What Kindle do you have? Do you wish you had a different one?

[luvmysuper]

So I've been looking into the Kindle as an e-reader, and there's so many models that it's really hard to make a choice.
I think I am gravitating toward the Paperwhite 3G with the built in screen light, but I have to admit the Fire HD is pretty snazzy.
What's holding me back is the 8 hour battery life on the Fire as opposed to the 2 month battery life on the paperwhite.
I also am not so fond of the idea of having to pay for 4G connectivity with the Fire.

Each has it's own pros and cons, touch screen on some models vs buttons/keyboard on others, anti-glare screen on the strictly reader to the glossy screen on the Fire, battery life on the reader vs the option of listening to recorded books/music, the ease of a simple e-reader vs the option of TV and Movies.

What Kindle do you have? Are you happy with it?
If you had it to do all over again, would you get what you have now or select a different one?

Love to hear what you have and the pros and cons of each.

Help me make up my mind here fellas!

 

[tinashubby]

I have an older model with the keyboard and wifi. If I was to do it again, I would get wifi without keyboard, I never use the keyboard. I really like the non glare screen. I do not need 3g or 4 g connection, I just load a few or many books on my kindle while I at home or near a wifi if I need that option. I use Calibre software on my home computer to manage all of my e-books and cannot say enough good things about it.
I am not into the Fire, if I need the internet I use my laptop. There are better tablets out there IMHO, and can run a Kindle app for free.
It is quite refreshing to stay away from the web sometimes.

 

[Viseguy]

Hi, Phil. I've had the Kindle 3 (Wi-Fi only) since it came out in August 2010, and it's served me well. The E Ink screen is easy on the eye and good for long reading sessions. I've been very satisfied with it and have not felt the need to upgrade to one of the newer Kindles.

The decision between Fire and Paperwhite may turn on how you're planning to use the Kindle. If you simply want a device for reading books, I'd go with the Paperwhite because of the long battery life and portability; it's a direct descendant of the earlier Kindles. If you want a more versatile device that will allow you to browse the Web, check e-mail, etc., in addition to reading books, then I would consider the Fire -- although, frankly, I think you'd be better off with a more capable, time-tested tablet like the iPad or one of the more affordable Android tablets; they all run the Kindle reading app. The Fire has always struck me as neither fish nor fowl, more than a reader but less than a tablet. Let's put it this way: nothing I've heard about the Fire has made me regret my decision a couple of years ago to get a Samsung Galaxy Tab 7 with a Verizon data plan at less than half the price of an iPad.

Whatever you decide, I'd recommend browsing the forums at MobileRead. There is a wealth of information there, and a helpful community -- it's the Badger & Blade of e-readers.

Good luck, and let us know what you decide!

 

[Graybeard57]

I have gen2, the reader with the keyboard. B & W only, but a great reader. Also have a gen1 Fire, which adds a lot, but is clunky for online stuff. Like it for games, reading, and Android apps, though. Wouldn't recommend it as a tablet.

 

[Phog Allen]

Phil these are good questions. I have a first gen fire and like it well enough. While I agree it is not as versatile as other tablets it is not exactly a pile of junk either. It is first and foremost an electronic media consumption device. I would question the wisdom of trying to use any seven inch tablet for real computer work. The Fire handles all the basic functions just fine. Web surfing and checking email is easy.

Book reading is a snap too. Load or download mobi files and go. Yes it is tied to an Amazon account but you can load your own with Calibre and micro usb cable. Battery life with wifi on and screen pretty bright is no where near advertised times. I find this true with ANY device I have owned. Other media like Netflix and Hulu+ play without a hitch on my wireless g network. You need to tweak settings a bit when you first use the browser. Right now the Samsung tablet 2.0 seven inch is on sale at Best Buy for $179.99. It does more at a good price but I don't know if Netflix works on Android. If you do go the tablet route I think I would stay with the seven inch models. When reading books in the vertical orientation the seven inch Kindle is like looking at at a regular paperback book. I don't know about the experience using the larger tablets. BTW the Samsung tablets have video cameras on themas well so even more versatility. I am unsure about the second gen Fires.

If I were looking at a reader only device I think the Paperwhite would be high on the list. I have not looked at Nook products lately.

Cheers, Todd

 

[Commander Quan]

I have a kindle touch 3g. If I were to buy another it would be the paperwhite WiFi. I never use the 3g access, but would like to be able to read in bed without having the lamp on.

 

[JoshuaNY]

I have the Kindle 3rd generation. I wanted an exclusive e-reader with a long battery life. I love the electronic ink and paper, it is just like reading a book. It does not cause any eye strain or tiredness. Which was the biggest selling point for me.

Its got the anti glare screen and keyboard. I use the keyboard really only if I am searching through my kindle.
I got the wifi version only. My thinking was that I can purchase my books at home and load up enough of them on the device that I do not need to do any internet activity away from home base. So the 3g was not necessary.

I havent looked into the paperwhite, but mine does not have a light and I have never felt the need for one. I never had a seperate light for regular books,, so it was not necessary for the kindle.

I love what I have and would not get a different one if I could do it over again.

The biggest question is if you want an exclusive reader or a tablet device.

My opinion, the kindle fire is kind of in no mans land, not quite a tablet, not quite an e-reader. If I was considering the fire, I would probably get an IPAD and load the Kindle App onto it.

EDIT: I answered before reading the whole thread. Looks like Viseguy and I are on the same page.

 

[Viseguy]

Looks like Viseguy and I are on the same page.

Eerie, isn't it?

 

[luvmysuper]

You guys have kind of confirmed what I knew in my heart but didn't really want to admit in my head.
I think I'll do the Paperwhite, I may just stick with the wi-fi version instead of opting for the 3g, but having the 3g available is nice in order to be able to have work e-documents available in such a light format.

I have to agree that while the Fire is snazzy, it doesn't do proper justice to either the tablet or reader genre.
In any case, I have an HP slate that I can use if I want to do the tablet thing, and I'll just stick with the paperwhite as an e-reader.

I appreciate you guys putting up your views on this, it certainly made a world of difference in helping me make up my mind.

 

[mdarnton]

I'm in the B&N Nook camp, but I think the comparisons are good. I have a paperwhite type screen, and my wife has a tablet type. I would not get another like I have--hers has a lot of advantages, the biggest of which is reading in minimal lighting, in the car, in the dark, etc. Mine just isn't that convenient because I always need good light, and so I don't use it much. There's a back-lit version of mine, with no added functionality, but it's not very exciting, and a backlight is not the same as a real LCD or LED screen. The shorter battery life of hers is not a problem--she doesn't read more than eight hours a day, and plugs it in at night.

However, if I were doing it now, I would not buy a Nook or a Kindle--I'd buy a Google Nexus 7 for $200, and get a tablet that would read Nook files, Kindle files, all the other types, AND have available all of the Android functionality and programs. With that available, buying a crippled reader just doesn't make a whole lot of sense. In my opinion, the availabilty of full-function tablets that will read any reader format has made single-purpose readers irrelevant. I wonder how long both Nook and Kindle will be able to survive.

 

[Phog Allen]

Mdarnton I think I agree with you. It is why I mentioned the Galaxy tab at $179. I think the nexus is similar. When the first Fire came out there was big difference in price between it and real seven inch tablets. At least one hundred dollars. That difference is more than erased now and all the little tablets have front and back cameras and apps for every reader file. If I wanted more than the reader a new tablet would be it. If only ierested in readers I would go Phil's way with a paperwhite.

Cheers, Todd

 

[mdarnton]

Yes. In fact, I do a lot of reading on my Galaxy S2 phone, and really, my next reader is probably going to be a Galaxy phablet (oversized phone/tablet), whatever they call them, whatever's available in a year and a half when my contract is up for renewal. The field is narrowing quickly to the point where your phone is your camera is your reader is your web browser is your emailer. For me, at least.

 

[smalltank]

From what I read about the PaperWhite device when it first hit store shelves..and sold out quick...online orders were 6 week wait..says alot IMO..

 

[Nick Danger]

Phil:

I have a Kindle Keyboard, as well as the newer model just called a Kindle now (the cheapest one) and a new Paperwhite. I've also played with my coworker's Kindle fire.

In terms of reading comfort, if you plan to use it mostly for reading books, the Paperwhite is the best. It has a finer resolution than the earlier Kindle models, as well as a choice of fonts and many other cool features. The X-ray feature is incredible for remembering about characters (it shows you all the spots in the book where that character was mentioned, so you can refresh your memory.) The screen light is very comfortable on the eyes, because it shines across the screen instead of a backlight that shines into your eyes. The touch interface is very intuitive.

The Kindle Fire is a typical backlit screen like a iPad or other tablet. I do not find it as comfortable for regular reading as the eInk, which actually uses pigments to form each letter instead of lit up pixels. The Kindle Fire only makes sense if you want to watch movies and do more than just read with your Kindle.

One caveat about the Kindle Paperwhite: the 2 month battery time is based on reading 30 minutes a day with the light set fairly low. I read several hours a day, at least, and set the light closer to maximum. I usually have to recharge the Paperwhite about every 7 days or sometimes more if I've done a few marathon reading sessions. Still, it's way better than the battery life of a Kindle Fire.

I did get the 3G version and for me, it was worth the extra money. It's really handy for times when you're away from WiFi, and you want to start the next book in a series your reading. For you, it depends on where you will be doing most of your reading. If you read only at home and have WiFi, you might not need the 3G. If you plan to take the Kindle with you on vacation or to the beach, the 3G might be worth the extra money for you.

Nick

 

[Blue_2]

I have a Kindle touch Wifi and love it. If I had to replace it, I'd get a Paperwhite 3G. I don't spend enough time around live wifi to rely on it. Most hotels have free wifi, but I'd rather have the flexibility of having both available.

The Fire is nice, but seems to be aimed more at the iPad crowd than the reader crowd. I whole heartily agree that eInk is a far superior reading medium.

Plus with the free program Calibre you can read and convert other formats. http://calibre-ebook.com/

 

[luvmysuper]

Paperwhite WiFi ordered! should be here within the next week.

I decided against the 3G because most of my reading will be done at home or in a Hotel where WiFi is abundant, and even if it isn't, my phone is also a WiFi hotspot.
In the long run, a very light, long battery life device is what I really needed - and the slick glossy screen of the tablets just doesn't compare to the screens of the e-readers when you're talking about reading text (particularly in areas where glare may be an issue).

As I said, I have an HP Slate tablet and it's quite nice and versatile if I need any of the more multi-media operations like video skype, movies, browsing B&B, etc.

I have had Calibri for a long time and am well versed in its use, so any documents I need can be loaded up in a flash.

 

[Shave_Rat]

I have a kindle touch 3g. If I were to buy another it would be the paperwhite WiFi. I never use the 3g access, but would like to be able to read in bed without having the lamp on.

I have the touch version as well. I bought the amazon case for it that has the built in LED light for nighttime bed reading. Works well for a solution to the reading without a lamp.

 

[tinashubby]

Paperwhite WiFi ordered! should be here within the next week.

I decided against the 3G because most of my reading will be done at home or in a Hotel where WiFi is abundant, and even if it isn't, my phone is also a WiFi hotspot.
In the long run, a very light, long battery life device is what I really needed - and the slick glossy screen of the tablets just doesn't compare to the screens of the e-readers when you're talking about reading text (particularly in areas where glare may be an issue).

As I said, I have an HP Slate tablet and it's quite nice and versatile if I need any of the more multi-media operations like video skype, movies, browsing B&B, etc.

I have had Calibri for a long time and am well versed in its use, so any documents I need can be loaded up in a flash.

Great choice IMHO! Since you're experienced with Calibre you know you really don't need 3G or even WIFI if you load up a few books to your Kindle while at your Calibre equipped computer.

 

[DC_MPA]

I have the keyboard edition and truly love it. It's simple, wonderful to hold and read long periods of time. The battery lasts for freaking ever too

 

[BigFoot]

I use the Kindle app on my IPad. My wife has the Fire HD and likes it I just prefer holding the bigger device.