Looking for Wellington person with Kindle DX or Kindle 3

Forums › Gadgets, robotics, home automation, electronics (including wearables) › Looking for Wellington person with Kindle DX or Kindle 3

dch

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#84712 6-Jun-2011 16:46

I'll shout a coffee for anybody who can give me a few minutes hands-on with either of these somewhere in Wellington.

My parents are going to europe for 3 months, and needs minimal, basic internet access, and a $189 kindle3 or DX looks like the bees knees, with a stash of classic books to boot. The alternative of a $400 tablet isn't a great value option once SIM card + other costs are needed.

However their eyes aren't great and I'm keen to see what the screen size / font size is like, both for reading and for web browsing.

thanks
Dave

kyhwana2

2566 posts

Uber Geek

#478271 6-Jun-2011 18:06

The Kindle isn't good for 'net access. All they really do is do ebooks. The 3G versions also only let you use the browser on Wikipedia/amazon outside the US/UK.

It's not good enough for web browsing really. You're probably better off with a tablet or netbook
.

dazzanz

214 posts

Master Geek

#478279 6-Jun-2011 18:54

kyhwana2: The Kindle isn't good for 'net access. All they really do is do ebooks. The 3G versions also only let you use the browser on Wikipedia/amazon outside the US/UK.

It's not good enough for web browsing really. You're probably better off with a tablet or netbook
.

I ordered one for my Mum a couple of weeks ago from Amazon, and tried it the other day for the first time. I could browse Facebook and Stuff.co.nz on it, I didn't try anything else though.

But I don't think I'd recommend it as a web browser.

lissie

495 posts

Ultimate Geek

#478602 7-Jun-2011 16:15

I have a Kindle 3 WIFI only in Johnsonville if you want to come out and have a look - the font size is adjustable so I think its brilliant for anyone who has sight problems in fact I've seen people on kindle forums saying they can't read paper books but they can read a kindle. And its light and it holds a charge for about a month - so compared to a tablet there is no contest.

Re the websurfing side of things its pretty slow and you miss a touch screen - having to navigate around with the 5-way button is a pain and having to hit sym to get numbers is a pain too - but I could zoom up the nzherald so I could read it with ease - same as a book.

what sort of websurfing do they need? There are plenty of internet cafes in europe if all they want to do is check email once a week and maybe read a NZ newspaper. I have a smartphone, netbook, laptop etc etc - and the Kindle is so far superior for reading that I am fighting my partner for it - and we've only had it 2 weeks!

I help authors publish their books - DIYPublishing.co.nz

LookingUp

411 posts

Ultimate Geek

#478623 7-Jun-2011 17:09

Bought one last week on the basis of good reviews from others. Pretty happy with it so far - good enough that my missus ordered one too over the weekend.

As per the post above, I've used it to browse Stuff, Google Maps, and my web email account, although that was probably via WiFi. If I get a chance tonight I'll kill the WiFi and try again and report back.

In a nutshell it's a simple device that does what it says on the box. It's strength may well be in its simplicity. My expectation is that it will be great for travelling, as it uses minimal power, and is small & light weight.

Things are LookingUp.... A photo from my back yard :-)

LookingUp

411 posts

Ultimate Geek

#479181 9-Jun-2011 08:28

Hmm - ok - tried 3G web browsing and found that it does heavily restrict the sites you can visit, so potentially less useful when travelling unless you can find a WiFi connection.

Still, it's very good for reading books, and by my calculation I only need to buy 10~15 or so and I'm ahead on the deal, plus the convenience of having them at hand.

Things are LookingUp.... A photo from my back yard :-)

dch

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#479478 9-Jun-2011 20:46

thanks all for replies.

They've been to europe many times before; they tend to stay in small places without internet cafes. I'm keen to see a Kindle in action but it seems the DX model is not available in NZ :-(. I'll contact you offline to arrange - thanks.

A reasonable alternative may be the http://store.telecom.co.nz/mobile/prepaid/mobilebroadband/telecom-v9 which won't be nearly as good for reading but should be good for internet.

A+
Dave

1080p

1332 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#479515 9-Jun-2011 22:10

I have a Kindle 3 and am located in Wellington City in case you're after a hands on still. The web browser is fairly difficult to use and I haven't ever tried it for something like banking or checking e-mail.

The font can be adjusted easily and the only issue I have had with readability is with certain PDF files; the Kindle tends to zoom in on them rather than increase the font size.

In this instance, something like a tablet with 3G support might be a good option. You'd be able to pick up cheap local SIM cards and pop a few Euros on each to check e-mail, banking and still be able to read books. Unfortunately most are out of the Kindle price range.

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jbard

1377 posts

Uber Geek

#479516 9-Jun-2011 22:12

dch: thanks all for replies.

They've been to europe many times before; they tend to stay in small places without internet cafes. I'm keen to see a Kindle in action but it seems the DX model is not available in NZ :-(. I'll contact you offline to arrange - thanks.

A reasonable alternative may be the http://store.telecom.co.nz/mobile/prepaid/mobilebroadband/telecom-v9 which won't be nearly as good for reading but should be good for internet.

A+
Dave

Surely if you are looking at a $400 tablet that money would be far better spent on a netbook - a real keyboard and 11" screen. Still really small and really light so easy to travel with.

Plus if they have a windows computer then they won;t have to learn a new operating system.

lissie

495 posts

Ultimate Geek

#479524 9-Jun-2011 22:29

A reasonable alternative may be the http://store.telecom.co.nz/mobile/prepaid/mobilebroadband/telecom-v9 which won't be nearly as good for reading but should be good for internet.

A+
Dave

You might want to check whether you can put a local SIM in it or whether you are stuck paying telecom international data rates...

For that price I'd go with a netbook - much easier to use as it actually has a real keyboard and you can use any WIFI available which will be much, much cheaper

I help authors publish their books - DIYPublishing.co.nz