Which Kindle (or similar) to Buy
 

I am considering buying a Kindle. I didn't realize these were not expensive. It would be a way I can carry my books in my purse! But which model should I buy?? I have never used one of these things before! I just hope it is gentler on the eyes than reading a book on a computer screen.

I see that you can read textbooks on a Kindle. If this is the case, I might indulge in one and leave some of my hard copy books behind when I move. I'd save on shipping, too.

Suggestions?

Re: Which Kindle (or similar) to Buy
 

I gave up on Kindle after mine broke down when it was just out of warranty. I use the Kindle app on an iPad mini instead. It is more expensive, but I don't use a smart phone, and the iPad mini has connectivity, which makes it useful when travelling.

I wouldn't recommend e-books as textbooks. You can't annotate them. I'd prefer a hard copy.

Re: Which Kindle (or similar) to Buy
 

Thanks, Editha. I wondered about anotations. I do that a lot with my textbooks, as well as use Post-It flags to flag certain pages, along with sticky notes. :eek:

Re: Which Kindle (or similar) to Buy
 

I wasn't being completely accurate saying you can't annotate. There is a keyboard and you can annotate with that. But, it is much more time consuming, and more difficult to find the place again.

Re: Which Kindle (or similar) to Buy
 

I think that's why I have stuck to hard copies so far - the ability to annotate and "easily" find the place again. Besides, I am not sure how good the view would on a Kindle screen for a a double page viewed flat. Sometimes it is good to have that view.

Maybe I will try to find a Kindle app for my computer, a Macbook Pro. I could use it for some books but not others.

Re: Which Kindle (or similar) to Buy
 

I gave OH the most recent version of Kindle at Christmas. Much to his surprise, he loves it, especially when travelling. I have the Kindle app on my iPad, so we can share books. Even although I use iBooks and the Kindle app, I will still consider getting a Kindle in the future as you can read outdoors without the glare from a tablet screen.

Re: Which Kindle (or similar) to Buy
 

Trouble is, I don't read much fiction at all. It's all non-fiction - and mainly books that teach. Sometimes I have to go from one page in the book to another for reference or even flip between diagrams on the same page. I am not sure how good it would be for this.

It certainly would be great for fiction, though - entertainment reading. I might still get one as it would be good for outdoors, as you suggest.

What is iBooks? Is it Apple's version of eBooks?

Re: Which Kindle (or similar) to Buy
 

What is iBooks? Is it Apple's version of eBooks?

Yes. They have their own shop. I use it on the iPad, but only for books they stock which I can't get for the Kindle.

Re: Which Kindle (or similar) to Buy
 

I am in the process of re-designing my garden, so I have been downloading some books to my iPad on that subject. The iPad wins for that as it captures the coloured photography very well. For novels, the Kindle gets my vote.

Re: Which Kindle (or similar) to Buy
 

I use an iPad and you can download the kindle app onto it so you can tag things, highlight etc. I had Kindle before and would never by another one.

Re: Which Kindle (or similar) to Buy
 

I think an iPad is best for me all around. :) Thanks, everyone!

Re: Which Kindle (or similar) to Buy
 

I have the paper white kindle which has a handy light. You don't get the glare like with the iPad kindle app and the battery lasts forever. I found the iPad to be heavy also. I did invest in an very soft, leather case which takes away some of the machine like feel of it.

Re: Which Kindle (or similar) to Buy
 

I was given a Kindle Fire HDX last November. It's great for reading, but as a tablet it falls far short of the mark. I bought a Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 (8 inch) for DH a few months later, and it is FAR superior. Access to all the apps, ability to extend storage with a card, and he uses the Kindle app to read everything.

At the time, I knew so little about tablets, but knowing what I know now, I would definitely buy a 'regular' tablet and not a Kindle. I've also noticed the response time is getting longer and longer, despite doing a 'clean' on a regular basis. Plus, almost every app I downloaded I ended up removing. So many just don't work well on a Kindle.

For the money (cheaper, far cheaper over there), IMHO, buy a decent 2014 version of a brand-name tablet. I would go with Samsung Tab 4 or the new Google Nexus if I were buying now. I personally don't like Apple products and the new Microsoft surface are still too expensive for me to consider on a cost-benefit basis.

Re: Which Kindle (or similar) to Buy
 

I have a Kindle (original version) and a Nook, the Nook cost £29 and is excellent, touch screen, accepts epub books. The Knidle requires books to be in Mobi format, which are less common that epub, but you can easily convert one to the other by using the Calibre programms (free).

All are very easy to use, and are easily visible outside, in fact the kindle works better in sunlight than in artificial light, and neither has any screen glare.

Re: Which Kindle (or similar) to Buy
 

I have this and it is very good.

Always thought I would never get one then did market research for it and was offered it at the end (or $200). I took the Kindle!

Re: Which Kindle (or similar) to Buy
 

Little late to the game but I would recommend the iPad as well... Had an iPad mini up till a few months ago-I didn't use it often enough to warrant keeping it so I sold it. But that's not to say it wouldn't be good for what you want it for, it just didn't fit my needs.

Re: Which Kindle (or similar) to Buy
 

I am a laptop person because I "create" so much on it and need the tools. However, when it comes to reading books AND having some fun, an iPad seems like the way to go. The big advantage is its portability.

Re: Which Kindle (or similar) to Buy
 

I received a Kindle paper white as a Christmas gift and I really like it. I have the Kindle app on my iPad but I find the Kindle PW much easier to read and it is much lighter, slimmer and smaller.

Re: Which Kindle (or similar) to Buy
 

That's great. I was wondering which model to get if indeed I get a Kindle and now I know.

Can you do anything else on the Kindle other than read books? I assume it connects to the Internet.

Re: Which Kindle (or similar) to Buy
 

I think you would need a Kindle FIRE to do browsing on the internet, and I can't comment on how good it is at that. (I use an iPad for mobile internet access).

The Kindle PW connects to the internet via any wireless network so you can download books and magazines etc.

Re: Which Kindle (or similar) to Buy
 

You can browse the internet on the Paper White with the 'experimental browser' though I was told in market Research that it might not stay as a feature.

Re: Which Kindle (or similar) to Buy
 

I have a Kindle Fire and I'm quite pleased with it. You can connect to the internet with it as well as read books; newspapers, store documents, photos and listen to music. Also it has a color screen. Can't gaurantee how long it will last, though. But, I enjoy using it. Originally I had a plain black and white kindle which had no internet connection. Plugged it into my computer to load stuff onto it. I had it for about 3/4 years.

Re: Which Kindle (or similar) to Buy
 

I have an elderly Kindle Keyboard. It works fine and is easy to download books via WiFi. It does have a rudimentary browser but connection to the internet is very slow plus it's a pain in the backside to navigate using the multi way cursor!
I have the Kindle app on my desktop , tablet & phone and they work fine.
so i'd say if you just want to read books then a kindle PW is fine but if you already have a tablet etc then just get the Kindle app as it's FREE!

I tend to use my Kindle to read in bed as its easier to hold but when it finally gives up the ghost I probably will not bother replacing it.Its biggest advantage is the battery life. with WiFi off it lasts weeks , with WiFi on , it still lasts a few days.

Re: Which Kindle (or similar) to Buy
 

:goodpost: I'm the same way.