Anyone own a Kindle?

**farmer** · 04-22-2011, 10:29 PM

Thinking about getting one of these. I usually bring a bunch of books up to camp every summer, but you can never really bring enough if you read a bit each night all summer - its just too bulky. Kindle seems like a good option. Just wondering if anyone has one and what they think of it?

Also trying to decide b/w the cheaper wifi version (which I can get for $114) or the 3G + wifi for $189. Thoughts?

It seems like it is also possible to browse the web with them obviously it wouldn't be as good as a laptop, but is it passable?

doughboyshredder · 04-22-2011, 10:37 PM

Can't imagine not having one now. I absolutely love it. Now that Amazon is adding the library app, it's an even better deal. My family is all on the same account so that any book I, my mom, stepdad, or stepbro buy all goes in to the same archive. We have at least 500 books in our archive now. There are a lot of collections available for 2.99. Like Sci Fi collections with 30 books, etc... The 3G and wifi version also basically gives you a free internet browser. You don't pay for internet time and it works with basic web apps. Google, etc....
There are tutorials available on how to unlock it and get more net functionality, but I haven't gone there.

**MontuckyFried** · 04-22-2011, 10:51 PM

I also love my Kindle. It has made air travel so much more enjoyable. I've enjoyed the 3G version, so I can download new books no matter where I'm at. I was in the middle of the New Mexico desert on my way home from Colorado last month, and was in the mood to read an old book I used to have. Bam, bought and downloaded on the go. No 3g, but it hopped on AT&T's edge and worked fine. My sister and mom also have Kindle's and love them. The battery life is insane on these things, and the contrast and page refresh has been really nice. It's almost like looking at real paper and is very easy on the eyes. It's so great being able to carry your entire book collection with you.

If you travel a lot, the 3g version is worth it. If not, the Wi-fi version might be a better value.

**Big Ern** · 04-22-2011, 11:13 PM

Kindle is great. I prefer it over the Nook b/c it is lighter and I actually like the funky kindle screen. Nook (color) is annoying to read on for long periods of time.

**Cayuse** · 04-23-2011, 12:07 AM

Another Kindle fan. 3G is nice for grabbing new books without searching for a hotspot. Screen is readable in bright sun, cover with LED works well for reading in the dark. Lots of free books available, the library app looks intriguing. Web browsing is better than nothing.

sb · 04-23-2011, 05:35 AM

My wife has the Kindle and loves it. 10K books and its as big as a small note pad.

**El Chupacabra** · 04-23-2011, 08:02 AM

I've been looking at these for the last month or so; Mrs. C. is interested in them too. Amazon now has a wi-fi only (no 3G) version "with special offers" for $114:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004HFS6Z0

Anyone buy one of these? I assume it's loaded up with crapware like a new consumer PC -- but can it all be removed, or are you stuck with it for the life of the device?

**concretejungle** · 04-23-2011, 08:12 AM

How long until these things are free and I just pay for the books?

To contribute: My wife loves hers, she travels a bunch and other than having one break (easy replacement through Amazon) it's cut back on books lying around as well. I'd get one but I'm going to hold out.

**Mustonen** · 04-23-2011, 09:52 AM

I've ended up reading a lot of books with my iphone. Like, all the time. It's an adjustment, but I didn't feel it to be a particularly difficult one.

**hutash** · 04-23-2011, 10:08 AM

The only thing I don't like about e-ink readers is you need a supplemental light, which never really lights things evenly. I read in low light situations more then direct sunlight, so I am leaning towards a color reader, but am waiting until the dust settles a little on this generation of readers.

**Touring_Sedan** · 04-23-2011, 10:24 AM

I've had my 3G version for a few months now and I can't say enough good things about it. Found it in the local classifieds for the price of the WI-FI unit. I think it's an exceptionally well made product, but it's definitely a one use product, web browsing on it would be tortuous. Think of the screen as an Etch-A-Sketch, every time you flip the page, it redraws the whole screen and then locks it in place, thereby saving power. The amount of books it can hold is absurd, and newspapers translate fairly decently as well. The only problem I've had is with an aftermarket case. The Kindle has a couple of slots on the left side that can anchor to a case with Amazon's proprietary connectors. I picked up one of these cases, attached the Kindle and it went batshit crazy. It turns out that Amazon also sells a lighted case, and these connectors also supply power to the led lamps. I think the lack of a power draw on my non lighted case was fucking up the Kindle's innards. I reinstalled the firmware a half dozen times with no luck. A little Googling and a call to tech support had me removing the case. It worked. Turns out they had a little manufacturing defect with some of their cases. I told tech support I received the case as a gift and they credited my account $60 for the price of the upgraded lighted case. I taped up the metal connectors on the old case to isolate them from the Kindle's internal connectors and now both cases work as intended.

Originally Posted by El Chupacabra

I've been looking at these for the last month or so; Mrs. C. is interested in them too. Amazon now has a wi-fi only (no 3G) version "with special offers" for $114:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004HFS6Z0

Anyone buy one of these? I assume it's loaded up with crapware like a new consumer PC -- but can it all be removed, or are you stuck with it for the life of the device?

The $114 version doesn't come with crapware per say, but an ad sponsored screen saver. When you turn the Kindle off, it typically refreshes the screen with the image of a book jacket in your library. Instead this version will refresh with an advertisement.

**TBS** · 04-23-2011, 10:36 AM

I got my wife's 'hand-me-down" when she bought the new reader in November. I like it, except when it comes to pictures, photos, drawings, etc. If there are much in the way of visuals, I end up reading the book from my laptop.

doughboyshredder · 04-23-2011, 10:38 AM

For those of you that have spouses with kindles make sure that if you get one you register it to your spouses account. That way any book either of you buy is available on the other kindle.

**farmer** · 04-24-2011, 12:14 PM

Thanks. Guess I've just got to wait for payday and decide if I need (want) 3G or not.

**sitskib** · 04-25-2011, 06:28 PM

Do it....and if you have a family of readers, buy them under one account and you all have access to the same books.

I cannot imagine going back now....

**gregL** · 04-25-2011, 07:51 PM

I was holding out for the Barnes and Noble version. How can you not buy a product called the "Nookie Reader?"

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/htm...enookapps.html

**fids11** · 04-25-2011, 09:13 PM

I bought my wife a Kindle for Valentine's day when she was prego and on house rest. She proceeded to plow through 10 books in a month and a half and uses it every day and night. She likes reading it more than the traditional book because you can read on your side in bed for long periods of time without her arms getting uncomfortable. When it's dark or when i'm trying to sleep, she just throws on a headlamp for light and away she goes. It's a good buy, you probably won't regret it if you're an avid reader

**schuss** · 04-25-2011, 09:15 PM

I have a nook, I love it. Both rock.

**boarddad** · 09-15-2011, 10:40 AM

Bump because this seems like the right place for this. I just got a Kindle (free through a Hotels.com promotion) and I'm trying to find a way to either rent or borrow books. I never, and I mean never re-read a book so it doesn't make sense to buy the book just to have it on the device forever. I've been reading books on my iPad through my local library via Overdrive but that doesn't work for the Kindle. Any ideas?

**Malazan** · 09-15-2011, 02:04 PM

I was looking at getting one for the wife, but after reading this, I think I need one too

**Buzzworthy** · 09-15-2011, 02:12 PM

Bought my wife one for Xmas last year. I literally did not see her again till the New Year. 7 books read in that time, I went skiing a bunch. Win win!

$50 one time fee for 3G is worth it. She downloaded a book in Cancun on the beach even!!

**Justin H** · 09-15-2011, 07:29 PM

I got mine at the beginning of the summer. Took a couple weeks before it felt as comfortable as a regular book in my hand. Mostly due to a combination of small muscles needing some buildup in my hand/arm and finding a comfortable position. I got the wifi because I use it just for reading and it is easy to load up books with the wifi. I also download most of my books from torrents (poor student at the moment). I think I still prefer paper books but it is more an attachment thing. I really enjoy my collection of hard covers. I read my kindle hours every day and it is awesome. Anyone thinking ipad, or lcd/led screens for an ereader, turn back. I forgot my kindle one time and borrowed a friends ipad before bed. My eyes were flickering for an hour when I closed them to try and sleep. Super annoying. Happens when I am on the computer a lot before bed too.

**bandit2ski** · 09-15-2011, 08:52 PM

Kindle is a great product, especially if you are a moderate to heavy reader. Super convenient, amazing battery life, but it is a one-trick pony, which I think is a positive. One thing I like about it compared to trying to read on other electronic products is that there are no distractions like email, chat, clock, etc. It's a dedicated reader, and it does that very well.