Kindle Fire: Not an iPad Killer, But…
First off, I have not had my hands on a Kindle Fire
The first professional review I saw was at PCWorld online, rather unpromisingly entitled “Amazon Kindle Fire Misfires.” Upon reading the review, I think the title is overly pessimistic relative to the actual contents. The last couple paragraphs summarize things as:
The Kindle Fire: Bottom Line
The Amazon Kindle Fire makes trade-offs to achieve a $200 price. It’s easy to dismiss some of the compromises and weaknesses of the Kindle Fire as the sacrifices necessary to achieve a price point, but the reality is that the Fire may not meet your expectations if you’re looking for an Apple iPad 2-like tablet.
For those people who go in knowing what they’re getting, and who want an inexpensive tablet that capably–though not spectacularly–handles their Amazon books, music, and video, the Kindle Fire’s limitations may be acceptable. However, the Fire falls far short of providing a full and satisfying tablet experience.
I think the reviewer made the same mistake many did when comparing the Kindle e-book readers to the Apple iPad: the idea that the two devices were direct competitors. I assumed from the moment Amazon announced a two-hundred-dollar tablet that it would not be in the same technical ball-park as the much more expensive Apple product. The real question then becomes: is there a market for a tablet (or e-reader on steroids) that can provide a rewarding means to consume all sorts of digital content while not being an all-round personal computer replacement?
To judge by the first responses at KindleBoards.com, the answer would seem to be, arguably, yes. The general theme I have seen there so far is that many of the Day 1 buyers did, in fact, “go in knowing what they’re getting, and…want an inexpensive tablet that capably — though not spectacularly — handles their Amazon books, music, and video.” At least a couple of them appear to be happy with owning a Kindle Fire as well as an iPad, each for different purposes; again highlighting the idea that the two devices are not necessarily direct competitors (though undoubtedly there will be a significant overlap where the decision could be difficult for those who cannot rationalize owning one of each).
I, for one, have not yet felt compelled to own any tablet computer. I have no desire to watch movies on a 7-inch (or even 10-inch) screen, and I am more than content with reading books on my e-ink screen, dedicated e-reader. However, in another week or so, I should be getting my Kindle Touch (WiFi) to replace my Kindle 3, at which time I’ll be ready to give you my own hands-on review.
Maria (BearMountainBooks):
November 16th, 2011 at 9:26 pm
Since I type a lot of text (and I mean thousands of words per week) I can’t see buying a tablet. It would be nice to have for travel, but I also need 3g for that, yet I don’t travel enough to pay for a yearly contract (assuming one would be required.) So I have the Kindle 3g and if I need to work, along goes my laptop. I tried a netbook and it, like a tablet, works in a pinch for heavy-duty typing, but it’s far from ideal.
The Hooded Claw:
December 10th, 2011 at 10:09 pm
What?! You mean EVERYONE doesn’t recognize “On the gripping hand” references?
Rick W:
December 17th, 2011 at 7:30 am
I saw your subscribe on kindle and was tempted, but since you don’t have a Fire you are only passing info as third party. Not trying to be mean, just honest. But I don’t feel it’s wise to pay someone to tell me about something they don’t own. We are both on fixed income and have both the 3g and Fire. It was worth saving for. Actually we have bought 5 total, 1 wifi, 3 3gs, and the Fire. given the others as gifts. I like a lot of what you say and will keep coming back, but you really need to get a Fire so you can talk to me from first person knowledge. Thanks Rick
Charles:
December 17th, 2011 at 10:12 am
If a bunch of my readers would like to take up a collection to buy me a Fire so that I can personally try it out myself, by all means feel free to do so.
Or better yet: convince Amazon they should just give me one in order to help advertise it. Barring either of those events happening, I’m happy with my Kindle 3 and Kindle Touch, and cannot rationalize spending $199 on any tablet at this time (and definitely not iPad prices), especially if it does not include at least 3G connectivity or better. (I am not on a fixed income now, but I am still in the process of recovering from close to zero income for an extended time. 
)
Rick W:
December 22nd, 2011 at 2:45 am
Zero income is a kick in the pants for sure. I’ve had two open heart surgeries in 6 yrs. Less than zero for a while. I’m very happy with my 3g. 23 yr old son laughed at it when I first got it, no color, no bells, whistles. What he called a Geezer Machine perfect for Dear old Dad. Dear old Dad also happens to be a 40 yr plus Aviation Master Machinist. I work on the very CAD design programs used by Litton Ind. To design Spruance Class Destroyers at Ingall’s Shipyard. I was a E-5 USMC Flight Chief on UH1 B thru H
Raytheon Engineer. But let the kids keep thinking, poor old dad.
When Matt’s birthday rolled around last June, I asked him what he wanted. KIndle 3g would be nice was his answer. We gave another WiFi 3 to a young married guy who is studying to become a Pastor but couldn’t afford one for Christmas. Keep up the good Work. I’ll keep reading
Maria (BearMountainBooks):
December 26th, 2011 at 7:38 pm
I finally had a chance to look at the neighbors Fire. Nice little package. It has some features that my 3g doesn’t such as the ability to double-space text and, of course, the screen is bigger. The contrast is nice and so is the full color. I’m not ready to dive into the tablet world, but I did decide to illustrate a couple of my short stories to see how they look on Fire–and the older machines. Because the e-ink is going to be around and be popular for a while. It’s really just something I’ve wanted to do and now I have a chance to see it on a machine where the benefits are more obvious.