Choice of Kindle Fire Options

9 years ago

I am definitely old and computer challenged. I have an old Kindle, read on it often and want to replace it with a newer version. I have a desk top computer and printer and an old XP netbook which needs the help of a guru because it is buggy and slow. Rather than spend money on a new netbook, I am considering buying a tablet. My needs are relatively simple for a tablet because I currently use my netbook only when on vacation for email, playing basic Solitaire and Googling places of interest and driving directions. I would probably view some missed TV programs while on vacation. I don't need anything but WiFi. I don't play games except for Solitaire, use Face Book or do anything else with any computer device and don't own a sophisticated cell phone. The only time I keep my simple cell phone on is when I am on vacation. Clearly, I am only marginally into hi tech devices. I plan to go on vacation in mid June and am seriously thinking of buying a tablet. I think 32 GB would be enough for my needs and I would like the larger screen. These are two URLs that I have been looking into:

http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BWYQ9YE/ref=pe_70050_117920720_pe_md

http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BWYQ9YE/ref=pe_70050_117920720_pe_md#kindle-compare

Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Nancy

Comments (4)

Elmer J Fudd
9 years ago
What's the principal use, which capabilities are most important to you? Your choices involve compromises and tradeoffs.

The paperwhite version is the preferred Kindle for reading. It's less expensive. It has longer battery life and it also has what's considered the better display for reading. It has a rudimentary browser for basic internet access but I don't think it would be suitable for movies or TV. You can check that.

The Fire has a color screen, can be used for video, but has a much shorter battery life.

Only you know which best suits you.
acraftylady
9 years ago
I have a 2nd generation kindle fire and love it. I read on it surf, check email, watch hbo, netflix and stuff on it so it suites my needs. I want the larger screen HDX when money permits. Storage is not an issue for me since all your books and apps you purchase from amazon are stored in your amazon account so I can delete and load as needed as long as I have a wifi connection or I use the mobile hotspot from my cell phone if need be.

I also have an older e-ink keyboard kindle but I don't read on it as much anymore as I just prefer to read on the fire but it depends on what your eyes like.

If you are not going to be using it for much why not get the 7 inch HD kindle for $119 since it's cheaper. I have used my friends HD and it's nice. Mary
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Well, I now have a Nook Tablet AND a Kindle Fire. I'm planning to return one of them but I felt like I had to try them both. I've had the Nook for a few days but just got the Fire tonight. So far I think I like the Nook better. I like the feel of it - it's more comfortable to hold and not as slippery. It also has kind of a frame around the screen that makes it nicer to hold compared to the Fire which just has a little ridge around the edge - probably why the Fire is a bit smaller. I want to use it without a book-like cover on it - will just store it in a sleeve. I do think the web browser is better on the Fire since it has tabs and the keyboard and shortcuts are nice. However the Nook touch screen seemed more responsive - touching things on the Kindle sometimes didn't "register". The Nook has more options for the book display though and I think some of them are easier on the eyes than the Fire - at least I prefer some of the options that aren't available on the Fire. I imagine a lot of this stuff can change though with a software update. What wouldn't change is the home button on the Nook which I also like - maybe I've just gotten used to it. I'm going to try them out over the weekend and then decide. I do think Amazon is way ahead on content but I'm mainly interested in books and there are lots of books available through B&N and other sources. Kindle has many more apps but I don't care much about that because I do all that stuff on my iPhone. One thing I loved with the Nook was that my favorite magazine (Cooking Light) is available in a beautiful version tailored to the Nook. There is a Cooking Light app that's available for the Kindle to paper magazine subscribers but I really don't want the paper magazine. That could just push me over the edge. Plus I kind of want to give the underdog a chance.
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just keep in mind that android tablets let you install the kindle app and the nook app so you can have all of those on one device. It really depends on your needs and wants as to what you get. the tablet with the best sound that I have owned was the vizio it had 3 speakers so no matter which direction you held it in you had stereo and the sound was fantastic. Wish more manufacturers would be more interested in the sound quality and take a lesson and put at least 3 or 4 speakers on them. I often struggle hearing with the one small speaker especially on my phone. I love love love my new Asus transformer tf300 10" tablet with dock but it too could use some improvement in the sound and speaker department. My husband still absolutely loves his lookbook in fact he now has his and mine and I am trying to make him transition over to my Vizio tablet so he has more options and can do other things on it. He is fighting me he wants to stick with his lookbook he is not a fan of the touch screen he keeps touching things by accident then I hear swearing lol. He is not a good student is all I have to say LOL That lookbook is extremely light weight you will not likely find any tablet that is that light.
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I find the kindle fire much too heavy to read on and I have the smaller one. I also do not like the way pages turn. You cannot read one handed as you can w/ the regular kindle (at least I can't) and you have to touch the screen which I find distracting, not as reliable and I need to worry that my hands aren't wet or don't have popcorn butter on them, which is not an issue with my regular kindle. I also REALLY don't like the bright colored screen when reading on it. It is like reading on a computer and I prefer to feel more like I am reading a real book, not a computer screen (I look at computer screens all day for work). With my regular kindle, I can use it outside or to read in the tub and this would not be possible at all with a kindle fire. I can forget that I am on a device and feel like I am just reading a book. I don't get that w/ the Kindle Fire. A basic kindle (not touch- I hate the touch and got rid of my Kindle touch) can be had pre-owned for like $35-$40 from cowboom. I would definitely just pick one of those up to read on and not try to read on either the fire or ipad, whichever you decide to get. I've bought two kindles from here already because I want to have one in each of our houses and they've both been in good condition. I've also dropped my regular kindle MULTIPLE times (onto concrete, and falling off a hammock onto a flagstone patio when my dog jumped onto the hammock) and the kindle is none-the-worse for the wear. I do not think the same would have been true w/ an ipad or fire This post was edited by beaglesdoitbetter on Sat, Sep 21, 13 at 22:42
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mudlady_gw
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks snidely and acraftlady for the info. I don't text on a phone and I have no experience with small keyboards. If I don't add an external keyboard to the Fire, what will typing email responses be like? Will I have to resort to one finger typing? Maybe two thumbs? Almost all my emails will be typed at home on my desktop so the Fire won't get a lot of use for typing. This will be my belated 70th birthday gift to myself and I really want to love it.
Nancy
acraftylady
9 years ago
Well for me the fire keyboard is not small. The keys on the basic texting phone I use to have with a physical keyboard were much smaller. Your best bet is to go into a store and play with one and see how you like typing on it. I have no trouble writing notes and typing emails on mine and I like auto correct and swipe and all that stuff as I have a smart phone too. For me I won't go back to a physical keyboard on a device like that.

Also if you do get a Bluetooth keyboard for it I am sure some are better than others so need to test them out. Actually on my phone I use the microphone more and more to write notes and compose emails. I guess I just like all this new technology. Mary

Choice of Kindle Fire Options

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Elmer J Fudd

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Choice of Kindle Fire Options

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Elmer J Fudd

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