thinking of buying a Kindle keyboard WI 3G what is the difference between that?

[Ken]

The Kindle product line now involves the following four key choices:

(1) E Ink vs LCD display

Choose E Ink (Kindle, Kindle Touch, Kindle Keyboard) if long-run reading is your priority; choose LCD (Kindle Fire) if apps/games/video/web-browsing is your priority. E Ink displays ebooks just like paper-based ebooks, using ambient light; LCD displays ebooks just like computer monitors, using back lighting. On the other hand, E Ink is only black-and-white and is too slow for video. LCD does great with those non-reading applications. Further, Kindle Fire has a sophisticated web browser, Silk, which leverages local and cloud storage and processing dynamically, thereby providing high-performance web browsing.

LCD ereaders, due to their backlight, can be read in the dark; E Ink ereaders require an external light source (such as are built-in to some cases). E Ink ereaders, due to their use of ambient light, can be read in direct sunlight; LCD ereaders cannot.

(2) Five-way controller vs multi-touch vs keyboard

Choose 5-way to save money (base Kindle is only $79); choose multi-touch (Kindle Touch) for easy-of-use; choose keyboard (Kindle Keyboard) for ease-of-typing.

(3) WiFi vs WiFi+3G

Choose WiFi+3G if you wish to download ebooks or browse the web when away from a WiFi hotspot. An ereader with 3G support will be able to connect like a cell phone. Unlike a cell phone, however, there is no monthly fee for Kindle's 3G service. Note, though, that the web browser on Kindle isn't so great. Also, once an ebook is downloaded, neither WiFi nor 3G is needed to read it.

(4) With Special Offers vs Without Special Offers

Choose the lower-cost Kindles With Special Offers (KSO) to save money unless you have a philosphical problem with even non-obtrusive ads:

KSO Pros:
* $40 (WiFi) or $50 (3G) less expensive.
* May save more if special offers turn out to be useful to you.
* Ads do not show up in the middle of reading an ebook.
* I've heard only praise from those who buy Kindle WSO.

KSO Cons:
* May just dislike ads in principle, even outside of reading experience.