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Original poster

Talk to me about Kindles please

190 replies

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 16/08/2014 14:53

The time has come, the Remus said,
to talk of many things
like whether I should buy one
and will I like the thing?
And how the heck do they even work
and other sorts of things.

So - are they idiot proof? What can I do on one? How does one put actual books on to it? Can I listen to music on it? How does one actually buy one and switch it on? Etc etc. And will I hate it? Please bear in mind that I cannot use/do not have a mobile phone or MP3 player or anything, so need words of one syllable or less when discussing anything technical.

Thank you. :)

OP posts:
ericray · 22/08/2014 15:36

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Original poster
RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 22/08/2014 15:32

Update

I bought the most basic one, in Waterstones, plus a snazzy case. I've so far put 40 free classics into it, mostly Wilkie Collins (because he is a God). It seems very easy to work and I think I'm going to like it.

Now, what other free books do I want? :)

Thanks again, everybody. :)

OP posts:
Elysianfields · 21/08/2014 16:47

The paperwhite is £99 in tesco, free next day click and collect......my finger is hovering over the pay now button.....

CoteDAzur · 21/08/2014 16:11

Thank you Smile

cuphat · 21/08/2014 13:09

CoteDAzur, you touch the top of the screen to bring up the menus. Then while they're up, touch the bottom of the screen where it tells you the chapter you're on - this will bring up the mini page.

You can flick through either by touching the arrows at the sides of the mini page (to flick one page at a time) or use the scroll bar at the bottom to flick more quickly. Don't touch the middle of the mini page unless you want to go to that page (i.e. be careful if you're using the arrows!).

CoteDAzur · 21/08/2014 12:19

cuphat - re "a mini page comes up in the middle, with a scroll bar"

I have only managed to see that mini page in the middle by accident. How do you access that function on the Paperwhite?

MollyMaDurga · 21/08/2014 12:06

I'd be lost without Calibre, it is free software and I manage my library with it. I have a ton of books and the kindle is a disaster in managing them. I do not want to be tied to amazon and with this programme I do not have to manage my books there. I can browse, transfer, convert epub files to mobi so the kindle can read them. I have a library where books have covers, I can read blurbs and summaries, I can arrange them by topic, put series together in order and everything. Great stuff.

cuphat · 21/08/2014 09:43

Regarding the flicking backwards and forwards: I'm not sure about the basic model, but on the newest paperwhite you can easily flick backwards and forwards without losing your page (a mini page comes up in the middle, with a scroll bar). I have a terrible memory for names and often used to flick back through paperbacks; this was one reason I delayed getting a Kindle, as they didn't used to have this feature.

As well as flicking, you can highlight the name of a character and use the x-ray feature to bring up previous times that they've been mentioned - this is often enough to jog my memory.

MyInterpretation · 21/08/2014 08:51

Just to add I've just bought the paper white from Tesco using clubcard points. They are worth double at the moment so it only cost me £48.50 worth of points.

Original poster
RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 20/08/2014 22:25

Thanks both. Have never heard of a Nook but think I'll stick with the basic Kindle now I've done al this thinking about it. Good to know it's easy to use.

OP posts:
Lifesalemon · 20/08/2014 22:22

Sorry, haven't read the whole thread but i have the old kindle keyboard and have recently bought the basic kindle (£59) for my mum. She's not good with technology but has found it really easy to use and would definitely recommend it if you just want a basic reading device that's simple to use.

MyFirstName · 20/08/2014 22:14

www.johnlewis.com/nook-simple-touch-glowlight-ereader/p231759497

Oh and unlike the Kindle you are able to share/transfer your e-books. Kindle you can only read stuff from Amazon - really tied in. If in the future you buy a different kind of e-book reader you will not be able to transfer all the Kindle Books to your new one. With the Nook - or others that read epubs (I think that is what they are called) you can transfer to a new device with no problems.

MyFirstName · 20/08/2014 22:12

Um hello! . How about the Nook? You can download library books for free (our library lets you have up to 5 at a time). Don't think you can do that on the kindle. I got mine this week, from Argos, has a GlowLight so can read in the dark. And nook App on phone all linked. £49.

Original poster
RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 20/08/2014 22:10

Thank you. :)

OP posts:
ilovepowerhoop · 20/08/2014 22:06

you dont need 3G unless you were going to be downloading books when you had no wifi connection. 3G is a mobile phone network. My old kindle keyboard has 3G but my newer paperwhite does not.

Original poster
RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 20/08/2014 22:00

Have no idea what 3G is. Sorry. Do I need to?

Thanks again everybody.

OP posts:
BeerTricksPotter · 20/08/2014 21:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

PrimalLass · 20/08/2014 21:47

I have a basic (old, keyboard version) Kindle, with a lighted leather cover. The cover makes it 'feel' like a book. Love it.

www.amazon.co.uk/Amazon-Kindle-Lighted-Leather-Cover/dp/B008035AR2/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1408567622&sr=1-1&keywords=kindle+cover+with+light

ilovepowerhoop · 20/08/2014 21:46

they all have wifi but only some have 3G

CoteDAzur · 20/08/2014 21:44

They all have wifi these days Smile

Original poster
RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 20/08/2014 21:35

Thanks. No idea where I'd get a second hand one. It's payday on Friday so am buying one then, prob in Waterstones. :)

Your big books comment made me think of, 'I like big books and I cannot lie,' which I have on a badge!

OP posts:
wiltingfast · 20/08/2014 21:25

Don't buy new remus! I got mine second hand for half the usual price!!

Pros
Great for travel/bus
V easy on eyes (have basic one, eyes v sensitive)
Get one with wifi so you can download books easily
Easy to read BIG books Grin

Cons
Can't flick backwards or forwards easily. Pain if you want to reread a portion or check something
Too easy to stockpile (heh heh)

Hmmmmmmmmm

Nope that's it! Go for it Grin

spex11 · 18/08/2014 18:35

It's 14 days .. but, even better, you can download a free sample so you can decide if you like it before you buy!

minsmum · 17/08/2014 18:59

If you buy it from Amazon they let you return it within a certain period of time if you don't like it. I think it's 28 days but would check that.

Original poster
RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 17/08/2014 17:26

Thanks, both. Thanks

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