Kindle Review: How to Choose a Kindle

It probably goes without saying that we all love books - the old-fashioned paper type - but Kindle is here and it is the future. That does not mean to say that Kindles will ever completely replace paper books. But electronic readers offer so many advantages over the traditional alternative.

When I am going on holiday, I don’t have to think about which books to take; I just grab my Kindle. It is already preloaded with all the reading I intend to do over the next year. Just how convenient is that? And if, by some remote chance, whilst laying on the beach, I decide that I would really like something new to read, well I click a button and choose from the 1.5 million (and growing) library that is sitting at my fingertips and, faster than you can say Jack Robinson, I have my choice in my hands without having to find a book store.

The Kindle e-ink technology provides a superb reading experience. Unlike older technologies, the more light you have on the screen, the easier it is to read - just like a paper book! These days, there is quite an array of Kindle devices to choose from. So, I thought that, in this article, I would provide a quick buyers guide so you can be sure you purchase the right device for your needs.

Paperwhite or Color?

Kindle Paperwhite - is the latest black on white reading device. It includes built-in lighting and offers a truly excellent reading experience.

Kindle Fire - is the color version (or colour if you are in the UK). Costing a bit more than the Paperwhite, it is an excellent buy as it is really a full featured multipurpose tablet. That means, in addition to all the features of a Paperwhite, you can do everything you can on a computer.

Now for each of the above options, you can choose the screen size, the type of internet connection and the memory size. Let’s look at each of these options in turn.

Choose the Kindle that’s Right for You

First decide on whether color is important to you. For reading books, it may or may not be as more and more books are being made available in color. The Paperwhite versions are excellent for normal reading and they are cheaper.

Second, decide on the screen size that is best for you. Again, think about how you are going to use the device. For reading purposes, I find the 6″ screen perfect. However, if you intend to use your Kindle as a computer (as well as a reader) then you probably want a larger screen - the 7″ or 8.9″ options are good all-rounders.

Third, decide on whether or not 3G (or 4G) is important to you. Again, it may or may not be. If you want the ability to download new books from anywhere in the world, get a 3G or 4G device; otherwise, get a Wifi device because it is cheaper and you can load it up with all your reading material from your home broadband.

Finally, decide on the memory size. For reading, save a bit of money and get one of the 16 Gb versions. If you intend to be using the device for more than just books, get one of the 32 Gb devices.

Screen Sizes - Kindles come in various screen sizes from 6″ to 9.7″ and, hopefully, this speaks for itself. However, when buying, you need to think about the convenience of a small device versus the tradeoff of less screen area. For reading purposes, all Kindles are very good. Personally, I love my own 6″ device but, if you are intending to play games and browse the web you may prefer a larger screen.

WiFi or 3G - The Wifi devices are slightly cheaper than the 3G options. But 3G allows you to download new books from anywhere in the world - amazing eh? Wifi, on the other hand, allows you to connect into a computer network like your own home broadband or a hot spot (like in McDonalds).

The New 4G - The newer 4G options are - as you would expect - a step up from 3G. Essentially they do the same thing as the 3G versions, but faster.

Memory Size - this is fairly straightforward; the more memory you have, the more books you will be able to store on your device. There’s no such thing as too much memory in my opinion. However, the 16 Gb versions can hold about 11,000 books and that’s probably plenty for you. So I would suggest you get the 32 Gb version only if you intend to play movies and games.

Here are my Top Kindle Picks

To simplify things a little, I have chosen four Kindle devices that I think meet the needs of most people.

Whatever device you decide to choose, you are going to get an excellent reading experience because, first and foremost, that is what the Kindle was designed to deliver.

My Top Recommendations

These are my recommendations for products and services I've personally used and found to be helpful. It is quite a short list as it only includes my top picks ...