should i get a Kindle Touch?

[stanleystarrh]

I am deciding between getting a Kindle Touch or a Kindle Fire. I know the difference is in the size, but what is also different? Which one should I get? Thanks! Opinions are taking into consideration

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by stanleystarrh

I am deciding between getting a Kindle Touch or a Kindle Fire. I know the difference is in the size, but what is also different? Which one should I get? Thanks! Opinions are taking into consideration

Do you mind reading on an LCD screen? Do you plan to read outside? Do you want ePub support?

The KF can have apps loaded that will give you support for DRMed ePub. Some like eink better for reading and the eink on the KT is better in sunlight then the KF. The KT is lighter and smaller. The KF can do more so you have more distractions from reading. The KT has better battery life.

You have to decide what your wants/needs are and then see which device is the best fit for your wants/needs.

[SteveEisenberg]

Originally Posted by stanleystarrh

I am deciding between getting a Kindle Touch or a Kindle Fire. I know the difference is in the size, but what is also different? Which one should I get? Thanks! Opinions are taking into consideration

The Touch is a device for reading long texts. It's good for books, essays, and, when within WiFi range, web sites with lots and lots of text.

The Fire is a tablet that you can use for reading long texts, but is primarily for video, internet surfing, and buying stuff on the internet.

I wouldn't get the Fire because I am not a TV watcher and rarely see films. So a lot of the value of the Fire would be lost on me. I wouldn't get the Touch because I already have an eReader I suspect is better, the Kindle Keyboard 3G.

If you live outside the US, however, the answer could be a little different due to how public library eBook borrowing works. I'm thinking that since you didn't mention your country, it's the US

[Skydog]

Originally Posted by SteveEisenberg

The Touch is a device for reading long texts. It's good for books, essays, and, when within WiFi range, web sites with lots and lots of text.

The Fire is a tablet that you can use for reading long texts, but is primarily for video, internet surfing, and buying stuff on the internet.

I wouldn't get the Fire because I am not a TV watcher and rarely see films. So a lot of the value of the Fire would be lost on me. I wouldn't get the Touch because I already have an eReader I suspect is better, the Kindle Keyboard 3G.

If you live outside the US, however, the answer could be a little different due to how public library eBook borrowing works. I'm thinking that since you didn't mention your country, it's the US

Why would you discourage anyone from purchasing the Kindle Touch simply because "I already have an eReader I suspect is better, the Kindle Keyboard 3G." You suspect? Based on what?

I have all three -- Fire, Kindle Touch 3G and Kindle Keyboard 3G. They are ALL excellent and provide different features. The choice between them is entirely subjective and I enjoy each of them. For serious reading e-ink wins hands down. I love the small, slim form factor of the Kindle Touch and a clean bezel not cluttered with a keyboard. The Pearl display is identical on both with crisp text. I find myself using the Touch exclusively now. The Fire is a completly different device. I use it primarily for web surfing, email and streaming Amazon videos. Occasionally, I will use it for reading books on a whim when I know I will not be reading for longer than 30 minutes -- e-ink is so much better.

If reading is the primary reason for the purchase I highly recommend the Kindle Touch. If not, and reading on a backlighted display is not problematic, go with the Fire. The ideal solution would be having both.

[southernob]

Depend on your needs. If you want some ebook reader , choose Touch. If you want a all-in-one gadget , choose Fire. The default app for both of these models are not many. But consider the potential of root/hack/jailbreak, the Fire have a much larger pool of androin-based apps ( you will be surprised ).

I chose Touch mainly for it compact design, the eink screen and the month lasted battery . Because I found myself hardly enjoy any movies or musics or game on the 7" screen of those potable devices, and the only app I love on Fire is the handwriting note which is quite impossible on Touch due to the nature of eink screen . But anyway, reading is what I was looking for so it is Touch for me.

[emellaich]

Originally Posted by Skydog

Why would you discourage anyone from purchasing the Kindle Touch simply because "I already have an eReader I suspect is better, the Kindle Keyboard 3G." You suspect? Based on what?

I don't know for sure, but a few months ago, the attitude here on the forums seemed to be that if you were new to ebooks/kindles you really liked the Touch, but if you were coming from the keyboard you might be lukewarm. This probably left a lot of keyboard users feeling like it was a better device.

However, this grumbling seems to have died out, and from my perspective it coincides with the software update (was it 5.03?). My touch became a bit snappier and an aggravating issue with TTS cleared up. So my feeling now is I definitely like my Touch better.

[Charlie Prime]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Some like eink better for reading and the eink on the KT is better in sunlight then the KF.

That is good to know. Thank you.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by SteveEisenberg

I wouldn't get the Touch because I already have an eReader I suspect is better, the Kindle Keyboard 3G.

I have to disagree on this. The KT is smaller, has IR Touch, has an on screen keyboard, is lighter, WILL support KF8 while we have no idea about KK's support or lack of support for KF8. You suspect incorrectly (IMHO).

[Skydog]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I have to disagree on this. The KT is smaller, has IR Touch, has an on screen keyboard, is lighter, WILL support KF8 while we have no idea about KK's support or lack of support for KF8. You suspect incorrectly (IMHO).

I agree.

[SteveEisenberg]

Originally Posted by Skydog

Why would you discourage anyone from purchasing the Kindle Touch simply because "I already have an eReader I suspect is better, the Kindle Keyboard 3G." You suspect? Based on what?

Of course, it is based on what I want from a mobile device. It also is based on suggesting to the OP poster another good option. Another good option would be a Kindle second generation in like new condition.

The Kindle Keyboard 3G has world-wide internet. Far from all web sites work with it, but enough do to give you free mobile-optimized news and email almost anywhere. By comparison, the Touch 3G is more just for reading books and essays. You can get newspapers and blogs also, but you generally have to pay Amazon a monthly fee.

The ratio of 5 star to 1 star amazon.com reviews is an unusual 17.7 for the Keyboard, compared to 4.6 for the Touch. That's too big a difference not to mean something.

Originally Posted by JSWolf

WILL support KF8 while we have no idea about KK's support or lack of support for KF8.

This means that, in future years, the Touch will be a better platform for reading manga and comics than the Keyboard. It should not make a difference for reading text. I'm a text reader, so that's where I came from.

stanleystarrh, you can, if you choose, mostly settle by saying why you would want a new device.

[HarryT]

I have both a Kindle Keyboard and a Kindle Touch; I consider the Touch to be a much better device.

[pidgeon92]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I have both a Kindle Keyboard and a Kindle Touch; I consider the Touch to be a much better device.

I mostly agree, but I like to use my Kindle while exercising, and I find that when my fingers get sweaty, the touch screen doesn't respond as well, and it's hard to turn pages. So, my K3, with page turn buttons, is my gym Kindle.

[stanleystarrh]

Thank you! I am more towards leaning to the KF, since it seems more universal. I do enjoy reading, though I also enjoy reading articles online. Thank you all for your inputs! It was really informative! Will look forward to playing with my future KF!

[zhanzr]

Although there are a lot of differences, such as the price, the dimensions, the battery longevity, the software support. For a reader whose major focus is on the reading, the most striking difference is the display.

The Kindle Fire has an IPS Touch LCD. If you are already a smartphone user, you will not feel strange to the Fire. The most important point is you will feel fatigue if you read continuously for several hours, like me. Try to read on your smartphone to simulate the scenario.

The Kindle Touch has an E-Ink Touch LCD. Generally speaking, it is very similar to read on a physical book. However, the refresh rate is somehow low. You will notice the slowness when you flip the pages. I usually close my eyes for rest when I flip the pages.

I have a kindle touch myself. Personally I give a 85 score out of 100 . I also plan to buy a kindle fire 2( if it will ever emerge) as a complement.

If you majorly want to use a device for reading, I recommend a Kindle Touch. But notice the slow refresh rate. In all the other situation, choose the Fire.

[booklover6]

Originally Posted by SteveEisenberg

the Touch 3G is more just for reading books and essays. You can get newspapers and blogs also, but you generally have to pay Amazon a monthly fee.

Not correct. You do not pay Amazon a monthly fee for any Kindles.

eta-need more coffee. I see what you are saying now.

I use Calibre to collect news and send to my Kindle, and that is free.