Post # 1
Member
339 posts
Helper bee
I’m considering selling my netbook and Kindle Keyboard and replacing them with a Kindle Fire. But I’m nervous I’ll lose out on the benefits and convenience of my netbook and Kindle keyboard…so I’m asking those of you who have one what I should do!
I use my netbook for taking notes, making online flashcards, minimal document creation/editing, and web browsing. I use my Kindle Keyboard for leisure reading. I love the fact that I can read outside, and that the e-ink looks just like a real book.
Is the Fire a reasonable replacement to combine the above purposes? Is sacrificing e-ink and reading outside worth the convenience of the other features?
Also, I do have a regular-sized laptop where I work and write papers, homework, etc. Thanks for all of your advice!
PS-I am leaning towards the Fire in hopes that it will be an easier/more convenient way to make and study flash cards, study my notes, and that there are some neurology and anatomy apps that help me with school. I do not intend to read textbooks on it.
Post # 3
Member
206 posts
Helper bee
I got a Fire for Christmas and I absolutely love it! I was really against getting an e-reader for a while, but it’s great because I can read in bed with the lights off and not bother my fiance 🙂 I travel a lot for work too, and it makes packing much lighter.
For what you want to use it for, though, I don’t know if it would be a good choice. I don’t do much typing on it other than the occassional email or to search for books in the Amazon store. The Fire is a little narrow for holding in both hands, but too broad to hold and type with one. It’s definitely not something I would want to type a lot of notes, etc. on. I don’t have any notepad apps on there, so I’m not sure how easy they are to use.
I also don’t read much outside, but it’s hard to read the Fire in the sun (even in a car). If you’re going to be outside a lot, I’d get another kind of Kindle.
I have the Fire where you need to be on wifi to get online (no 3G or anything). Hasn’t been a porblem because I just load up before I go anywhere, but that’s another thing to consider.
Overall, I love the Kindle Fire, but if you want to do much more than read/play games, I’d probably go with an iPad or something. Good luck making your choice!
Post # 4
Member
4693 posts
Honey bee
I personally wouldn’t. After working on a computer all day the last thing I want to do is go home and read on a backlit screen!
Post # 5
Member
339 posts
Helper bee
Wow, the votes are pretty split! Thanks for your advice so far. Those are the things I’m grappling with..
Post # 6
Member
9552 posts
Buzzing Beekeeper
I think the main drawbacks to a kindle fire (for you) would be the difficulty typing on it and the lack of usability in the sun. I’m thinking about getting one to travel with so that I can watch movies and read with it, but I’ll definately keep my keyboard kindle for everyday use because I prefer the non-backlit screen.
Post # 7
Member
2214 posts
Buzzing bee
I got a Kindle Fire for Christmas, and I love it, but I’m not sure it would be good for your purposes. I do basic email checking and internet searching on mine, and it’s great for that, but I think it would be hard to use for anything more than basic stuff because it’s kind of hard to type on.
Post # 8
Member
1729 posts
Bumble bee
I love my Kindle Fire but for your purposes, it might not be the best device to replace the two you’re currently using. It’s definitely true that the screen on the Fire is hard, if not impossible, to read anywhere there is glare. When I first got my Kindle Fire, I was hiding under a blanket trying to watch a TV show (Hulu works great on the Fire!) because there was a slight bit of sun coming in my window.
Post # 9
Member
1252 posts
Bumble bee
I have a Kindle keyboard, 2 tablet computers (iPad and Android), a netbook and a laptop. I would never use the backlit tablets to read – they are quite a bit heavier, they are not designed for 1-handed reading, and you can’t use them outdoors in the sun. Tablets are great for surfing the internet, maybe for some games and watching movies, but they aren’t great for doing a lot of typing – I get frustrated replying to emails on the tablets. We rarely use the netbook, the laptop is just better at anything we couldn’t use the tablets for.
When we go on vacation we take both the Kindle & a tablet, the Kindle for reading at the pool or on the beach, the tablet for checking email, internet surfing, and watching movies on the plane. I don’t consider them interchangable, I do think a tablet like the Kindle Fire is great to have, but I would not give up my Kindle e-Reader for it. I recommend replacing the netbook with a tablet, but don’t give up the Kindle or the laptop. (I couldn’t vote in your poll)
Post # 10
Member
339 posts
Helper bee
@reebee: That is an extremely helpful review. One concern of mine is that I currently do NOT take my laptop to class, because it’s a 15″ old Macbook Pro and too heavy to lug around all day long. I just take my netbook to take notes and do the odd email checking/web surfing and flashcard-flipping.
Do you think it would be possible to take notes on the Fire while in class?
Post # 11
Member
3375 posts
Sugar bee
I’m 100% in love with my ipad and I think it would be best for everything you want. It’s a bit heavy to hold, but so are hard books.
Post # 12
Member
339 posts
Helper bee
@PinkMagnolia: I’d LOVE an iPad, but I don’t have $500 🙁 the fire is $200, and I think I could swing that, but $500 is a lot.
Post # 13
Member
1252 posts
Bumble bee
@mirabell35: I’ve never used the Kindle Fire specifically, but I don’t think the touch-screen keyboards on the iPad or Android tablets I have would be very good for note-taking. However, a lot of tablets have cases with built-in keyboards that may serve your purpose. I haven’t seen one for the Kindle Fire, but the 7″ Samsung Galaxy (which isn’t much more than the Fire) has a few keyboard case options like this one: http://www.amazon.com/eWonder-TM-Wireless-Bluetooth-Keyboard/dp/B006M7PBCW/ref=sr_1_4?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1338841433&sr=1-4
Post # 14
Member
339 posts
Helper bee
@reebee: That is awesome! Man, I really wish the Fire had bluetooth. With a keyboard it’d be perfect. But I do need that keyboard..hm…
