What should I get, Kindle 3 or Kindle 4?

oaciu1977 · 10-16-2011, 12:47 AM

Hi,

I was going to buy a Kindle 4 but then I've read a review from a guy who disassembled one to find out you can't replace its battery (everything is glued together). I know that batteries die in a couple of years and I wouldn't want to throw it away in 2-3 years just because of the battery. Would Kindle 3 be a better option from this point of view or am I being worried for nothing?

Thanks

Blossom · 10-16-2011, 02:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oaciu1977

Hi,

I was going to buy a Kindle 4 but then I've read a review from a guy who disassembled one to find out you can't replace its battery (everything is glued together). I know that batteries die in a couple of years and I wouldn't want to throw it away in 2-3 years just because of the battery. Would Kindle 3 be a better option from this point of view or am I being worried for nothing?

Thanks

I doubt the battery would die in two years on either unit. I would go with the one that suits your reading needs best. They are both great readers. I own them both.

killjoy · 10-16-2011, 06:44 AM

Personally the lack of audio on the k4 is the killer, its nice to load a few CDs and not have to take an MP3 player with me. It's not the perfect player by any means but it is nice to have.

patrickt · 10-16-2011, 06:57 AM

Fortunately, I just have a Kindle for reading books. I personally hated the keyboard on K3. I couldn't read the key designations and using it was a pain. I don't listen to music while I read, I don't check email while I read, I just read. So, I have the K3 and a Kindle Basic. I read with both but I prefer the Kindle Basic.

CRussel · 10-16-2011, 11:09 AM

By the time the battery dies, the cost of a replacement reader will be less, and the features will be more. Buy the reader you would rather have and use. Personally, that's a Kindle Keyboard (aka, K3), but YMMV. I use the keyboard fairly often. The Touch models might be an option, but I honestly prefer the keyboard at this point.

Also, Amazon will undoubtedly have a way to send your K4 in for battery replacement if it becomes an issue and you don't want to upgrade to a newer model. Buy the Kindle you want to use.

oaciu1977 · 10-16-2011, 12:37 PM

Thanks for the advices, everybody. I'll go with Kindle 4, since I don't really need a keyboard.

Phogg · 10-16-2011, 02:09 PM

I got a 4 because the ergonomics is right for putting it in a drybag to read the few books I get from Amazon in the bathtub. The keyboard model would be too easy to unintendedly mash button on.

Also, I am hoping the special offer software will eventually be tailored to my wishlist and act as a cupon service from Amazon. I am okay with adds the way they have been implemented on the SO machines.

Blossom · 10-16-2011, 03:57 PM

Amazon on Facebook yesterday mention an upcoming special offer on 50% off Kindle covers so anyone with a K4SO might want to wait on buying those expensive covers! I've already got mine picked out seeing I'm not getting another E-Ink reader I need a better cover for traveling.

gweminence · 10-16-2011, 04:03 PM

AKAIK, the k3 battery isn't user-replaceable, either?

In my opinion, though, if I were to get 2-3 years of use out of the device, I'd consider my $140 well spent, and, when or if the battery did become an issue, I'd just replace the entire thing. Just my opinion.

jermyzy · 10-16-2011, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blossom

Amazon on Facebook yesterday mention an upcoming special offer on 50% off Kindle covers so anyone with a K4SO might want to wait on buying those expensive covers! I've already got mine picked out seeing I'm not getting another E-Ink reader I need a better cover for traveling.

Darn, I just bought a timbuk2 cover!

edit: NVM, I'm in Canada, so I don't think I would have qualified for SO anyways (even though I have a K4SO)

Blossom · 10-16-2011, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jermyzy

Darn, I just bought a timbuk2 cover!

edit: NVM, I'm in Canada, so I don't think I would have qualified for SO anyways (even though I have a K4SO)

Are you sure it's a Special offers K4? I thought only the $109 regular K4 was available outside of the U.S.

emellaich · 10-16-2011, 06:02 PM

To the OP, my advice would be: yes ��. It's kind of like asking whether you should get Mexican or Chinese takeout for dinner. It all depends on what you want. Me, I can't live without text to speech. If you haven't bought one yet, I'm guessing value will be most important for you, so go with a K4nt.

Don't worry about the battery, Amazon has great support if you have problems.

jermyzy · 10-16-2011, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blossom

Are you sure it's a Special offers K4? I thought only the $109 regular K4 was available outside of the U.S.

Yes, I live in Vancouver, Canada very close to the border, so I ordered the K4SO and shipped to Pt Roberts, WA and picked it up from there

Blossom · 10-16-2011, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jermyzy

Yes, I live in Vancouver, Canada very close to the border, so I ordered the K4SO and shipped to Pt Roberts, WA and picked it up from there

I don't see why you wouldn't be able to use the special offers then if you are using a U.S. Amazon account. Someone else may know more.

pj123 · 10-16-2011, 09:35 PM

I just bought a K3 this weekend. The guy at BB though I am weird because I chose K3 than K4. To me the choice is clear -- I need to input notes while reading, so K4 won't work for me.

10-16-2011, 12:47 AM	#1
oaciu1977 Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2011 Device: Kindle 4	What should I get, Kindle 3 or Kindle 4? Hi, I was going to buy a Kindle 4 but then I've read a review from a guy who disassembled one to find out you can't replace its battery (everything is glued together). I know that batteries die in a couple of years and I wouldn't want to throw it away in 2-3 years just because of the battery. Would Kindle 3 be a better option from this point of view or am I being worried for nothing? Thanks

10-16-2011, 02:09 PM	#7
Phogg PHD in Horribleness Posts: 2,320 Karma: 23599604 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: In the ironbound section, near avenue L Device: Just a whole bunch. I guess I am a collector now.	I got a 4 because the ergonomics is right for putting it in a drybag to read the few books I get from Amazon in the bathtub. The keyboard model would be too easy to unintendedly mash button on. Also, I am hoping the special offer software will eventually be tailored to my wishlist and act as a cupon service from Amazon. I am okay with adds the way they have been implemented on the SO machines. Last edited by Phogg; 10-16-2011 at 06:14 PM.

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10-16-2011, 06:44 AM	#3
killjoy Enthusiast Posts: 30 Karma: 12 Join Date: May 2011 Device: kindle	Personally the lack of audio on the k4 is the killer, its nice to load a few CDs and not have to take an MP3 player with me. It's not the perfect player by any means but it is nice to have.

10-16-2011, 06:57 AM	#4
patrickt Wizard Posts: 1,221 Karma: 8381518 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Oaxaca, Mexico Device: Paperwhite 4 X 2	Fortunately, I just have a Kindle for reading books. I personally hated the keyboard on K3. I couldn't read the key designations and using it was a pain. I don't listen to music while I read, I don't check email while I read, I just read. So, I have the K3 and a Kindle Basic. I read with both but I prefer the Kindle Basic.

10-16-2011, 11:09 AM	#5
CRussel (he/him/his) Posts: 12,296 Karma: 80074820 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Sunshine Coast, BC Device: Oasis (Gen3),Paperwhite (Gen10), Voyage, Paperwhite(orig), iPad Air M3	By the time the battery dies, the cost of a replacement reader will be less, and the features will be more. Buy the reader you would rather have and use. Personally, that's a Kindle Keyboard (aka, K3), but YMMV. I use the keyboard fairly often. The Touch models might be an option, but I honestly prefer the keyboard at this point. Also, Amazon will undoubtedly have a way to send your K4 in for battery replacement if it becomes an issue and you don't want to upgrade to a newer model. Buy the Kindle you want to use.

10-16-2011, 12:37 PM	#6
oaciu1977 Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2011 Device: Kindle 4	Thanks for the advices, everybody. I'll go with Kindle 4, since I don't really need a keyboard.

10-16-2011, 03:57 PM	#8
Blossom Treasure Seeker Posts: 18,708 Karma: 26026435 Join Date: Mar 2010 Device: Kobo HD Glo, Kindles, Kindle Fires, Andriod Devices	Amazon on Facebook yesterday mention an upcoming special offer on 50% off Kindle covers so anyone with a K4SO might want to wait on buying those expensive covers! I've already got mine picked out seeing I'm not getting another E-Ink reader I need a better cover for traveling.

10-16-2011, 04:03 PM	#9
gweminence Fat Guy Posts: 408 Karma: 24165 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: Kindle Voyage	AKAIK, the k3 battery isn't user-replaceable, either? In my opinion, though, if I were to get 2-3 years of use out of the device, I'd consider my $140 well spent, and, when or if the battery did become an issue, I'd just replace the entire thing. Just my opinion.

10-16-2011, 06:02 PM	#12
emellaich Wizard Posts: 1,101 Karma: 4388403 Join Date: Oct 2007 Device: Palm>Ebookman>IPaq>Axim>Cybook>Kndl2>IPAD>Kndl3SO>Voyager>Oasis	To the OP, my advice would be: yes ��. It's kind of like asking whether you should get Mexican or Chinese takeout for dinner. It all depends on what you want. Me, I can't live without text to speech. If you haven't bought one yet, I'm guessing value will be most important for you, so go with a K4nt. Don't worry about the battery, Amazon has great support if you have problems.

10-16-2011, 09:35 PM	#15
pj123 Zealot Posts: 114 Karma: 1050004 Join Date: Nov 2010 Device: Lenovo Tablet 3 Pro, Kobo Aura H2O, Ipad	I just bought a K3 this weekend. The guy at BB though I am weird because I chose K3 than K4. To me the choice is clear -- I need to input notes while reading, so K4 won't work for me.