Kindle Keyboard 3g vs Kindle Touch 3g

[Miskatonic]

I'm on the fence about buying a Kindle and wanted some opinions from those of you that have the product. The touch version seems to be the future of the product but if the keyboard is a solid product that isn't going to be phased out soon then it could possibly be a better option.

There's also the Nook, but I haven't done much research on it yet.

[pam123]

If I were buying a Kindle today I'd get the Touch but, that said, my 3G keyboard is solidly useful.
Your budget should be the deciding factor here.

[glc]

I just got a Touch and I love it. I also stuck with the base $99 wifi-only ad-supported version. The ads are relatively unobtrusive - a small banner ad at the bottom of the home screen and a full screen ad when the screen saver kicks in. I don't really see the need for 3G, because I have wifi at home and I order my books from my computer, not through the device.

I also bought the $39.95 Amazon leather cover for it - it's the only one out so far that the Kindle snaps into rather than using 4 corner elastic straps. I was thinking about a screen protector, but I don't really see the need for one - the matte screen is very tough and very fingerprint-resistant. Turning pages with the Touch is actually a lot easier than with a standard Kindle - a tap with the thumb is all it needs, it's a true "one hand" device. Tap the very top of the screen for the menu, tap the left edge for turning back, the whole rest of the screen will turn forward.

[Miskatonic]

I think the biggest factor is the price of books. I would think that the price of digital books would be less expensive than their paper/hard back equivalent given there is no cost in printing them, but in general they don't seem to be that much cheaper. I'll probably just have to compile a list of books that I'd like to read and see if there are enough to warrant buying a Kindle. I don't currently read many contemporary authors so having the Kindle in anticipation of future novels by any particular author isn't a factor. Are there any tablets out there that have a screen like Kindle that has little to no eyestrain? Can't recall seeing any but a multi-tasker is always a nice perk.

Edit - didn't realize I had more than one user name. Doh.

[glc]

Which username do you want to keep? We only allow ONE per member and I need to merge your accounts. Thank you.

I'm also going to have to ask you to give us a different e-mail address. We no longer allow yahoo.com addresses.

Send me a private message with what you want to do.

[glc]

There are quite a few free Kindle books out there - classics that are out of copyright plus rotating specials. I've also seen some really low-priced books.

You can also check out Kindle books online from your local public library. You don't have to remember to turn them back in, they stop working when the lending period is over.

If you are thinking of buying a 3G Kindle for the purpose of surfing the web, you won't be happy. You can't buy a data plan and the browser is very limited for that reason. Amazon provides you with the 3G primarily for downloading your books. The Kindle Fire, which is actually an Android tablet, is not available with 3G.

[Miskatonic]

Originally Posted by glc There are quite a few free Kindle books out there - classics that are out of copyright plus rotating specials. I've also seen some really low-priced books. You can also check out Kindle books online from your local public library. You don't have to remember to turn them back in, they stop working when the lending period is over. If you are thinking of buying a 3G Kindle for the purpose of surfing the web, you won't be happy. You can't buy a data plan and the browser is very limited for that reason. Amazon provides you with the 3G primarily for downloading your books. The Kindle Fire, which is actually an Android tablet, is not available with 3G.

I'd primarily get the kindle for reading, as I'm happy taking my laptop around with me and I have an ipod classic for music.

[Miskatonic]

Is this the case you were talking about?

Amazon.com: Kindle Touch Leather Cover: Kindle Store

Mixed reviews but you never know who is reviewing it.

[glc]

Yes, that's the case. So far, I like it, but it's not worth 40 bucks in my opinion.

[Miskatonic]

Yeah I'm surprised the snap-in style isn't more common. It makes the most sense when it comes to ease of placing and removing the kindle.

Another question. Does the kindle allow you to view pdf files or any similar document?

[glc]

Yes.

Amazon.com Help: Kindle Personal Document Service

[kunkun238_hn]

Originally Posted by Miskatonic I'm on the fence about buying a Kindle Fire 2 and wanted some opinions from those of you that have the product. The touch version seems to be the future of the product but if the keyboard is a solid product that isn't going to be phased out soon then it could possibly be a better option. There's also the Nook, but I haven't done much research on it yet.

Yes, I'm surprised the snap-in style isn't more common. And i'm waiting Amazon Kindle Fire 2