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Original poster

Basic Kindle or kindle touch?

24 replies

claig · 15/05/2012 20:51

What are the pros and cons?
Touch plays mp3 and audiobooks and has some clever wikipedia dictionary type thing, but reviews said that they missed the side buttons for turning pages. Is that an issue at all?

Also I think Touch is slightly heavier.

OP posts:

Original poster

claig · 15/05/2012 20:57

Also, review said that Touch turns pages slower than basic one. Is that a downer?

OP posts:

Original poster

claig · 15/05/2012 21:02

I didn't understand thr review when it talked about the pdf reader. Has the pdf reader in Touch improved over the basic one or is there no real change?

OP posts:

amazonianwoman · 15/05/2012 23:44

I compared a basic and a touch in John Lewis yesterday and, in the absence of a stopwatch, could detect any discernible difference in page turning speed

The Touch does feel slightly heavier though. Not heavy, just heavier (but weight is an issue for me as I have carpal tunnel syndrome)

No idea about the pdf reader...

Can't decide between the basic and the touch either...

Original poster

claig · 16/05/2012 07:05

Thanks, amazonianwoman, that is good info.
I think I will go to the shops to try them both out, rather than just ordering from the internet.

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amazonianwoman · 16/05/2012 07:09

Oops COULDN'T detect...

Larger Tescos have them on display too.

You won't regret buying one, they're fab. I'm going to sell my Kindle Keyboard to buy a basic or touch (need a lighter one for my dodgy hands!)

amazonianwoman · 16/05/2012 07:10

I think I'd still buy from Amazon after viewing them - have only heard things about their after-service.

Original poster

claig · 16/05/2012 07:30

Thanks, amazonian, that is good advice.

Just found this

'The deal breaker for me with the Kindle Touch is the fact that it has no page turn buttons. The e-ink screens look horrid with fingerprints, I'd never be able to read with any on the screen. I'm too OCD about that, and since I use my Kindle for reading only, the functionality of a touch screen wasn't really necessary.'

Lots of people do seem to prefer the old kindle over the touch.

OP posts:

Original poster

claig · 16/05/2012 07:35

Also I have seen reviews that basic has slightly better screen and is slightly smaller. I am veering towards basic, but I usually like getting the latest things. Also basic does not have audio. Not sure how important that really is, or if it is just nice to have.

'Also, as a side note it seems, from reading reviews of veteran kindle owners that the newer models are slightly inferior to the Kindle 3 (keyboard model) with regard to the screen. The new ones are slightly reflective and the background is slightly darker which means slightly less contrast.These two factors make the new model is pinch harder on the eyes with the same size reading area but a larger overall device.'

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xkcdfangirl · 16/05/2012 08:09

The clincher for me in this decision is whether you really want a multi-functional gadget or whether you just want an e-reader. The "touch" is trying to straddle the divide between e-book and iPad, and some would say it therefore doesn't do either quite as well as it could.

I went for a basic kindle, it does the job and does it well. I do slightly regret not looking harder at non-kindle e-readers though, as it would be nice not to be tied to amazon for all ebook purchases given amazon's tax dodging.

amazonianwoman · 16/05/2012 08:11

Thanks, v helpful!

I don't think fingerprints will be a problem, I've tried putting prints on mine and DD's and they just don't seem to show (definitely not like an iPad or iPhone) but I have heard varying reports about ghosting etc. And of course the additional weight/size.

I'm drawn to the basic too and I do usually prefer the latest gadget

amazonianwoman · 16/05/2012 08:12

Also I've never used the audio function. I think I'll go for the basic!!

Original poster

claig · 16/05/2012 08:34

Yes, I think I will go for a basic too.
At some stage I will buy the kindle fire for browsing and mp3 and video anyway, so a stand-alone ereader that doesn't straddle the divide is probably the best thing. Also people do seem to prefer the side buttons for turning pages rather than the swiping.

OP posts:

amazonianwoman · 16/05/2012 10:21

claig £10 off if you order via Tesco Direct with this code:

TDX-RPMW

Original poster

claig · 16/05/2012 11:57

amazonianwoman, thanks very much for that code.
Looking at the Tesco Direct site now, but may still pay the £10 extra to get Amazon guarantees and free delivery. Decisions, decisions ...

OP posts:

amazonianwoman · 16/05/2012 13:08

Yes think I'll do same! Might use code to get cover from Tesco...

alittlebitshy · 16/05/2012 14:20

Just to say (late to the game) that i LOVE my basic Kindle. It is lovely and light - when sil and i "swapped" to have nosy at each other's books last week i was surprised how big her keyboard one felt.

from what i have read on the amazon forums the touch is very popular - still just a suser friendly and the page turning speed doesn't seem to be a problem. Also - fingerprints are not an issue - the matt screen makes it very different to a phone screen.

As you say though it is a reading device not just a gadget so whatever makes it easier for you - ie lights, button to press rather than swiping to turn pages is what it is all about!!!

My kindle is my 3rd child - you will not regret getting one. Slips so easily into a handbag and you never have to worry about only having a few pages left in a book - you don;t need to lug around the next one you want to read cos you have loads already on the kindle!!! ah!!

pigsinmud · 16/05/2012 15:13

I got Kindle touch a few weeks ago. I don't have a problem with fingerprints - just can't see any.

I didn't want to have to press a button to turn a page and I think typing is easier than having to navigate with a button.

I just love it - can't believe how much I love it as I have argued against them for years!

IloveJudgeJudy · 16/05/2012 23:01

I'm like a lot of the others on here. I was quite resistant to a Kindle as I (used to) read a lot of tree books. I couldn't imagine I would use a Kindle very much.

I was very much mistaken. My Kindle is part of me now. I got the £89 one for Christmas and use it all the time.

I'm sure whichever one you get you'll love it.

The only thing I heard about the keyboard one is that it has the reading aloud function which means you can do your ironing while listening to a book - how cool is that!

pigsinmud · 17/05/2012 08:26

The kindle touch has a reading aloud function too - problem is it sounds like a robot!

BsshBossh · 17/05/2012 10:29

To turn pages on the Touch, do you swipe or tap?

amazonianwoman · 17/05/2012 10:48

I think you can do either. Seemed to work both ways when I tested one in John Lewis.

BsshBossh · 17/05/2012 11:47

Perfect. Looks like the Touch is now on my birthday list .

I have the keyboard Kindle and like the audiobook and MP3 features so Touch makes sense for me as this has the old features too, plus long battery life cf the non-touchscreen/non-keyboard Kindle.

TheFoosa · 18/05/2012 10:09

I have upgraded to the Kindle Touch and it is fabulous

don't have any issues with fingerprints, the only 'issue' is that the screen is sensitive and you can turn pages by mistake

but then I used to do that with the side buttons as well

don't like the basic Kindle 5 way controller thingy

amazonianwoman · 18/05/2012 10:34

I have a shiny new Kindle Touch Much easier for my knackered hands!

Now just need to sell my keyboard model and lovely leather cover with light...

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