Kindle Question

14 years ago

For the second time in less than a year, I won a gift certificate to use on amazon dot com. So I decided to order a Kindle. Does anyone have one and if so what do you think about it?

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Comments (11)

mitchdesj
14 years ago
I'm trying to decide on an e-reader !!
here's a recent conversation on the kindle in the cooking forum , to get you started.

Here is a link that might be useful: kindle talk
goldgirl
14 years ago
I bought a Kindle awhile ago and love it. I was debating over the different e-readers that were available at the time (namely, the Sony touch screen; the Nook had just been released and was back-ordered), but got feedback that the Kindle screen had better contrast and was thus easier to read for folks with less-than-perfect eyes. I also wanted a no-glare screen and the Kindle seemed like the best choice for that. Granted, those wants were very specific to me, so might not matter to most people.

There are still some physical books that I buy for my library, but I love the Kindle for it's portability (got the smaller one) because I can stick it in my purse and have it with me and read when I have unexpected time.
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I'm on my second Kindle, and it's genuinely one of my favorite possessions. Thoughts on your questions: Whether you buy the 8 or 10 inch version, you'll be able to adjust the print size to whatever you prefer at the moment. Personally, I find that I like to "up" my print size in the evenings; perhaps my eyes are tired. Reason to go with the 8" -- it may be a bit lighter, and if you're a lay-on-your-back reader like me, you may appreciate that slight difference. Reason to go with the 10" -- you'll "turn the page" less often. My first Kindle reached the same point you're describing: The battery wouldn't hold a charge. I'd fully charge it, and I could get all of 30 minutes of reading out of it. Thing is, all rechargeable batteries have a limited lifespan ... eventually every rechargeable battery will reach the point you're describing, and -- for a Kindle -- it's better to get a newer, nicer model than to replace the battery. Kindles are becoming cheaper and nicer ... my original Kindle cost over $300 and wasn't as nice as the $99 versions available today. Someone else mentioned a Fire. If you're a reader, I'd avoid the Fire. Because the Fire does more things, its battery just doesn't hold a candle to the Kindle's battery. When my current Kindle was new, it'd hold a charge (with heavy use) over three weeks (assuming the wifi's turned off) ... a Fire's battery charge is measured in hours. When you get any new rechargeable battery, you need to allow it to "run down" 100% the first time you use it ... it kind of "sets up" the battery for a longer lifespan. When I got my new, current Kindle (3-4 years ago?), I was surprised at just much faster it was. Now it may be reaching the end of its lifespan. Last thought: Moving all my books and categories from the old Kindle to the new was super easy (and I have over 1000 books). I can only assume that a game would move just as easily.
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segbrown
14 years ago
I haven't used one, but I bought them for my husband and my dad for Christmas, and they LOVE them.
deniseandspike
14 years ago
I love mine. I got it for mother's day last year and I've read over 100 books on it so far. I won't even buy hard copy books anymore. There are several books at Amazon that are on my wish list but I won't purchase them until they offer them in Kindle format. It's so easy to carry around with me--especially for the books that are over 500 pages. I bring it to dr appts and camping. I haven't tried or looked at any of the other readers. The Kindle seems perfect to me. I even used the beta web browser in the car while on vacation to find out what the traffic hold up was. It's very primitive for that use but you are able to get to the internet in an emergency.
les917
14 years ago
I don't have one, but my college freshman son bought himself one with Christmas and birthday money. Absolutely loves it! He is an avid reader, has several magazine subscriptions (no, not THAT kind of magazine, LOL, things like Time, etc) and pretty much only buys books for the Kindle now. He has the smaller one, and takes it with him a lot. Loves to use it to read in bed, too. He checked out the other types of readers, but preferred this. He is legally blind in one eye, and has NO problem reading, tho I did purchase the book light for him to use when he is riding as a passenger in the car at night, or in the dorm room so he doesn't bother his roommate. You can get Amazon gift $ that can be given to buy books and other media for the Kindle.
deborahnj
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks so much everyone for your input! I am truly excited and can't wait for the Kindle to arrive. I absolutely love reading and travel alot so I think it is going to come in handy. Will post my review when I receive it and play around a bit.

Deb
awm03
14 years ago
les917, interesting comment about your son's sight impairment & the Kindle. Can you enlarge the font on it? I have a son with vision problems. Maybe the Kindle would be a good thing for him, assuming he can get text books for it.
CaroleOH
14 years ago
My mother has the Kindle and loves it. She likes it mostly because she finds amazon.com so easy to use.

I bought a Barnes & Noble Nook. I liked it better because it allows me to download digital ebooks from my public library. The Kindle is proprietary and only allows you to download books via amazon.com.

This was an issue for me because I read more casually and don't want to buy every book. I don't really care to keep the books so much after I've read them. For my Mom, this wasn't an issue because she loves to keep all her books, reads 5-8 of them at the same time, and didn't want to be restricted by the 14 day return policy of the public library. Plus, she likes to read more obscure titles and they're really cheap on Amazon.

The other thing about the Kindle I liked that the Nook didn't do was the text to speech. You can plug in your headset and the Kindle will "read" you your book! I think that would be nice when you're riding in the car or other times when you just don't want to read.

Get a good cover and light. www.medgestore.com has great covers and a nice reading light.
deborahnj
Original Author
14 years ago
Carol, great tip about the ability of the Kindle to "read" to you, I like that idea! Will check out medgestore for a cover. Thanks so much!
Sueb20
14 years ago
awm, yes, you can enlarge the font. A friend of mine bought one for his elderly mom for that reason.

I loved mine, but it started acting up and then not working at all. I've been dreading getting on the phone w/ customer service (you know how that goes) so I've been letting it sit on a table for months now. I have enough actual books to keep me busy for months, but before summer comes (my prime reading season!) I need to get the Kindle back in order.

There's something really fun about finishing a book and being able to buy a new one just seconds later!
deborahnj
Original Author
14 years ago
I received my Kindle yesterday. I love it and I'm hooked!!