Kindle DX

about the 1000's of books. You can download tons of books for free. most of the older books and classic are free for the kindle. if we where spending a lot of time in the boat , all summer long, as some of you do it would save a lot of room. I donated 300 books to the liberay this year., about the same amount 4 years ago, and twice that many when I left home for the corps. always been a reader.

many new unpublished writers are making their books free for down load just to get their name out. you can also read samples of books to see if you want it or not, without going to the book store in the car.

the magic of the kindle is the screen is not on unless you change pages. this saves the battery. It electrically prints the page and then shuts off. Unlike a computer that is always on and refreshing at a rate of X times a second. Like I said magic. the girl in the bikini did not go it to that. in fact she never answered the guys question, but who cares right?
 
Hey Don,

The key word there would be "need." None of us needs a Kindle or an iPad. We could probably survive without our laptops... but, then how would be participate here? :wink: I think these items are more than "toys." More like technology that we have come to appreciate and rely upon. I know boaters who pooh-pooh GPS chartplotters; heck, some die hard sailors get by without an aux engine.

I have really come to enjoy the iPad. It is more of a content consumer as opposed to the laptop, which I consider to be more of a content creator (photos and writing). The iPad has that over the Kindle, because there are word processing apps, photo apps, etc. And that nice color screen. In spite of the current commercial with the woman with the Kindle on the beach, I have had no issue reading my iPad, regardless of the lighting situation.

We buy what we want more often than what we need. So, if you don't feel a big want for a Kindle or an iPad, save your bucks. My iPad has books, videos, podcasts, photos, music, and a bunch of weather and navigation apps. It is surprisingly less expensive than buying software for my laptop or even marine charts for the chartplotter.

I'm writing this on my MacBook Pro right now, 'cause Joan is using the iPad to play solitaire. 8) She can sit in her recliner with the cat on her lap while she plays... a deck of cards is so yesterday. :mrgreen:

Best wishes,
Jim
 
Since we've gotton a bit off topic, I will say that I love the experience of reading a book as much as what I learn from it, and the electronic devices just don't give the same feel as cracking open an honest to god book.

But then I won't own a "smart" phone either.
 
I sure love this place. What an incredible resource. Thank each of you for your input.

So, to steer things back towards the track, slightly.

Kindle, Especially the DX version, how much NOT LIKE a computer is it to use? And the IPad; is it more or less like a computer than the Kindle? (As in needing wifi spots, or a wireless card, ease of and needing to download the books, monthly fees, etc.)

Jim, you have both. How would you compare these features?

I am working on this for an older gentleman who has no internet at home, and no computer skills. limited vision and is fairly hard of hearing. Looking for what would be the easiest for him to use.

Thanks again for everyones input. This site beats Consumer Report in a ton of ways. :thup :thup

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
Hi Harvey,

I don't have a Kindle, so my comparisons are only from what I've seen, read, and heard from others. From my take, the Kindle is a book reader that does a few other things. It has "basic" web browsing capabilities for sites that are mostly text (Google and Wikipedia). No charge for the 3G connection, since it is just text that is being downloaded. If all you want to do is read books or newspapers, want font size options, and basic browsing, this seems like a good option.

The iPad is very multi-function by comparison. In spite of what the current TV commercials for the Kindle show, I have had no issue reading the screen of the iPad in any conditions. I am a graphics kinda guy, so the bright color screen is a BIG plus from my perspective. You have the same zoom capability to enlarge text, brilliant colors, great expanded web browsing (as long as you don't need Flash), thousands of apps (from games to GPS to weather to...). You can watch videos on it. Download free podcasts. Use it in place of a chartplotter. To get the most functionality out of it, you need to have a wifi connection and/or the 3G model. Oh, and it's a full-fledged eReader, as well... especially if you want to view something that has color images.

To get back "on topic", I can't say which would be better for your nearly blind friend. Most people prefer a color TV over a B&W one; same with a chartplotter. But, this is a completely different application, and one that has to be experienced from your friend's point of (limited) view. If he can see/read large text books, the Kindle may be the best option. If you/he want video capability, then the iPad. Perhaps take him down to a local Best Buy to see an iPad in person?

You can download the Kindle app for the iPad or use iBooks to purchase e-books, so there should be no difference in selection options.

Either of these are great for gadget folks, but might be more flash than substance for someone who doesn't embrace technology (my Mother gets panic/stress if she presses the wrong button on her TV remote for the input).

The iPad is pretty intuitive, but if you need to type on it, the on-screen keyboard takes some practice. The "keyboard" of the Kindle DX is very small. I can see where either might be a concern for the visually impaired.

Of course, there's always the option of reading to your friend, if time allows.

Sorry I can give you a definitive "this is the best" answer, but hope that helps.

Best wishes,
Jim
 
I feel the image quality is far superior on iPad than the KIndle.
The text is sharper amd color is better. I dont know the technie details whether it is anti-aliasing or sub pixel maniplutaion but after using an ITouch for several years and used an Ipad for 1o minutes, the image quailty is gorgeous
 
B²":3vij4g65 said:
I feel the image quality is far superior on iPad than the KIndle.
The text is sharper amd color is better. I dont know the technie details whether it is anti-aliasing or sub pixel maniplutaion but after using an ITouch for several years and used an Ipad for 1o minutes, the image quailty is gorgeous
Click to expand...

Not looking for image quality on a kindle (you read with it, it's text) nor color (the kindle is B&W). Battery life is awsome, as someone mentioned, it will go weeks without charging. It's a reading device, not a multipurpose computer like thingy. And it costs a lot less. If you want to read electronically, get a kindle, if you want computer like capability, get something else. JM2cW.

Charlie
 
I didn't know what a Kindle was until last Christmas when it was the only thing in the world my daughter wanted. I went through all the same reasonings listed here and figured she would be better off with one of those netbook things. Well, I was wrong. Her Kindle is amazing. It can't really be compared to an iPad. They are two completely different appliances. I've been trying to come up with a good analogy but the best I can do is a hatchet vs. chainsaw. If all you ever want is perfectly split kindling...
 
Similar story

Youngest daughter wanted an iTouch when they were first released and said it is better than iPod plus run apps like a Palm Pilot. She received one from Santa and a one yr or so later, I tossed my Treo in a drawer and bought one
 
Awesome, You all are wonderful.

Thanks Jim, My mistake, I thought you had a Kindle. I went back and reread. I must have been dreaming. I have had offers to borrow one and go show my friend, and offers to take him to BB etc. I like the idea of just reading to/for him, but it's not that easy. I'm in Sequim, (NW Washington, and he is just east of 4 Corners in New Mexico. Even the 3G is on the thin side there. Some day when I get retired, my boss won't mind so much if a take a week here or there to go do things like that. Right now -- not an option.

Sure appreciate all the good ideas though.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
I have owned a Kindle DX since last Christmas. I used it all of the time when on the road this summer to get newspapers--Wall Street Journal every day for example. I have over 300 books on it--and didn't pay a dime--they are all classics. Some I have read and want to re-read--and some I have not yet read. As for looking at the web--not real good, but semi readable. Not easy to make a response as to C Brats.

I also got an IPAD a month ago. I keep it beside my computer. I run many of the applications I have on the I phone, but others too. For example--I have HD charts of the entire US, Caribbean and Central America on it. GpS, routing, full GPS functions--great screen. If I want to track hurricanes, it is much faster than my computer--and equal or better graphics. Agree that the images are much sharper than the Kindle, but the battery use is much more--about 10 hours I Pad vs over 40 hours of use on the Kindle DX. Plus the Ipad looks just like a computer screen--add in a wireless keyboard and you can type as fast as on a computer--far more functional--and in many ways can replace the computer. With Navi X I think that you will be able to stream NMEA 0183--maybe 2000 down the line. Book reading--probably about the same.

Neither has good audio conversions--but that is my opinion. I think that the lack of contrast (better in the latest kindle) would be a disadvantage for a person who is loosing his sight. As for new things. My mother was blind--she didn't want to use a computer or computer amplified/enlarged print. However, in her late 80's she did learn to become a good touch typist, even though she had never typed before in her life.

So--the I PAD and Kindle are different--although they overlap. After reading for 6 months on the Kindle DX, it is just as fun as reading a paper book--plus you can book mark, clip, copy etc. --and later transfer these to a computer if you wish.

For boating I see both as real additions--they save space and weight. I carried 200 books on our long voyages--one kindle will carry many times that--you don't even have to trade for "junk" reading! My I pad has the boaters Pocket reference, full tide tables, coast pilots Nav rules, currency converters, etc...the list goes on.

Why embrace new technology? Because it stimulates your brain--because it is fun. Do you "have to have it"? no. Nor do you need a house, car, boat, radio etc...so where do you draw the line between have to or not have to. Maybe better--do you really need GPS? Yet most of us have it--even though we may have sailed thousands of safe miles without it.
 
I love my Kindle. For frequent travelers, the Kindle is wonderful. Not only can you carry as many books as you want, but you can buy new books virtually anywhere. I was recently sitting on a beach in South Africa and finished the book I was reading. No problem, I simply turned on wireless and browsed Amazon until I found a book I wanted to read. No roaming fees and practically instant downloads.

We've got five Kindle's on our account for different family members. Everyone can access all the books that have been purchased at anytime, so multiple people can read the same book without waiting for someone else to finish, even if they are on different continents.

The iPad and Kindle are totally different devices. The Kindle is many steps ahead of the iPad for reading in my opinion. Not only is the screen easier on the eyes, but the lighter weight and longer battery life make the Kindle more pleasant to use. Free wireless is a nice benefit.

The Kindle browser sucks. If you buy a Kindle do so purely for reading, otherwise you'll be disappointed.
 
We recently bought two kindles, specifically for use on the boat and for space saving. Thus far very good but they require discipline or you can spend a lot. We'll report how they work out as we learn.
 
Thank you all so much, this has been another, joyful education courtesy of the C-Brats site and it's wonderful correspondents, from teh Nerds on down to the newest member.

At this point, the Kindle DX has been purchased for a trial. (Hey, if it doesn't work for my friend, it sure sounds like it would work for me)

Thanks again,

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
Don, that's the one I bought for Sally but with WiFi and 3G. Look more closely, I think the cheaper one only has 3G, not WiFi. The $189 one has both. I may be wrong... (rare but it does happen... :roll: )

Guess you decided you might "need" one>>>> :mrgreen:

Charlie
 
Captains Cat":12ds6kkl said:
Don, I think the cheaper one only has 3G, not WiFi. The $189 one has both. I may be wrong... (rare but it does happen... :roll: )

Guess you decided you might "need" one>>>> :mrgreen:

Charlie
Click to expand...

Your rare moment apparently arrived. The one on sale is WiFi only. Click on the link Charlie. I suppose I could "need" one but it means reading the manual. OBTW, is the manual on the Kindle? Sort of self defeating, no?

To plagarize Bart Simpson:

You know, boys, a Kindle is a lot like a woman. You just have to read the manual and press the right buttons.

Don
 
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