Kindle Quandary!

[Ann]

I would like to buy a Kindle for Christmas to share with Hubby - me for the books, him for the games. My problem is that there seem to be so many different models on the market, Kindle, Paperwhite, Fire HDX to name a few. Is it really worth paying more - the latest HDX one is £199 I see on Amazon. I saw one is brighter background but costs about £50 more for that feature?

Does anyone own a Kindle and could please tell me the advantages of each model?

[nungate]

I have one of the earlier versions of the kindle, which I use simply for reading - last Christmas I was given a kindle fire, which I also use to read and play games on (I have even been known to post on AB from it - not too easy I find for me that is) I love both my kindles, and mine doesn't have the HD or anything fancy on it I can watch bbc iplayer, play music and have photos on it. I find I use my kindle fire much as I use the laptop, I suppose it all depends what it is you want from the kindle. I must add that the battery life for the fire is only about 11 hours, while the first kindle lasts for weeks!! (by the way you do know that you can also download a kindle programme onto your laptop/computer) Having said all that I'd never share my kindle with my husband, what happens when you both want to use it at the same time?

[Ann]

I would wrench it out of his hand Nun - I would have paid for it so I bags it first haha ;) !

[waterboatman]

I would recommend one each. The older Kindle with 3G for you, as you only want it for books and a kindle fire for hubby.

[rowanwitch]

basic kindle and paperwhite are just for reading the Kindle Fire is the one with internet not tried it but a friend has and reckons its not worth it... I love my paperwhite though only had it since June and have already got through 49 novels.

[mikey4444]

I would recommend you join your local library Ann ! Real books, for free !

[jno]

you can probably download books from your library onto the Kindle (for a fixed period), but that'll depend on the library.

[B00]

I'm the same as nungate. I've an older kindle for reading and a kindle fire for 'messing' about on.

The only reservation id have with a kindle fire for the both of you to share is that it's battery life won't be long enough for you both to get use out of without you needing to charge it often. I dunno about anyone elses but I find the battery life on my kindle fire to be startlingly short.

[hc4361]

Unless things have changed very recently you can't download library books on to a Kindle - Amazon don't allow it.

You can on to a Kobo and other eReaders and tablets.

[hc4361]

The battery life of a simple eReader is fantastic - weeks between charge.
On a tablet such as the Kindle Fire it is dire - recharge daily.

[guilliebrougues]

FAO mikey 4444. I do not know about the library for books that you need. Sometimes they are only available on kindle. for example I want to read the book Buried Tears written by Vivien Jones but the booksellers and the library and kindle themselves say it is only available on kindle. They are crafty though, Kindle I mean, they give you a taster of the first chapter then ask youto buy it on kindle if you want to read more.

[hc4361]

Or you are a Prime member of Amazon you can borrow that particular book free, but it is only £1.99

[Ann]

Thanks everyone, I have read all your good advice and may have a re-think! The battery re-charging problem sounds the worst feature, at present I have an HTC Cha cha mobile phone (bought purely for its "proper" QWERTY keyboard so I can type texts quickly as normal!) Didn't realise the poor storage facility on this expensive phone and the battery needs charging every night. Just several long texts can half drain it and I hardly use it for calls or internet, it's complete rubbish and I don't want another gadget that needs charging up so often.

I do use my local library so think I will stick with that - now got to scratch my head and decide something else for OH for Christmas :(

[hc4361]

Ann, I think you've misunderstood. eReaders that are eReaders only have a fabulous battery life - literally weeks between charging.
This one has a battery life of 720 hours

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5011001.htm#pdpFullProductInformation

This one is dearer but does have a built in back light and the same battery life
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5011207.htm

[hc4361]

This is a bargain - has a back light and 2 months between charging

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5011283.htm#pdpFullProductInformation