Basic Kindle as a kick around device

Teyrnon · 03-26-2014, 09:08 PM

I'm thinking about getting the $69 Kindle as a device to carry for reading on the road, on the subway, sitting in waiting rooms and standing in lines. I'm curious what thoughts and advice others might have. I love my old Kindle greatly and use it all the time but would rather not bring it with me into situations where it might get broken, lost, or stolen.

rcentros · 03-27-2014, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Teyrnon

I'm thinking about getting the $69 Kindle as a device to carry for reading on the road, on the subway, sitting in waiting rooms and standing in lines. I'm curious what thoughts and advice others might have. I love my old Kindle greatly and use it all the time but would rather not bring it with me into situations where it might get broken, lost, or stolen.

These are currently selling new at Staples or Best Buy for $49. I've done a lot of reading on one. I recently found a couple of them in good working condition at a pawn shop for $5 each (they have trouble selling non-color "tablets" without power supplies).

What's your "old" Kindle?

eschwartz · 03-27-2014, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcentros

These are currently selling new at Staples or Best Buy for $49. I've done a lot of reading on one. I recently found a couple of them in good working condition at a pawn shop for $5 each (they have trouble selling non-color "tablets" without power supplies).

What's your "old" Kindle?

According to his profile info, the Kindle DX.

...

My personal thoughts on the matter would be not to bother -- I have been carrying around my Kindle Touch everywhere, for a long time now, and it's still good. I don't expect anything to happen, either. But I appreciate that other people may feel less confident for their particular usage scenarios.

A better idea would be to upgrade to the PW, just to have a new ereader. The touchscreen experience is a vast improvement over the Keyboard/DX/Basic Kindles, and you DO want one!

YOU WANT IT, YOU WANT IT!!

*target is subliminally encouraged to buy new Kindle*
*target is subliminally encouraged to buy new Kindle*

Think about it, you can then use your old kindle as a kick around device, guilt-free!
*YOU WANT IT!*

Sorry about that.

Barbara1955 · 03-27-2014, 01:32 AM

I going to get a Basic for Dr appts & such. Since the K3 been disc I got lucky to get one in Nov from amazon! Thanks for the tip I check BB or Staples!

rcentros · 03-27-2014, 02:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eschwartz

According to his profile info, the Kindle DX.

Okay. Then I understand why Teyrnon would want something lighter to carry around. I think either the Kindle "NT" or Paperwhite would be fine -- but the Paperwhite costs about twice as much as the "NT"-- and it appears Teyrnon is quite happy with the DX for reading at home and that he/she is looking for a secondary Kindle, not a primary one.

As for the Paperwhite ... I'm still considering whether I want one or not. They are nice, but so are all the other Kindles, in my opinion. I've got a used Touch now -- which is turning into my primary reading machine (unless I'm reading in the dark where I use the Kindle "NT" with my M-Edge case and E-Luminator). I really don't have any problem going back and forth from buttons to touch. Of course, I'm used to it, because I went back and forth between my Kindle "NT" and Nook Simple Touch for quite a while -- still do use the Nook sometimes.

Barbara1955 · 03-27-2014, 05:40 AM

On sale at Staples until 29th. Sold out in my area...sigh

rcentros · 03-27-2014, 05:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Katie1

On sale at Staples until 29th. Sold out in my area...sigh

I'm sorry ... but aren't they offering free shipping? That's one advantage in an area like DFW -- lots of Staples around. And -- currently -- I've got a very slow Staples nearest to me, so they almost always have sale's stuff in stock. (This is probably one of the stores slated to be shut down, however.)

Have you checked Best Buy? They're also offering free shipping.

HarryT · 03-27-2014, 06:02 AM

I honestly wouldn't recommend "kicking around" a basic Kindle. Like all eInk Kindles it has a screen with a glass substrate, which will fracture if subject to shocks. Kick it, and it will almost certainly break.

rcentros · 03-27-2014, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

I honestly wouldn't recommend "kicking around" a basic Kindle. Like all eInk Kindles it has a screen with a glass substrate, which will fracture if subject to shocks. Kick it, and it will almost certainly break.

How about gently nudging it?

My Touch had something dropped on it (by someone else before I bought it). So, I've got a smallish grey spot in the middle of my screen. But I don't really notice that, what I notice is the little scratch on the bezel and sometimes I can't ignore it when I reading. I really like the black Kindles better than the grey, the bezel seems more "invisible" to me.

mystika1 · 03-27-2014, 09:53 AM

I don't know where you are located but..I was at Bestbuy this week and they were selling two certified pre-owned Paperwhite 2 readers for $79 each with a one year bestbuy warranty. Any issues within a year and they will give me a new unit. I have been curious to know how the kindle compares to my Kobo Glo so I purchased one.

You may be able to get a pw2 at a good price if you shop around.

Just food for thought,

Penny

nynaevelan · 03-27-2014, 10:45 AM

I have been thinking about getting one of these just so that I can have a secondary kindle device that controls my collections. Recently I deregistered my paperwhite and ended up losing most of my big collections because Amazon has it set up for an actual kindle device to control where collections are synced from. Since the paperwhite is my only official kindle device that supports the new cloud collections, I've been debating if I want to get one. Of course even for $49 it is kind of expensive to buy just for the purpose of maintaining my collections.

tovare · 03-27-2014, 07:01 PM

I would consider getting a paperwhite. The value of those minutes add up to a number much much larger than $69 during a year, so I'd just get the best. If it breaks, get a new one

The basic kindle is very good, but the built in light on the PW converts even more boring and wasted time into fun.

Tarana · 04-01-2014, 09:22 PM

I think it's a great idea. I bought a kindle for $50 and it has been my take-with-me device for a year now. If it breaks or is stolen, it is not a loss that will give me a lot of angst. It was also my lender model - family members would occasionally borrow it to read a book and then give it back. Again, if they drop it, I'm not going to get angst over it.

My bro is giving me his Kindle Keyboard since he hasn't read since he had a stroke. So, free. My prior lender model is being given to a family member since I currently need the text-to-speech function due to vision issues.

I know a lot of people push the PPW, but if lighting is not an issue, the low cost kindle is your best bet. I went for YEARS reading paperbacks everywhere - the light wasn't necessary. But, if the places you read at do have poor lighting, then it makes sense to use something with a light.

SteveEisenberg · 04-01-2014, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Kick it, and it will almost certainly break.

Kick it? I don't know. I'd say it's 50-50.

Sit on it? Yea, that will do it

montalex · 04-01-2014, 10:24 PM

I bought a basic Kindle a year ago on sale, and I take it with me everywhere. I don't worry about leaving it in the car, reading in sub-zero temperatures while waiting for the bus, leaving it on the beach when I go for a swim, etc. With a cover, it really is pretty knock-around (maybe not kick around).

I would like a Paperwhite, though. But I have a stack of Kindle 3s that I've been given and repaired over the years, so I can't buy anything for awhile (well, I currently have only 4 of them, as I just gave away a couple to students).

03-26-2014, 09:08 PM	#1
Teyrnon Groupie Posts: 190 Karma: 384 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: South Eastern United States Device: jetBook, Kindle DX, Kindle 3, Kindle Fire, Nook Simple Touch	Basic Kindle as a kick around device I'm thinking about getting the $69 Kindle as a device to carry for reading on the road, on the subway, sitting in waiting rooms and standing in lines. I'm curious what thoughts and advice others might have. I love my old Kindle greatly and use it all the time but would rather not bring it with me into situations where it might get broken, lost, or stolen.

04-01-2014, 09:22 PM	#13
Tarana Wizard Posts: 3,977 Karma: 38840460 Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Minneapolis Device: PWSE, Voyage, K3, HDX, KBasic 7 & 8, Nook Glo3, Echos, Nanos	I think it's a great idea. I bought a kindle for $50 and it has been my take-with-me device for a year now. If it breaks or is stolen, it is not a loss that will give me a lot of angst. It was also my lender model - family members would occasionally borrow it to read a book and then give it back. Again, if they drop it, I'm not going to get angst over it. My bro is giving me his Kindle Keyboard since he hasn't read since he had a stroke. So, free. My prior lender model is being given to a family member since I currently need the text-to-speech function due to vision issues. I know a lot of people push the PPW, but if lighting is not an issue, the low cost kindle is your best bet. I went for YEARS reading paperbacks everywhere - the light wasn't necessary. But, if the places you read at do have poor lighting, then it makes sense to use something with a light. Last edited by Tarana; 04-01-2014 at 09:24 PM.

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03-27-2014, 01:32 AM	#4
Barbara1955 Non-Techy Posts: 4,454 Karma: 15499273 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: WV---USA Device: Samsung Cell Phone & Amazon Fires & Kobo eReaders	I going to get a Basic for Dr appts & such. Since the K3 been disc I got lucky to get one in Nov from amazon! Thanks for the tip I check BB or Staples!

03-27-2014, 05:40 AM	#6
Barbara1955 Non-Techy Posts: 4,454 Karma: 15499273 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: WV---USA Device: Samsung Cell Phone & Amazon Fires & Kobo eReaders	On sale at Staples until 29th. Sold out in my area...sigh

03-27-2014, 06:02 AM	#8
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	I honestly wouldn't recommend "kicking around" a basic Kindle. Like all eInk Kindles it has a screen with a glass substrate, which will fracture if subject to shocks. Kick it, and it will almost certainly break.

03-27-2014, 09:53 AM	#10
mystika1 Addict Posts: 353 Karma: 1360168 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Louisiana Device: IPad Air 2, , Kindle Voyage, Kobo Aura HD, Kobo Aura H2Ov1, Kobo Mini	I don't know where you are located but..I was at Bestbuy this week and they were selling two certified pre-owned Paperwhite 2 readers for $79 each with a one year bestbuy warranty. Any issues within a year and they will give me a new unit. I have been curious to know how the kindle compares to my Kobo Glo so I purchased one. You may be able to get a pw2 at a good price if you shop around. Just food for thought, Penny

03-27-2014, 10:45 AM	#11
nynaevelan eBook Junkie Posts: 1,526 Karma: 1464018 Join Date: May 2010 Location: USA Device: Kindle Fire 2020, Kindle PW2	I have been thinking about getting one of these just so that I can have a secondary kindle device that controls my collections. Recently I deregistered my paperwhite and ended up losing most of my big collections because Amazon has it set up for an actual kindle device to control where collections are synced from. Since the paperwhite is my only official kindle device that supports the new cloud collections, I've been debating if I want to get one. Of course even for $49 it is kind of expensive to buy just for the purpose of maintaining my collections.

03-27-2014, 07:01 PM	#12
tovare Addict Posts: 221 Karma: 1133312 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Oslo/Norway Device: PRS-600, Kindle kb Wifi, new Kindle NT, PW2, Kindle Oasis	I would consider getting a paperwhite. The value of those minutes add up to a number much much larger than $69 during a year, so I'd just get the best. If it breaks, get a new one The basic kindle is very good, but the built in light on the PW converts even more boring and wasted time into fun.

04-01-2014, 10:24 PM	#15
montalex Fanatic Posts: 556 Karma: 1283268 Join Date: Mar 2010 Device: KindleDX,Kindle 4, Kindle Keyboard 3G	I bought a basic Kindle a year ago on sale, and I take it with me everywhere. I don't worry about leaving it in the car, reading in sub-zero temperatures while waiting for the bus, leaving it on the beach when I go for a swim, etc. With a cover, it really is pretty knock-around (maybe not kick around). I would like a Paperwhite, though. But I have a stack of Kindle 3s that I've been given and repaired over the years, so I can't buy anything for awhile (well, I currently have only 4 of them, as I just gave away a couple to students).