Need help picking out a e-reader

[PhillyGuy]

Actually, no kindles since the first generation have had a user replaceable battery.

Although, as you note, people do it.

My Kindle Keyboard 3G permanently froze about two months ago. After trying and failing with every method of forced reboot I could find on the internet, I decided to do a battery pull, unhooking the battery for about ten minutes. As shown in various YouTube videos, it was easy to gently pry open the case with a small screwdriver. Then it was just of matter of two phillips head screws holding the battery, and, voilà. Went back together fine -- just didn't fix the freeze.

As for buying batteries, go to amazon.com and search for: Kindle replacement battery.

I told Amazon customer service that I had done the battery pull as a last resort. It did not void my warranty.

It is true that the Kindle User's Guide does not explain battery replacement. Maybe this is in the same category as modifying a PC registry. I do that too



 

[lindnet]

Well, I really can't seem to make up my mind between the Touch and the K4.  And no, I don't need to keep them both, you enablers (you know who you are, lol).  They both seem to have good and bad points, and I'm having one heck of a time trying to decide.

I like the smaller and lighter form factor of the K4.  I like the progress bar at the bottom of the page.  You can handle it however you like, with no fear of touching the screen and accidentally turning a page.  The text is darker on this than it is on the KT.

But I like the touchscreen interface on the KT.  I thought I missed the page turn buttons at first, but now I'm not so sure.  The power button is way easier to use on the KT (the one on the K4 is hard to press right, need to use a fingernail on it). 

I think both of them are hard to use one hand to hold and turn pages.  Maybe that's because I don't read them in a cover.

See?  It's way too hard to decide.

[history_lover]

Of course it depends on the person, but I didn't find it appreciably more difficult than doing so on the K3Keyboard.  Of course, I already had some collections that I was able to import from another device. . .setting them up on the Basic Kindle would have been more laborious.  But, to solve that problem, I'd say download Kindle for PC and set them up on it.  Then you can import those collections onto the Kindle Basic.

Well, I just remember finding the set up of my K3/Keyboard a little annoying and wishing it had a touch screen - especially when it wouldn't connect to the wifi at first and I had to keep putting in the password several times which meant bringing up the numbers and symbols pop up screen and scrolling around with the 5-way controller. Since that's how the mini Kindle works for the alphabet at well, I know I would find the initial set up of it annoying.

[authorandystraka]

For what it's worth, I just replaced my dated Kindle (left by mistake in the pocket of an airline seat) with a new K4. I'm loving the product. Have just finished reading my third book with it since Christmas. For my money, the K4 has all the winning features of the original Kindle with a smaller, sleeker footprint. I checked out the Fire and the Nook color and they're great products, too. The K4 is certainly less ambitious but if all your wife is after is reading books, it's the way to go IMHO. I also shied away from the K touch because I'd heard it was too easy to turn pages by mistake. Plus, I already read both Kindle and Nook books on my smartphone (iPhone) as backup to the Kindle. It's hard to beat the price, ease-of-use, and speed of the K4. Like a dependable calculator, I can throw it in a bag, and take it anywhere and it just works. Only one thing: don't forget to retrieve it from the seat back sleeve in front of you when you exit the airplane! 

[tubemonkey]

Only one thing: don't forget to retrieve it from the seat back sleeve in front of you when you exit the airplane! 

Unless you're in the market for a new Kindle 

[lindnet]

I still haven't decided for sure between the K4 and the Touch, but I'm leaning toward sending back the K4.  I really like it, but I think I like the Touch a little better.  It's just so much easier to tap on the menu and go where I want to go without using the 5 way.  It feels a little sturdier and I just like the updated touchscreen interface.

I've gotten used to the things I wasn't sure about at first; I can easily read it with one hand now (either one) and I don't accidentally turn pages anymore.  After I use the Touch for a couple of days, the K4 feels clunky to navigate on.

Just thought I'd give an update.   

[DachsieGirl]

I did what it sounds like you did and tried them both for a while before deciding which one to return. I decided on the K4, but it sounds like the KT is the right one for you. Glad Amazon has such a great return policy and that you came to a decision you feel good about--happy reading!

[lindnet]

Well, DachsieGirl, I think I may have changed my mind!  LOL!  My Touch has been acting up, needing several taps to change pages, slowing down, etc.  I've done a few reboots and nothing seems to fix it for long.  Tonight I took it to the gym...I found out that if you sit it on the shelf on the machines, it sits on the power button and reboots itself.  You can't turn it over and read in Landscape because it doesn't have Landscape capability.

Meanwhile, the K4 just sits there doing what it's supposed to do, has better screen contrast, turns pages faster, and is lighter to boot.  The power button on it is harder to press, so I could probably use it Portrait, but if not....it supports Landscape.

What made your decision for you?

[KimberlyinMN]

I had a K1, now have a K3 - never once used the 3G as I only read on my Kindle.

So very true!  With my K3, one of the ONLY time I used the 3G was at the very first when I was trying to register it.  (And I had to get in my car and drive to the closest Interstate to get connected because our town is in a black hole for most providers.)  I liked knowing that I had the 3G, but I rarely ever used it. (I may have also used it when the power was out during bad weather so that I could check my email.)