A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion Hobbies, Crafts and Creativity Tell me about Kindles

I have a few questions and am too old to understand what I read. My children and grand children tell me to get an IPad but they cost a lot more than a Kindle. So my questions are:

1. Do I have to have WiFi on my computer to download books without hooking the Kindle to the computer because I don't. Have WiFi that is. The Kindle website says "download books anywhere." But does that mean anywhere that has WiFi?

2. I keep hearing about how the battery in a Nook can be changed and it can't in the Kindle BUT I can get books from my library with a Kindle so if the battery thing is true, how often would it be a problem not to be able to change the Kindle battery?

3. I've read that with some of the Kindle's there is too much of a glare to read outside. True?


Help Help Help

I ended up getting a Archos 501590 10.1" 8 GB Android tablet with wiFi
because my DD has one---and she loves it. The price is comprable to a kindle

it can be used as an E-reader and it can be used on the internet. I also am pretty sure that you can add apps to it.
At Christmas my DD got a Nook Color from her DH--he thought she would appreciate the new technology.---but as her Archos has a larger screen than a Nook, (a plus in my book) she downloaded some app or another and now her Archos tablet is as good as his nook color (she bought him one as well.) She took back her Nook Color & now has a massage table.

if you want I can e-mail you the particulars of my tablet. I have the info on my computer.

it would not hurt to look

and oh--BTW: I do not have mine yet---it is still coming to me

To use my library I think I need a Kindle.

Sheri, ask at your library. I think many use both Nook and Kindle. And maybe other e-reader apps too.

I gave mine to Brennan when he was here a few weeks ago...I am too lazy to learn new things. Kinda missed it when I was in the ER for 36 hours yesterday...it fits nicely in my purse and I was in too big of a hurry and too much pain to pack the laptop up and take it.

Call Brennan & tell him that you need a visitation day with "your" kindle--LOL

Nook can be used with any library that loans out e-books. Most libraries are carrying kindle format e-books now too. If you get a regular kindle that comes with 3g (which also comes with a monthly fee) then yes, you can download books anywhere. A regular kindle does not have glare issues because there is no back lighting. It looks more like a page out of a real book but you also can't read it in the dark, just like a book. Kindle fire is more like a tablet, a cheaper version of an ipad. It does have back lighting, therefore will have some glare in bright light. Either way you have to either have wifi or pay for 3g service. You can can also download books to your computer and then transfer them via usb cable to a kindle or nook without needing wifi. Hope this helps and let me know if you have other questions. I researched the crap out of e-readers before deciding on one.

Cheryl, which one did you decide on?

I got a Kindle that has everything included in the price. I am not supposed to have extra charges. A person in my book club has one and loves it.

Tina, I ended up with a Nook. I bought it a year ago and got it over the Kindle because at the time the Nook was the only one you could use to get library books and you can lend books to friends who also have Nooks.

seems to me only one app is free to me, and w/o turning on my tablet I dont remember which is free right now---is there any reason why I might want to pick one e-reader over another ????

Carol, it mainly comes down to what you want from an e-reader. Kindle is great, it's not too expensive, easy on the eyes, easy to use, and has a super long batter life. The regular Nook is very similar although not as long of a battery life. If you want more, like a tablet, something that has internet, etc., then you want to look at a Kindle Fire or Nook Color. Library borrowing used to be an issue but not anymore. I would go to an electronic store where you can compare them side by side, try them out, and get your questions answered.

Cheryl, I have the "Archos 501590 10.1" 8 GB Android tablet with wiFi"

But I need to download the app for an e-reader
--I was wondering what my best choice would be.

Ok, now I get it. I'm a little slow sometimes. Kindle and Nook both have free apps. I guess it depends on where you'd rather get your books from, Amazon or Barnes and Noble? You should also be able to download Adobe Digital Editions to you desktop and then you can get any ebook and transfer it to your tablet. Any e-book that doesn't come from Amazon or Barnes and Noble anyway. You should check out Project Gutenberg. Tons of free e-books. I hope I spelled that right.

thanks for the info, Cheryl---I am going to send it to my e-mail so I don't lose it--again, thanks.

Really an e-reader is why I became interested in it, but this does so much more, so I was intrigued. Plus it has a larger screen than say a nook color.

I have a color Nook and there is no fee to connect to wi-fi where ever you find it open and available.

The color Nook is backlit but you can also convert it to black background with white letters to read in the dark without disturbing anyone with a white light. It comes with about 10(maybe) apps and you can buy more. I get books from my library on it all the time. The color Nook has a 7 in. screen.

right---Glenda see mine has a 10 inch screen. since I am old I got the bigger screen. I guess since it does not matter really I will see waht my DD thinks I should go with...
I really cant wait to begin using it.

I thought I'd have a fit this past January before I got my Kindle but I've only used it 2 or 3 times BUT I know it's there if I need it. My library only has the ability to loan books to a Kindle not a Nook. It's amazing how fast technology changes. There are new and improved Kindles but mine is just fine for my needs.

I have the nook app on my tablet--and i am curently looking into downloading the kindle app to it as well--we shall see---