UK Kindle 3G/Wifi 
or Kindle 4 Wifi
At last you can buy the Kindle in the UK. For those of you previously put off from buying the Kindle since you had to order from the US and pay in dollars, knowing that the shipment might take a while and worse still, could be hit with extra duty charges it is great news that the Kindle eBook Reader is at last available in Britain.
Updated - As you can see we were a little excited when the Kindle came to Blighty! But it had been nearly 3 years of watching the American’s enjoy it whilst only being able to get one from the US. Thankfully it’s been here a while now, but we are still in love with the dinky little graphite ebook reader…
To order your new 3rd or 4th generation Kindle from the UK just click the link above.
Even better you now get a choice. If you live somewhere with lots of WiFi hotspots and do not intend to travel far from WiFi access you can choose the cheapest Kindle 3 wi-fi only, or if you want a little more flexibility and intend to stray further afield opt for the WiFi & 3G model Kindle 3. Again things have changed! You can now choose between the model with a keyboard and 3G or the smaller wi-fi only Kindle 4.
Everything about the two new Kindle models is identical apart from that little extra 3G capability. The new generation Kindle Wireless Reader improves on the remarkable success of its predecessor to bring you improved functionality in a slightly smaller (and 15% lighter) package.
Whilst we loved the old style Kindle 6″ reader we love this new more compact, graphite Kindle even more – and here are some of the reasons why:
- New, even sleeker design. The device is over 20% smaller but you still get the same size 6″ display.
- Sharper contrast. In fact the new e-ink screen is said to be the sharpest on the market.
- Larger memory allows for up to 3500 books to be stored on the device.
- Improved memory (who thought it could get any better – but apparently it can) with a month possible between charging so long as you switch off the WiFi. Great for trips with less luggage!
- Option to buy a cheaper WiFi only model.
- Kindle shipped from the UK. Yes, I know we could buy them before but it seems a whole lot easier buying from Britain instead of the US.
- Faster refresh rate and quieter page turn buttons.
- Improved PDF viewing, with file look-ups and dictionery and notes.
- Improved web browser. Oh of course it is still experimental – a bonus reader on one truly dedicated eBook reader, but still it is nice to have the option to tweet if you want to! Since there are now built-in Twitter and Facebook applications you can share passages from your favorite books with ease.
Most of all though we are just pretty darned pleased that us Brits can now buy the Kindle UK close to home! At the time of writing the UK Kindle was only available for pre-order. But no worries – get your order in early and shipments will start on 27th August.
And now it seems you will soon be able to buy the Kindle in Spain too!
Kindle 3, UK release date 27th August 2010.
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Hi, I’m currently in the UK, but only until early May.
I would have liked to be able to ‘try before I buy’, but this doesn’t seem possible with an online purchase. Is there a money-back guarantee if I change my mind once I have tried the kindle?
My second question is in relation to the purchase of the ebooks. Can I choose to buy them from amazon.com or amazon.co.uk? or am I locked into the one I start with?
thank you in advance! DW
Hi Dorothy. There is a no quibble 30 day returns policy should you not be satisfied. The books need to be bought wherever your Kindle account is registered. For UK buyers this would usually be the co.uk store since that is where their Kindle is. However, should you move you can always amend your Kindle account details to reflect your new location and then order books from the .com store as you wish.
Thank you for your quick response! I’m travelling for 6 months in Europe/UK but I live in Australia which doesn’t have its own Amazon.
Good to know there’s the flexibility of return and also changing account info.
I’m thinking of buying it for my husband because he’s starting to have problems with his eyesight and I thought that being able to change the font size would help. I have to say that the main reason I’m not sure we’d be happy with it is the smallness of the 6″ screen, but the bigger 9″ one is way too heavy, not to mention expensive!
cheers, DW
Hi I am thinking of buying the Kindle but need to know which is the better one the 3G/ WIFI or the 3 wifi
Derek, they are both equally good at their main job since they are identical in all respects other than one having only wi-fi and the other having 3G and wi-fi to connect to the internet. Basically if you only need to connect in places that have wi-fi (such as your home with a wireless router, or hotels) the cheaper model is fine. If you need more flexibility and would want to connect to the internet commuting on the bus for example, the 3G model does offer a little more flexibility,
I am based in Hong Kong, but will be relocating to the UK next year. I am hoping to purchase Kindle 3 (wifi + 3g) soon, but I am unsure whether to order via Amazon.com (international) or Amazon.co.uk. Your advice would be much appreciated.
I would buy now in the UK since exports to Hong Kong will come from the US and so incur duty and higher delivery charges (buying from the UK for delivery in the UK means you get free delivery). Once you move you can update your Kindle account to reflect where you are living.