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Amazon Kindle Ink Display
by KaraJane
My first kindle was a 3G keyboard edition, when the screen broke I decided to buy this cheaper version instead since I found that in reality I never used the keyboard. I also chose to just buy the basic WiFi version as there was never any need for the 3G function. I usually buy a whole load of books in one go and download either through ... my computer or more frequently via my home WiFi network. Even when abroad I always managed to find a source of free WiFi to download more books! Therefore I do not see the need for 3G model.
I like the lack of a backlight since it doesn't tire your eyes like staring at a screen does, and it is also good for reading in the outdoors. If you wanted to read at night Amazon sell lights built into covers for reasonable prices to get around that issue.
My use of the kindle is leisure use, mainly on holidays. Can store more books than I could even think of! A great investment, especially with airline luggage allowances dwindling I can still take loads of books with me without having to leave my shoes at home!
My only qualm with the Kindle is the fragility of the screen. My first one broke which I attributed to it not being transported in a case and getting crushed, however my second kindle (this model) was in a leather case and broke after being knocked off a relatively low bedside table, would not have expected such a significant fall to break it. Replacement screens are expensive, and my Kindle was out of warranty so I ended up buying a new one, which now 3 months on is still in working condition!
Amazon e-books are usually good value for money, especially when sales are on, however double check that you cant get the actual hard copy cheaper - certain supermarkets tend to be cheaper for paperbacks occasionally! But a wide range is available, and quick to download and browse. Easy to purchase.
Once an ebook is purchased it can be viewed on other kindles or devices using kindle app (eg iphone, ipad) that are registered with the amazon account which is very handy.
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Google Nexus 7
by alex88
I brought my Google Nexus back in January 2013 after much consideration on whether to get a tablet or not and then what tablet I should get. I mainly wanted a tablet to watch catch up tv, facebook, twitter and general browsing. So after much researching on the internet I decided to go and look at the Nexus 7. So off I went to Currys, and ... had a little play on the Nexus, I initially liked the size, and it fits nicely in the hand. The interface was easy to operate and the resolution was perfect. It didn't take long for me to make my decision. So off I went to the checkout to make my purchase. The price was £199.
The Nexus 7 firstly has to be charged and then on initial start up you have to create an account where you get a gmail email address. To be honest I rarely use my gmail email account as I already have an email address that I'm happy with. Once set up, you can go into the play store and search around the store for apps you would like to download. There are lots of free apps but I must admit, it isn't as good as the Apple app store, there doesn't seem to be as much choice and I was a little disappointed that I couldn't download ITV player as I use this quite often, although I have heard this should be available at a later date. That said, the other on demand programmes were available.
The screen on the Nexus is brilliant, really sharp and clear. This Nexus came with the new Ice Age film. And it looks really good on this display. Photo's are also nice and clear. Apps seem to run smoothly and I haven't yet had a problem with them crashing on me which I have with some Apple apps.
In all, I really like the Nexus and is a great size to put in my bag and take around with me. It's not too chunky, runs smoothly and does everything I want it to do.
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Google Nexus 7
by bilbobaginz
I have never owned a tablet, and was planning on leaving it a few years longer in order to get something with a little more power for less cash. Eventually, though, I was talked into making the purchase now. I realised that most of the tablets available at the moment offer as much in features and raw ability as I'm ever going to need ... from an everyday device. Internet connectivity and thousands of apps, all built in to a clean and speedy unit - what more could you want?
Released last summer, the Nexus 7 was developed by Google in conjunction with hardware producer, Asus. It's a more affordable alternative to the IPad Mini, and runs the much more open and customisable Android OS - the new 4.2 'Jelly Bean' version. Google say they've slashed their profit margins substantially in order to bring the device's RRP more than £100 below the Mini's to 169.99 for the 16gb version and £199.99 for the 32gb. There was an 8gb version but this was discontinued after the hard drive space became obsolete, falling behind today's ever expanding tech frontier . I own the 32 GB version, and both this and the 16gb are powered by a quad-core Tegra 3 processor with 1gb of RAM - that's a lot of umph for a small 7-inch device. The speed at which the thing loads games, videos and web-pages is unmatched by anything I've seen. It has a crystal clear 1280x800 HD display that really brings the vibrancy and sharpness of detailed visuals to light. Watching a film (or trailer) with a varied colour pallet will highlight the devices ability to transmit colours in a smooth, seamless fashion - I advise 'Life of Pie'. The tablet has a 1.2 megapixel front camera, but rather bizarely, no application or triggure installed to take pictures with! - It's easy to find a free app that can optimise your camera as a video recorder or snap shot taker though, and these are generally free. The Nexus has a weight of 347g, about average for a small tablet, though quite a bit heavier than the IPad Mini. The device feels slim and refined in your hand and there is minimal logo-ing on the rear - just the Nexus and Asus names etched into the plastic covering.
It's worth mentioning that also available is the Nexus 4 and 10: the 4 being a powerful smart phone, and the 10 a large tablet similar in performance and price to the latest large IPad device. Its both easy and convenient to transfer files - whether media or document - between the three products, prompting you to buy two or three from the range and help Google dominate Apple for good.
There are now more than half a million Apps available for Android devices, the vast majority compatible with both tablets and phones. Nexus users use 'Google Play' to access free and payable applications. Play is a good basis for downloading games, films, music and books as well. There is the looming danger that the Nexus is too heavily burdened by Play and that this gives users too little freedom in comparison with other android tablets. After using the device, I don't really agree, I think the balance is quite good - the barrage of free stuff available tends to numb your opinion of Google's controlling nature.
As for the use-ability of this wonderfully powered and fantastically connected device, I have nothing but good words to type. In fact, typing is a good place to start. The keyboard on the Nexus is excellent - it responds instantly and intelligently (as does the entire touch system) bringing up predictions of words and allowing you to select them or ignore them. The device has multi-touch for zooming and spinning screens (like when swivelling maps) which works smoothly in all areas. The layout of the programs and apps installed is partially customisable - as you can move round / resize elements on your home screen - which means a more familiar layout and therefore better useability. Drop down menus at the top of the screen allow you to change the brightness and wireless options easily among other things. The battery icon brings up an in depth account of your battery usage for the duration of the tablets use, you can then adjust apps and brightness settings to prolong the usage of your tablet. The battery will last around 10-12 hours playing games / watching videos, and more than 3 times that listening to music or reading an e-book on low brightness. This time-frame is not dissimilar to the other competing small tablets.
There's so much to this tablet. I've only scraped the surface here, giving you the basics so that you can make your own decision on the tablet that's right for you. Kindle Fire HD, Mini, Surface, or Nexus. Go for the latter, it far surpasses the rest in quality and price.
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