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Amazon Kindle
89
Engadget Review
The latest Kindle forgoes bells and whistles such as a touchscreen or physical keyboard, making it one bare-bones device. Still, you'll be hard-pressed to find a better e-reader at this price.
Brian HeaterOctober 03, 2011
Pros
- Relatively inexpensivePocket-sizedFast processor
Cons
- No touchscreen / physical keyboardNo memory card slotNot ideal for one-handed reading
Amazon
Kindle
Engadget - Not yet scored
0
Critics
10 reviews80
AVERAGE CRITIC SCORE
Users
66 reviews91
AVERAGE USER SCORE
View All Critic & User Reviews
Amazon Kindle
- Critic Reviews (10)
- User Reviews (66)
- 80AVERAGE CRITIC SCORE10 ReviewsCNET80Excellent no-frills e-ink readerThe $69 Amazon Kindle is an excellent no-frills e-book reader for anyone who’s willing to forgo a built-in light or a touch screen.Gizmodo60Kindle 4 Lightning Review: It’s Just Not That InShould I Buy This?Maybe, if you want an ereader for under or around a hundred bucks. But there are a bunch of caveats. ... If all you care about is ease of use, you might want to take a look at the $99/$139 Kindle 3, Nook Touch, or wait a bit and check out the Kindle Touch in November.Engadget70Amazon Kindle review (2011)The latest Kindle forgoes bells and whistles such as a touchscreen or physical keyboard, making it one bare-bones device. Still, you'll be hard-pressed to find a better e-reader at this price.CNET70Amazon Kindle 2011 (Wi-Fi)If you don't want to spend the extra $20 to upgrade to the forthcoming touch-screen version, the entry-level 2011 Kindle is a great choice for an ultraportable and superaffordable no-frills e-ink reader.TechHive70Review: Amazon Kindle e-reader provides bargain baThe bottom line is that if you're already committed to Amazon and need an inexpensive e-reader (as opposed to the flagship $119 Paperwhite), this model will do the trick, but its software is trapped in a timewarp.Pocket-Lint90Kindle 6-inch (2012) reviewNot much has changed on the entry-level Kindle since the price drop. It's still got that amazingly sharp and easy-to-read screen, along with all the Amazon features we've come to love over the years. It's well-built and stylish while being one of the most affordable eBook readers on the market.Pocket-Lint90Amazon Kindle (2011) review... Amazon must be congratulated for creating the perfect ebook reader for today’s hard times. Not only is the Kindle's $79 price-tag incredibly reasonable for such a flexible product, the constant trickle of free mini-apps and books creates goodwill, and the integration of digital lending libraries is nothing short of revolutionary.TechRadar80Amazon Kindle reviewIf you want a straightforward dedicated ereader, it's hard to see past the neat form factor, superb book choice, amazing screen and eye-catching price of the Amazon Kindle.TrustedReviews90Amazon Kindle 2012 reviewThe Amazon Kindle 2012 doesn't change all that much in the blueprint laid down by the excellent not-touch 2011 model. It's light, it's affordable and it's better-made than many an entry-level ereader.Expert Reviews100Amazon Kindle reviewIt's basic, but the price is spot on and the screen quality is excellent. If you want a device for pure reading, this is it.
- 91AVERAGE USER SCORE66 ReviewsEngadget Reader100December 25, 2014Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!A gadget unicorn - EngadgetEngadget Reader80October 21, 2014Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!This e-reader is a great gift for a young kid, big into books. I got it a few years ago, and it's held up. Sadly, I don't use it as much as I want, but that will soon change. To rebut- Great gift, low price, decent durabilityEngadget Reader80May 25, 2014Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!There's a lot to like about this in spite of a few flaws. - EngadgetEngadget Reader80May 9, 2014Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!There's a lot to like about this in spite of a few flaws. - EngadgetEngadget Reader100January 4, 2014Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!A gadget unicorn - EngadgetEngadget Reader90December 25, 2013Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!As my first E-Ink reader, I bought it to try the E-Ink technology. I have several smart phones and tablets, so I know how it feels when reading on a LCD screen.The E-Ink display is somewhere easier to my eyes, but I don't feel much different. The lack of backlight is fairly inconvenient, and to use it on the bed with lights off I bought a small desk light. It makes you more concentrated while reading, because there is nothing disturbing you, thanks to its lack of features. Overall, as I bought it with only 50$, it's a good device.Engadget Reader90November 22, 2013Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!there's not much to complain about - the kindle does what it's intended to do - a no frills straight forward reader that i can easily be engaged with whatever i happen to be reading. i was weighing this and the nexus 7 and just decided that i probably wouldn't get any reading done if i had notifications popping up every 30 seconds as i get with my phone.the e-ink display is perfect for reading - ymmv here, but i've always experienced eye strain when trying to read on oled, led and lcd screens, so the kindle has been great here. it's been squeezed into my commuter bag and is small enough so it hasn't added any heft or bulk.my only minor quibbles are in regards to document support and one button layout preference (i wish the "next page" and "previous page" buttons on the left side of the kindle were reversed so the "previous page" button was on the bottom). there are ways to get epub docs on the kindle though, if you have the time and inclination.Engadget Reader90September 25, 2013Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!For that price it's still amazing piece of hardware. Huge community support and popualrity on sec market made this ereader great option over competitors. Even they looks better (tech spec) on paper.Engadget Reader90September 14, 2013Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!The best in its category. We highly recommend it. - EngadgetEngadget Reader90June 1, 2013Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!The best in its category. We highly recommend it. - EngadgetEngadget Reader100May 4, 2013Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!Bought this for my partner and she loves the ease of getting titles onto the device. Prices are generally cheaper than hard copy books and there are a lot of good bargains and free books as well.Engadget Reader90January 3, 2013Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!If you want to read an ebook then this is unbeatable.Engadget Reader90December 28, 2012Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!The best in its category. We highly recommend it. - EngadgetEngadget Reader90December 6, 2012Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!The best in its category. We highly recommend it. - EngadgetEngadget Reader90December 3, 2012Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!Overall I am very impressed with the Kindle. The screen is the biggest selling point to me. The recent addition of the adds is a pain but can be overlooked. Hope to get the backlit model soonEngadget Reader80October 26, 2012Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!There's a lot to like about this in spite of a few flaws. - EngadgetEngadget Reader90October 18, 2012Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!I initially debated getting a PW, and luckily I waited till user reviews started coming out, and what with all the screen issues, I decided to get this one after all. I mean you can't go wrong with $69. I was right!Engadget Reader90October 16, 2012Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!The best in its category. We highly recommend it. - EngadgetEngadget Reader100August 15, 2012Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!A gadget unicorn - EngadgetEngadget Reader80July 21, 2012Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!There's a lot to like about this in spite of a few flaws. - EngadgetEngadget Reader80July 20, 2012Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!There's a lot to like about this in spite of a few flaws. - EngadgetEngadget Reader100July 17, 2012Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!A gadget unicorn - EngadgetEngadget Reader80July 16, 2012Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!I had tablets and have tried reading on them quite, They are bulky and need charging regularly that it becomes an obstruction than a device to use for dedicated book reading. The reason to move over to kindle was based on this and since it can display text superbly on that e-ink screen it felt great to be a bit closer to nature, with paper like feel.I loved the kindle cause it is so light weight, it was more than what I wanted, I loved that it can be held in hand for longer duration's and its so comfortable to hold, doesn't slips as much i thought as the back panel has some smooth rubbery feel to it.As dedicated device for book reading it absolutely shines, and the battery life is another plus for me, I hate taking chargers, since it it a standard mini usb that is great as well as you can just go to vacation for a week charge it, slack on a couch or char and read all day, as much as you want for a week :)I am in love with this device, hope it will be durable and will let me read quite a lot.Engadget Reader90June 23, 2012Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!For anyone who wants a dedicated device just for reading books, this is it. Small, light, lots of content. I have read a lot on my iPad using the kindle app but the Kindle is nearly the perfect device if you just want to read books. I went for the base model because I wanted simplicity and portability. No need for a mechanical keyboard or even a touch display if all you're doing is flipping pages.Engadget Reader100June 20, 2012Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!A gadget unicorn - EngadgetEngadget Reader70June 5, 2012Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!ProsSupports mobi, cbr, cbz, pdfsEasy drag/drop of filesAmazon store for amazing and affordable collection of booksBattery lifeDesign and form factor is ergonomicExtremely affordableConsCan't zoom on images nor pdf.No memory expansion (sad that Amazon took out this feature after the first Kindle)Heavy for long period readsSide buttons are awkwardly placed because the next button should be more reachable than the previous page button, I had to rotate the screen so that the next page button was on top of the previous page button, to turn the pages more comfortablyBottom bottom is hard to press and awkward, I had to use my nail sometimesImage dithering is terrible, leaves previous image residues on screen that can't be fixed when reading comicsNo easy collections management (should have folders when dragging and dropping be the collections)Bottom lineIf all you're reading is books bought by Amazon or free mobi's, it's an amazing device. If you want it for manga/comics, I suggest the Sony E-Reader, it's got memory expansion and image refreshes on screen perfectly and is lighter in weight too.Engadget Reader100June 1, 2012Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!The basic kindle 4 is a fantastic device. Just make sure you realize what your getting into. I am okay with having to use the button to find each individual character. If this is something that would bother your tremendously than this reader is not for you.Engadget Reader90May 29, 2012Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!The best in its category. We highly recommend it. - EngadgetEngadget Reader90May 18, 2012Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!The best in its category. We highly recommend it. - EngadgetEngadget Reader90May 17, 2012Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!The best in its category. We highly recommend it. - EngadgetEngadget Reader90May 17, 2012Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!Pros:Small, compact, good for book lovers.Can read for long hours without stress on eyes.About 1GB of storage, average book size is in KB or few MBs so lots of books.Can get a lot of books for free from Amazon, even from torrent sites.Cons:With the onscreen keyboard, the few instances where you have to type are a pain.Not easily available in India, buy from people coming back from the US, you'll save about 1k on it rather than buying from eBayPDF's don't render very well, need to be converted to .mobi or .azw (tools are there though)Verdict :Must have for book lovers, it's like your entire library in your pocket.Engadget Reader80May 11, 2012Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!There's a lot to like about this in spite of a few flaws. - EngadgetEngadget Reader90May 7, 2012Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!If you've decided on an Amazon brand e-ink reader, this is one of the best. I find that not having a keyboard isn't a problem for me, since I tend to search for books on my computer and add them to my wishlist, then buy them from there on the Kindle.Engadget Reader90April 14, 2012Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!The best in its category. We highly recommend it. - EngadgetEngadget Reader90April 12, 2012Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!The best in its category. We highly recommend it. - EngadgetEngadget Reader100March 26, 2012Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!I'd only change the input method, require less typing on start-up. if you could configure on a pc and type a short "key" into the device that would be great.Engadget Reader80March 24, 2012Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!There's a lot to like about this in spite of a few flaws. - EngadgetEngadget Reader90March 16, 2012Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!Everyone seems to think that a tablet is the way to go instead of an e-reader. I disagree greatly, the e-ink still has a place in my gadget collection. I don't take this around with me, cause I have a laptop and tablet in my bag. If I want to read on the go, I can use the Kindle app, but this sits on my night stand and gets used almost every night. Its light, easy to hold and most importantly, easy to read. I'm glad I didn't go with the touch, cause when I hold it above my head in bed, I always rest my thumb on the screen, the touch would drive me nuts. I have had the thing two months now and have only charged it once and I use it about 1-2 hours every night. And my favorite thing, whenever I think of a book or someone refers me to one, I can pick up my phone, tablet, or go to my computer and purchase it from the Kindle store and have it waiting for me on the device.Engadget Reader90March 12, 2012Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!The best in its category. We highly recommend it. - EngadgetEngadget Reader90March 7, 2012Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!Love this product! The durability of this product is not very good. With that said Amazon give a free one year warranty and will replace it for free. Best costumer service ever.Engadget Reader100February 23, 2012Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!A gadget unicorn - EngadgetEngadget Reader90January 23, 2012Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!The best in its category. We highly recommend it. - EngadgetEngadget Reader90January 17, 2012Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!I've been using this Kindle since Christmas, and loving every second of it. I normally don't read much, but my excitement in this device has changed that, at least so far. I love the form factor, so thin and light and the screen looks amazing. It looks too good to be true, and I can't imagine how I used to try and read on a tablet before getting the Kindle. I opted for no keyboard, and I do not regret it. Sure there are times that it would be nice to have a keyboard but 99% of the time you are just reading with no need to type.Engadget Reader100January 7, 2012Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!Love my kindle!!Engadget Reader90December 28, 2011Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!I really like the smaller size of this newer model.at times i miss the keyboard especially when i was 1st setting up the device or searching for a book from the device but over all the its manageable with the directional pad.The battery life is really good and is something you don't have to have always connected to a power source. the Kindle is something you charge up once a week or even a month depending on your usage.The selection offered in the Kindle store is really nice and large. it covers every thing from independent authors to text books.since they removed the keyboard i really like this smaller size it something that i can easily cary around and doesn't get in the way. its something that slip into my bad along side my iPad. over all it is a good upgrade from the previous kindle and is still a good solid e-ink reader.yes this is something i would buy and recommend to my family and friends with little to no reservations if they were shopping for an e-ink reader.Engadget Reader90December 27, 2011Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!The best in its category. We highly recommend it. - EngadgetEngadget Reader90December 26, 2011Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!The better contrast form factor and weight make it a great dedicated ebook reader. I do miss the audio capability of the previous generation, both for music and read aloud features.Engadget Reader90December 21, 2011Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!The best in its category. We highly recommend it. - EngadgetEngadget Reader90December 18, 2011Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!There iss not much to say about Amazon Kindle. Except for the support of .epub I really cannot think of any other complain to make about it. Converted .mobi files get too large sometimes and the low storage makes it a pain. I surely did not saw it coming.Engadget Reader100December 17, 2011Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!A gadget unicorn - EngadgetEngadget Reader90November 30, 2011Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!For $80 for the add supported Kindle you can't go wrong. It is so little and so light in weight while having a hardcover book sized screen that I am amazed. The adds are unnoticible and it is silly to pay the extra for an add free version. Every person who loves reading should have one.Engadget Reader90November 28, 2011Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!What a great little device for $80. Personally, I was tired on my apartment being overwhelmed with stacks of books, which is why I invested in the original Nook. Since then I've migrated over to Amazons ecosystem and currently own three Kindle devices, the Kindle Keyboard, the Fire, and this device. I enjoy this device the most out of the three.Both the display and battery life is simply superb. I just charge the device once a month and run in to no problems with the battery. As for the display, it's as good as any e-ink device on the market. The device is also incredibly small and lightweight. It really blew me away when I first picked it up and it still surprises me to this day. I only have two real complaints about the device. One is the physical buttons for page turning. They are incredibly tiny and sometimes they are pretty hard to use, depending on how you are holding the device. The second issue is the navigation. You need to use a five point pad for all your navigation; it becomes extremely time consuming when you want to write a note. Overall, this is simply an amazing product for the price point and I have no issue recommending it to anyone who wants a device just for reading.Engadget Reader100November 23, 2011Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!A gadget unicorn - EngadgetEngadget Reader100November 22, 2011Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!A gadget unicorn - EngadgetEngadget Reader100November 20, 2011Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!I've been a Kindle app user for a while on ios and enjoy reading on the ipad2 but to move on to Kindle proper is a huge improvement. The simple fact of being able to slip it into my jacket pocket means I am reading much more. Yes I would have loved the touch version, on the new baby kindle is still isn't brilliant to turn the page one handed. So glad I bought it. It is the best reading device out there.Engadget Reader80November 16, 2011Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!There's a lot to like about this in spite of a few flaws. - EngadgetEngadget Reader90October 31, 2011Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!The best in its category. We highly recommend it. - EngadgetEngadget Reader80October 26, 2011Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!There's a lot to like about this in spite of a few flaws. - EngadgetEngadget Reader90October 23, 2011Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!I love it. It's lighter and easier to carry than most books. The display is fabulous.Engadget Reader100October 16, 2011Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!A gadget unicorn - EngadgetEngadget Reader90October 14, 2011Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!The best in its category. We highly recommend it. - EngadgetEngadget Reader90October 14, 2011Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!This is the ereader that many have been waiting for. In comparison to traditional books, I think the benefits now outweigh the drawbacks by a good margin. The size and weight are better than many paperbacks. The cost is reasonable, and the storage space is more than sufficient for my needs. Whispersync makes tag-teaming books day/night with an iPad a great solution for the compulsive reader. This is clearly a next generation design when placed next to my original Nook. Smaller. Lighter. Better. I think it is more attractive than the new Nook.The controls along the bottom of the unit are the weak point. I wish there was a toggle or something to disable them completely when I'm reading. It is too easy to disrupt one's reading with an errant button press. In contrast, the side controls work perfectly for page turning.Engadget Reader100October 13, 2011Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!A gadget unicorn - EngadgetEngadget Reader90October 6, 2011Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!The best in its category. We highly recommend it. - EngadgetEngadget Reader90September 30, 2011Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!Love it, great battery life, screen reads well.Engadget Reader100September 29, 2011Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!There are plenty of Kindle comparison guides now online, so I don't feel the need to go in-depth comparing features. The bottom-line is that this is the perfect no-nonsense reader for someone who wants a portable and comfortable reading solution. Best design to date, phenomenal price-point (I opted for the ones with "special offers"), no frills...it just gets the job done. Highly recommended without hesitation. If you really feel like smudging your finger across the screen is preferable for turning pages than pressing the side button, wait a month and check-out the Kindle Touch.
Key Specs
SCREEN TYPE
E Ink
SCREEN SIZE
622
TOUCHSCREEN
No
MOBILE BROADBAND (3G)
No
INTERNAL STORAGE
21
BATTERY LIFE
Up to 1520
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