Kindle Fire or I-Pad mini

gudnoyez

The grandson got a Kindle Fire for Xmas, and the wife seems to like it. We were looking at the new I-pad minis with the retnia display the other day. It now seems she prefers the Kindle Fire now. I like the price she has an I-phone and we both have I-pods so we like apple products. I'am leaning towards the kindle fire, are these just as good as the I-Pads?

halo71

If you go with the Kindle Fire get the HD model. Not so sure the Mini is any better. Seems there are MANY more free apps and downloads for the Kindle also. I got my daughter a iPod Touch 32gb this year. She has not touch her Kindle Fire.

If I were going to buy one for myself I think I would go for something like the Asus Eee Pc. Convertible laptop/tablet.

gudnoyez

Thats what the grandson got the hd model, hes watching happy feet 2 on it right now the picture quality is awesome, and thats what i'am hearing more free apps for the kindle.

leroyjr1

Havent seen the kindle fire HD but got my daughter the iPad mini AT&T model and she loves it. I'm a big apple fan but the price of the Kindle is a big plus. I also like FaceTime so when I'm at work I can talk/see her. The turn by turn GPS is also great.

AsSiMiLaTeD

Wow, some misinformation here already...

First, the iPad Mini does NOT have a Retina display, it has the same 1024x768 resolution that the original iPad and iPad 2 have. It's still a great display, but is not retina.
Second, I don't think there are MANY more free apps for the Kindle than the iPad. In fact I've found the opposite to be true. It all depends on what you're after of course, but I've generally found the apps to be the same price of even more expensive in the Kindle store.

We have both the Kindle Fire HD and the iPad Mini, and each has their advantages. Here's a breakdown:
- The resolution on the Kindle HD is better than on the Mini, but it doesn't really result in a better overall screen for everyday use. For reading the Kindle is probably better since it has more pixels crammed into a smaller area, but honestly reading on the Mini is just fine.
- The screen is bigger on the Mini, on paper it's an inch larger but in practice it feels like a lot more real estate
- The Dolby speaker setup on the Kindle is probably the best sound on any tablet that I've heard. That's not really a huge factor for us, but it is an advantage nonetheless and may factor in for some people
- The iPad is thinner and lighter, I think width and length dimensions are close but weight and thickness are not, the Kindle is much more chunky
- You have access to more content on the iPad, music and video. To be clear, you can access everything on the Mini that you can on the Kindle, which includes the Amazon instant vod stuff with the prime content. But with the Mini you also get access to the iTunes world
- The Kindle HD has a bezel on all 4 sides which, despite adding girth, actually makes holding the Kindle easier if you like to grip it on a single side. There is no bezel on the iPad on the sides, so if you like to hold the tablet like you would, say, a legal pad it's not quite as easy to grip
- Overall responsiveness on the Mini is much better. The HD has better hardware on paper, but that doesn't always translate to better performance in the real world. Things like games, navigating the UI, and especially browsing the web all feel much snappier on the iPad Mini.

For us the iPad is a better device hands down, but IMO it's not really a fair comparison as the Mini is $130 more than the Kindle HD.

So we think the iPad Mini is a better device overall, but that the Kindle Fire HD is a better value at current pricing.

halo71

AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »

Wow, some misinformation here already...

I was speaking from experience and only giving an "opinion". The HD also has a camera. THAT and the better resolution over the regular Kindle Fire is why I recommended it. And also from what I have seen, minus iTunes, there are more free downloads on the Kindle. Again, from my experience with it. My neighbor has a Mini and she hates it. Personally I liked it. But it is more expensive and for the money I didn't really see anything that would make me spend the extra coin. But then again I am not an Apple fanboy either.

My daughters iTouch has retina display and it looks amazing.

chumlie

Kindle & Kindle Fire are a great product. Have five of them in the family now and they all love em.

shawn474

I know you didnt ask, but i was in the same boat for my wifes birthday a couple months ago. Was deciding on which device to get between the ipad mini or the kindle fire. I ended up going with neither and got her the Google Nexus 7; and she loves it. Great display and tons of apps. Nothing to complain about and it is cheaper.

AsSiMiLaTeD

halo71 wrote: »

I was speaking from experience and only giving an "opinion". The HD also has a camera. THAT and the better resolution over the regular Kindle Fire is why I recommended it. And also from what I have seen, minus iTunes, there are more free downloads on the Kindle. Again, from my experience with it. My neighbor has a Mini and she hates it. Personally I liked it. But it is more expensive and for the money I didn't really see anything that would make me spend the extra coin. But then again I am not an Apple fanboy either.

My daughters iTouch has retina display and it looks amazing.

There's that phrase that always gets thrown out again. You don't need to be an 'Apple fanboy' to prefer the Mini over the Kindle, just depends on what your priorities are.

Like I said, I think that the Kindle HD is a better value because it's so much cheaper, I just think the Mini is a better device overall. There are a handful of advantages to the Mini, it's up to the individual user as to whether or not these are important enough to justify the extra coinage.

I"ve got lots of hands on time with both devices since we have one of each and I think my comparison breakdown above is pretty comprehensive - it's up to the individual user to make up their own mind based on their own preferences.

michael1947

I have both, don't really LIKE either. I'm getting a divorce from the "I" stuff as I'm just tired of contributing to Apple for no apparent reason. I just returned a new I phone 5 cause it needed an adaptor to fit into all previous docks and will let my I pad go soon. I like the fire for all of the reasons stated above and pretty much everyone else in the industry can tinker with it to make improvements. Also, I like Amazon and I think they are straight shooters not looking to nickle and dime you to death. Just my HO.

AsSiMiLaTeD

shawn474 wrote: »

I know you didnt ask, but i was in the same boat for my wifes birthday a couple months ago. Was deciding on which device to get between the ipad mini or the kindle fire. I ended up going with neither and got her the Google Nexus 7; and she loves it. Great display and tons of apps. Nothing to complain about and it is cheaper.

I don't believe the Nexus is cheaper than the Kindle Fire HD, I think the HD is actually cheaper, per GB of storage and overall I believe.

The Nexus does have some advantages, I like the form factor better (narrower makes it easier to wrap a hand around it) and having stock Android and full root access is nice for a power user. While I like the look of the custom UI that Amazon uses better, the Nexus feels a bit smoother.

AsSiMiLaTeD

michael1947 wrote: »

I have both, don't really LIKE either. I'm getting a divorce from the "I" stuff as I'm just tired of contributing to Apple for no apparent reason. I just returned a new I phone 5 cause it needed an adaptor to fit into all previous docks and will let my I pad go soon. I like the fire for all of the reasons stated above and pretty much everyone else in the industry can tinker with it to make improvements. Also, I like Amazon and I think they are straight shooters not looking to nickle and dime you to death. Just my HO.

I"m sorry, but I"m gonna to disagree with you there...

I love Amazon as well and am a Prime member several years now. However, they ARE doing exactly what you say they aren't with the new Kindle Fire HD, they nickel and dime you straight out of the box. The Fire HD has advertisements on the front screen, and to get rid of those advertisements you have to pay Amazon $15. Now $15 isn't the end of the world, but thats why they call it nickel and diming and not outright theft.

Also, Amazon has the Fire HD locked down with a custom UI. People can no more tinker with the Fire HD than they can with an iPad Mini, they're both locked down tight and closed ecosystems. There are ways around it with both devices, but both require hacking. That's where the Nexus really shines, its rootable and unlocked straight out of the box.

gudnoyez

Well I just seen the kindle fire HD is on sale at best buy the next 3 days for $199 guess we will head down there and look at both the mini and the kindle again. I wonder if they sell the nexus? Thanks to all for your answers.

AsSiMiLaTeD

$199 is regular price on the Fire HD

AsSiMiLaTeD

AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »

I"m sorry, but I"m gonna to disagree with you there...

I love Amazon as well and am a Prime member several years now. However, they ARE doing exactly what you say they aren't with the new Kindle Fire HD, they nickel and dime you straight out of the box. The Fire HD has advertisements on the front screen, and to get rid of those advertisements you have to pay Amazon $15. Now $15 isn't the end of the world, but thats why they call it nickel and diming and not outright theft.

Also, Amazon has the Fire HD locked down with a custom UI. People can no more tinker with the Fire HD than they can with an iPad Mini, they're both locked down tight and closed ecosystems. There are ways around it with both devices, but both require hacking. That's where the Nexus really shines, its rootable and unlocked straight out of the box.

Oh, and I forgot to mention the fact that Amazon doesn't include the adapter to charge the device, you have to buy that separately as well. If that's not nickel and diming you then I don't know what is...

billbillw

I think you should also consider one of the Android tablets. The Nexus 7 is comparably priced, more apps (compared to Kindle), and no ads.

http://articles.latimes.com/2012/nov/18/business/la-fi-tn-ipad-mini-nexus-kindle-fire-20121117

maximillian

All depends on what you want to do with it too. There's some good advice above, but decide which app market you want to buy from and what type of apps and use you want. This will play a big role in your decision.

I don't recommend it for a "wife" system, but for me I bought a used Nook Tablet on Ebay with a nice leather case used for $80 shipped. I installed Cyanogenmod and use it as a general Android tablet. It has some quirks, but it works great for me and the cost is way less than any of the two devices you are considering. Of course, there are disadvantages to those two devices too, but the cost was the bigger issue for me.

The way I look at it is that in a year I'll probably upgrade. It seems like there is so much competition in the tablet space right now that new, better devices are coming out every year. They are almost dissposable. Since I spent so little I don't mind that. After I upgrade, I may just use my Nook Tablet as a fancy weather display and mount it to the kitchen wall. That might be cool. Could also use it as my Insteon control device and hub too.

ErasmusBDragon

I had the same decision quandary and opted for the Microsoft Surface (using it now). It is a few bucks more but seems well worth it.

AsSiMiLaTeD

Uh yeah, the Surface is in a whole other discussion, both in terms of functionality AND price. FWIW, in its price territory I don't think the surface is the best option either, but that's a discussion for another time.

michael1947

I didn't know that about Amazon. I got it when it frst came out and had no advertising, must be their "upgrade." Perhaps you're in that everyone, or most, are simply out for a quick profit...too bad.

AsSiMiLaTeD

It wasn't like that on the original Kindle Fire, but is that way on the new HD model. It's not the end of the world, but is worth noting. Seriously, they're corporations though, profit is what they do and what they're about.

gudnoyez

Well we just got back from best buy talk about a zoo, if the wife would'nt of wanted a Kindle so Bad I would of held off a few days. The best buy by us were sold out of all Kindles and I pads , they didnt carry the nexus she played around with the demo I -Pad mini
the I-pad 2 with the retina display, the Kindle HD 7 inch display 16GB, and the Kindle HD 8.9 inch 16GB. I tried convincing her to get either the I-pad mini or the new I-pad 2. She chose the Kindle Fire HD 8.9. she couldnt wait till the next day, we had to drive to the Moline Best Buy as they had a few Kindle 8.9s left. What a fiasco she is with her gadgets the way Iam with audio equipment and mountain bikes, so I got it for her. I know it was cheaper than the Apple choices she had but still with an otter box protecter it set me back $408

I told her that I-phone I-pod and other gadget stuff addiction of hers has to stop, and as soon as I get one more amp and maybe a 2013 Trek 29er we will never buy stuff again, we agreed it will be are new year resolution. Thanks again for all the feed back

AsSiMiLaTeD

The iPad 2 also does NOT have a retina display...

gudnoyez

The new I-pad 2 did unless the guy at best buy was misleading us, which one does if not the new one?

gudnoyez

AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »

The iPad 2 also does NOT have a retina display...

You are right it was a 4th gen they were showing us.

AsSiMiLaTeD

Right, the iPad 3 and iPad 4 DO have the retina display, the iPad 2 and Mini do not. The pixel density on the Mini is better than the 2 because it's the same resolution crammed into a smaller space, but is still not a retina display.