Kindle, ipad, laptop, ... wifi?

[MaryAnn]

I'm going to be computer-less for a while due to living situation. I'd like to still get online for email and buying stuff, plus it would be nice to be able to read books.

Some people tell me get an iPad, others say no get a smart phone and a Kindle. Others tell me just get a laptop anyway and some kind of wifi service.

So if I get a Kindle or iPad, do I have to have separate wifi service that I pay for (assuming I use these at home, and don't drive out to some public wifi place?) Is Kindle different from iPad in that sense, like, if I buy a Kindle, can I access Amazon, find a book I want, buy it, and have it downloaded without having to pay for a separate wifi service? What about iPad?

How are they different? You see I am a Kompleat Novice here. I do computers reasonably well but this newfangled stuff boggles me still. What you get and what it costs you, plus, very important, how easy it is to use, are all important.

MA

[PMeuph]

Both the iPad and the kindle have different models that can be used on wifi and/or *3g/4g.

If you opt for the wifi versions(usally cheaper), you will need a wifi connection at your house, or to hunt down some wifi hotspots.

The 3g version of the kindle allows you to connect to the amazon store and buy all the books you want for free.

With the 3g/4g ipad you will need to get a connection (from a cell phone provider).

*3g/4g is the same frequency that cell phones use, so getting an ipad with 3g is almost like getting an over-sized iphone. (but you might not need t take a 3 year contract)

On the ipad, you can do a lot more stuff. Type e-mails, check tubenet, the weather, online banking, read sheet music, read books etc...

The kindle, albeit a lot cheaper, allows you to do very little of that except for reading books/news. The screen quality of the kindle is great for reading books. Some people find the iPad tiring for their eyes after a while.

[bort]

Kindle Fire is very good, and a great deal... though I wouldn't recommend any tablet for surfing, typing, or day to day stuff. Too much of a pain in the *** (yes, even the iPad!).

[Rick F]

I've had an iPad for about four months. I opted for one with just Wi-Fi... no 3G. As I already had Wi-Fi in the house, it works fine once I set it up. It checks my emails (all clients) automatically with no intervention from me (actually faster than my PC). The built-in keyboard is ok, but you can hardly use "touch typing". I understand though you can get an external keyboard that you can plug in... fairly small that can fit in an external case.

Just my two cents.

Sent from iPad

[bisontuba]

Hi-
Get a Wi-Fi hookup, and then pick up an iPad--great deals on refurb iPad2 16gb Wi-Fi only from Apple---$349. Then if needed, pick up a wireless keyboard, like Apple's wireless keyboard--I think around $69. You'll be all set. Good luck.
Mark

[MartyNeilan]

If you were leaning towards the Kindle Fire, I would strongly suggest giving the Nook Tablet a close look instead.

[bort]

Or even wait a few months for the inevitable Kindle Fire 2.

[bearphonium]

We have had great luck buying refurb from Apple. That 16gig iPad sounds perfect. You can suck up free WiFi and not have to pay for a plan (that is what I do with my iPod touch, 3rd gen), you're just stuck using it at WiFi hot spots. Nice to "see" you again...

[Rick F]

I forgot to mention that our iPad2 was a re-furbed unit -- which saved us about $100. It still has the same warranty as a brand new unit. Apple says a "re-furbed" iPad has a new screen and new battery installed and completely checked out before re-packaging.

Sent from iPad

[bort]

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.

[Bob Kolada]

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.

[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.