do I want a Kindle Fire or a tablet?

[ShaggyKids]

Hi there,

I'm considering getting one or the other - Kindle Fire or a tablet. I can read Kindle books w/an app but haven't investigated the difference(s) between the KF and a tablet of some kind.

Co-worker just got a Kindle Fire -- very nice but I'm not THAT much of a reader so the reason for a KF is *not* books. It sure seemed like her KF could do just about anything a tablet could do at less money. I'm trying to find that out so I can make a decision.

Now, we cannot get on any network @ work and one major thing I want is internet-ability. I have my Thunderbolt with unlimited data plan. Even though the TB has one of the largest phone screens it's still a lot smaller than a desktop or laptop computer and the additional size of a KF or tablet screen would be real nice

So, since I'm a real dummy in this area when it comes to data use - can I make my phone work as an internet connection for another device and if so - what's involved, especially cost wise?

Last Q for now anyway - if you were going to get a tablet, which one would you get and why?

Thanks!

 

[JerseyDubbin]

I've been looking at the KF for awhile now.

The android OS is a customized OS by amazon so it is integrated with all amazon products (not a bad thing, I love amazon) but it is missing some functionality of the normal android OS. It doesn't come with the android market (has the amazon android market installed). You can install the Android Market but I do not believe all the apps are compatable (someone correct me here).

So far my deal breaker has been the lack of bluetooth, I would love to be able to use pdanet to tether over bluetooth. I could do this via usb but Bluetooth would definitely be easier (read keep phone in pocket and tether). Wireless hotspot is an option but it destroys battery life much more so than bluetooth. So it's give and take.

In the end I am trying to wait to save up for the galaxy tab 10.1 wifi only for the complete android os, the bluetooth, and the larger screen.

 

[Mike77]

Your Thunderbolt may have unlimited data but you have to pay extra to make it a wifi hotspot and your data is limited on that. There are prob ways around that if you root, but its not for the novice user.

 

[JerseyDubbin]

Your Thunderbolt may have unlimited data but you have to pay extra to make it a wifi hotspot and your data is limited on that. There are prob ways around that if you root, but its not for the novice user.

I'm rooted running CM7 and my wifi tether works flawlessly. I rooted using the normal root process and put on CM7. I'm not sure about Sense roms though as I never tried after they removed the free hotspot feature that came with the phone.

Correction, Tether works flawlessly for laptops. Have not tried a tablet yet.

 

[ShaggyKids]

Thanks. I was afraid of that. I can't afford to add any additional cost to my cell bill. Maybe this will help cure my current gadgetust, lol!

Deb via TapaTalk

 

[bluerobin]

I have a Kindle fire and also a Galaxy Tab (not plus version) and the Kindle blows the tab out of the water in performance. Videos are clearer, works faster and all around feels more solid. I enjoy the Kindle every day and leave the tab for my kids to play games on.

 

[ShaggyKids]

Great info, thanks!

Deb via TapaTalk

 

[skbgiants]

Love my rooted Kindle Fire. I just installed Go Launcher EX , installed the Market and Gapps and it works flawlessly. I'd do it all over again to have a fantastic Android tablet for 200.00bucks!

 

[hrbib21]

^Same. Rooted and CM7. Can't beat it for the price.

 

[.46caliber]

That's one of the best things about the Kindle Fire.

You can buy it and try it as is. You may decide it does everything you need it to, and don't really want anything else from it.

If you wish it could do more, you can root it and install a more true Android OS and it will operate like a full fledged tablet. Since Amazon didn't really lock it down and a bunch of developers have been working on it, it's really easy to do.

 

[eric3316]

If you want to stay in the $200 range then there is nothing else that compares. Using the device stock, I would not call it a full fledged tablet. It limits what you can do. If you want to dig deeper and play around a little, you can side load apps into the device that normally would not be available.

If you really want to do some research or maybe know a person a little tech savvy, you can root your Kindle Fire and then use the CM7 Rom. At this point, your Kindle Fire can be considered a full fledged tablet.

If you are not sure what you are doing, I would be a little hesitant on rooting this device. There are plenty of posts over at XDA-Developers of people who have put themselves in trouble (bricked) with their Kindle Fire while trying to root it. Most of the time it can be fixed but requires more research and understanding of the different situations.

As far as using your phone as a wireless connection, you can also root your Thunderbolt and use the wireless tether feature for your KF without being charged from your provider. Not sure of the process for rooting the Thunderbolt as I am on Sprint but usually HTC devices are pretty easy.

Other full tabs that require no tinkering under the $300 range are the Acer Iconia A100 ($249 at Walmart) and the HTC EVO View ($289 EBay). If I had the choice, I would go with the View.

The bottom line is what do you really want to do with your device? if you just want to search the web and play some games, the KF will be fine out of the box...

 

[vwclass11]

I have the KF, and I would consider myself an average user. I use my Fire to watch Netflix, read books, and use the internet. It can probably do more, but that's all I need it to do. Can it be rooted, sure, do I need it to be rooted, no. I do use my Sensation as a mobile hotspot, because my compnay's wifi is websensed.

 

[ShaggyKids]

I was in an online chat w/VZW a couple hrs ago. Currently I have unlimited data/texting and 1400min for my plan. I txt 25-50 or so X a month, so unlimited txting isn't necessary. My data usage has never even hit 1GB so unlimited data is overkill for me. 1400min for the phone is plenty - we use about 1/2-3/4 of that allotment between 2 phones.

I cannot afford to just add MHS onto my current plan. I already pay $180mo for what turns out to be overkill services for me.

So, I was thinking of going w/the 1400min / 4GB family plan including MHS for $50mo. That keeps me at approx the same dollar amount monthly with taxes/surcharges. More or less an even swap $-wise. Oh and 1,000 txt msg capability which is still overkill. I'm tempted to just do txting on the pay as you use method. Some people would say I'm crazy for even considering giving up unlimited but if I'm barely using it, what's the point? I'm only gonna be able to keep it until the next upgrade anyway. Not like I can keep the grandfather forever.

I would prolly only use the Kindle for reading, Internet (tether using my phone MHS - which I'm assuming I can do wirelessly and not have to have a cable or anything to do tethering - never done it before so don't know), playing some games, watch some Netflix - just the simple stuff I may not as well spend another $200-$300 for a Galaxy 10.1 tab cuz it sounds like I don't need it - the bigger screen is my draw there.

So, what's the difference if I run over to Walmart and buy a Kindle Fire or order it through Amazon? Any perks to that? A friend just got a KF and she *believes* the only difference is that if you order it comes with your account info already set up. How hard can it be to do that myself if I buy from Walmart?

 

[bluerobin]

Your friend is right, the real only difference between ordering from amazon and picking one up at walmart/target/best buy is that you have to register it when you buy it. Other than that, just waiting for delivery from amazon.

 

[mdotsteele]

Might want to be careful streaming netflix if your cutting your plan down to 4GB data and plan on tethering the kindle to it.

 

[ShaggyKids]

What do you mean by being careful?

Deb via TapaTalk

 

[ShaggyKids]

Apparently if u order u deal with Amazon 's warranty and return policies if u need it. Buying in the store u deal with individual policies.

Deb via TapaTalk

 

[skulldroid67]

I got a KF as a Christmas gift and wasn't really blown away, I didn't care for the UI and the apps available from Amazon were pretty lame. Once I rooted the device I was able to install Android Market, Go Launcher and my browser of choice; Firefox.

This made the KF lots more fun and useful and now I'm just waiting for a stable version of ICS. So my take on the OP's question is...the Kindle Fire is a tablet and for the money it's a pretty good deal. I love mine!

 

[eric3316]

Apparently if u order u deal with Amazon 's warranty and return policies if u need it. Buying in the store u deal with individual policies.

Deb via TapaTalk

Walmart gives 45 days for a return. I think that is enough time to figure out if you like a device or not. Since Amazon does not sell it any cheaper then anyone else, I would much prefer to buy it locally then have to deal with shipping if something is wrong.

 

[ShaggyKids]

Oh, that's good to know! Thanks, eric3316!