questions → can you help me choose my next e-reader?

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Can You Help Me Choose My Next E-Reader?

Mar 14, 2012 4:31 PM

I broke my Kindle yesterday. Smashed the screen--unusable.
Money is a factor. I don't like to spend it.
Please factor this into decision: I don't have a smart phone.

Option 1: Cheapest Kindle, $79
Pros: Cheap, E-ink technology
Cons: No keyboard. I like to play word games, and I like to be able to write notes on what I'm reading.

Option 2: Kindle Touch, $99
Pros: Somewhat cheap, E-ink
Cons: I prefer a keyboard.

Option 3: Kindle Keyboard, $139
Pros: E-ink, keyboard, 3G.
Cons: High premium to pay for a keyboard.

Option 4: Kindle Fire
Cost: $199
Pros: Videos (I'm a Prime member), my music is in their Cloud, and I'm a Kindle reading junkie.
Cons: $$$, no e-ink (hard to read without glare), I break & lose things. Also, I want an iPod Touch sometime in the future; this would render the Touch redundant and completely unaffordable. Finally, do I want the option of watching videos and playing games when I should be dedicating time away from home to reading?

Sorry this is so long. Thanks!

curli76 curli76

14 Answers answer

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vote-for8vote-against

For me, I prefer e-ink for my e-readers and don't mind having a dedicated device just for reading ebooks. I went with a Nook Simple Touch refurb for pretty cheap. I chose the Nook over the Kindle mainly because I prefer the format epub v. mobi on the Kindle. I also like the form factor of the Simple Touch v. the e-readers with keyboards. But, it sounds like you want the keyboard, so that probably puts the Kindle 3 at the top of your list. Have you considered a used or refurb from ebay or elsewhere? A quick search shows used or refurb Kindle 3's for under $100.

90mcg112 90mcg112
vote-for8vote-against

A couple of quick notes: The Kindle Touch ($79) has a virtual keyboard, so you DO have that capability. That said, I also prefer a physical keyboard. It is Wi-Fi only, no 3G. Again, I prefer having 3G. I also don't care for the ads, but would take them in a pinch...i.e. buy the 3G keyboard w/ads at $139. (instead w/o ads @ $189). The Fire is back-lit; you'd have glare, & it's tiring for the eyes, etc. It has a virtual keyboard, too.)

Important: Just found a refurbished keyboard on Amazon's Warehouse deals for $89. (Don't know if that link will work, but if you search for 'keyboard kindles' you will eventually find it.) I heartily recommend an Amazon refurb. Also try to get a Square Trade Warranty. (Have heard they're not selling warranties on Kindles anymore - not sure.) I have ST warranties on all my kindles (all keyboards, BTW).

gmwhit gmwhit
vote-for2vote-against

@gmwhit: The Kindle Touch is $99. The basic $79 Kindle has a "5-way-controller" that you can use to access and control an on-screen keyboard.

curli76 curli76
vote-for5vote-against

@gmwhit: Said it best.

chronosquall14 chronosquall14
vote-for3vote-against

FWIW, I have a Kindle2 and a Fire. Can't speak for the other Kindles, but I'd go for the Fire in a heartbeat. I actually prefer reading on the Fire, though I do spend an outrageous amount of time playing games on it. My Kindle 2 is harder to read on because of the gray background.

pamfenway pamfenway
vote-for2vote-against

@curli76: Sorry I got the prices confused. Same result on both - You do have access to a virtual keyboard. Thought that's what you were concerned about. If the bottom line is you want a physical keyboard, then I would buy 1 of those. As I said, that is what I prefer & own; don't care for the 'touch' capability. Also I want 3G, don't want to worry/think about Wi-Fi availability.

gmwhit gmwhit
vote-for3vote-against

How much do you all use wifi or 3g? What for? I find that I only need an occasional internet connection to download new purchases, but for the most part I'm reading a book, so I don't need to be online. How are you using an e-reader that a 3G connection is helpful?

90mcg112 90mcg112
vote-for4vote-against

@90mcg112: If you don't mind downloading through the computer connection, or it's easy to locate a WiFi hotspot, then you do not need 3G.

I have a 3G Kindle because I live in a rural area far from WiFi hotspots, I don't want to buy the equipment to set up my own, and my rural DSL connection can sometimes disconnect during a download. The 3G on the Kindle is very fast, and I can search Ammy for a book without firing up the computer to do it. I leave the 3G turned off (to save battery charge) except when I am using it.

adadavis adadavis
vote-for2vote-against

@90mcg112: I don't really have a need for 3G. I have Wireless at home, and I work in NYC, home to a bajillion Starbucks, so if I want to buy something on the go, I just need to stop into the coffee shop for a few minutes.

curli76 curli76
vote-for4vote-against

Thanks, everyone, I made my decision: I got the $79 basic Kindle with a 2-year accident warranty. Amazon wouldn't let me add the warranty to a refurb, and it wasn't something I felt like pursuing. I love my keyboard but can live without it.

Regarding the Fire. . . I really like the e-ink, and I know with access to games and apps, I'm not going to be reading as much as I should/would like to. It's something I'd love to have but don't have the discipline (or, frankly, the money) for.

curli76 curli76
vote-for5vote-against

In regards to the fire's lack of e-ink.

Anyone heard of mirasol displays? I'll be all over the first U.S. e-reader to use this stuff. It's like e-ink, but in color. Pretty cool.

http://www.mirasoldisplays.com/

fightingpillow fightingpillow
vote-for4vote-against

I've got a 2nd Gen Kindle, an iPhone 3GS, an iPhone 4S, and a 32 GB HP Touchpad for reading books.

If you can find a cheap 1st Gen iPad or a Touchpad. If you're keen on reading outdoors a lot I'd recommend the base and/or refurbed e-Ink kindle.

xavoc xavoc
vote-for2vote-against

If you're an Amazon Prime member, which I see that you are, the Kindle Fire has one awesome feature that hardly any other device has: the ability to stream unlimited TV and movies to your device. Yes, Amazon Streaming video may lack the content that Hulu Plus may offer, but the fact that you can portably stream content for "free" makes it absolutely amazing.

If you're into that sort of thing.

pi2014 pi2014
vote-for2vote-against

@pi2014: Thanks, I did consider my Prime membership, but as I have an hour-long bus/subway commute with no WIFI access, I wouldn't be able to stream content--and the commute is where I use my Kindle the most. At home, I have my Roku.

I think the Fire is really cool but for now it's not for me. Like I said, I really want to commit myself to reading more. The one reason I do sort of lament not getting the Fire is that I'm a big magazine reader, and magazines look awesome on the Fire. . . someday when I have a little more money and more time to really do my research on tablets, I hope to own one.

curli76 curli76

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