Kindle: E-Reader, Tablets and Books

The book has lasted for over six centuries as a way to contain and transmit information, but devices like the Kindle have put its future in doubt. The Kindle was the first, and remains the most popular, e-reader – an electronic tablet that allows you to download and read books or magazines without needing to carry bulky books. Available in a range of models, the Kindle has become an essential item for literature fans all over the world. If you’d like to join them, this buyer’s guide will explain everything you need to know to find the right Kindle at an unbeatable price.

Literature on the Go With Kindle

In the early 2000s, it became obvious that the advent of the internet and touchscreen phones would revolutionise the way people consume literature. The only question was who would come up with an accessible, effective device to read electronic texts on.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Amazon took the lead. Famous as the world’s largest online retailer of printed books, Amazon’s founder Jeff Bezos saw an opportunity to dominate the growing market for on-screen literature. Beginning in 2004, he enlisted tech engineers to create a mass-market e-reader that offered a more enjoyable reading experience than computer screens, was highly portable and had enough capacity to hold multiple books at one time.

Amazon’s efforts bore fruit in 2007, when the first Kindle appeared, selling out in just a few hours. The first Kindle had space for around 200 books (250MB of disk space), along with an audio jack that enabled users to listen to podcasts and audio books. These features, coupled with a revolutionary screen that made texts easy to read, meant that the first Kindle was a massive success.

The Kindle 2 arrived in 2009, upping capacity to over 1,500 texts and reducing the size. The Kindle DX followed, with a larger screen and PDF compatibility, while the Kindle Keyboard was launched in 2010, adding a handy keyboard at the base of the screen.

A fourth generation Kindle appeared in 2011, then the Kindle Touch emerged – offering a touchscreen interface for the very first time, as well as a web browser. In 2012 the Kindle 5 offered faster loading speeds and better contrast, then the Kindle Paperwhite was launched – with its innovative LED backlight.

2014 brought the Kindle 6 and 7, and a second Paperwhite model was unveiled, as well as the high-resolution Kindle Voyage, followed by the 3GB Kindle Oasis in 2015. Finally, 2016 saw the release of the Kindle 8, adding extra battery life and improved graphical performance.

These days, you can choose between numerous Kindle models, and new versions are released on an annual basis. It’s a good time to be a lover of reading, that’s for sure.

Different Ways to Buy a Kindle

When you head to the merchants featured on HotUKDeals, you’ll find a range of different Kindle buying options. Here are the main models and some of their characteristics:

• Standard Kindles – Now in its 8th iteration, the basic Kindle has been reduced in size and is 16% lighter than the Kindle 7. It features a low-glare unreflective screen, delivering text that appears almost indistinguishable from printed ink (it actually uses a form of ink in the display system, so that’s no accident). The basic version comes with very few extras such as web browsing or message alerts. Instead, it’s a stripped-down, efficient e-reader, nothing more. At a low price point, it’s ideal for people who love to read on the move.

• Kindle Paperwhite – The Paperwhite offers higher resolution (at 300ppi), snazzier typography, different font sizes (making it great for partially sighted users), and a high-quality no-glare screen. The main departure from standard Kindles is the LED front light, which adjusts to waning ambient light levels, helping readers to avoid eye strain. If you are prone to losing yourself in a book, it could be a life saver.

• Kindle Voyage – Featuring a 300ppi screen with non-reflective properties, the Kindle Voyage also comes with a tool called PagePress which turns pages with a subtle thumb press, nothing more. The lighting adjusts to your environment, while the Voyage also has a slender 7.6mm casing that makes it almost (but not quite) akin to a paper book.

• Kindle Oasis – Marketed as the slimmest and lightest of the Kindle family, the Oasis is perfect for regular travellers. Only 3.4mm deep and 20% lighter than other Kindles, the Oasis is still resilient, thanks to an electroplated metal frame, so you can carry it loose in your beach bag without too many concerns. The side weighted hand grip also makes for an ergonomic experience, so you can enjoy your books all afternoon until the sun goes down over the ocean. Finally, the Oasis also features an innovative cover made from black leather which features a rechargeable battery and can charge the Kindle as you carry it around – vastly improving the battery life.

There are some things that all Kindles have in common:

• Use PageFlip to add bookmarks or annotations and navigate easily to different sections in seconds.

• Fonts like Bookerly that have been optimised for their readability.

• Designs that have been crafted to enable users to read comfortably for long periods using just one hand.

• Front lights that foreground text, making it easy to read even in the dimming light.

• Word Wise, an automatic dictionary feature that helps readers understand complex texts and build their vocabulary.

• The Family Library tool, which allows Amazon members to link their accounts and share their books.

• A direct connection to the Goodreads community, a great place to share thoughts on books and find recommendations.

• Smart Lookup, which allows you to find out background information from online services like Wikipedia, without breaking your concentration.

• Time to Read – which gives an accurate read out on how long it will take to finish the chapter you are on.

• Instant translation tools using the Bing Translator.

• Access to Amazon’s huge e-book selection, as well as the use of Kindle Unlimited (see below for more on that).

• Book downloads that take around 60 seconds per title – quicker than ordering by post or visiting your local bookshop.

• Use the Kindle Reading App on your smartphone or computer to read titles on other devices.

• Parental controls to ensure that younger users don’t access inappropriate content.

Titles for all Kindles can also be downloaded from the Amazon BookStore or Kindle Unlimited.

Basic Kindle Specifications

Those are the main Kindle variants, but what about their specific properties? If you are the kind of person who loves to compare tech specifications, the Kindle won’t disappoint. Here are some of the metrics you need to know about:

First, the Kindle 8:

• Memory: 512MB RAM

• Weight: 161g

• Dimensions: 160 x 115 x 9.1mm

• Storage space: 4GB

• Screen: 800 x 600, 167ppi touchscreen

• Connectivity: Bluetooth and WiFi 802.11 b/g/n

• Battery life: 4 weeks (max)

• Text formats supported: azw, mobi, pdf, txt

And the Kindle Paperwhite:

• Memory: 512MB RAM

• Weight: 205g

• Dimensions: 169 x 117 x 9.1mm

• Storage space: 2GB

• Screen: 6” 1440 x 1080, 300ppi touchscreen

• Connectivity: Bluetooth and WiFi 802.11 b/g/n

• Battery life: 4 weeks (max)

• Text formats supported: azw, mobi, pdf, txt

The Kindle Voyage:

• Memory: 512MB RAM

• Weight: 180g

• Dimensions: 162 x 115 x 7.6mm

• Storage space: 4GB

• Screen: 6” 1448 x 1072, 300ppi touchscreen

• Connectivity: Bluetooth and WiFi 802.11 b/g/n

• Battery life: 4 weeks (max)

• Text formats supported: azw, mobi, pdf, txt

Finally, the Kindle Oasis:

• Memory: 512MB RAM

• Weight: 131g

• Dimensions: 143 x 122 x 8.5mm

• Storage space: 4GB

• Screen: 6” 1440 x 1080, 300ppi touchscreen

• Connectivity: Bluetooth and WiFi 802.11 b/g/n

• Battery life: Months

• Text formats supported: azw, mobi, pdf, txt

Which Kindle is the Right One for Me?

Choosing the right Kindle isn’t easy. All four main models have their own properties. However, it pays to remember that all Kindles have a wide range of features that set them apart from competitors, so in a sense, any of them will do fine. But if you have specific needs in mind, there are some differences to bear in mind.

Price is a factor for many buyers. Although you’ll find discounts for even the most expensive Kindle e-readers at HotUKDeals, some models are considerably pricier than others. If you are on a tight budget but still want a dependable e-reader, you might want to go for the Kindle Basic, which provides stripped down features at a bargain price level.

Then again, the features that are absent on the Kindle Basic could be crucial. For instance, the Kindle Paperwhite has a far superior front-lit screen and a 300ppi screen – much finer than the Kindle Basic. It’s expensive, but it’s not that much more expensive, and there are plenty of deals around, so be sure to check it out if the price is a factor but the quality is weighing on your mind too.

Portability is another thing that can sway Kindle buyers. Every model is designed to be used on the go, but some are much more portable than others. If you intend to travel with your Kindle, think seriously about choosing the Kindle Voyage or the Kindle Oasis. The Voyage isn’t much lighter than the Paperwhite, but it’s much thinner. The Oasis, on the other hand, is lighter and slimmer. With its rechargeable cover and light weight, it’s a dream e-reader for regular travellers.

So there are two main factors in play here: if cost really, really matters, go for the Kindle Basic. If you have a few more pounds to spend, the Paperwhite is markedly superior in every department, and is worth the extra cash, while the Oasis is the top of the line Kindle and will delight holidaymakers and professionals thanks to its features and light weight.

Kindle 2016 vs. Kindle Paperwhite 3

What About the Kindle Fire?

So far, we’ve only been talking about Kindle e-Readers. But there’s another Kindle on the block: Amazon’s Kindle Fire tablet. Designed as a competitor for Samsung and Apple tablets, the Fire isn’t a pure e-reader (although it is optimised for reading and has full access to the Kindle library). Instead, it’s a fully functional Android tablet.

The Fire has been around since 2011 and reached its 8th iteration in 2016. Here are the main specs of the most recent version:

• Dimensions: 214 x 128 x 7.7mm

• Weight: 311g

• Display: 8”, capacitive touchscreen, 800 x 1280 pixels, 189ppi

• Memory: 1GB RAM

• Storage: 8 or 16GB

• Camera: 5MP, 1080p video capture

• Features 3.5mm audio jack

• Connectivity: Bluetooth and Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac

• Battery life: 8 hours (max)

As a tablet, the Kindle Fire has measured up well, but as a pure e-reader, it doesn’t compare with models like the Oasis or the Paperwhite. If you are looking for a Kindle solely to read magazines or books (or listen to audio books), it’s much better to opt for a specialist e-reader. But if you want a hybrid with far more features, the Fire is a great tablet.

Is Kindle Unlimited Worth It?

Amazon has created a service called Kindle Unlimited to go alongside their range of Kindle e-readers. Unlimited is the main portal to Amazon’s collection of more than 1 million e-books and a large library of Audible audiobooks. Customers can enjoy unlimited access to the collections (hence the name) for a monthly subscription. On the face of it, this seems like a no-brainer. If you are a fanatical reader, how could you fail to get value for money from such a vast library of titles?

Well, not every Kindle customer agrees. For one thing, the collection available on Kindle Unlimited is deceptive. Not all of the world’s major publishers have agreed to participate, and some have released a portion of their catalogues, so there are big gaps. If you are interested in heavyweight biographies or history books, you may be disappointed. The majority of titles available are online only self-published titles, not commercial books – so the quality is uneven.

If you are into indie publishing, Unlimited may still seem like a great deal. However, you’ll have to read a lot of books every month to make it worthwhile (at least 10) thanks to the low cost of most independently published e-books.

There’s also an irritating problem with capacity. Unlimited functions like a lending library, allowing you to take out a certain quota of books at any one time. If you are going to be abroad for long periods away from your computer, this limit can easily run dry, leaving you without anything to read.

Finally, there’s no need to rely on Amazon for your supply of literature. There are excellent alternatives to Kindle Unlimited like Scribd, which is around the same price and has a higher quality of titles on offer. Then again, Scribd is only available on the Kindle Fire, so that may be a limitation.

Essential Accessories for Kindle Owners

As with most digital devices, the Kindle can be optimised with the right collection of accessories. Here are some popular options:

• Spare charging cases – If you have purchased a Kindle Oasis, you may want to have a charging case in reserve, just in case your existing one fails or becomes misplaced. There are also plenty of custom designs around, so you can create your own unique Kindle style.

• USB chargers – If you rely on your Kindle, it makes sense to have as many charging options as possible. A USB charger can allow you to charge it up by connecting to laptops – a handy option to have in reserve.

• Reading lights – Manufacturers like Belkin have come up with some great portable reading lights that will help you continue reading late into the night, wherever you are.

• Stands – If your hands are prone to tiredness, why not invest in a Kindle stand, which will allow you to prop up your device at a comfortable height?

The Best Kindle Deals

Whether you are updating from an older version, buying your very first e-reader or looking for cheap Kindle books, finding Kindle bargains is easy. The UK is filled with merchants who have Kindles to sell, and a quick look at the HotUKDeals Kindle listings shows that the stream of deals is pretty much endless.

Pick the device you’d like to buy and then head over to our Kindle listings. There you’ll come across great discounts from UK merchants like John Lewis, Currys, Argos and, of course, Amazon themselves. While you're there, you can also shop for Kindle Unlimited subscriptions and savings for individual titles – a great way to kick start your e-book collection.

Every year, Amazon tends to release new versions of the Kindle, so if you want to purchase a cutting edge reader, it might be sensible to wait for 2017’s updates or going for an older version and buy a cheap Kindle 3 or else. If you do, you could also take advantage of Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals that will almost certainly feature plenty of Kindle offers.

Keep your eyes peeled for summer deals as well. Many Kindle sellers realise that people need low-glare e-readers for their summer holidays, and table discounts to entice them to buy.

At any time of year, you’ll discover plenty of Kindle offers at HotUKDeals, so save money by regularly checking in. You’re sure to find a saving on the reader you want.

Buying a Cheap Kindle at HotUKDeals

Amazon’s Kindle range leads the way in the world of e-readers, allowing literature lovers to download and read their favourite authors wherever they like. If you are in the market for a new e-reader, be sure to bookmark the HotUKDeals Kindle listings – the number one place to find the Kindle daily deal UK.