Kindle Fire HD on sale…compare different kindle screens – Doug?

The color Kindle models have a somewhat low quality screen to keep the cost down. I can’t speak much to the apps because I haven’t loaded many on mine since it’s mostly used to test e-books. But there are a lot of apps available and I’m sure there is a mix of quality.

If your interest is mostly books then the black and white models are small, lightweight, quite durable, and inexpensive. The basic and paperwhite are both very easy on the eyes. The paperwhite just has a bit more contrast, which is nice.

We have 2 Fires and a super old-school Kindle.

I have read for hours on both and not had a problem with either.  I do like the old-style Kindle better for reading long-term, but have not gotten headaches or sore eyes from the Fire. 

You can limit your child’s access.  I use something called Freetime so my son can only access the books & apps I have selected for him.  He cannot get to the internet in this mode.  If he wants to get out he has to come to me and have me enter my password and then he can access the internet.

The battery life on the Fire is pretty bad.  I have to recharge at least every other day, sometimes every day.  My old Kindle holds a charge for almost a month.

The Fire was a ‘reward’ for the one child that owns it…the others are working up to it.  He uses it to make a to-do list every day for his schoolwork and chores.  He diligently marks it off every day.  He reads his scriptures on it, does times table practice, and sometimes reads books for history or science (plus free time read).

We do a LOT of apps at our house.  All the kids use them.  Some are pure entertainment but I also have a lot of math, early reading, science, handwriting, and foreign language apps.  The Fire is really fun for that.  The 2 younger boys were doing an online math program (for fun) on it for a while.  Sometimes they watch educational videos on it as well.

Is it necessary for a child?  Probably not.  It is fun and flashy, but not needed.  In our family, as each of our children shows responsibility in getting their work done, going the extra mile to stay organized, and reads more than assigned and such, then they will probably get a Fire or tablet of some sort.  But I’m talking 12 years and older, and then still policed by mom.  We’re also probably going to end up with several basic Kindles for just reading books.  One thing that is important to us is that our children know how to use technology and use it responsibily.  

Just wanted to add that I have the paperwhite, and it is very easy on the eyes.  I thought it would hurt my eyes after a while because of the back light, but it doesn’t.