Huge Kindle Fan with $79 Kindle: I hate it!

[CS]

CS, here's the link to the Amazon page where you can download the update.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html/ref=hp_navbox_top_kindlelgi?nodeId=200774090

Well, that was exceptionally easy... Thank you.

[BTackitt]

Thank you for the link Luvmy.. I just updated my daughter's new babyK, she's at work atm, so she won't even know about it.

[Luvmy4brats]

Bumping for someone looking for it

[Imogen Rose]

Thanks for the feedback

[teralpar]

I can't say that I hate the Baby Kindle, but...

After playing around with it for a few hours, I decided it's just not for me. I thought about keeping it for a couple of weeks (I know I have 30 days to return it) to see if I get used to it, but I doubt if I would.

1. It's too small for my hands. It was okay (kind of) for turning pages, especially once I rotated the screen as Luv suggested, but what was really awkward for me was the 5-way controller being in the middle instead of on the right-hand side. It was difficult reaching for it with my thumb using one hand, and that's how I usually read my Kindles--with one hand only.

2. The screen's background wasn't as clear as my K3, it was more of a grayish color. Maybe it's a defect--I thought about calling customer service to have a replacement sent, but I know I'd be upset if the replacement had the same color screen.

3. I didn't like the feel of the Belkin case--once the cover was flipped back while reading the Kindle, the "crushed velvet" felt scratchy and irritated my skin. Plus, for some reason, it was just hard for me to grip the Kindle while it was in that case. I thought about buying a sleeve for it instead, but I like to read my Kindles while they're in their cases, especially since I was going to use this Baby Kindle mainly for outside the house.

I sold my K2 for this one, now I sort of wish I didn't. But I must be positive... .  I can use the refund of the Mini Kindle and case to help pay for the Kindle Fire that I'm just dying to get!!! I still have my K3, that I almost sold to help pay for the Fire...I'm glad I didn't!   

[meromana]

1. It's too small for my hands. It was okay (kind of) for turning pages, especially once I rotated the screen as Luv suggested, but what was really awkward for me was the 5-way controller being in the middle instead of on the right-hand side. It was difficult reaching for it with my thumb using one hand, and that's how I usually read my Kindles--with one hand only.

It's interesting how everyone is bending over backwards to make smaller & smaller electronic devices when a lot of us prefer something with a little more substance to hang on to.  I have very small hands and fingers, but I still find the size & weight of my K3 in its leather cover to be "Baby Bear" ju-u-u-ust right.  I don't think I would like a smaller one, but I suppose I'll give it a whirl at some point.

--Maria

[patrickt]

WilliamG: "Well, based on some new findings (the software update etc), I'm willing to play with the Kindle a bit more. But it desperately needs a case to give the device some thickness/ease of use."

Don't do it, WilliamG. If after an exhaustive morning with the Kindle Basic you hated it, I think you should get rid of it as quickly as possible.

[Betsy the Quilter]

1. It's too small for my hands. It was okay (kind of) for turning pages, especially once I rotated the screen as Luv suggested, but what was really awkward for me was the 5-way controller being in the middle instead of on the right-hand side. It was difficult reaching for it with my thumb using one hand, and that's how I usually read my Kindles--with one hand only.

Terri--

I'm not trying to argue, as we all know when something is working for us, and it doesn't sound like the Kindle Mini is the right device for you-- [enabling] go for the Fire!   [/enabling]  But I'm curious--I don't use the five way while I'm reading (and I also read with one hand)?  What are you using it for while reading?  I never had a five-way before this Kindle; there wasn't one on the K1.  I'm just curious...

Betsy

[KindleChickie]

Betsy you will use the 5-way for the dictionary, notes and nightligts.  I have found it to be a bit more difficult than on my K3 because it takes some extra steps to begin and end a note/highlight, etc.

[KindleChickie]

After playing with the new K4 for a bit, I am back to my K3.  I think the biggest draw is its lighted cover.  I will probably find someone to give this one too and wait on my Kindle touch and lighted cover before giving up my K3 and cover.

[Betsy the Quilter]

Betsy you will use the 5-way for the dictionary, notes and nightligts.  I have found it to be a bit more difficult than on my K3 because it takes some extra steps to begin and end a note/highlight, etc.

Aaahh....I don't use those very much.  Not a big deal for the few times I do.  I can see if one uses those often, it would be a pain.  Thanks!

Betsy

[teralpar]

Terri--

I'm not trying to argue, as we all know when something is working for us, and it doesn't sound like the Kindle Mini is the right device for you-- [enabling] go for the Fire!   [/enabling]  But I'm curious--I don't use the five way while I'm reading (and I also read with one hand)?  What are you using it for while reading?  I never had a five-way before this Kindle; there wasn't one on the K1.  I'm just curious...

Betsy

I do a bit of highlighting passages on the Kindle, as well as use the dictionary often.

Oh, and I'm definitely in line for the Fire!!! I pre-ordered that right after the press conference ended! 

After playing with the new K4 for a bit, I am back to my K3.  I think the biggest draw is its lighted cover.  I will probably find someone to give this one too and wait on my Kindle touch and lighted cover before giving up my K3 and cover.

The main reason I bought my K3 was because of the lighted cover.  I also find that the thickness of the K3 in its cover is more comfortable in my hand.

[Luvmy4brats]

I love the little K4, bit I really miss my lighted cover. I use my K3 at night, and my K4 during the day. I would probably switch completely to the K4 if I had a lighted cover for it. I have a mighty bright I can use, but I fall asleep reading nearly every night and unlike the lighted cover, it doesn't shut off automatically.

It's definitely too thin for me to hold comfortably without a cover, but with a cover it's practically perfect.

[JRTomlin]

It's interesting how everyone is bending over backwards to make smaller & smaller electronic devices when a lot of us prefer something with a little more substance to hang on to.  I have very small hands and fingers, but I still find the size & weight of my K3 in its leather cover to be "Baby Bear" ju-u-u-ust right.  I don't think I would like a smaller one, but I suppose I'll give it a whirl at some point.

--Maria

Interesting. I prefer a small ereader. I have slender hands and also I hold my ereader for very extended periods. Something small and light is much easier on my hands. I still have my pocket-size Sony which I consider exactly the right weight and size even though I love my Kindle as well.

It's nice that Amazon has a product for both preferences though.

[KindleGirl]

I also miss my lighted cover, but I found that my Octovo light that I had for my K3 (before I got the Amazon lighted cover) also fits perfectly on the mini K4. It doesn't turn off when the kindle does of course, but it's a nice substitution until the lighted one gets here.

[Cardinal]

I finally saw one in person at Best Buy.  The page turn buttons were easy to use, I hope they still will be with a cover.  I want a light weight Kindle with page turn buttons.  I think this Kindle is in my future.   

[Alan Ryker]

I don't think the page turn buttons on the k3 are that easy to press 1-handed, and I was wondering if the $79 kindle would be worse, so thanks for the report.

It would have been so easy for them to add a page turn button in the group at the bottom.

[Vicki G.]

I ordered the Baby Kindle with the sleeve yesterday, due to arrive on Wednesday.    While looking at it on Amazon, I also flipped through the customer pics.  Someone had posted that the screen looked faded but that they really hadn't noticed it until they put it side by side with their K3.  In the pic, it DID look faded in comparison.

Anybody else notice this?  We had contrast issues with the K2, do NOT want to go back to that place ever again, tyvm!! 
 

[Toby]

Heather, the eLuminator light from M- edge, goes out in an hour. That hasn't happened to me yet. The light will blink in an hour, so you just tap on it & it stays on for another hour. I use the light with the K3 in a cover. You need a cover to slip the clip in between the cover & the kindle.

[teralpar]

I ordered the Baby Kindle with the sleeve yesterday, due to arrive on Wednesday.    While looking at it on Amazon, I also flipped through the customer pics.  Someone had posted that the screen looked faded but that they really hadn't noticed it until they put it side by side with their K3.  In the pic, it DID look faded in comparison.

Anybody else notice this?  We had contrast issues with the K2, do NOT want to go back to that place ever again, tyvm!! 
 

On the Baby Kindle that I received, the screen was not as clear as my K3. I placed them side by side and it appeared that the background of the Baby Kindle was more of a grayish/champagne? color, whereas the background of the K3 is almost white, like paper.

[balaspa]

Yeah, I am going to just stick with my K3 with full keyboard...