How long do you expect your Kindle to live? - Page 2

BlueSky77 · 07-23-2012, 12:57 PM

To answer the OP's question... I expect my Kindle to live forever! Whether it does or not... only time will tell.

Torwan · 07-24-2012, 03:29 AM

3 years is normal, I'd say. Compare it to other mobile electronic devices like MP3-players, cellphones etc. There, 3 years is also a pretty normal lifespan. It may work longer, but it'll be probably outdated by that time.

Maybe that isn't the problem and maybe you even like the older design and features, but if you compare the new Kindles with the old ones...
The new ones have touchscreen, they are cheaper...that's a lot of change. Who knows what kind of Kindle amazon will offer in 2015? And 2018?

Besides, electronics are designed with a certain lifespan in mind. Otherwise it would get really, really expensive...

augustjen · 07-24-2012, 05:32 AM

I agree with you Torwan - devices do get out of date. My Walkman must be 30 years old and still going strong. It's used occasionally when we come across a tape - but that is getting hardly ever these days.

My 12 year old MP3 player has been taken over by my 3 year old ipod (which is now out of date) - although I still do use the MP3 player quite a lot.

My 25 year old stereo deck system is gathering dust as it hasn't been used for a couple of years, it's still in excellent working order and I'm loath to chuck it out.

So I guess, I was expecting the same life out of my Kindle.

As mentioned above, I guess the Kindle expires when the life of the integrated battery runs out. The Walkman and the MP3 player have replaceable batteries.

Can't wait to see how ereaders evolve - not wanting to wish my life away though!

jbcohen · 07-24-2012, 07:30 AM

There is a store here in a suburb of the nation's capital called Rockville, md named Batterie's plus that claims "If it runs on batteries we got it." They claim to have the battery for the kindle three for $25 + $10 if you want them to do it so that you ensure that the battery is in right. That's a saving of $85-$35 = $44 over the cost of the replacement cost. However I firmly believe that with the drop in the prices of ebook readers, the reades are quickly approaching what I referr to as the disposable point - this is the point where it will cost more to repair the old one then it will cost to replace the item. A common houosehold electronic that is currently past that point is the common household calculator, which can cost $5 for a new calculator and the cost of the new battery will be somewhere in the region of $8, making the cost of the replacement less then the repair cost - in other words that old calcuator has just become disposable.

By the way batteries plus has a web site at http://www.batteriesplus.com/manufac...r-Battery.aspx - this is the section that is dedicated to electronic readers. I believe they will ship you the battery if you do not happen to live near one of their stores.

I was told when I first got my kindle that the battery would last longer then my willingness to stay with that model of electronic reader. I was told that I will have long upgraded to a newer model of electronic reader by the time my battery on my old one dies and as seen above the battery can be replaced on the reader.

tubemonkey · 07-24-2012, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbcohen

However I firmly believe that with the drop in the prices of ebook readers, the reades are quickly approaching what I referr to as the disposable point - this is the point where it will cost more to repair the old one then it will cost to replace the item.

I agree. I paid $49 for a brand new K4 and it has a two year warranty - 1st year from Amazon, 2nd year from my credit card. This thing is disposable as far as I'm concerned. If anything happens to it, I'll at least get my money back.

After the warranty expires, I'll either keep using it until the battery goes or replace it with the latest model and use the old one for backup. Either way, it will have given great value.

DiapDealer · 07-24-2012, 09:03 AM

I expect my K2 to last as long as I can find batteries for it. They may not have intended the battery to be user-replaceable, but they sure didn't make it very difficult either—unlike some of the newer models from what I hear.

I have the original US-only model and just replaced the battery for the first time a month or so ago.

beautifulsoup · 07-24-2012, 10:14 AM

Maybe a stupid question; if so, I apologize:

Is the Kindle is refurbished, does this mean the battery has been replaced (as part of the refurbishment)?

augustjen · 07-24-2012, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beautifulsoup

Maybe a stupid question; if so, I apologize:

Is the Kindle is refurbished, does this mean the battery has been replaced (as part of the refurbishment)?

Good question! I expect a new battery will be added. The refurb one should have a 3 month warranty.

Thanks for the info jbcohen, I've seen a thread on this forum somewhere regarding changing batteries (when the warranty has run out of course).

On hindsight I wished I had gone for a new one! Who knows really, it appears to be a case of 'how long is a piece of string'!

Really missing my Kindle, it's left the US and is presently in the UPS depot in Koeln, Germany. Been advised it will be delivered to me in Spain by tomorrow evening. So long as it arrives before weekend, I'll be v happy. Great service provided by UPS.

Thank you for all your comments! I've learnt a lot since joining this forum

AZImmortal · 07-25-2012, 03:08 AM

"How long is a piece of string" is a good analogy. I've had very few consumer electronics actually die on me in a way that wasn't a manufacturer defect. I suspect that new ebook formats will make my Kindle obsolete long before it kicks the bucket.

DrNefario · 07-25-2012, 09:04 AM

I've just discovered a small crack in the body of my Kindle (3 is it? the one that's now the Keyboard), at the bottom left corner of the screen. I don't remember any particular incident that might have caused it, but it's kind of annoying. I bought it in October 2010, apparently. It seems longer than that.

AnemicOak · 07-25-2012, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrNefario

I've just discovered a small crack in the body of my Kindle (3 is it? the one that's now the Keyboard), at the bottom left corner of the screen. I don't remember any particular incident that might have caused it, but it's kind of annoying. I bought it in October 2010, apparently. It seems longer than that.

This has happened to many K3 owners (mine had cracks in both bottom corners before Amazon replaced it) and doesn't appear to be caused by anything in particular.

Casey57 · 07-26-2012, 11:58 AM

I have actually been wondering about this a fair amount lately. My 3G K3 will be 2 years old in October. I use it every day and would be lost without it. I have noticed that the battery does not hold a charge quite as long as it used to and that it is a little slower with page turns. I am probably over-analyzing the issues because I am so attached to it.

We do have 4 other Kindles – a K3 3G bought in October 2011, two Touch Kindles (one with 3G, one without) and a Fire. I have been somewhat underwhelmed by the Fire (I don’t like back-lit screens for reading), but I do like the Touch. I really do enjoy touch technology, but the K3 will always be my sentimental favorite, even though the Touch devices are considered “sexier” by some. There is much to be said for comfort levels – my K3 is like an old friend.

So I hope my K3 stays around for a long time. It continues to serve me well.

augustjen · 07-26-2012, 04:11 PM

Really pleased to report that the new Kindle has arrived - NEW being the word. It isn't a refurbished one! Amazon have sent me a completely new one.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrNefario

I've just discovered a small crack in the body of my Kindle (3 is it? the one that's now the Keyboard), at the bottom left corner of the screen. I don't remember any particular incident that might have caused it, but it's kind of annoying. I bought it in October 2010, apparently. It seems longer than that.

Yes, mine had cracks at the bottom left and right corners. As I have already sent the defunct Kindle back I can't compare the two Kindles side by side, but the corners of the new Kindle appear to be slightly thicker and robust - it my be my imagination, although every time I pick up the new Kindle I notice the corners.

HarryT · 07-27-2012, 03:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrNefario

I've just discovered a small crack in the body of my Kindle (3 is it? the one that's now the Keyboard), at the bottom left corner of the screen. I don't remember any particular incident that might have caused it, but it's kind of annoying. I bought it in October 2010, apparently. It seems longer than that.

It's a design fault in the K3. It's purely cosmetic - it won't spread, and it's not compromising the integrity of the device - but if it bothers you, contact Kindle CS and they'll replace it for you.

07-24-2012, 07:30 AM	#19
jbcohen Wizard Posts: 3,032 Karma: 11196738 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Where am I? Device: Kindle Paperwhite Signature edition and a Samsung S24 Ultra	There is a store here in a suburb of the nation's capital called Rockville, md named Batterie's plus that claims "If it runs on batteries we got it." They claim to have the battery for the kindle three for $25 + $10 if you want them to do it so that you ensure that the battery is in right. That's a saving of $85-$35 = $44 over the cost of the replacement cost. However I firmly believe that with the drop in the prices of ebook readers, the reades are quickly approaching what I referr to as the disposable point - this is the point where it will cost more to repair the old one then it will cost to replace the item. A common houosehold electronic that is currently past that point is the common household calculator, which can cost $5 for a new calculator and the cost of the new battery will be somewhere in the region of $8, making the cost of the replacement less then the repair cost - in other words that old calcuator has just become disposable. By the way batteries plus has a web site at http://www.batteriesplus.com/manufac...r-Battery.aspx - this is the section that is dedicated to electronic readers. I believe they will ship you the battery if you do not happen to live near one of their stores. I was told when I first got my kindle that the battery would last longer then my willingness to stay with that model of electronic reader. I was told that I will have long upgraded to a newer model of electronic reader by the time my battery on my old one dies and as seen above the battery can be replaced on the reader. Last edited by jbcohen; 07-24-2012 at 07:45 AM.

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07-23-2012, 12:57 PM	#16
BlueSky77 Member Posts: 16 Karma: 226018 Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Shangri la di da Valley, USA Device: Kindle Touch 3g, iPad 3, Nook Color w/cm7sd	To answer the OP's question... I expect my Kindle to live forever! Whether it does or not... only time will tell.

07-24-2012, 03:29 AM	#17
Torwan Zealot Posts: 115 Karma: 1063860 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Germany Device: Kindle3 (3G)	3 years is normal, I'd say. Compare it to other mobile electronic devices like MP3-players, cellphones etc. There, 3 years is also a pretty normal lifespan. It may work longer, but it'll be probably outdated by that time. Maybe that isn't the problem and maybe you even like the older design and features, but if you compare the new Kindles with the old ones... The new ones have touchscreen, they are cheaper...that's a lot of change. Who knows what kind of Kindle amazon will offer in 2015? And 2018? Besides, electronics are designed with a certain lifespan in mind. Otherwise it would get really, really expensive...

07-24-2012, 05:32 AM	#18
augustjen Enthusiast Posts: 37 Karma: 620820 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: UK and Spain Device: Keypad Kindle	I agree with you Torwan - devices do get out of date. My Walkman must be 30 years old and still going strong. It's used occasionally when we come across a tape - but that is getting hardly ever these days. My 12 year old MP3 player has been taken over by my 3 year old ipod (which is now out of date) - although I still do use the MP3 player quite a lot. My 25 year old stereo deck system is gathering dust as it hasn't been used for a couple of years, it's still in excellent working order and I'm loath to chuck it out. So I guess, I was expecting the same life out of my Kindle. As mentioned above, I guess the Kindle expires when the life of the integrated battery runs out. The Walkman and the MP3 player have replaceable batteries. Can't wait to see how ereaders evolve - not wanting to wish my life away though!

07-24-2012, 09:03 AM	#21
DiapDealer Grand Sorcerer Posts: 28,571 Karma: 204127028 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: Nexus 7, Kindle Fire HD	I expect my K2 to last as long as I can find batteries for it. They may not have intended the battery to be user-replaceable, but they sure didn't make it very difficult either—unlike some of the newer models from what I hear. I have the original US-only model and just replaced the battery for the first time a month or so ago.

07-24-2012, 10:14 AM	#22
beautifulsoup Addict Posts: 262 Karma: 1143088 Join Date: Jan 2011 Device: Too many ereaders.	Maybe a stupid question; if so, I apologize: Is the Kindle is refurbished, does this mean the battery has been replaced (as part of the refurbishment)?

07-25-2012, 03:08 AM	#24
AZImmortal Zealot Posts: 135 Karma: 5555611 Join Date: Jul 2011 Device: Kindle Keyboard 3G, Nexus 7	"How long is a piece of string" is a good analogy. I've had very few consumer electronics actually die on me in a way that wasn't a manufacturer defect. I suspect that new ebook formats will make my Kindle obsolete long before it kicks the bucket.

07-25-2012, 09:04 AM	#25
DrNefario Wizard Posts: 2,203 Karma: 12029046 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: UK Device: Kindle, Kobo Touch, Nook SimpleTouch	I've just discovered a small crack in the body of my Kindle (3 is it? the one that's now the Keyboard), at the bottom left corner of the screen. I don't remember any particular incident that might have caused it, but it's kind of annoying. I bought it in October 2010, apparently. It seems longer than that.

07-26-2012, 11:58 AM	#27
Casey57 Connoisseur Posts: 65 Karma: 1000454 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Philly suburbs Device: Kindle 3/Kindle Fire/Kindle Touch/iPhone/iPod/iPad	I have actually been wondering about this a fair amount lately. My 3G K3 will be 2 years old in October. I use it every day and would be lost without it. I have noticed that the battery does not hold a charge quite as long as it used to and that it is a little slower with page turns. I am probably over-analyzing the issues because I am so attached to it. We do have 4 other Kindles – a K3 3G bought in October 2011, two Touch Kindles (one with 3G, one without) and a Fire. I have been somewhat underwhelmed by the Fire (I don’t like back-lit screens for reading), but I do like the Touch. I really do enjoy touch technology, but the K3 will always be my sentimental favorite, even though the Touch devices are considered “sexier” by some. There is much to be said for comfort levels – my K3 is like an old friend. So I hope my K3 stays around for a long time. It continues to serve me well.

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