Kindle, ipad, laptop, ... wifi?

[TMurphy]

To answer one of your original questions...

If you buy a Kindle with 3G (the older gray screen ones, not the new Kindle Fire), the 3G service is Free. You can shop and download books for free, with no contracts, no need for WiFi, or anything else.

But, it's ONLY for books and reading materials. You can't surf the web, email, etc.

Technically you can surf the web on an eInk Kinde; they have an "experimental" browser built into them. However, it does not work very well, and is essentially useless, in my opinion. If you're patient enough,or desperate enough, you can do it, though.

If you don't want to spend the money on an iPad, go with the Kindle Fire. It works with wifi only (meaning you need to be at a wifi hotspot, or pay for an internet service at home, and set up a wireless network), but will fit all of your needs. Plus, Amazon has a ton of digital content available (movies, apps, music, and books) that you can stream (for free, if you have an Amazon Prime account).

The other option that you mentioned, a smartphone (which would include data service that you pay for), and a Kindle eInk reader (which is hands down the best way to read an eBook, far better than anything backlit). Like bort said, a Kindle with 3G (which run about $30 more than the wifi only models) include free 3G service.

[Uncle Buck]

Screw that expensive iPad crap- there's a lot of other tablets that run a lot cheaper and work just as well.


Unfortunately, data on the go (3G, 4G,...) in the US pretty much means getting locked into a 2 year contract where you'll end up paying more than outright, or buying one full price off contract and trying to find a decent prepaid data plan. There's lots of good prepaid smartphones and smartphone plans but few for tablets and laptops.

Actually, if you use an iPad with a data plan, you can get a stand-alone month-to-month plan for the iPad only with no contract.

But an iPad with a data plan ain't cheap.

[MaryAnn]

So a "data plan" means I can download X GB of data per month? My brother told me that the $20 option should be plenty enough for me. Maybe he doesn't know how much I use the internet....and maybe he does. I don't play games, I do sometimes listen to Youtube, but generally I browse and email and buy stuff. So does the $20 plan sound reasonable?

Question: I see iPad 16GB, 32GB, 64GB....is that the hard drive size? Like the hard drive on my computer, which I have never come close to filling up?

MA

[Donn]

Others tell me just get a laptop anyway and some kind of wifi service.

What does that mean? I mean, is "some kind of wifi service" one of your options? If so, then it seems to me like the cost and bandwidth of that service would be part of the analysis.

[PMeuph]

1So a "data plan" means I can download X GB of data per month? My brother told me that the $20 option should be plenty enough for me. Maybe he doesn't know how much I use the internet....and maybe he does. I don't play games, I do sometimes listen to Youtube, but generally I browse and email and buy stuff. So does the $20 plan sound reasonable?

2.Question: I see iPad 16GB, 32GB, 64GB....is that the hard drive size? Like the hard drive on my computer, which I have never come close to filling up?

MA

1. As long as you don't plan to watch online shows, limit our youtube video to 3-4 a week, you should be fine with the cheapest (I presume 500 mb) plan.


2.Yes, Hard drive size.

[Uncle Buck]

1So a "data plan" means I can download X GB of data per month? My brother told me that the $20 option should be plenty enough for me. Maybe he doesn't know how much I use the internet....and maybe he does. I don't play games, I do sometimes listen to Youtube, but generally I browse and email and buy stuff. So does the $20 plan sound reasonable?

2.Question: I see iPad 16GB, 32GB, 64GB....is that the hard drive size? Like the hard drive on my computer, which I have never come close to filling up?

MA

1. As long as you don't plan to watch online shows, limit our youtube video to 3-4 a week, you should be fine with the cheapest (I presume 500 mb) plan.


2.Yes, Hard drive size.

I agree. I only stream videos, download apps or files, etc. when I'm connected to wi-fi. When I'm on the 3G connection I pretty much just check email and do some basic browsing. For that kind of use, the cheapest plan is more than enough.

[MaryAnn]

Having chatted for a while online with a Cricket guy, it seems all this is pretty complicated. What I want is the most simple solution, which doesn't require routers/modems/etc that can get all out of whack. Looks like the little wifi box is actually the most simple. Am I wrong?
MA

[eupher61]

Sprint has unlimited data plans pretty much standard. I've had nothing but great service for 10 years+. And, at least for the pure phone service, a lot cheaper than anyone else, given the features.