topic Re: PROS & CONS OF KINDLES? in Book Club

PROS & CONS OF KINDLES?

Tinkrbl44 — Sun, 04 Jun 2017 22:29:20 GMT

I thought I'd get a little basic information on these tablets, out of curiousity. I can't imagine not holding an actual book, but I really like to read, so who knows?

To my knowledge, QVC has never sold kindles, and I don't know anyone who has one .... well, that has mentioned having one. I was hoping to see a demo, so I stopped at my local Walmart and asked an Electronics clerk if they had any kindles ..... and he pointed me to the area in the store that sells CANDLES! No, I said, I want to look at a kindle (and I spelled it for him). He said he'd never heard of such a thing and directed me to his manager, who said they only carry them online, not in their stores.

Okay, I give up .... I want to learn the basics and hear owners' pros and cons. How heavy are they? Any stores you know of give demos? How much do books cost? How do I know if this is for me ... or just too much trouble?

Any feedback is appreciated! TIA!

Re: PROS & CONS OF KINDLES ?

Meowingkitty — Sun, 04 Jun 2017 22:12:41 GMT

Check out Amazon. They have different Kindles. My husband loves his. It's nice not to have tons of books around they house.

Re: PROS & CONS OF KINDLES ?

NickNack — Sun, 04 Jun 2017 22:17:44 GMT

I love my Kindle. I have the Paperwhite. According to Amazon's website it's 7.2 oz. I got my first Kindle years ago, and have had this one for several years. It's very lightweight. It has a backlight that makes it easy to read in all lighting situations. You can read outside without a glare.

I ordered mine from Amazon, but they do sell them locally at Best Buy. You can check Best Buy online to see if they have them at your store. I don't know anyone who has one that doesn't love it. I'm sure I haven't answered all your questions, so please ask if there's anything else you want to know.

My battery is low on my laptop, so I have to plug it in for a while, but will be back later. I'm sure you'll get lots of opinions on this.

Re: PROS & CONS OF KINDLES ?

Love my grandkids — Sun, 04 Jun 2017 22:23:29 GMT

I ADORE my Kindle Paper White. Go to Amazon and read up on them.

I hear Best Buy sells them but when my old Kindle died I bought my PW directly from Amazon, same as my first one.

I wouldn't get any other ereader! Loooove mine!

Re: PROS & CONS OF KINDLES ?

QVCkitty1 — Sun, 04 Jun 2017 22:26:44 GMT

I'm on my third kindle, and so far I have no cons. I purchased through Amazon, and their customer service and tech support is terrific . I have been a voracious reader my whole life, and I love books, but it's the story I care about, not the delivery system . My home is small, and it is lovely to have all the books I want, even though my space is limited. Also with an e-reader you can adjust the font size and light.

Re: PROS & CONS OF KINDLES ?

mac116 — Sun, 04 Jun 2017 22:28:38 GMT

QVC has sold Kindles. I think that they were a TSV more than once. I got mine directly from Amazon and love it. My husband, sister, nieces...you get the idea, all have them for reading books as well as use as a tablet to check email, shop online, etc.

Re: PROS & CONS OF KINDLES ?

Dorianwalk — Sun, 04 Jun 2017 22:31:10 GMT

I have a Kindle Fire, which I bought from QVC a few years ago. It's a tablet and reader in one. I love mine. You can download the Overdrive app and then check out digital books from your library. If you can get multiple library cards, the selection is even better. There is also Kindle Unlimited. You can get a free 30-day trial of it to give it a test run. There are magazines included as well. I also have a early Kindle reader, which is fine; but I love the versatility of the Kindle Fire. I seldom use my laptop anymore, as it's so easy to check email or surf the web.

Can't think of any cons right now for the Kindle Fire.

Re: PROS & CONS OF KINDLES?

itsmetoo — Sun, 04 Jun 2017 22:49:51 GMT

The Kindle and the Kindle Fire are two different things. The Kindles are strickly e-readers. I have the basic one and the Paperwhite. Love them both. The big plus to the Paperwhite is the light so you can read in the dark. They are much lighter in weight that the Kindle Fire. The Kindle Fire is also a tablet that, as mentioned, you can surf the web on, check e-mails, etc. Although it has a light it is backlit and harder on the eyes. I have both the basic Kindle and the Kindle Fire and an iPad and I never read on the Kindle Fire or the iPad. They are much heavier to hold and harder on the eyes. I much prefer the Kindle e-readers for reading books. HTH

Re: PROS & CONS OF KINDLES ?

patbz — Sun, 04 Jun 2017 22:52:56 GMT

I have owned/own 14 kindles ( most are Fire tablets). They are great (even the 7" for $49. My favorite is my old 8.9 Hdx but the battery just died ( I ordered another battery and techie son can put it in). I may eventually buy an 8 or a 10 inch.

You could order a seven and an 8" from Amazon and return either or both. Amazon is very good about returns.

Re: PROS & CONS OF KINDLES ?

Kachina624 — Sun, 04 Jun 2017 23:00:39 GMT

You don't have to have a Kindle to read books online. I download onto my tablets, both an iPad and a Samsung, and read them there. I like that I can carry it with me and read books and my magazines anywhere. I also like not having to store books. I don't have room for a lot of them.

Re: PROS & CONS OF KINDLES?

Trix — Sun, 04 Jun 2017 23:02:02 GMT

After my experiences with e-readers (Kindle and Nook), I for one will never go back to paper books. I like having a book with me most places I go and the e-reader just made that a whole lot easier. A few of the early models were weighty, but the newer tablet versions are lighter than the old WalKman CD players. In fact, I've owned sunglasses which have weighed more in their case than a Kindle. Buying books is another thing which has changed over the years. With my first reader, I bought almost all of my books (some titles were $1 to $5), but most were the price of buying a copy of the actual book. Over the past 2 or 3 years I have greatly decreased buying books at all because my local public library has an extensive collection of titles available for borrowing same as regular books.

Not that it matters, but QVC has sold both Kindle and Nook in the past since e-readers came on the market. I have purchased each one of mine from QVC. I may be wrong, but Amazon only manufactures Kindle now as part of the Fire Tablet collection. Considering how inexpensive QVC and HSN sell Fire Tablets why not order one to see how you like it. If you don't there is the cost of returning, but there's no way to really get the true experience of whether or not you'll like one unless you have one to use. Even if you check out a model at Best Buy or Target, it's not the same as giving one a test run in your life. BTW: Best Buy and Target charge a restocking fee for electronics, so if you return there you still lose 15% of the purchase price.

Re: PROS & CONS OF KINDLES?

jackthebear — Sun, 04 Jun 2017 23:13:10 GMT

First you might want to head to Amazon and take a look there.

I like reading and it took a while for me to get on board with the ereaders but once you do it, there are advantages, but I go to the library just as much.

there are kindles just for books such the paperwhite etc. (which I have)

buying and downloading books is simple,

and then kindle tablets that do more.

go to Amz and look then come back

I think Target carries them in store and Amazon has sales all the time and you could buy a refurbished or returned one and save yourself some money, I did that and it was just fine.

Re: PROS & CONS OF KINDLES ?

haddon9 — Sun, 04 Jun 2017 23:22:09 GMT

I couldn't imagine being without my Kindle Paperwhite!

It's my second Kindle which I've been using for several years and I love it so much that I got one for my husband too. During the summer we go to the beach once a week and we bring a lot of stuff...from beach chairs, towels, food, umbrella, etc. It's nice to bring a book or several books for that matter without any of the added weight or bulk.

It has a back light with a paper like screen which makes it easy & comfortable to read with no glare while out in the sun. The screen has been designed for sharpness & clarity which I find easier on the eyes than many books. Plus one can adjust the font size to your personal needs!

It's also great for travel (though who knows if it will be allowed on planes in the not too distant future). I load several books in mine when visiting my mom in Florida. Yet if I bring 4 or more new books it only weighs a few ounces in my bag. It's so convenient!

Another feature that I like is if you don't know a word you can place your finger over it for a few seconds and the definition will come up.

Kindles are great! I'm surprised you don't know anyone who has one. Everyone in my book club does.

ETA: The cons for me are "how to" or cookbooks. Kindles are great for novels & biographies. I prefer a regular book when it comes to a cookbook for example. I like seeing color photos in many cook books plus it's easier with a real book to go directly to certain pages.

Keep in mind there is a HUGE difference between an ereader like a Kindle Paperwhite vs. a tablet like a Kindle Fire or iPad. I have an iPad mini but don't use it as a reader. It's a different screen experience.

Re: PROS & CONS OF KINDLES ?

jackthebear — Sun, 04 Jun 2017 23:14:33 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
You don't have to have a Kindle to read books online. I download onto my tablets, both an iPad and a Samsung, and read them there. I like that I can carry it with me and read books and my magazines anywhere. I also like not having to store books. I don't have room for a lot of them.

agree I have the kindle app on my phone and iPad it's great.

Re: PROS & CONS OF KINDLES?

Trix — Sun, 04 Jun 2017 23:24:51 GMT

I learned something here today. I wasn't sure, but thought Amazon had discontinued selling Kindles which weren't Fires. Gee, the Kindle White sounds perfect for someone who just wants to to read boks and isn't interested in other tablet applications. That said, when I stepped up from an e-reader to tablet I was amazed at how much I enjoyed using the tablet, particularly away from home, even if I wasn't reading.

Re: PROS & CONS OF KINDLES?

StraytoStay — Sun, 04 Jun 2017 23:53:28 GMT

I have one I'm typing on now, but I hate reading books on it. I'd rather hold a paperback, and the kindle gets heavy after a while. The battery gets warm, or needs charging, it's a drag (for me), when I can just set down my paperback and not charge that. I haven't tried it much, unless I have a free book downloaded, but remember it had reading speed options and I must have messed up saving my spot once, it was just easier with a book. Plus, I like to trade in my paperbacks at the used bookstore. Or, if they can't accept them I will donate them. If they're awful, they can be recycled, too!

Re: PROS & CONS OF KINDLES?

StraytoStay — Sun, 04 Jun 2017 23:56:54 GMT

Oh, one thing, I tried to download a free Harlequin novel once and it wouldn't let me. Only Amazon books maybe? Anyone can elaborate and give you more info, but some sites aren't affiliated with Amazon.

Re: PROS & CONS OF KINDLES?

Sooner — Mon, 05 Jun 2017 00:06:57 GMT

@StraytoStay wrote:
Oh, one thing, I tried to download a free Harlequin novel once and it wouldn't let me. Only Amazon books maybe? Anyone can elaborate and give you more info, but some sites aren't affiliated with Amazon.

I download a lot of books from my library onto my Kindles, just check with your library!

I bought my first one in 2007 (a Nook) but switched to a Kindle a year or so later (I got VHS instead of BetaMax in 1979 too). LOL!!!

I loved them (had about 6 different ones) with the Voyage being my favorite a little over the Paperwhite--which also is excellent for reading.

I switched to a Mini IPad about 2 years ago and haven't picked up the Kindle since. I absolutely love it.

I can't imagine going back to dragging around all those books, paying fines on them, keeping up with your place, holding them open, and getting RID of them. I always read novels and biographies on my IPad, but beautiful decorating and gardening and cookbooks I still buy.

The IPad does everything well, is easier and brighter to read, and is my choice heads and shoulders for a reading device. It is especially great if you have any vision issues. But, the Paperwhites and Voyages are wonderful too. . . and you wouldn't go wrong with either of them.

Re: PROS & CONS OF KINDLES?

Zhills — Mon, 05 Jun 2017 00:52:53 GMT

I know you specified reading with the Kindle but I don't read. My kindle is my computer that I can hold and use while sitting in my recliner. Love my 4 Kindles. My latest one has Alexa built in.

Re: PROS & CONS OF KINDLES?

AuntG — Mon, 05 Jun 2017 01:18:50 GMT

My Kindle was a QVC TSV so they definitely sold them at one time. It has virtually replaced my laptop.