I'm probably an anomaly in that I don't have any kind of mobile internet or e-reader, preferring to use my desktop computer when I come online or read "real" books made of paper. However, since I discovered the wonderful sites mentioned in the thread on "Building Your Online Library", I've downloaded a whole lot of Kindle books to Kindle for PC. The trouble is reading books sitting in front of my computer just doesn't feel right, so I thought about buying a Kindle. And then it dawned on me that buying a Tablet of some sort might be a better idea, but when it comes to this kind of technology, I'm really lost. What are the pros and cons of each device and what should I look out for when I go shopping? I feel really silly but I wouldn't even know what questions to ask a salesmen about these devices.
I have an old table that I use to read my books on. I like the size of the table, I take it to bed with me listen to music or read while I am relaxing. My cell is a Samsung Mega Note which is larger than most phones but still smaller than my tablet. The Kindle is smaller than my tablet but larger than my phone. I will replace my tablet soon but it will be with another tablet the same size, 10 inches, the 7 inche screen is too small for my old eyes to read on for longer periods of time.
MIchelle, Amazon makes both an e-reader, and a tablet. The Kindle e-reader only does that, whereas the Kindle Fire is an actual tablet, of the smaller size. When deciding which one is going to work best for you, there are several things to consider. One, of course, is the price. A 10" tablet is going to be more expensive than the smaller 7" one, usually, although ebay has some great buys on about any size you want. Aside from price; I think the main consideration is what you plan on using it for. If all you want is something to read books with, then an e-reader will do the trick nicely. It weighs less than most paperback books, and is easy to operate and hold. It connects up to your internet so you can buy and download books. You can also find your books from your computer, just like you have been doing, but instead of choosing to download them to your computer, you choose the Kindle e-reader. I prefer doing this because it is easier for me to see what I am interested in when it is a full-color screen, and larger pictures. However, if you are going to also use the tablet for surfing the net, and other online things, then either a Kindle Fire tablet or a larger size tablet is better, because not only can you read books with it, you can download and listen to music, play games (supposing that you like to do that), watch movies, or just about anything else that you now do with your computer. The tablet just unshackles you from the computer desk; so you can relax in your favorite chair and do your internetting. I used my iPad for everything for several years, and then I got one of those keyboard cases for it, which gives you an actual keyboard like you would have on a laptop. If you do much typing; then they are well worth having. However, the case adds to the weight of the iPad, and makes it more awkward to use in the portrait position, which is what we normally use for reading books. So, I also have the Kindle. It is much easier to tuck in your purse and carry along than a pocket book is, it can store literally thousands of books with the online storage holding even more. It weighs next to nothing. Regardless of which one you choose, I am sure that you will enjoy it. Ebay has the little Kindle e-readers for about $20 used or refurbished; so that is a very cheap way to try one out and see how you like reading with a tablet. Then, if you want another all-purpose tablet, you can get whichever size you like, and still have the e-reader for reading books.
Thanks @Yvonne Smith . I'm tempted to get a tablet as backup for my desktop computer in case something goes wrong with it, having gone through months of frustration as my previous one slowly died on me in early 2014. However I'm not sure I'd use it much for internet otherwise as I found my old backup (a horrible old netbook which uses Windows XP) really unpleasant to use online as nothing ever fitted on the screen. Of course the fact that it was horribly slow didn't help matters, and hopefully I wouldn't have that problem with newer technology. I wouldn't be using it for music or games, but I visit photography sites quite a lot, so in that respect size does matter. On the other hand, the idea of accessing the internet from a comfy chair does sound tempting. Another temptation was once watching somebody do a demonstration of sketching on an iPad. I'd love to be able to do that although my drawing skills are very poor. Under the circumstances that's probably not a good reason to buy a more expensive machine. Unfortunately, living in South Africa, buying from Ebay isn't a serious option as I'd probably have to pay import duty on what I bought, and our postal service is so unreliable that I'd never be sure that I'd actually receive what I bought. It's a frustrating reality, but technology rarely comes cheaply here. My best bet for now is probably to visit some of the shops and see what's available and how prices compare.
Michelle, one of the things that i love so much about my iPad is that i can actually SEE things on the screen. It has a touchscreen, and you can just move your fingers on the screen (scrunching, it is called) and it zooms you right in on what you want to see. I used my daughter's laptop for a while , and even though is was an expensive MacAir; I hated it because the writing and pictures were so tiny that i could not see it unless I held the laptop right up close to my face. I now have a perfectly good desktop; but I barely even go into the office and turn it on. Just about everything that i want to do, I can do with the ipad. I haven't tried the drawing pictures apps with the ipad; but I like manipulating photos, changing backgrounds, or enhancing colors, and there are some wonderful photo-editing apps as well as the drawing apps. Truthfully, there is just no way to explain to someone how easy it is to use a tablet, but once you get one, you will wonder why on earth you didn't do it a lot sooner ! !
@Yvonne Smith , I've just read a comment by Ken Anderson in the other thread that made a good case for reading on an ordinary Kindle and not having access to the kind of distractions a Kindle offers. Now you've made an iPad sound really appealing. I have a horrible feeling that I may end up buying both.
We have a kindle and an iPad. I can even read books on my ancient iPod. I bought the kindle first for my roommate. Then a grandson game me a iPad, third generation, and my daughter gave me her old iPod, second generation. They're all registered with Amazon.My roommate much prefers the iPad to the kindle. I also like the iPad.
Tablet for back up and travelling. Mine is a cheap one but still excellent quality so no need to pay for name brands if you shop around.
Val, I'm in the market for a good, cheap tablet, would you mind sharing what kind you have? I need something that can do the basics. I don't need a lot of bells and whistles, but need to be able to go to websites, check email, watch at least short videos, etc. A good camera would be a plus for me.
I have had the 101 Titanium tablet for 2 years bought from Car Phone Warehouse which was £99.00 at the time. These tablets are well worth a look as colour is good, size is perfect and without any frills or fuss it does all that I need. Just one point, the battery could last longer before recharge is required, but I carry an extension so that can be overcome. You read reviews on Tablets.Kindle,Notebooks and they all have a hic cup or two to moan about so that was the reason I went for a lesser known name. http://www.amazon.co.uk/ARCHOS-10-1-16-Internet-Tablet/dp/B00422TXZA
Thanks, Val, I think I've heard of that brand, while looking around online, so I'll definitely keep that in mind. Who knows when I'll be able to get one, but hopefully at some point I can. I don't have any need for a big name tablet, just one that's functional and updated enough so it will serve me for a long time, without needing to be replaced.
I have discovered that there are more uses for an iPad than I realized. This Grandpa got an iPad for his birthday, and put it to good use right away. (I don't recommend this, however....)
I don't think it really matters which brand you have, as long as it suits your purposes. My ultimate would be some form of Samsung Galaxy, but that probably won't happen, unless I buy it used, which is always a possibility.
If you're only going to use the device for reading, then consider a Kindle, as it's a device dedicated to eBooks. If you're looking to get more bang for your buck and do more with your device, then consider going for a tablet. Not only are you able to read eBooks on a tablet too, but you can also watch TV or movies, play games and install many apps on one.