Kindle Fire... Or not?

[Disneefun]

I'm looking at a Kindle Fire. I have a Kindle Keyboard, which I love and has served me well. However, it's starting to get a bit flaky so I think it's time for a replacement (it is 3 years old, so I can't complain).

Anyway, I'm looking at the 7" Fire HD, rather than another Keyboard. I'd like an e-reader that does a "little more" than the standard Kindle, but I don't really need the full features of an iPad (nor do I want to pay that price tag). I'm an Apple lover, but I think the ipad is overkill for what I want to do.

I mainly want to read (I've played with it in Best Buy and I don't think the glare will be an issue. Seems much tamer than the first Fire or the ipad), watch some streaming (I have prime) and maybe play a few games or surf the web if I have time to kill, check email, and that's about it.

So, is the fire a solid choice here, or should I be looking at something else (similar price range).

 

[KTSMOM]

I can't comment on other tablets in the same price range, but I can tell you that we have 2 Kindle Fires and we love them. My DD uses hers for mostly watching tv shows or movies and playing games, while my DH uses his for mostly reading. I think if you are looking for something to read on and watch something, it's a good choice. It's easy to check your mail and do some minor surfing on the web. The one thing I like about my old Kindle for vs the Fire is reading outside. My DH has a hard time reading on the Fire outside in the sun. They may have fixed this since he bought his Fire (it was the first version). Other than that, I think it's a great choice.

 

[amomma23]

We have 1 of each, ipad and kindle fireHD. I'd go with the kindle. It will do everything you want at 1/2 the price.

 

[tar heel]

I love mine!

 

[JeRmS]

For the same price $179 you can get a Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7" ... which in my opinion is a better tablet than the kindle fire.

 

[Ginny Favers]

I am a big reader and when my DH got me the Kindle Fire last year, I was skeptical.

But boy, do I love that thing, now. I mostly read on it, but I do a little internet surfing and have a few apps for the kids. It's wonderful.

 

[CyndiLooWho]

We have 3 Kindle Keyboards, 1 Kindle Fire, 1 Samsung Galaxy Tab 7", 1 Samsung Galaxy Tab 10" (dh just upgraded so now I have both a Tab and a Keyboard).

The Samsung has a lot more capabilities than the Fire and is not much more $. It will fit it most Kindle Keyboard cases - a plus if you shelled out big bucks for an Oberon leather cover. I had to fiddle a bit with the bungee to keep it off the power button, but I love being able to keep my Oberon cover.

Both the Samsungs and the Fire require charging every 24 hrs, which I really dislike. The Fire is chunkier than the Tab and weighs more, which may or may not bother you. The way you view your content is very different between the Tab and the Fire. With the Fire you can look at things by category (ie - see all games together or all magazines), with the Tab everything is in alpha order in your apps. But you can set up pages that hold your favorite / most used items, which you cannot do with the Fire.

I am not at all happy with the "carousel" interface on the Fire. The Fire belongs to my 14 yo, and it irks me that every new purchase I make automagically shows up on his carousel (v. being in the archives section of my 12 yo's Keyboard). We buy titles that are not age appropriate or interesting to tweens (Sherrilyn Kenyon comes to mind), and they don't need to have those front and center on their carousel just b/c Mom wanted something a bit steamy. The Kindle Android did just update to add the carousel feature, but you can disable it for the more friendly tile or list versions.

I dislike the Android / Fire sorting system for the books. No more collections; you have to sort through alpha by author or title. But the cloud option is kind of nice for seeing everything available instead of paging through the items in your archives.

For what you want to do, the Fire will definitely take care of you, and you already know Amazon's cust svc is excellent wrt their devices. But if you want to do more Android apps, you would probably be better served by a Tab.

Lastly, I'll let you know that I still prefer my Keyboard for reading, but it's nice to have the small tab for surfing in bed. Dh much prefers the Tab, and is over the moon with his new 10" Samsung (more $ than the Fire/7" Tab, but less than an ipad). He travels a lot (leaving for Russia in the morning) and really likes the flexibility of the larger pad for watching movies, etc.

 

[JeRmS]

Good write up CyndiLooHoo!!

I couldn't agree more!

I just bought my wife a Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 and it is absolutely beautiful!! I have a 8" Velocity Micro Tablet and while it is decent ... now that I have seen the Tab I think I am going to sell mine for cheap and buy another Tab 2 7.0!!

 

[herb102211]

I bought the Kindle Fire 7 about a month ago and love it. I had been shopping around for a tablet for quite some time before I decided to get this. The screen is crystal clear and is great for watching movies, surfing the web or reading books. It was a fraction of the price of the iPad too!

 

[wiigirl]

I love the Kindle Fire for the price...but if you don't mind spending a little more you might look into the Nexus 7.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

DD got a Fire this past Cmas, she loves it, plays on it everyday.

 

[mom2my3kids]

Love Love my kindle fire..

 

[Egdisney]

I have both a Fire and a Kindle keyboard. I do not recommend the fire for reading. I much prefer the keyboard for reading.

 

[MrsPete]

I absolutely LOVE my Kindle, and I think my iPad's handy; however, I am not a fan of the Kindle Fire. I had considered buying them for my teens for Christmas, but once I did some research, I didn't go through with the purchase: The Fire embodies the worst of the Kindle's features and fails to live up to the iPad's abilities. The Fire's one big positive is its price in comparison to the iPad.

Since you say you want this product mainly to serve as a reader, I suggest you pick any of the other Kindles. Reasons:

- The "we're just e-readers" Kindle products all have superior screens that can be used in full sunlight. In contrast, the sun produces a glare on the Fire's screen, making it essentially unusable outside. Also, the Fire's screen causes eye-fatigue just like a computer screen, where as the other Kindles' screens do not; if you read for fifteen minutes every night, you won't mind . . . but if you read for hours at a time, it will be a factor.

- Because it runs color and pictures, the Fire's battery life is similar to that of the iPad; that is, it can run a couple hours before it needs to be recharged. My Kindle Touch goes 3-4 weeks between charges, depending upon how heavily it's being used (of course, this assumes that the WiFi is turned off except when purchasing or downloading new books).

- The reader Kindles are much lighter than the Fire, though they aren't as heavy as the iPad. This does matter if, like me, you like to lie on your back and read.

- Although the Fire has the capability to play movies, etc., its memory capacity is sadly lacking. It might satisfy a kid (and because of its low price, it makes sense for a kid), but I'm sure I'd be frustrated with its shortcomings, and I doubt I'm alone in the adult world.

 

[bedogged]

I'm looking at a Kindle Fire. I have a Kindle Keyboard, which I love and has served me well. However, it's starting to get a bit flaky so I think it's time for a replacement (it is 3 years old, so I can't complain).

Anyway, I'm looking at the 7" Fire HD, rather than another Keyboard. I'd like an e-reader that does a "little more" than the standard Kindle, but I don't really need the full features of an iPad (nor do I want to pay that price tag). I'm an Apple lover, but I think the ipad is overkill for what I want to do.

I mainly want to read (I've played with it in Best Buy and I don't think the glare will be an issue. Seems much tamer than the first Fire or the ipad), watch some streaming (I have prime) and maybe play a few games or surf the web if I have time to kill, check email, and that's about it.

So, is the fire a solid choice here, or should I be looking at something else (similar price range).

Just a heads up. The Kindle Fire HD 7" is on sale through the 12th for $20.00 off.

 

[megthewonderful]

I loved my Kindle Fire until recently. There is a problem with the USB connection and it will no longer charge. And since it is outside the warranty time frame, there is nothing Amazon can do. I just looked online and can sell it for around $36 (which is better than nothing) and I am looking into a replacement, most likely a Samsung.

 

[Tinkerbell58]

I have both a Fire and a Kindle keyboard. I do not recommend the fire for reading. I much prefer the keyboard for reading.

I agree. I have a Kindle keyboard (version 2) and a Kindle Fire (version 1). The battery life of the Fire is not very long.

 

[cglaura]

I loved my Kindle Fire until recently. There is a problem with the USB connection and it will no longer charge. And since it is outside the warranty time frame, there is nothing Amazon can do. I just looked online and can sell it for around $36 (which is better than nothing) and I am looking into a replacement, most likely a Samsung.

Might be silly question, are you sure it is the kindle and not the cable or charger? I think they are around $20 to replace from Amazon.

outlet charger for usb:
http://www.amazon.com/Amazon-PowerF.../dp/B006GWO5WK/ref=kin_ddp_popPFChargerT_popT

cable:
http://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Kindle...8443460&sr=1-1&keywords=kindle+fire+usb+cable

wall charger:
http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-Fire-R...443521&sr=1-12&keywords=kindle+fire+usb+cable


As to the op: I also have a kindle fire hd 7" and love it. I have no issues with battery life, I watch videos, check mail, play games, etc and it lasts around 11 hours.

As for memory...I have the 32gb. Currently 26gb free. I keep a lot on the cloud though and just move to device when wanted.

I use an app to close unused running programs and I disconnect from Wi-Fi when not using. So this frees up ram and saves battery life.

 

[CyndiLooWho]

If it's the battery, you can buy a replacement battery online for about $26. It comes with the tools and instructions to change out the battery. Unfortunately, that was not the issue with dh's Keyboard, but I've kept the battery and recharge it periodically since we have other Keyboards in the house.

 

[yoopermom]

I loved my Kindle Fire until recently. There is a problem with the USB connection and it will no longer charge. And since it is outside the warranty time frame, there is nothing Amazon can do. I just looked online and can sell it for around $36 (which is better than nothing) and I am looking into a replacement, most likely a Samsung.

Have you talked with an Amazon rep about this, moving it up the ladder to supervisor if need be? This is a KNOWN problem with them, and I have a friend (and her mom actually) who both got theirs replaced for free long after they were under warranty due to this being a known problem and nothing that they had done. Amazon was really super about it.

Also I have found that out of the plethora of mini usb chargers I have laying around the house, one actually charges my fire better than the actual amazon charger does, which makes no sense, I know.

At any rate, I would make a last ditch effort and call them and explain that you're considering switching to a different product. Amazon freely admits that they make their $$ off the content you buy with your fire, not the device itself, and to keep you as a happy customer, maybe they'll work with you...

And to the OP, I have an ipad mini and a fire, and actually like the fire better (heresy, I know...). I turn off the wifi when I'm just reading, and that saves on the battery a little bit, too.

Terri