kindle

[trapper704]

My wife wants a kindle for xmas, and I don't have a clue as to what is good or worth getting. She loves to read, and she spends a lot of time in the pickup or trailer while I steelhead fish, or hunt. We are retired so don't need all the willy nilly games and stuff. I probly won't get the cheapest or the most expensive, but want to get her one that is able to do whatever will give her a good range of selection. Any input will be appreciated. thanks

 

[Onomea]

I suggest go to Amazon.com and read reviews of the Kindles. The latest Kindle, Kindle Fire, is more than just a reader; it is a movie watcher, web browser, etc. I have a Kindle 2 which is basically just a reader. You can get them with wireless so that you can connect to a wireless router, or you can get them with wireless plus 3G, meaning cellphone signals, so you can get your books anywhere there is cell phone coverage. I read a lot, and I like the Kindle 2. I mostly order books for the Kindle via my computer and they show up via 3G in the Kindle, but I occasionally also just order from the Kindle itself.

I recently bought an iPad, not to replace the Kindle, but to do all the stuff that the Kindle 2 does not do. You can use the iPad as a reader, but I like the Kindle better for the reading experience.

 

[ArcticFox]

I have the Kindle 3G, got it last Christmas, love it. I now have four or five books with me that I am in the process of reading. I love it. I like the 3G model because: it includes wi-fi, I can browse Amazon books, read the Kindle news, and order a book right away that I've heard about. The Kindle holds 3,000 books. Amazon now has a lending library for those who do not wish to keep a copy on their Kindle.

 

[sigp220.45]

I got a Kindle last year and wouldn't be without one now. Mine is the wireless only, and since I download my books at home I've never missed having the 3G. My sister just got a Kindle Fire, and has had some trouble with hers, but it may just be unfamiliarity.

My biggest problem is finding time to read all the books I've downloaded.

I think the new $79 version is a real bargain. Instead of a generic screensaver you get ads, but once you fire the thing up its just like any other Kindle.

I would suggest getting a good cover with a built in light that runs off the Kindle's power.

 

[akviper]

I purchased the 3G last Christmas for my wife. She absolutely loves it. I also got a lighted case for her so she can read on the plane and use the Kindle anytime. The great thing about the standard is the battery life. She only charges hers once a month and she uses it a lot. The Fire version does not have the battery life that the "lesser" versions have.

You can shop for books and sample them online with the 3G anywhere you have cell reception.

 

[johngalt]

I recommend you get one with 3G, which also has wireless. At first glance, the wireless-only model seems to make 3G unnecessary, but the 3G is very handy.

Connecting to the wireless network usually requires you to enter a password, which is a bit of a pain. So unless you are home where you can connect to your network, you might have trouble downloading new books.

With 3G, there is nothing to configure. Just turn it on and it automatically connects anyplace you have cell coverage.

 

[Rule3]

My Wife wants one also. (can they share?) She at first wanted the Fire but I talked her out of that due to battery life and she really doesn't need all the other features.

What's the best Kindle with no ads, just a reader?? I looked at the comparisons but it's to confusing. I like paper books.

Is their any reason to look at the competition like the Nook?

I am hesitant to buy one now as like other tech stuff it will be half price after Christmas or some new one will be out.

 

[Stevens]

The 3G is a good feature but note you only need it or the wireless to browse for and download books. once downloaded which is very fast, a few minutes for a book, you can store it and others for reading at any time with no connection of any sort.
Steve W

 

[safearm]

My wife bought me the Kndle 3G last year for Christmas. I have over 120 books on it; I can upload my own documents on it. I can also read the same books and documents on my 'phone.

 

[DeadAye]

I bought my wife a Nook a few weeks ago. It's becoming her favorite thing.
If she likes to read she'll really like a reader!

 

[cmort666]

My mother called me about the same thing last night.

I don't have much use for one given the things I mostly read (Japanese colonial policy in Korea, etc.), but I have friends who have and like them. There's a lot of popular literature available for them.

One actual advantage they have is magazines and periodicals. With the demise of Borders, it's become VERY hard for me to find the New York Review of Books here. The Kindle Fire has a color display which makes it perfect for glossy magazines.

 

[Rule3]

The 3G is a good feature but note you only need it or the wireless to browse for and download books. once downloaded which is very fast, a few minutes for a book, you can store it and others for reading at any time with no connection of any sort.
Steve W

That's might thought also. Why pay for the 3g feature if she can download everything at home or any place with free Wi Fi?? Not like she needs a new book in the middle of the Ocean or somewhere.

 

[BE Mike]

I got the Kindle II and like it a lot. I've read about 6 books on mine. It has the wireless download feature, which I use, since we have WIFI at home. The Kindle is better in bright sunlight than the Nook. I think the Kindle is easier on my eyes than a paper book. I got a leather cover with built-in light that doesn't need batteries, but gets it's power from the Kindle. I highly recommend it, especially if your wife is going to read where there is limited light, like in bed or in a car. I bought my cover used and saved around $20.00. When it arrived, it looked like brand new. From what you say, I'd order the $79 Kindle and order a case with light as an accompanying gift. She's really going to like it!

 

[corpulent]

I don't have much use for one given the things I mostly read (Japanese colonial policy in Korea, etc.), but I have friends who have and like them. There's a lot of popular literature available for them.

Amazon.com: japanese colonialism: Kindle Store

 

[H Richard]

I also have the 3G, and love it. For just books to read (in black & white) it's fine. I wish the SCSW was available on it, I do understand some have been able to download it to computers or was it possibly a Nook. When on the Amazon site, i did mention in the (wish it was here ) section that SCSW3 would be desirable by lots of folks.

 

[Maximumbob54]

The post about the Kindle app on the iPad is only part of the story. All the tablets can download the Kindle app, and any computer, laptop, or whatever can download the program. They also have a bunch of free classics. Heck, I even have the Kindle app on my Android smart phone. The program is free to download to get you to buy their books through them. I would avoid the color backlit version for the battery and lack of real use of the color. The 3G is nice but wifi is in so many places that you don't really need it unless you demand to be able to download NOW. The grayscale Kindle has a long battery life and has plenty of storage for books. Google just let out a books type application that I bet they are going to push with the new Chromebook. That might be worth looking into as well. I know the Nook also gets good reviews. I think the Nook is the Barnes and Noble version of the same idea. And then there are all kinds of e-readers out that will link up to the various retailors. I know Sony was making a decent one. I really like my Samsung Galaxy tab from Verizon. It's not a complete laptop replacment, but it's darn close. I bet the new version is even better.

 

[W.E.G.]

tablet buyers guide with simple flow-chart

http://www.washingtonpost.com/rw/WashingtonPost/Content/Epaper/2011-11-27/Gx1.pdf

 

[5-Shot]

There's a large number of Kindle books available from Amazon that are free. Some of them are great. In addition, it is my understanding that public libraries are working on a way to lend books on Kindle.

Ed

 

[DCWilson]

I have both a Kindle2 and Kindle3, both with 3G access to the web. I also paid the extra few bucks in order to avoid ads. In bright light, the e-ink Kindles cannot be beat. But you do need additional light to read in dim or dark environments. The Kindle screens are not internally illuminated.

I just bought a Fire, not because I want the games and email and movies and other stuff, but because I wanted to read books on an internally illuminated screen after dark without having to hunt up over-the-shoulder illumination or clipping on a booklight. Everything I bought for my Kindles is automatically available on the Fire.

In my opinion they are all first rate devices.

 

[Capt Steve]

I have the new Kindle Touch on order (in transit via USPS, pray for me), due in a day or two. It's coming to Tucson from South Carolina by way of Illinois(???). Whichever Kindle you get, download the "Calibre" software off the net for free. It is the easiest package yet for organizing and working with your electronic book collection. It allows you to switch the format of books so as to make them compatible with different readers. Also it allows you to share books with others with just a single keystroke. A friend with an extensive collection of current books, (would you believe 1691 of them?), downloaded his entire collection into my laptop and I can download any or all of them straight to the Kindle or any of my friends readers/computers. I'll never have to buy another book, at least not in this lifetime. (o;

 

[Lil' LadySmith]

Part of deciding which one is best is determining when and where she likes to read. I got a NookColor for Christmas last year and absolutely LOVE it! I looked at the regular Nook as well as the Kindle and made the decision to go with Nookcolor.

Things to consider:
1) Does she read mostly in bright light or low light? I chose the color screen since I read mainly in low light and didn't want to have an external light source. (one of the main reasons for getting an eReader) The standard screen on the Kindle is easier in bright light but the color on my nook is better in low light.

2) will she want other possible features? I love being able to instantly look something up on the web when I come across an interesting thing while reading.

3) Overall interface. Has she gone to a store and looked at the different readers side by side? This helped me a LOT! I found the overall interface (esp. something you'd not think about like how the pages "turn") of the nookcolor was better for me personally.

4) battery life: will she be able to charge it every night or 2 or does she want to charge it and forget about it for week(s)?

5) WiFi or 3G? Will she be wanting to download books out in the boonies or will she normally be around a wifi source? 3G to go out to the web may require additional monthlly fees. (not sure how the kindles are set up for their connections now)

Not sure if that helps at all but those were the factors for me!

L'LS

 

[Pasifikawv]

I rec'd a kindle for X-mas a few years back. There are now more versions available of which I am not very knowledgeable. There are cheaper versions for which one must be in a wireless/w-fi hotspot in order to download books. There is the middle version which uses cell phone signal so one can download a book anywhere there is cell tower coverage. Then there is the newer "Fire" versions with extra bells and whistles similar to popular tablets/pads.

My older version is one that uses cell tower signal for downloads. There is no additional cost to connect to browse titles or to download. (unless one is overseas where a small download fee is required). The access to cell signal to browse Amazon E-book titles and download is included with the price of the books.

I love my Kindle. I am an avid reader and live 30+ minutes from the closest book store or public library. E-books are cheaper than new print books and I don't have to drive anywhere to shop. I can browse available titles on the Kindle, try samples (usually first chapter or two) at no cost, and purchase my selections all from the the comfort of my recliner - or anywhere else there is cell signal. When I travel with my Kindle, my entire e-book library also goes with me as the Kindle will hold thousands of books.

In addition to popular new releases at less than print cost, many classic books are free and many other books are available for $.99 as promotions.

 

[brucev]

My wife wants a kindle for xmas, and I don't have a clue as to what is good or worth getting. She loves to read, and she spends a lot of time in the pickup or trailer while I steelhead fish, or hunt. We are retired so don't need all the willy nilly games and stuff. I probly won't get the cheapest or the most expensive, but want to get her one that is able to do whatever will give her a good range of selection. Any input will be appreciated. thanks

Ask her. Likely she knows what she wants and does not want on a Kindle. My wife has a Kindle. We gave our daughters the Kindle Fire for an early Christmas present which has thrilled them.

 

[trapper704]

Thanks everyone for the replys , it really was helpful. We sat down and ordered her a kindle 3g off of amazon on their cyber mon sale. I think it will suit her well. She is excited.

 

[digi-shots]

I think she'll be very happy with the 3G....

My husband and I both have the 3G version and "share" the same account. I think you can have up to 6 Kindles on the same account.

 

[JJEH]

My wife got me an iRiver... not too bad

 

[marvin the martian]

We got my daughter one for her b-day and now are debating about getting a second one for us. We're still going around the whole 3G/wifi thing. If you have two kindles and buy a book, can it be loaded on both kindles?

 

[johngalt]

We got my daughter one for her b-day and now are debating about getting a second one for us. We're still going around the whole 3G/wifi thing. If you have two kindles and buy a book, can it be loaded on both kindles?

If both kindles are linked to the same Amazon account, the content will load on both.

Amazon keeps track of all purchases, and can be re-downloaded at any time. There is an 'Archived Items' item in the book list, which contains everything that you bought that is NOT on the kindle. Selecting it downloads it.

For example, you buy a book on Kindle 1. The book will be in Kindle 2 'Archived Items'. Download it, now it is on both. This ONLY works if both are linked to the same Amazon account.

 

[DCWilson]

We got my daughter one for her b-day and now are debating about getting a second one for us. We're still going around the whole 3G/wifi thing. If you have two kindles and buy a book, can it be loaded on both kindles?

Yes, as long as both Kindles are linked to the same account. If you have a separate account for each Kindle, you cannot cross-share.

 

[Capt Steve]

Forget Kindle, get a Tablet

My Kindle Touch finally arrived a few days ago and frankly I was not impressed. The fit/finish and ergonomics in general were at best, poor. I returned it to Amazon for a full refund and bought a Samsun Galaxy Tablet. The Galaxy was $200 and requires a $30 a month 2 year contract for 2 Gigs per month of 3G network data with Verizon.

The advantages of the Tablet over the Kindle are endless. First of all the Tab is full color, 7", and back lit for reading anywhere, anytime and the 7" screen is the perfect size for me. It also gives us access to the internet for surfing, e mail etc., when we are traveling/camping. There are endless apps that come with it and thousands more you can download, most for free. The game selection alone is worth the extra $100 over the Kindle. The Tab also works as a music player, we use and love the Slacker radio app. Before you order a Kindle go to Best Buy or wherever and put your hands on one then go look at the various Tablets out there, must be several dozen available.