Any thoughts on Kindle Fire?

[techs]

I basically want a to be able to read books, but still have the opportunity to take it with me to do wifi surfing on rare occasions.

I was looking at the Kindle Fire, non HD version.
I am a tablet newbie so I don't know how the specs compare to other tablets.
I do intend to root it.
I will very rarely stream a video.

So, for 159 bucks is it a good choice?

Thanks!

 

[Midwayman]

Do you have prime, and is prime video an important feature?

If you intend to use it as a tablet you'd probably be happier with the newer HD version for $199 or the nexus 7 if prime isn't important.

If you'll only very rarely use it as a tablet you might be better served by the $69 e-reader. Its a lot more money to spend for an outdated tablet. I'd either aim higher or lower personally. If you could find one for ~$120 or so at least it'd be the same cost as a paperwhite e-reader.

 

[master7045]

Good advice from Midwayman. Also just to tempt you, B&N is giving away their e-reader with the purchase of Nook Color tablet. I've never used either, but thats a good deal to get your feet wet in the tablet/e-reader world. I've used e-reader Kindles in the past and loved them for reading text.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Heck just as a reader I would rather the HD version. Non-jagged fonts are easier on the eyes.

 

[Ravynmagi]

The Kindle Fire needs to be a little cheaper for it to make sense. At $160 it's just too close to the $200 Kindle Fire HD and a considerable amount crappier for not just spend the extra $40.

So I'll just agree with everything Midwayman said. If you don't have Amazon Prime then the Nexus 7 makes a better choice. It's lighter and more comfortable to hold. And you can install Kindle app and read books on it.

If you have Amazon Prime, the Kindle Fire HD will get you access to Amazon's Lending Library so you can get a free book once a month (that is part of the Lending Library). The screen looks better and the speakers are much better. But it's a bit chunkier and heavier and doesn't have Google Play unless you root it. And it's a bit slower too.

 

[pauldavies]

Kindle Fire would be a good choice if you only want to read books, you know, amazon has lots of free eBooks. You will enjoy your reading journey at amazon as long as you have a Kindle Fire.

 

[jhansman]

My 98 year-old mother-in-law has a Fire, and as a reader, it's great. Her eyesight is poor, but she can still manage with it. Not sure I'd depend on it for much else.

 

[dbailey]

I have one. I play games on it and my daughter watches Netflix streaming. I like it, I only have a few gripes:
1.the back button is on the edge of the touchscreen and can be a pain to get out of apps sometimes if you have it in a case.
2.The battery only lasts a day or two.
3. It's a bit heavy after a while.

I haven't used it for much more than that.

 

[dagamer34]

The Kindle Fire is a fancy e-reader. Consider anything more than that as a bonus.
The Nexus 7 is a true tablet in every sense of the word.

Base your judgement off of that.

 

[olds]

I have a Kindle Fire and I really like it. I fly a lot so I can read, play games, listen to mp3s or watch movies/shows that I put on it.

I am not sure how an e-reader would look when surfing.

 

[techs]

After reading your recommendations I think I would do best with a real tablet like the Samsung or Asus.

 

[smitbret]

Sounds like you want to do exactly what I do with my Kindle Fire. Why would you spend more?

 

[benbenben]

Sounds like you want to do exactly what I do with my Kindle Fire. Why would you spend more?

Yeah, I would like a Thinkpad.

 

[olds]

Yeah, I would like a Thinkpad.

Surface Pro for me. If it's under $500.