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I got a Kindle from my wife for Christmas and I have to say that I love the thing. I was a little skeptical at first about losing the feel of a book, but you don't. It ways about the same as a normal 300-400 page trade paperback and is about the same size. The screen is awesome and looks almost like paper. In fact, it is almost sharper than paper. I have the Kindle keyboard and the note function is great, I think it will come in super handy for writing papers.
I'm thinking of it. Can you transfer and read regular PDF files on it? I have a lot of books in PDF format. If you say yes, I may get one.
Yes, you can read pdfs. They even have a method where you can get several different file formats converted and sent to your Kindle. The best advice I got though is that if you mainly want to red, don't get the Fire, it is a ho-hum tablet and ho-hum reader. Apparently the fire tries to do both and is not very good at either. It is essentially a cheap, not so functional tablet like the ipad.
I'm debating getting a tablet or just a reader. Good tablets are expensive though. Would rather buy a laptop. So do you have that inexpensive Kindle? Is it the one that's $99?
I have never used a Kindle but people seem to like them. We bought an iPad for my mother for Christmas in 2010, and I must say that I would love to get one. I just returned from visiting and so I got to use it some, and it's ideal for reading notes, the news, etc. while sitting on a couch. Problem is that they're still rather expensive; I did see an iPad 2 for under $500, and I bet prices will go down once the iPad 3 is released, I think in the Spring. For $500 it's hard for me to justify getting an iPad when you can get a laptop for much less.
Just checked out this one. Mentioned free storage on cloud. Free storage of what? It says it's WI-FI. Does this mean I can get an internet connection anywhere there is WI-FI or do I have to pay for access? Kind of a stupid question, does it need an internet connection just to read a book? Can you highlight and mark up text? Does this thing have a browser with full internet capabilities? And what about graphic intensive PDF files?if not this one (as it seems to be the cheapest one), what about the other ones?Edit: added disclaimer for laziness. I could probably just read and find all this out, but I'd rather talk to someone who has actual experience using it.
Below is the one I got. What do you mean about “graphic intensive”? The kindle is black and white, mine shows pictures and the fidelity is pretty good, but the machine itself is optimized for displaying text. As to the wi-fi, it will connect to nay wi-fi hotspot, the only fees you pay is if the hotspot charges. If I remember right Starbucks charges for wireless wi-fi. The 3G version includes free 3G access in the lower 48, I have to pay $4.99 a week if I want to use a 3g network over here. Yes you can highlight and markup text. As I said, I love mine.Kindle Keyboard, Wi-Fi, 6″ E Ink Display
Typically, you only need wifi to download the book, not to read it. The “cloud” storage is so that you can access it from multiple devices, and you will have a backup there automatically. You can get free wifi in many places today, or “free” in the sense that you don't have to pay extra if you patronize a certain business. McDonalds has free wifi, Caribou Coffee has it, and probably many other coffee shops.
Starbucks has free Wi Fi in my area. I was just wondering if you had to pay for a service provider plan as you do a cell phone if you want internet access.I have a few books in PDF format that have a lot of graphics (Greek art and stuff). Was just wondering how the Kindle handles those.Also do they have an SD or other memory chip slot for extra storage? The one I linked to is 1.5g. internal storage. I can fill that up in about 5 minutes.I'm assuming these can be hooked up to a computer to transfer files?
Yes you can connect them to your computer via USB and no, the memory is not expandable. There is no access plan if you use it inside the US. The Amazon proprietary network, whispernet is free. Mine has 4GB of storage and I have 3 left.
Non-expandable memory may be the deal breaker. I was looking at the Nook, other ereaders, and some inexpensive tablets, and most have card slots. Just need to check how readable the screens are.
The fact that memory is not expandable does not really bother me. Mainly because everything that is not on my kindle is available through cloud storage. I am not the type that needs to have 150GB of crap I am not really going to look at that often on my machine. 4GB is enough for about 3,000 books so I guess that is plenty for me. You have to pick the one that works best for you though. I love the kindle because I can get my US content without paying retarded shipping charges and I have just been a loyal Amazon customer for years now, they have not done me wrong yet and I don't expect them to start now. I have had issues with B&N before though, that alone is enough to keep me away from the Nook.
Good point. I need to stop this thought of putting every ebook I have on the device. Just need the ones I'm reading at the moment. (plus I'll save about $100)
