Any Kindle experts? Need help/advice.

scottmandue · 09:09 AM

Hello, my name is Scott and I have a book problem. Doesn't help that my wife suffers from the same addiction. Our House pretty much looks like a library exploded.

Long story short I want to buy a kindle on the cheap, just want to download and read books and nothing else so just want the monochrome bottom of the line unit [My cell phone is WAY too small to read boos on].

However I have no knowledge of the black magic that is Amazon/ebook/kindle.
I already have an Amazon account for purchasing.
I presume>buy Kindle>setup my Amazon account on Kindel>buy and download ebooks to Kindel>all is happy with the world?

Here is the big question, can I but a used Kindel set it up with my account and delete/wipe off the old account of previous owner?

scottmandue · 02-07-2015, 09:09 AM

Okay, 6" Kindle plain Jane monochrome $79
6" Kindle Fire (color) $84
$5 dif to get color?
Or I could get an ever cheaper tablet and install a Kindle reader?

LeeH · 02-07-2015, 09:10 AM

I know you say you want a bottom of the line, monochrome unit, but a Kindle Fire is a wonderful thing. Basically, a tablet computer that can be used to check e-mail, surf, etc, AND run the Kindle app to read books.

Do you have an Amazon Prime account? If so, the Kindle Fire can be used to watch/download the included videos.

As far as resetting a used Kindle... I can only speak to my experience with the Fire. Had an issue with it when I first got it. After a factory reset, it was basically just like it was out of the box.

I guess my point is that you will spend slightly more money on a Fire, and get a whole lot more utility out of it.

Oh Haha · 02-07-2015, 09:11 AM

My wife has a Kindle but I have no idea which one. I don't do E books.

I will ask her about it and give her opinion in a few minutes.

74-911 · 09:19 AM

Wife and I have both first versions of Kindle readers and a Kindle Fire. When we travel we take an Kindle e-reader and the Fire. We load book(s) on both the Kindle and the Kindle Fire for reading purposes. We can use the Fire to check e-mail, use google, etc. The Kindle Fire is much more useful than just the e-reader Kindle and is only a couple of bucks more.

Oh Haha · 02-07-2015, 09:17 AM

Wifey has a Kindle Fire with an Amazon account for buying books.

Hope that helps.

scottmandue · 02-07-2015, 09:23 AM

Can you only upload books by WIFI or can you load them on your computer the transfer via USB?

Paco Anton · Paco Anton's Garage

Kinde Fire is a tablet (sort of). Regular Kindle is just for reading books. No videos, no colors, just an e-ink screen.

Just for reading I recommend a regular Kindle as battery life and reading is better.

stomachmonkey · 02-07-2015, 09:43 AM

Monochrome units are hands down the best for pure reading but that's all they do.

Check your local library.

Many have an ebook lending program.

Yes you can upload from PC/USB.

LakeCleElum · 08:09 AM

Highly recommend the Nexus 7 2013 model....Can find for about $189

greglepore · 02-07-2015, 11:32 AM

Used fire on ebay-paid 49 bucks - its great as the world's cheapest tablet but the e-ink of a normal kindle is better for books.

david911 · 02-07-2015, 12:16 PM

If you are interested in a kindle with no back light (i.e. need an external light to read in the dark). I have one I can send you. I will charge and erase prior.

David

scottmandue · 02-07-2015, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by david911

If you are interested in a kindle with no back light (i.e. need an external light to read in the dark). I have one I can send you. I will charge and erase prior.

David

Sent you a PM,

Thanks!

campbellcj · 02-07-2015, 07:30 PM

The newer "paperwhite" models are far superior to the old ones. They have a built-in backlight so you can read in the dark, but also still have the glare-resistant screen so you can read outdoors too. For a pure book reader you definitely want an e-ink screen. Plus they are cheaper and less fragile than an iPad (or Fire, or Galaxytab etc) so taking it to the pool/beach etc. is much less of a worry.

ThomO · 02-08-2015, 08:05 AM

Yup paperwhite is the way to go if you just want a reader.

I gave my elderly mother who could only read large print books my first kindle. She has now bought a fire (third kindle) and was able to set it up with a little help and can download free books from the library on her own. The older kindle (second version) required too many steps.

She has ditched her 10 year old laptop and uses the fire exclusively.

emcon5 · emcon5's Garage

The first Gen Kindle Fire has a common problem with the charging port, if you read it and move it around while charging, the solder can break, making it so the unit won't charge. (some discussion here, how to repair if you know how to solder here.

When a new one starts at ~$85 , I can't see bothering with a used Fire of any generation.

The Fire series are essentially tablets, with lots of Apps available, and if you are a member of Amazon Prime, are pretty good for watching streaming videos.

You can load books that you buy from Amazon automatically (if you buy from them it will be automatically registered to your account), or you can just copy files in the correct format to the Kindle from your computer. There are a lot of books that are public domain.