Apr 15, 2012

Guide: Kindle - which version to choose?


Reading books with Kindle is becoming increasingly popular. Everywhere you can see people bent over a small device - in parks, at school, bus or on the plane. If you also would like to become an owner of e-book reader, but you don't know which one would be the best for you - I encourage you to read my arguments, which can help you decide which version of Kindle you should choose.

Kindle (Wi-Fi) - $109 NOW it costs $69 with special offers, $89 without it (see description)
This is the cheapest and lightest Kindle. Ideal version for whose who just want to read. If you do not plan to play games, watch movies, browse the web or listen to audiobooks and reading e-books is the only purpose of buying Kindle I would recommend you this version. 
 
Kindle don't have speakers (so no audiobooks supported), multi-touch (has 5-way controller) or 3G, but their big advantage is the weight and price. It has also less internal memory (2GB instead of 4GB), but it doesn't matter to me – I never read so many books at once :). The battery lasts for one month, without using a Wi-Fi.

Kindle Touch (Wi-Fi) - $139 (see description) - (currently unavailable)
If you would like to listen to the audiobooks (also in MP3 format!), have a full-touch screen, more memory (4GB) and longer battery life (two months instead of one) – this is a great choice for you.

Kindle Touch 3G - $189 (see description) - (currently unavailable)
As above, except that in this version you will also receive free 3G, so you don't need to look for Wi-Fi in order to use the Internet. So if you care to always have access, this model will be perfect for you.

Kindle Touch is currently unavailable, but Amazon has introduced two new e-book readers - Kindle Paperwhite for $119 and version with 3G for $179. I don't have an opinion about them. You have to check details on Amazon page, where it is written that this is "World's most advanced e-reader - higher resolution, higher contrast touchscreen with built-in light and 8-week battery life".

Kindle Keyboard (3G) - $189 NOW it costs $139 (see description)
It is worth to buy this version only if you plan on doing a lot of notes and would rather have buttons instead of using the keyboard screen. The downside is the larger size and weight of the device.

Kindle DX - $379  NOW it costs $299 (see description)
I think this version is only good for people, for which 6' is a too small screen, because Kindle DX is the only model that have 9.7' screen. But it is also the heaviest model (weighs two times more than the Kindle Keyboard and over three times more than the Kindle Classic). 

Buy Kindle with special offers or not?
Another question is whether to buy a version with the advertisements or not? Is it worth to save some dollars and get the ads? They are not invasive, never appear when reading, but I still think that it is worth to spend a little more to have peace and do not see any advertisements. Especially since you are buying the Kindle for years. It is Better to do a one-time expense, than watch the ads at all times when the screen saver turns on.

So which Kindle you should buy?
I think everyone should first consider what do they need the Kindle for. I've done some looking at the specifications on the Amazon website. Comparing the versions I had in back of my head the thought that I will use it only for reading. So - as I said above - I chose Kindle for 89 dollars. Why? Because of it's size, weight and price :). And I do not regret the decision. Kindle as a e-book reader works great!