versions - one that has 3G and one that doesn't. The one without is $50 cheaper.

What will I need to be able to use the 3G ability? Will I need to have a full data contract with a carrier (Verizon, Sprint, AT&T, etc...) and pay a monthly charge? If I do opt for that, what sorts of things will the nook with 3G allow me to do?

Thanks.


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[SandEagle]

get a ipad

 

[disappoint]

oops, I was wrong, my bad.

 

[Garet Jax]

get a ipad

The cheapest one is more than 2 times the cost of a nook.

PS - At the iPad cost, I can get a full laptop with a bigger screen, more memory, more CPU power and a full multi-tasking OS. An iPad never really factored into my thoughts. Besides - back to the original question about 3G

 

[Sephy]

Actually, the Nook's 3G service is free through AT&T - with the caveat you can't use it to browse, only Wifi. Which sucks, but at least you aren't paying any extra.

 

[Deeko]

The one with 3G will be more expensive and require a monthly payment to a 3G carrier, typically Verizon for example: $30 a month for unlimited (misnomer: its capped at ~5gigs/month) data.

100% incorrect. The Kindle and Nook offer free 3G data service. There is no contract or monthly fee.

OP, I have the Kindle, and I find the 3G option very convenient. I've used it to buy books places where I don't have wifi...on a plane getting ready to take off, at the beach, etc. Its great for impulse buys. Also, while the browser isn't great, I've used it to check email when my cell phone was dead/dying before too.

For the small price increase, considering what you get, I'd say its definitely worth it.

 

[preslove]

http://forums.anandtech.com/forumdisplay.php?f=37

 

[Garet Jax]

The one with 3G will be more expensive and require a monthly payment to a 3G carrier, typically Verizon for example: $30 a month for unlimited (misnomer: its capped at ~5gigs/month) data.

The one without 3G is as you stated $50 less and no monthly contract but then you can't download new content from anywhere you have cell service. You'll have to download wherever you can get wifi access. You could download the content at home off a wireless router then read it whenever wherever, you just won't be able to download new content whenever wherever.

Thanks.

 

[SunnyD]

The one with 3G will be more expensive and require a monthly payment to a 3G carrier, typically Verizon for example: $30 a month for unlimited (misnomer: its capped at ~5gigs/month) data.

The one without 3G is as you stated $50 less and no monthly contract but then you can't download new content from anywhere you have cell service. You'll have to download wherever you can get wifi access. You could download the content at home off a wireless router then read it whenever wherever, you just won't be able to download new content whenever wherever.

WRONG. The Nook comes with FREE 3G subsidized by B&N. No contracts, no additional monthly fees.

Actually, the Nook's 3G service is free through AT&T - with the caveat you can't use it to browse, only Wifi. Which sucks, but at least you aren't paying any extra.

Wrong. The latest update for the Nook allows browsing over 3G.

 

[gorcorps]

Thanks.

NO! Don't listen to disappoint, listen to deeko... deeko is right. The cost of the data service is part of the cost of the ereader, which is why it's more expensive.

 

[Sephy]

The latest update for the Nook allows browsing over 3G.

Cool, didn't know that.

 

[Garet Jax]

NO! Don't listen to disappoint, listen to deeko... deeko is right. The cost of the data service is part of the cost of the ereader, which is why it's more expensive.

Got it. Thanks for the correction.

 

[AstroManLuca]

a bunch of wrong stuff

disappoint, i am disappoint

 

[disappoint]

Oops sorry my bad, I thought it was like cell phones. Didn't know it was subsidized in the cost of the device. Thanks for setting me straight.

 

[Deeko]

FYI - Amazon just dropped the price of the Kindle to $189.

 

[preslove]

FYI - Amazon just dropped the price of the Kindle to $189.

Thanks for the tip. I'll probably get a kindle after my conference reimbursement check comes in