I bought the basic Kindle with special offers for my boyfriend, an avid reader, for Christmas. I spent weeks researching which one to get and finally settled on this one.
1) Price - The price is unbeatable. The basic Kindle is one of the cheapest, quality e-ink readers out there. I looked at the Nook but for about $20 more, you are essentially getting the same thing.
2) Ad vs No Ads - As someone who absolutely hates ads, I was a little iffy at first about the special offer edition. I thought about paying the extra $30 to get the edition without the ads but after reading multiple reviews, it didn't seem worth it. The ads only appear when you're not using the Kindle and as a small banner when you're in your library. They do not affect the reading experience. Honestly, I think some of the ads are even interesting. They're not as bothersome as one would think.
3) Storage space - This version has less storage space than other Kindle versions. However, it has more than enough. Plus, if you have so many books to where you need additional storage, use your Cloud. Who wants a cluttered library anyhow. No one reads hundreds of books at once.
4) 4G vs WiFi - This is a personal preference. If you travel a lot and absolutely HAVE to have a book at that very moment, maybe a 4G version is better. The WiFi seems to be sufficient for even the most avid readers as most places have free WiFi anyhow. 4G is nice but not necessary.
5) E-Ink Display - I looked at the touch screen versions of Kindle but these do not use the E-ink display. My boyfriend and I stare all day at a computer screen for work so the E-ink was an important feature. The screen looks so much like real paper that when we opened the box, we thought the screen had a sticker on it but it was just the display. This technology is amazing. It'll be interesting to see what they come out with in a few years as they continue to develop this.
6) Battery Life - In the past month, my boyfriend has only had to charge the battery once. This Kindle version has much better battery life than the touch screen versions and has enough to last for about a month. This is more than sufficient unless you believe you will be traveling for longer than that and will have no access to an outlet. Also, note that this version of the Kindle does not come with a wall charger. You have to buy it separately for $10. However, you can charge it through your computer using the USB cord it comes with. If you are okay with that, then I wouldn't buy the wall charger.
7) Size - The model is very compact. It can fit in your pocket and is easily transportable. That was my beef with the keyboard version. While this means you will have to use the screen keyboard, I have heard no complaints from anyone with this version. It is very easy to get used to and saves a lot of space.
8) Other Considerations - if you prefer a color display, then one of the other models may be better depending on what you are using the Kindle for. I find that if you are simply using it to read books, black and white is fine...magazines may be a different story. I think E-ink is in the process of developing a color display if they haven't already came out with it.
Overall, a great buy! If you are thinking about buying a Kindle, figure out what you want to use it for and what features are most important for you. My boyfriend used to be a book snob - stoutly refusing to buy anything other than paperbacks. After buying him the Kindle, which he absolutely loves, he now refuses to get anything other than Kindle books.
If you're purchasing a device primarily for reading, an important consideration is the screen technology. Unlike devices with LCD screens, Kindle e-readers use the latest generation of Electronic Ink ("E Ink") technology – E Ink Pearl – designed specifically to deliver clearer, sharper text that makes reading for extended periods of time more comfortable. Here are some of the advantages to reading on an E Ink device:
Reads Like Real Paper, Even in Bright Sunlight
E Ink screens look and read just like real paper. Kindle e-readers' matte screens reflect light like ordinary paper and use no backlighting, so you can read as easily in bright sunlight as in your living room. Unlike LCD screens, E Ink screens have no glare.
Easy on the Eyes
E Ink uses actual ink particles to create crisp, print-like text similar to what you see in a physical book. And Kindle e-readers also use proprietary, hand-built fonts to take advantage of the special characteristics of the ink to make letters appear clear and sharp.
Reads Like Real Paper, Even in Bright Sunlight
E Ink screens look and read just like real paper. Kindle e-readers' matte screens reflect light like ordinary paper and use no backlighting, so you can read as easily in bright sunlight as in your living room. Unlike LCD screens, E Ink screens have no glare.
Easy on the Eyes
E Ink uses actual ink particles to create crisp, print-like text similar to what you see in a physical book. And Kindle e-readers also use proprietary, hand-built fonts to take advantage of the special characteristics of the ink to make letters appear clear and sharp.
• Less eye fatigue: Every time your eye switches from a bright screen to a dimmer, ambient room, your eyes have to adjust, which may result in fatigue. With E Ink, the page is the same brightness as everything else in the room so there's no adjustment needed.
• Reduced glare: All E Ink surfaces are treated to be matte like a printed page, reducing glare and increasing legibility.
• Read in any position: E Ink screens have a uniform contrast ratio that does not change with your viewing angle, so you can read in any position.
• Sharp, clear text: E Ink screens have 100% aperture ratio, so there are no gaps between pixels. The blacks and whites on an E Ink screen are uniform, improving image quality.
• Reduced glare: All E Ink surfaces are treated to be matte like a printed page, reducing glare and increasing legibility.
• Read in any position: E Ink screens have a uniform contrast ratio that does not change with your viewing angle, so you can read in any position.
• Sharp, clear text: E Ink screens have 100% aperture ratio, so there are no gaps between pixels. The blacks and whites on an E Ink screen are uniform, improving image quality.
Read with One Hand
Ranging from 5.98 ounces to 8.7 ounces, Kindle e-readers are lighter than most paperback books, and weigh half as much as many LCD tablet devices, making it easy and comfortable to hold in one hand for extended periods of time.
Longer Battery Life
Electronic ink screens also have the advantage of significantly lower power consumption than LCD screens. E Ink screens do not require power to maintain a page of text, allowing you to read for up to a month or two on a single charge versus hours on a tablet or smart phone.
Ranging from 5.98 ounces to 8.7 ounces, Kindle e-readers are lighter than most paperback books, and weigh half as much as many LCD tablet devices, making it easy and comfortable to hold in one hand for extended periods of time.
Longer Battery Life
Electronic ink screens also have the advantage of significantly lower power consumption than LCD screens. E Ink screens do not require power to maintain a page of text, allowing you to read for up to a month or two on a single charge versus hours on a tablet or smart phone.
Reviews with images
Facts to Consider when Buying This Kindle Instead of Others
First off, I received my new Kindle this morning. I previously owned the Kindle Keyboard, but actually really didn't like the keyboard or the way the buttons were pressed together. I'm not a fan of touch screens so I bought this one.There are a few things to know about this particular Kindle that can help you decide if it's right for you...Here is a list of things to know about this Kindle.1. You'll be using an onscreen keyboard with the 5-Way Controller. This is not a problem for setting up WiFi and a little writing but if you are an avid note-taker or do a lot of writing with your Kindle, you might want to opt for the Kindle Keyboard.2. NO AUDIO - If you are planning on listening to audiobooks, Mp3s, or Text to Speech on your Kindle, this is not the device for you. There is not even a headphone jack, so there is absolutely no audio support.3. 2GB! This device has 2GB of storage, which is half of all the others... if you seriously need to keep over 1,400 books or so on your Kindle, you should opt for one of the others, all of which have 4GB. I only keep a hundred or so books on mine and the rest are up in the Amazon Cloud waiting for convenient download.4. There's no 3G version but the WiFi works just fine.5. There is a shorter battery life. Amazon reports the battery life is only one month of reading, compared with the others that clock in at two months. If you are going to be away from electricity for over a month, first of all RESPECT!, second of all, you may want a Kindle that has the 2 month battery life.6. It's lighter than all the other versions. It weighs in at just under 6oz (170g). The closest competition is the Kindle Touch which is about 7.5oz.7. It has 5 buttons on the face at the bottom. In the middle is the big 5-Way Controller button as found on other Kindles. There are two small buttons on either side of this. On the left side, from left to right are the "Back" button and the "Keyboard" button. The "Back" button is the same as on other Kindles. The "Keyboard" button calls the onscreen keyboard onto the screen. On the right side of the 5-Way Controller are (again, from left to right) the "Menu" button, and the "Home" button. The "Next Page" and "Previous Page" buttons are the same as on other Kindles.8. Because of the above 5 buttons, I find it much easier to use than the Kindle Keyboard. On the Kindle Keyboard, the "Back" button was right below the 5-Way Controller, and I accidentally hit it on more than one occasion.9. On the bottom there is only the mini-USB port, the charging light, and the On-Off Button.10. There are not a whole lot of covers available for this Kindle yet. (Amazon's won't be available until the end of October.)As for reading, and as a pure reading device. It is awesome... in fact, without the keyboard, audio, and other features I don't need. This is actually the best one for someone like me who just wants to read.I've already successfully transferred my library, downloaded books over WiFi, and borrowed library books through the Overdrive Library eBooks System. My only small point of dissatisfaction is that there are so few good covers and accessories right now (though there ARE some available that look pretty good).All in all, I believe this is the BEST of all the Kindles currently available. Only consider others if you:a. Really want the touch screen version.b. Need audio.c. Need 4GBd. Need a big Kindle DX.e. Take a lot of notes or do a lot of writing that requires a keyboard.f. Prefer the design of another version.g. Need more than a month's battery power.Hope this helps someone make a good decision!(Brief update: I love this Kindle, but right now the scarcity of good, inexpensive covers for it is a little troubling. The Amazon made leather one with light won't be available until November or so and there are currently no inexpensive ones to use in the interim. I'll just have to use it gently for a month or so.)Update on cases:I mentioned this in the comments section, but I'll repeat it here for people who can't yet find a good case -Checking the specifications for the Kindle, Nook Touch, and Kobo:Nook Touch6.5 x 5 x 0.5 inchesKobo Reader6.5 X 4.5 inchesKindle (4th Generation)6.5 x 4.5 x 0.34 inchesIt looks like the Kobo is about exactly the same size and the Nook Touch is slightly longer. If you need a case but can't find one that you like yet, it may be worth a little hunting to see if a nook or kobo case or cover might fit the bill.
