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Thread: What's wi-fi and 3G?

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  1. #1
    Robin's Avatar
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    Default What's wi-fi and 3G?

    I was looking at PS Vita prices and saw one was cheaper than the other. I tried goggling this, but they offered complicated definitions I want to know what they are and what's the difference between them?

  2. #2
    Mr. Nice Guy Solitude's Avatar
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    The 3G one requires a sim card (which will have to be RICA'd) and where you'll pay a service provider like Vodacom for data usage.

    Wifi is when you want to connect to a wireless router. For instance if you have adsl then the wireless router is connected to that and electronics that then have wifi capabilities can connect to the internet via the router. I hope that makes sense. Had to write it quickly.

  3. #3

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    Quote Originally Posted by Solitude View Post
    The 3G one requires a sim card (which will have to be RICA'd) and where you'll pay a service provider like Vodacom for data usage.

    Wifi is when you want to connect to a wireless router. For instance if you have adsl then the wireless router is connected to that and electronics that then have wifi capabilities can connect to the internet via the router. I hope that makes sense. Had to write it quickly.
    Yip, and to add to this. 3G will allow you to connect to the net pretty much anywhere where there's a cellphone signal, whereas wifi will only be in certain areas where someone has shared a wifi signal (airports, mugg and bean, at home, at work normally, places like that).

  4. #4

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    I think the 3G version has WiFi too, so that makes it more expensive since you get both.

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    MyGaming Alumnus James's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by z00bear View Post
    I think the 3G version has WiFi too, so that makes it more expensive since you get both.
    Yeah, I also wanted to point out that Wi-Fi is basically standard, and it will also be in the 3G version of the PS Vita.

    You need to ask yourself how important it will be to get data on the go (Vita has a full web browser and other functionality), or play multiplayer games while mobile. I'm pretty sure using the 3G will also drain the battery that much faster.

  6. #6

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    Quote Originally Posted by James View Post
    ... or play multiplayer games while mobile. I'm pretty sure using the 3G will also drain the battery that much faster.
    What happens when you are on the move and your 3G connection drops for a few seconds? That would seriously affect multiplayer.
    And I agree about the battery drain, especially when both radios are powered on.

  7. #7
    Local caffeine junky matt's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by z00bear View Post
    What happens when you are on the move and your 3G connection drops for a few seconds? That would seriously affect multiplayer.
    And I agree about the battery drain, especially when both radios are powered on.
    Lots of people play on other platforms on 3G, although it tends to be fairly laggy, so a wi-fi connection to an ADSL line would always be preferable to a 3G connection anyway, but if you have a good 3G signal, it should be playable. If your signal drops out, you'll probably be kicked from the game, or if it gets laggy, you'll get killed a lot.

    I play xbox with people who are connected with 3G and iBurst, and for the most part, they don't have too many problems, so I'm sure it'll be ok for the PSP

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    Local caffeine junky matt's Avatar
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    If you have a wireless network at home (eg, if you have ADSL and a wireless router) to connect to the internet, and you don't feel the need to be able to connect to the net from anywhere else, then the Wi-Fi one should be ok, because you'll connect to the internet through your home network.

    With 3G, the device itself will connect straight to the network the same way a cell phone does, so you can connect anywhere, but you'll have to pay for that bandwidth (and as above, you'll need a sim card). Out of bundle 3G rates tend to be about R2 per MB, so it can get expensive if you're not careful. The in-bundle rates are much better if you get a 3G contract or buy a data package from your provider (cell phone company), but unused bandwidth tends to expire at the end of the month.

    If you do want to be able to get the thing online, and you don't have wireless internet at home, or you want the option of being able to connect wherever you are, then you should go with the 3G version. Assuming the 3G one has Wi-Fi as well, you can use your home Wi-Fi connection when you're at home, and 3G when there isn't a Wi-Fi network available.

  9. #9

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    I don't doubt that 3G is good enough for online multiplayer. I used both Vodacom and Cell C to connect to Xbox Live before I got ADSL. However, when you're using a console you're stationary, so the signal won't be a problem.

    With Vita though, it's made for gaming on the move. And when you're on a bus or train, you can't guarantee that you'll stay in an area with good coverage. I know that Cape Town certainly has patchy 3G coverage...

  10. #10
    Robin's Avatar
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    I have a 3G Iburst modem that I connect to the pc if I ever need internet. Can I use it with the PS vita?

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