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Artur Rivilis is in the market for
a tablet
Is the new Kindle Fire better than the iPad?
Artur is Consideringposted 21 months ago
1 Answer
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Dan Gardener: Amazon has really scored a blow against Apple with the Kindle Fire, which is smaller, lighter, equally powerful and much less expensive than the iPad 2. However, the Kindle Fire and the iPad 2 are very different tablets. Very very different! Let's run through some of the differences. PRICE: The Kindle Fire starts at $199 and the iPap 2 starts at $499. That's a huge difference, and for most people, will be the end of the story. The iPad is very expensive for a device that doesn't totally replace your computer. And the Kindle Fire is based on the same hardware as the BlackBerry Playbook, which sold for $500 as well. The Kindle Fire doesn't give you as much as the iPad 2, but it's a way better deal. SCREEN SIZE: The iPad has a much larger screen at 9.7 inches, while the Kindle Fire is 7 inches. Neither is really "better" because it depends on what you want. A 7-inch device will be more portable and comfortable in one hand. The Kindle Fire has a slightly higher pixels-per-inch resolution than the iPad, but the iPad has more pixels overall and a larger size. You just need to decide here if you want large or small.WEIGHT: The Kindle Fire weighs less than a pound (.91) while the iPad is 1.33 pounds. The iPad is usually considered too large to hold up in one hand for long. The Kindle Fire wins here. SOFTWARE: The iPad of course runs Apple's iOS system, which has been very well received by consumers. The Kindle Fire runs Google's Android 2.3 software, although a stripped-down version of it. Most notably, you cannot access the Android Market for additional apps. You can only use Amazon's app store, which is growing, but has far far fewer apps than the iPad has available. The Amazon App store, right now, has Angry Birds but does NOT have Netflix or Facebook.CONNECTIVITY: The Kindle Fire loses for mobility, because it is WiFi-only. With the iPad you get the option to include a 3G data plan from AT&T or Verizon. So if you need true mobility, the iPad wins out here. It will cost you a lot, though. The 3G models are $100 more expensive to buy and the 3G plans run $20/month and up. CAMERA: The Kindle Fire has no camera at all, the iPad 2 has a camera on the front and back. GPS: The Kindle Fire has no GPS. Forget about Google Maps or directions. The iPad does have GPS internals plus a compass, making maps and navigation possible. BLUETOOTH: It's nice to be able to connect a full keyboard at times. Bluetooth wireless makes this easy on the iPad. But the Kindle Fire has no Bluetooth. SUMMARY:iPad 2 wins on: more apps, larger screen, 3G mobility, camera, gps, BluetoothKindle Fire wins on: low price, light sizeIn my opinion, the Kindle Fire is a better purchase. I already have a full computer. I don't need a large tablet with big capabilities. If I want a tablet, I want something small and portable which will get me the web & email. And I don't want to pay $500. The Kindle Fire is going to be serious competition for the iPad 2 at this rate. Apple just overshot what people want, and charges more than they can spend.If you know and love iOS, or know that you want a camera, gps, 3G, or Bluetooth, then you choice is clear: go with the iPad 2. It will have many many more apps and games to explore and enjoy. But if you have less to spend, and just want a portable tablet for reading books and browsing the web, the Kindle Fire is one of the most compelling Android tablets ever made available at such a low price.Dan suggests21 months ago -
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