Kindle opinions please

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skiprat

skiprat

Passed Away Mar 22, 2022
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Joined
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In a Skip in Wales
Hi all,
I'm considering getting a Kindle and I see the latest one has an 'experimental web browser.' This is the one with 3G and WiFi built in.
Has anyone got one and what do you think?
I work away from home a lot and read tons of books, while having a pint in the pub. :beer:I'm also not sure if I'd feel like a bit of a plonker reading one in a pub though. :redface::biggrin:
However, if the new one with the 'web browser' works, then I might be convinced. I doubt that you could upload ( like making this post ) on it.

Any help, good or bad please
 
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We just got the 3G with built in wifi or I should say Diane got one. I haven'y used it at all but she's only had it for a few days and loves loves it. I think the wifi is so you can order books where ever there is wifi and the 3G for where there is no wifi.
 
I don't know anything about the Kindle, but I just bought my wife the Nook Color from Barnes and Noble and she loves it. It has WiFi, a web browser and downloadable aps.
 
I have been considering the Kindle or the Nook myself skiprat...
I read quite a bit myself now that I don't have to read tech manuals all day..
but, they have so many nice looking 'tablet' devices out there now that (I think) can do phone/web etc etc..ie, IPad...and now i see that Blackberry has come out with their flavor 8>) so confusing...but at least I can run the Kindle 'and' the 'Nook' app on my smartphone....sheesh...so many choices...so little money :)
 
I have the Nook Color. Got it for Christmas and absolutely love it. It has Wi-Fi so when I travel I take it along. I have internet access, email access and apps. Great little thing for the cost.
 
Why not go for a one of the new tablets such as the Ipad. They all have the kindle apps in them and can do tons of other things too such as web browsing, skype, word processing etc.

I am actually upgrading my cell phone soon to the Droid X (or X2 seeing how it is out now:rolleyes:) and it has a kindle app available. So I can be at the pub, make a call and read what ever the heck I want....of course after 1 or 2 drafts in me I say read what?!?:eek::biggrin::biggrin:
 
I think the kindle is only black and white screen. May make looking at the pics on this site challenging. When a color version with a good web browser comes out, it will be on my list.
 
Steven I am glad you brought this subject up. I had been looking at both the Kindle and the Nook. I lean more towards the Nook, but am concerned about B&N. They just filed bankruptcy. Are the formats for the books different between the Kindle and Nook or are the proprietary. There are a lot of questions before I go one way or the other.
 
BRobbins629 said:
I think the kindle is only black and white screen. May make looking at the pics on this site challenging. When a color version with a good web browser comes out, it will be on my list.
Click to expand...

Great point Bruce !! I honestly never even thought of the colour issue.

I was thinking of the Kindle instead of an Ipad tablet because of it's small size and much cheaper price.
I wouldn't get a Tablet type because I can't see any benefit of it over my laptop.
Although laptops aren't huge, I still don't like having to lug one around.
I could stick a Kindle in my pocket when I go to the bar for a refill.:biggrin:

Thanks for the replies, please keep the opinions coming:wink:

Mike, just seen your reply. I 'thought' that Amazon's Kindle seemed to have the most choice and most of the classics are free too.
The 'recent' books seem fairly priced at around a fiver each
 
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My wife has a kindle and loves it. There is no back light and I dont know anything about surfing the net with it but for books it is great. She has a place where she buys PDF files from she says you can buy 1 book or a group of books.https://www.box.net/shared/1nhonr8mkz
This is the link she gave me to post on here so I cant guarantee you will get to it. She saves a TON of $ by getting them this way.
 
Sounds like you need a smart phone! I have an iPhone and browse the internet all the time with it. It's not ideal but if you want portability you've got it!

AK
 
Andrew, you have to be kidding !!! I'm 50 years old and even with coke bottle bottom glasses, my arms aren't long enough to read from a phone. :biggrin:
One of the reasons for getting one was that I need pretty decent light to read a normal book, but I believe that you can read one of these in the dark.
 
I got my Kindle last Christmas the built in 3G is great the wifi alone leaves far to many areas where you can't download a new title. The web browser is ok I guess kids could work it better as you need small fingers but it does function. the choice of titles is extremely large a good investment if you like to read and travel
 
skiprat said:
Andrew, you have to be kidding !!! I'm 50 years old and even with coke bottle bottom glasses, my arms aren't long enough to read from a phone. :biggrin:
One of the reasons for getting one was that I need pretty decent light to read a normal book, but I believe that you can read one of these in the dark.
Click to expand...

Actually, you cannot read one of these in the dark :) There is no internal or backlight source on the Kindle so you have to have either daylight or a lamp. Like when reading a book. With that being said, you CAN read it in bright sunlight. This is just the opposite of the iPad which can easily be read in a dark room but is all but impossible to see in the bright sunlight. We own both so I am talking from experience.
 
I have specific opinions... However - here is the generic answer for the technologies:

Black&White paper reader (like the Kindle and Nook (non-color):
- Excellent reading in any light (sun, indoor, etc)
- Need a light source (some cases include them) if reading in dark
- Newer ones look pretty close to reading a sheet of paper.
- Great battery life (Weeks of usage)
- Sucky for other things (web browsing, etc - even if they offer it. Refesh rates really not designed for it.

Color readers (like Nook Color):
- Harder to read in sunlight
- Easier to read in dark/low light
- Harder on the eyes than a b/w model (which looks more like paper)
- Much less battery life (usually in the 10 hour range)
- Most run android "under the cover"
- IMO - an iPad has MUCH more functionality. More $$, but much more generic.

In my personal opinion, the B/W make much more sense if you are looking for a book reader. If you're looking for more than a book reader, a color reader CAN work, but then look for what you are looking for... whats your real purpose?? Need to evaluate more.
 
I have the kindle app on my HTC Incredible Droid phone and it has this great option for size of print... goes from I need a magnifying glass small to people across the street can read it big. :-) Internet speed is faster than my dsl connection at home and easy to type on. I am almost always on it when on IAP. :-)
 
I'm really glad I asked the questions here. I'm sure that I'm not the only one that has learnt a thing or two.
The comparisons you guys gave, the colour / b-w issue, backlighting, etc etc were all news to me.

Gotta love the clowns too !!:biggrin:

Thanks again:wink:
 
My wife has a kindle and she loves it. I purchased a leather folio it fits into that has a little led light that pulls out from the corner of the folio for when she reads in dark areas. She says the little led light is perfect. The kindle in my opinion is the best for eye strain. My Ipad has some back light options that help when I'm reading a book, however I think the back light is what causes the eye strain. The Kindle is very easy to download books. She has the smaller one, however there is a larger one that is better for reading magazines I guess. for the price the smaller one is the best. She brought it to the Dominican republic on vacation a couple months ago and it was perfect on the beach in bright sunlight. My Ipad was making me move it all over the place to try to read with it in bright sunlight.
 
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Diane bought along with her Kindel a cover that has a very unique light built in, protects and she can read it in pitch black darkness, thing it was around $30 for the cover.
 
Steven, I've had the Kindle with wifi and 3G 7-8 months now and am glad I chose it. I got it for reading but have played with browser a bit. It's rather basic but since I got it for reading I'm ok with that.
I am glad I got the 3G option as I've been out several time in places without wifi and have been able to shop for books.
Once you have an account through Amazon you can download the Kindle app for your lap top or phone.
I've been reading that Kindle is also going to announce soon that library borrowing will be available in the near future.
Kindle also allows you to lend books to friends with Kindles.
Like Tim I got the lighted leather case with mine and the light is fantastic!
Battery like is as advertised(almost a month) unless you use the light a lot.
Hope this helps!
Mike
 
My wife and I both have the wi-fi Kindles, hers has the cover with the built in light. She also has the Nook that her son gave her, she likes them both. The Nook you can read in zero light. I don't care for the Nook at all even though it does have some nice features. The both can hold hundreds of books. On the Kindle I can change the font size to suit me as well as the orientation. They are with us wherever we go. I know you can access the Internet through the Kindle wi-fi, but I have only done it occasionally to do FaceBook. They are truly convenient and worthwhile to an avid reader.
 
We have been playing with my wife's color nook via wifi here in Nassau between dives and at the rental house. The browser does work...is fast...but a bit cumbersome. I was trying to post to this thread on it and was not patient enough. The forum looks the same as it does on my laptop...just smaller but is easy to make the image larger. I suppose that would be true with the others also. It is more difficult to read in sunlight than with the b/w nook. She is going to take it back and get the newer version that is coming out soon.
Do a good turn daily!
Don
 
I have a Kindle that I won in a contest.

It is fine for reading, but not a great browser. The e-ink screen is easy on the eyes for reading, and is good for bright sunlight, but does not update quickly so that makes it more awkward for browsing web pages. On the other hand, the Kindle is lighter weight and has a much longer battery life than a "full-featured" tablet. A tablet is probably better for browsing, has color, and built-in lighting. I have access to an Android tablet for work and, while it has more features, games, apps, video, etc. it is heavier than the Kindle and the battery lasts only 5-6 hours vs the weeks I can get from the Kindle.

My biggest complaint about the Kindle is that I think e-books are overpriced for what you get -- it is more difficult to pass on a book or lend it to someone else when you are done with it. Most e-books are priced higher than the paperback editions but cheaper than the hardcover.

-Barry
 
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Upgraded my wife form black and white nook to a color nook in April -- she is off on a weaving trip and took the color nook leaving the laptop behind -- did not need it as she can do e-mail and every thing else between her smart phone and the color nook.

I have B&W nook -- and like the b&W kindle it is not as 'robust". Looked at both kindle and Sony before heading to nook.

Mostly read e-books form the library -- extensive selection - not as good as audio books but growing.
 
My daughter LOVES her Kindle. She can do a little surfing and she can post messages on her facebook.
Our library does not have any books that work for the kindle. She buys her books online at Amazon.
 
I have an Ipad 2 and love it, it has a camera that takes both stills and video. My wife has a Nook color and shee loves it. wi-fi on both.
 
I think you should get an Ipad and a Kindle. The Kindle is only $114 anyway. Then you have the best of both worlds. A great reader, the Kindle and a robust large screen, browser, word processor, camera, video phone that you can put tons of educational, business and personal software on, the Ipad. The best of both worlds, you can't go wrong.

I keep pictures of most of the pens I've made on my Ipad as well as many family pictures all in their own folder. It's easy to show people when I'm out and about the types of pens I can make them. The Ipad is a great sales presentation tool as well.
 
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Whichever one you get, download Calibre ebook software. It is free and it converts ebooks from one format to another. That way you are not limited to only the formats supported by your ereader.
 
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