Kindle (for idiots)

[FarelyKnuts]

Can someone talk me through the various Kindles? I basically want one for reading books that I can directly download books onto. You can't get the fire or the paperwhite here in Ireland yet but if they are better I could get one from UK.
Can anyone recommend which is best (or something other than kindle?)

[cocolepew]

I have the basic one and its great. I only want it for reading on and have the kindle app on my phone so can sync them up.

Is the paperwhite backlit? If so I would get that, I have to read the phone app in bed.

[cocolepew]

Ok googled, I would get the paperwhite if you only want it for reading.

[DontCallMeBaby]

The Fire is a red herring, it's not really a Kindle.

I have the one with a keyboard, 3G version. 3G has been useful, for buying 'emergency books', and basic Internet access. The keyboard itself gets very little use, although I was glad of it when inputting our very long router password (and laughed at DH when he had to put his in via virtual keyboard)!

I like the sound of some stuff with the Paperwhite - time left to the end of the chapter in particular, I often have to laboriously click forward when reading to DD, only to decide the chapter is too long to carry on reading. But I do like having the physical forward/backward buttons for one-handed reading.

All in all though, if I was buying again, I think I'd go for Paperwhite, non-3G.

[PedroPonyLikesCrisps]

Touch or paperwhite the best options,but to be honest they are all great. I'm still using a keyboard 3G and it's one of the best gadgets I ever bought!

[FarelyKnuts]

I can get the touch here. Not terribly bothered about the backlighting as it strains my eyes if I read for two long.
What's the difference between the basic touch and the 3g? (Other than 100 euro :o )

[FarelyKnuts]

Too not two!

[cocolepew]

You need your eyes tested if you are getting eyestrain

[Roseformeplease]

Both touch and 3G will download books via wifi or with a cable from your computer. 3G can use the mobile phone network as well to download a book wherever you happen to be - no extra charge. You don't need this unless you travel widely and, anyway, wifi is now everywhere and you can load up plenty of books when you are at home.

[FarelyKnuts]

I know coco its on the list of stuff I never get around to

[FarelyKnuts]

Oh thanks Rose, good to know. Wifi is fine, don't think I will be desperate for a book that often when out and about.

[glastocat]

Basic model with wifi is fine. The keyboard isn't necessary,nor is 3G.

[FarelyKnuts]

Dammit. More I read the more I want paperwhite. why won't they ship to Ireland????

[thunksheadontable]

I've had a keyboard, a kindle, dh has a kindle touch and I have a kindle fire . I use my kindle for reading novels and prefer it to dh's kindle touch if I'm honest as I use it sometimes for crochet and knitting patterns and want it to remain on one page for some time and the slightest tip off it and it moves page. Kindle touch is fun for craft books as I enjoy having them in colour and I also enjoy having a few basic apps, web access etc but I don't think it would be my first choice for reading from in general.

[PedroPonyLikesCrisps]

Thunks, I think you are confusing the touch with the Fire. Kindle Touch is not in colour it's just the touch screen version of the standard Kindle.

[thunksheadontable]

Sorry it was just a slip of the keyboard, I know that! I use my kindle for reading and my kinde fire for craft books - not the kindle touch at all, which I don't like. I just wrote kindle touch instead of fire for the last sentence by mistake - I do know the difference!

[KiwiKat]

If you have a Kindle Fire, are you able to select Paperwhite background as a setting?