Choice of Kindle Fire Options

12 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

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Comments (4)

Elmer J Fudd
12 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
12 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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There are already rumors about Kindle Fire having free 3G in the future. If this comes true - this will be a major revolutionary move. This is something I can see Bezos doing, as he has become a "Disruptor." Here you go Teresa: iPad - Apple's "tablet" computer. It is just a touch screen, and you can purchase a separate keyboard for it. You can load it with applications that you download from the Apple app store. notebook, laptop, netbook - these are all computers where the screen is on one side and the keyboard is on the other and the thing opens and closes like a book. Started out with laptop, then got smaller and smaller and called themselves notebooks and netbooks. tablet - what iPads are, and everyone is now copying - touchscreens with no separate keyboards. If you want to type - a virtual touch keyboard appears onscreen. pda - personal digital assistant like the old Casios, then Palms. Pretty much obsolete since the features (mostly address books and notes) are now added to cell phones. smart phone - cell phone with computing features. ereader - electronic book readers. You can read electronic books on any computer, tablet and smart phones now. But ereaders like the non-tablet Kindles have a special screen that makes reading easier on the eye.
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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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You can make the text bigger, so size wise I'd go look at them and see what feels most comfortable. I have the original B&W Nook which I use when I go to the beach, so I agree with Terriks that any of the color monitor readers are virtually worthless outside. So if you like to read a lot on vacation, try to find one used. They're pretty cheap. I also have the color Nook which I use everyday and just love. Of course, I get reader envy and think about getting the newer versions. I am intrigued by the iPad Mini because I have a mac/iphone and can keep email, apps etc. all in sync with my iCloud. Plus the iPad has nook and kindle apps that make it incredibly easy to read books in either library. It also has an overdrive media app that allows you to download library books directly to your iPad. So, with that all said, I think you should look at the iPad mini. Other than they are more expensive, they offer the most versatility - email, apps, internet, pictures, audio books etc.
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mudlady_gw
Original Author
12 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
12 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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