When the iPad came out, I thought it was the greatest thing since sliced bread. As a user it still ranks up there as a useful tool for running a small business. However, as a regular reader I couldn’t help but want a Kindle after using the iPad for a year for reading. I’ve had my Kindle less than a year and I’m happy with my purchase.

Amazon released its first Kindle in November of 2007 for the hefty price of $399. A lot has happened since the initial Kindle release. Kindle now sells more than one model of Kindle in their Kindle Store. Lucky for consumers today the basic Kindle can be had at the affordable price of $79. A basic Kindle allows you access to books, newspapers, magazines, games and documents. The more advanced models include the ability to listen to audiobooks (Kindle Touch, Kindle Keyboard, Kindle DX and Kindle Fire). The Kindle Fire, much like the iPad, expands a user’s capabilities to gain access to movies, TV shows, additional game apps and music.

The Kindle ranges in connectivity from Wi-Fi to 3G (free). Battery life is a plus from 3 weeks to 2 months based on which Kindle you purchase and how much you read. The Kindle Fire has the shortest battery life at about 8 hours due to its features. All but the Kindle DX and the Kindle Fire have 6” E Ink Pearl display screens. The Kindle DX has a 9.7” screen perfect for magazine and document reading. The Kindle Fire is a 7” Vibrant Color IPS.

My starter Kindle is the basic Kindle with 2GB storage that holds 1,400 books plus free cloud storage. In comparison to lugging around an iPad, the Kindle is light and easy to slip in a purse or briefcase for when you have free time to catch up on your reading list. The E Ink Pearl display is easy on the eyes and unlike the iPad there is no glare and it won’t get hot and shut off in the sun. The downside of course is there is no backlight for evening reading unless you have the Kindle Fire. Amazon does sell a lit cover for the Kindle or you can find book lights made for e-readers. If you have an iPad though, you can download the Kindle app and have any book available to you if you are charging your Kindle or don’t have it handy.

I find I’m reading more having a Kindle since it is so portable and I have a choice of what I want to read whenever I get to my destination. As someone who likes to read books for pleasure and for work, I like the category feature that allows me to sort books by topic. If needed I can also email documents to my Kindle as each device has its own personal email address. The cost of books is sometimes cheaper in Kindle format and I can find a number of sites publicizing free Kindle books often.

Your Amazon account allows you to send a book to your device if you didn’t download it when purchased. You can also lend books to others or download books you borrowed from the library. The downside of account management is there is no way to categorize your books on your Amazon account. You also can’t search through your books by genre. Essentially you have to know what you are looking for when you need it. This is true also for the iTunes Kindle app. There is no categorization.

Business wise, if you like taking book notes or want to use simple to do list apps, a Kindle with a keypad or a Kindle Touch might be the way to go since the basic Kindle is awkward to scroll around the keyboard. If you think you will need to recharge your Kindle often you may also need to purchase the Kindle US Power Adapter which is not included with the Kindle or Kindle Touch.

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Disclosure:
The author of this review was not provided with a free product for review.