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A few of you were asking what the difference was with some of the various eReaders out there. I know first hand how deciding on one can be a bit of a daunting task. Amazon has four different ones, and that's just from one company! I'll try to explain the pros/cons of each and I'll list info/specs on them as well.
Let me start off by saying that I own an Amazon Kindle Keyboard Wifi. I'll also be buying a new Amazon Kindle Touch when it comes out, as well as the Kindle Fire. I do not own any Barnes & Noble products, but I have read a lot about them and I have played with them as well. I chose the Amazon products simply because they are the right ones for me.
Let's start with the Amazon line-up:
Kindle 4th generation $79 with "Special Offers" (explained below) $109 without.
This Kindle is Amazon's entry level eReader. Kind of like the Kahr CM9. This entry level only has wifi, there's no 3G. This means that if you want to sync books from your Amazon account to your Kindle you'll have to be connected to a wifi network. They've also removed the keyboard from the previous generation Kindle. I think that this was a good move. I personally never used the keyboard anyway. It only got in the way when I was holding it. The battery lasts just as long as it did in the previous Kindle, one month. That's right, the battery lasts a really long time. I read heavily, and my Kindle's battery last me about 3 1/2 weeks. That's pretty amazing in this day age where we have to plug in our smart phones at least once a day. The way you turn pages is by pressing small buttons along the side of the device. It's really an easy and natural thing to do. You don't have to stretch your fingers at all. One can also use the Kindle to play audio books. I haven't ever used this feature, so I cannot attest to how well it works. You can also use it to play music like a big iPod. I haven't used this feature either. This thing is light as well. It's quite a bit lighter than the previous model. On the previous model my smaller hands have no problem holding the Kindle for a few hours at a time. My arms don't get tired, and my fingers don't cramp at all. It's less than 6 ounces. Amazon says that it is 30% lighter than the previous Kindle. It's got a 6" E Ink screen. These screens really do look just like paper in a book. You have to see it to believe it, it's nuts. You can also enlarge the text in your books in case your eyes are shot. (Probably like Bawanna's
)
Amazon also just teamed up with over 11,000 libraries in the US. What that means is that you can rent books from your library and put them on your Kindle. All from the comfort of your computer at home. All you need is a library card from your local library. I think it's a really cool feature.
Now let me tell you about Amazon's "Special Offers" option. "Special Offers" is what Amazon calls ads. You can order the new Kindle for $30 cheaper if you opt for the special offers option, but then you'll have ads popping up on your screen once in a while. You'll have to decide if this is a problem for you. Me? I don't want the ads. I can't stand commercials on TV telling me to buy crap that I don't want, so why would I want them to interrupt the book I'm reading? I'll gladly pony up the extra $30 to have an ad free Kindle.
Kindle Touch WiFi-$99 With "Special Offers" $109 without. 3G-$149 With "Special Offers" $189 without
The Kindle Touch differs from the entry level Kindle in that it has a touch screen. This is the PM9 version
. Instead of pressing a button to turn pages, you simply tap the screen or swipe from right to left. They say the battery in this model lasts two months. I find that a bit hard to believe, but I won't know until I get it. This model won't be released until November 21st.
The Kindle Touch comes in two variants, WiFi and 3G+WiFi. The WiFi only one needs to be connected to a WiFi network to sync with your Amazon account, just like the above mentioned Kindle. The 3G version can sync almost anywhere using a 3G signal from Sprint, or a WiFi network. For the 3G version there is NO monthly fee or contract for the 3G. It comes included in the higher price. Let me say again, there is NO contract. You don't sign anything.
The Kindle Touch is fairly similar to the other Kindle with the exception of the touch screen. You'll have to decide if the touch screen is worth the extra money for you. For me? Yes it is. I'm the same way when I get a new gadget as when I get a new gun. We sit together on the couch and hang out for days on end. So yeah, I want the "cooler" touch screen model.
Let me point something out here that I just noticed. The Kindle without "Special Offers" is $10 MORE than the Kindle Touch Wifi with "Special Offers". Something to think about.
Kindle Fire $199
This, in my opinion, is not an eReader. This is a tablet, kind of like a less expensive iPad. You can watch movies and TV on it. You can surf the web and play games on it. The screen on the Fire is not ideal for reading books. It's got the same type of screen found on the iPad 2. If you read on it for long periods of time you risk eye fatigue. It's also a lot heavier than the other Kindles. It's almost twice the weight as the Kindle Touch. Your arms and fingers might get tired after holding this thing for an hour. The battery also only lasts for up to eight hours, and that's only reading. Try watching TV or movies and Amazon says that it'll last 7.5 hours.
You may be thinking that I don't like the Fire. I do like it. I'm getting one from my girlfriend for Christmas. This thing is gonna be awesome for watching TV and movies on. The screen should be nice and crisp. However, I won't be reading books on it. I'll be getting a Kindle Touch WiFi for that.
If you're an Amazon Prime member you might not know about Amazon's best kept accidental secret. You can watch free TV and movies on your computer anytime you want.
You're already paying for it with your Amazon Prime membership, so you may as well take advantage of it. With the Kindle Fire you'll be able to watch these shows and movies right there anytime you want.
If you're in the market for an eReader and don't care about playing games or watching TV shows or movies on the device, then I wouldn't even look at the Fire. The extra money isn't worth it in my opinion.
Old Kindle generation 3
I really see no reason to buy one of these anymore. If you simply must have a physical keyboard, then you're stuck with this one. Other than that, there's no pluses. The screens are not as nice, they're heavier and bigger. Just ask yourself if you really need a physical keyboard.
Barnes and Noble
Now I'll talk to you about the Nook and Nook Color. Barnes and Noble also has the deal with libraries around the country for you to rent books.
Nook Color WiFi-$249
Pretty much the same as the Kindle Fire in that it's less of an eReader and more of a TV/movie/gaming/internet device. I won't get too much into it because they're so similar. Yes, there are some differences, but this post is about eReaders, not tablets.
Nook WiFi-$139
The Nook is almost the same weight as the Kindle Touch. It's got the same size screen, and the battery supposedly lasts the same. After reading up on the Nook and comparing it to the Kindle Touch...they're the same damned thing device wise except that the Nook has no 3G option. The Nook is $20 more, but I expect that price to come down once the Kindle Touch is released. The main differences between the two devices are the bookstores and infrastructures. Barnes and Noble supposedly has more books available, but Amazon is adding thousands more everyday. If you go to Barnes & Noble a lot then you should seriously consider the Nook. You can use your Nook to read books for free while you're in the store and use it to get discounts in the cafe inside of the store.
Wrap-Up
It all boils down to personal preference. If you are already an Amazon user, you might want to look harder at the Kindles. If you also want to watch TV and movies as well as playing games, or especially if you're an Amazon Prime member, take a look at the Kindle Fire. Also, if you require 3G, then the Kindles are your only option. Take note, the Kindle Fire has no 3G model, only WiFi.
If you're a Barnes & Noble person then take a look at the Nook or Nook Color.
O.K., I'm ending this huge post now. I've been researching and typing for about two hours now. Everyone chime in, let's discuss these. I know that I missed some things, and for that I apologize. Please post up and tell me what I missed. If any of you have any questions please feel free to ask. This IS a forum after all, and that's the definition of the word.
Let me start off by saying that I own an Amazon Kindle Keyboard Wifi. I'll also be buying a new Amazon Kindle Touch when it comes out, as well as the Kindle Fire. I do not own any Barnes & Noble products, but I have read a lot about them and I have played with them as well. I chose the Amazon products simply because they are the right ones for me.
Let's start with the Amazon line-up:
Kindle 4th generation $79 with "Special Offers" (explained below) $109 without.
This Kindle is Amazon's entry level eReader. Kind of like the Kahr CM9. This entry level only has wifi, there's no 3G. This means that if you want to sync books from your Amazon account to your Kindle you'll have to be connected to a wifi network. They've also removed the keyboard from the previous generation Kindle. I think that this was a good move. I personally never used the keyboard anyway. It only got in the way when I was holding it. The battery lasts just as long as it did in the previous Kindle, one month. That's right, the battery lasts a really long time. I read heavily, and my Kindle's battery last me about 3 1/2 weeks. That's pretty amazing in this day age where we have to plug in our smart phones at least once a day. The way you turn pages is by pressing small buttons along the side of the device. It's really an easy and natural thing to do. You don't have to stretch your fingers at all. One can also use the Kindle to play audio books. I haven't ever used this feature, so I cannot attest to how well it works. You can also use it to play music like a big iPod. I haven't used this feature either. This thing is light as well. It's quite a bit lighter than the previous model. On the previous model my smaller hands have no problem holding the Kindle for a few hours at a time. My arms don't get tired, and my fingers don't cramp at all. It's less than 6 ounces. Amazon says that it is 30% lighter than the previous Kindle. It's got a 6" E Ink screen. These screens really do look just like paper in a book. You have to see it to believe it, it's nuts. You can also enlarge the text in your books in case your eyes are shot. (Probably like Bawanna's
)Amazon also just teamed up with over 11,000 libraries in the US. What that means is that you can rent books from your library and put them on your Kindle. All from the comfort of your computer at home. All you need is a library card from your local library. I think it's a really cool feature.
Now let me tell you about Amazon's "Special Offers" option. "Special Offers" is what Amazon calls ads. You can order the new Kindle for $30 cheaper if you opt for the special offers option, but then you'll have ads popping up on your screen once in a while. You'll have to decide if this is a problem for you. Me? I don't want the ads. I can't stand commercials on TV telling me to buy crap that I don't want, so why would I want them to interrupt the book I'm reading? I'll gladly pony up the extra $30 to have an ad free Kindle.
Kindle Touch WiFi-$99 With "Special Offers" $109 without. 3G-$149 With "Special Offers" $189 without
The Kindle Touch differs from the entry level Kindle in that it has a touch screen. This is the PM9 version
. Instead of pressing a button to turn pages, you simply tap the screen or swipe from right to left. They say the battery in this model lasts two months. I find that a bit hard to believe, but I won't know until I get it. This model won't be released until November 21st.The Kindle Touch comes in two variants, WiFi and 3G+WiFi. The WiFi only one needs to be connected to a WiFi network to sync with your Amazon account, just like the above mentioned Kindle. The 3G version can sync almost anywhere using a 3G signal from Sprint, or a WiFi network. For the 3G version there is NO monthly fee or contract for the 3G. It comes included in the higher price. Let me say again, there is NO contract. You don't sign anything.
The Kindle Touch is fairly similar to the other Kindle with the exception of the touch screen. You'll have to decide if the touch screen is worth the extra money for you. For me? Yes it is. I'm the same way when I get a new gadget as when I get a new gun. We sit together on the couch and hang out for days on end. So yeah, I want the "cooler" touch screen model.
Let me point something out here that I just noticed. The Kindle without "Special Offers" is $10 MORE than the Kindle Touch Wifi with "Special Offers". Something to think about.
Kindle Fire $199
This, in my opinion, is not an eReader. This is a tablet, kind of like a less expensive iPad. You can watch movies and TV on it. You can surf the web and play games on it. The screen on the Fire is not ideal for reading books. It's got the same type of screen found on the iPad 2. If you read on it for long periods of time you risk eye fatigue. It's also a lot heavier than the other Kindles. It's almost twice the weight as the Kindle Touch. Your arms and fingers might get tired after holding this thing for an hour. The battery also only lasts for up to eight hours, and that's only reading. Try watching TV or movies and Amazon says that it'll last 7.5 hours.
You may be thinking that I don't like the Fire. I do like it. I'm getting one from my girlfriend for Christmas. This thing is gonna be awesome for watching TV and movies on. The screen should be nice and crisp. However, I won't be reading books on it. I'll be getting a Kindle Touch WiFi for that.
If you're an Amazon Prime member you might not know about Amazon's best kept accidental secret. You can watch free TV and movies on your computer anytime you want.
You're already paying for it with your Amazon Prime membership, so you may as well take advantage of it. With the Kindle Fire you'll be able to watch these shows and movies right there anytime you want.If you're in the market for an eReader and don't care about playing games or watching TV shows or movies on the device, then I wouldn't even look at the Fire. The extra money isn't worth it in my opinion.
Old Kindle generation 3
I really see no reason to buy one of these anymore. If you simply must have a physical keyboard, then you're stuck with this one. Other than that, there's no pluses. The screens are not as nice, they're heavier and bigger. Just ask yourself if you really need a physical keyboard.
Barnes and Noble
Now I'll talk to you about the Nook and Nook Color. Barnes and Noble also has the deal with libraries around the country for you to rent books.
Nook Color WiFi-$249
Pretty much the same as the Kindle Fire in that it's less of an eReader and more of a TV/movie/gaming/internet device. I won't get too much into it because they're so similar. Yes, there are some differences, but this post is about eReaders, not tablets.
Nook WiFi-$139
The Nook is almost the same weight as the Kindle Touch. It's got the same size screen, and the battery supposedly lasts the same. After reading up on the Nook and comparing it to the Kindle Touch...they're the same damned thing device wise except that the Nook has no 3G option. The Nook is $20 more, but I expect that price to come down once the Kindle Touch is released. The main differences between the two devices are the bookstores and infrastructures. Barnes and Noble supposedly has more books available, but Amazon is adding thousands more everyday. If you go to Barnes & Noble a lot then you should seriously consider the Nook. You can use your Nook to read books for free while you're in the store and use it to get discounts in the cafe inside of the store.
Wrap-Up
It all boils down to personal preference. If you are already an Amazon user, you might want to look harder at the Kindles. If you also want to watch TV and movies as well as playing games, or especially if you're an Amazon Prime member, take a look at the Kindle Fire. Also, if you require 3G, then the Kindles are your only option. Take note, the Kindle Fire has no 3G model, only WiFi.
If you're a Barnes & Noble person then take a look at the Nook or Nook Color.
O.K., I'm ending this huge post now. I've been researching and typing for about two hours now. Everyone chime in, let's discuss these. I know that I missed some things, and for that I apologize. Please post up and tell me what I missed. If any of you have any questions please feel free to ask. This IS a forum after all, and that's the definition of the word.
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