Will you buy the $139 Kindle Wi-Fi?

At $139, the Kindle Wi-Fi is Amazon's most affordable e-book reader yet. But is it affordable enough?

(Credit: Amazon)

As you've probably heard by now, Amazon just took the wraps off two new Kindle models: the Kindle Wi-Fi and Kindle Free 3G+Wi-Fi.

Let's set aside for a moment the curious naming conventions at work here. (Yo, Amazon: was something wrong with "Kindle 3" and "Kindle 3 Wi-Fi Edition"? What's with all the vague "All-New Kindle" and "Latest Generation" monikers?) The big news is price, at least for the Wi-Fi model: $139.

When the Kindle debuted nearly three years ago, I was excited by the hardware (I'm an e-book fan from way back) but disappointed by the $399 price tag. That didn't stop people from snapping them up, of course--you may recall that the first batch sold out in a matter of hours, and it was nearly six months until Amazon replenished its stock.

Still, as a card-carrying cheapskate, I could not and would not pay that much for a dedicated e-book reader. In my mind, the magic price point was $99. I suspected it would come, and I'm delighted to see we're almost there.

I'm also glad Amazon finally realized that built-in 3G is overkill in a device like the Kindle. Between homes, offices, Starbucks stores, and airports, Wi-Fi hot spots are just about everywhere. Downloading the occasional book doesn't carry the same urgency as, say, checking e-mail or updating Twitter, so why pay extra for 3G? (You still can, of course: the "Free 3G+Wi-Fi" model sells for $189.)

If I didn't already own an iPad and iPhone (I still read most of my e-books on the latter, though more and more I'm starting to crave a larger screen), I'd definitely grab the Kindle Wi-Fi for $139. It's not $99, but it's close enough.

What about you? Is this close enough to your "magic price point" as well? Are you bummed you missed out on the $109.99 refurbished Kindle 2 from a couple weeks ago? (Guess we know the driving force behind that deal.)

More to the point, do you think Kindles and other dedicated e-book readers can survive the current and coming tablet onslaught? As long as people continue to read, I honestly don't care.

[krubby]

I am not an expert at this at all, so can someone tell me if I am correct about this:
Amazon now has the Kindle WiF only for $139 (as mentioned above)
B&N has the Nook Wi Fi for $149

the MAJOR different for me (I think) is that the Nook can handle epub format books, which I believe in turn means I can 'check out' free books from my library electrically. while the kindle cannot.

so for me for $10.00 I was thinking the Nook was a better option ONLY because of the library book thing. Am I missing any other key differences that makes this new kindle better than the nook or visa versa? besides I see the kindle has a physical keyboard but does that matter all the much for while is primarily a book reader?

thanks

[goober_nut]

I do know that my library has some books in epub format and some in mobi (Kindle) format.

Some of the books are both while some are one or the other. If I'm not mistaken, currently there is software which can help you convert epub to mobi, but none that go the other way yet.

I personally like the Nook more due to the fact it doesn't have the big keyboard. The lcd screen appeals to me more, but others disagree.

[kiari]

I bought the Nook even though I had a couple of Kindle books mostly because of the price difference at the time. If I had to choose now, I think I would still choose the Nook because I can check out ebooks from my library. It's a great device and so far I love it. :)

[dumbspammers]

The big difference for me is the hack that lets you turn your Nook into a full-fledged Android tablet. That's worth ten bucks, easy.

[sonora77]

Check out calibre (http://calibre-ebook.com/). It's a great conversion tool that I use regularly to take project gutenberg books and send over USB to my kindle, converting epub to kindle format. It handles lots of formats, handles free magazine subscriptions, finds covers, and is just a very nice handy utility.

[sinner3k]

EPUB is easily the best format out there for ebooks. As one commenter stated below, check out Calibre for ebook management and conversion. It's incredibly easy to use and converts ebooks from one format to another with very few problems. I also recommend Sigil for creating or modifying EPUB files. The learning curve is a little steeper than with Calibre, but it's absolutely essential for people who like their books to look a certain way. I'm currently using an Aluratek Libre for my ebooks and I have to say that the shorter battery life of the LCD screen is more than made up for by the fast page refresh speeds.

Just my two cents.

[krubby]

OK, I understand from your post there is conversion software, but if these are books from the Library would they be protected in some way that I may not be as able to convert the format as ones that I purchase? or is that not an issue?

or for the $10.00 would the nook just be an easier choice so I don't have to convert every time?

[Xenophons_Gunny]

One argument for Kindle versus Nook is the larger selection of books available. I find that offered for Nook to be a bit light on nonfiction. The slightly lower cost of Kindle books is also a consideration.

[kikakiwi]

Reasons I prefer Nook Wi-Fi over Kindle, compatibility with e-books from my Palm Pilot days, ability to borrow from the library or other nook users, expandable memory slot, ability for user to change battery, The one thing kindle does now that nook doesn't (yet?) is have the ability to play video, but I hold out hope that it's just an update away.

I have had my nook for 3 weeks now and have yet to find a need to "purchase" an e-book, e-library I love you so.

[S4cR3d]

Also the Nook can read PDF and with Barnes and Noble's new "NookStudy" coming it works better for me as a student. Also with user expandable storage (Via Micro SD) and a removable battery, the Nook is in it for the long run.

[tad0900]

Don't understand comments about converting Project Gutenberg books to Kindle format. They are already offered in Mobipocket format, which works on Kindle. For the most interesting book selection, check out munseys.com. Great books in all formats.

[solitare_pax]

Will I buy the Kindle?

Nah, not yet - I'm still all for deforestation to read my books, magazines & newspapers on dead trees.

[dumbspammers]

Please name one single tree that has been cut for making paper in the past fifty years that was not farmed for the express purpose of making paper. As someone employed in the processing hardware part of paper-making, I have a decent grasp of the wood chip sources - and deforestation is NOT one of them. People who spread lies about "save trees, read ebooks" really make me angry - but then, so does any willful ignorance.

Ebooks may be more convenient, and that's great; but ebooks don't save trees, and especially not "wild" trees.

[Seaspray0]

Will I buy the new kindle? Of course not! The significant other still owes me a birthday present and the kindle is how I'm going to collect it.

[Chiatzu]

There's the limited resources it takes to make a book and ship all of those books out to the Internet retailers and their customers, and the resultant pollution/CO2 from the transportation and energy consumption generated, that leads to unnatural climate change, which eventually leads to deforestation from a tree killing and insect friendly climate. Buy digital whenever possible.

[mssoot]

In spite of all that, does the constant recharing required of any ereader come without any CO2 footprint
I doubt it seriously

[Bill F.]

Unnatural climate change? What did humans get dropped here by space aliens? Nothing un-natural about paper and bookstores and the like. I'm not a big fan of ebooks, I might be converted someday, but I like bookstores, just like I like 'record' stores. And I think paying $11 bucks for an ebook when you can buy the real thing for $13 bucks might be someone trying to turn a very large profit on the ebook. An ebook essentially costs you pennies to deliver, and that's pretty much your only cost. The author, if they have the contract, may make a dollar on a book sale. So lets stop with the CO2 point, and get with the reality of the deal. This isn't any different then when CD's came along, were cheaper to make and produce then a Vinyl record, yet, cost twice as much for people to buy.

I'll go for an ebook reader when the sellers stop ripping us off on the content.

[AndroidFTW]

Yes...but I suspect Amazon will hit the $99 mark soon with said device.

[Sportsmaniac1322]

I've always preferred the Kindle over the Nook, mainly because I think the color screen on the Nook is pointless, gimmicky, and wastes valuable battery life. The price of the Kindle was always a little too steep for my liking, but this new Wi-Fi Kindle just nailed it on the pricing front. I'm excited to get my Kindle!

[mighty7sd]

I got a B&N Nook a week or two ago. I don't have issues with the color touchscreen draining battery since it is off for 99% of the time that I use it. I like how the touchscreen changes it's contextual buttons based on what screen you are on.

I understand the need for 3G on a Kindle since it saves your place between all your devices, but since the Nook doesn't do that I don't need 3G.

[boswd]

I agree with might7sd, I love the color touchscreen navigation.

Pointless and gimmicky? so I guess you are still using your old 1990's clam shell phone because blackberry and Smartphones are pointless and gimmicky.

Dude it's 2010, navigating via a joystick is a little outdated.

The nook overall is still the better e-reader.

[Xenophons_Gunny]

The battery charge drain can be a consideration when it's a long walk between wall outlets, power strips, or generators. As for still using old technology like clam shell phones, if it still does the job, yeah.

[FinalJenemba]

Does anyone else find it odd that a "card carrying cheapskate" bought an iPad? I can hardly think of a less cheapskate-ey item.

[rufwork]

Well, compared to an iPhone 4 and a contract, it's pretty cheap. ;^) You can't find a cheaper 3G smartphone with better month to month prices than an iPad.

Course I think he has an iPhone too. ;^)

[goober_nut]

Let's hope that he got it from Apple because he does reviews for their products.

[jay.flow]

I couldn't agree more. The iPad is the most overpriced piece of technology. That's what stood out to me the most from the this article.

[rickbroida]

I honestly didn't want to! But it was a legitimate business expense. I do write for iPad Atlas, after all. :)

[rufustel]

Actually, the iPad isn't all that overpriced, when you compare it to MacBooks and other Apple computers--all of which are so heftily-priced that you often can buy 2-for-1 from other manufacturers (but then, you don't get a white and chrome computer usually ...).

;)

[Jamasama]

"the iPad isn't all that overpriced, when you compare it to MacBooks and other Apple computers"

That's like saying a $100,000 bicycle isn't all that overpriced, when you compare it to a $50,000 Ferrari.....

[Jamasama]

^
|
Sorry, meant $50,000 bicycle and $100,000 Ferrari.

[rufustel]

@Jamasama-- I was being a bit sarcastic in my comment; most items from Apple are more costly than they could/should be (although it's all relative and what the market will bear; buyer beware ...) and carry the infamous apple-tax ...

[californiaxfresh]

I just bought a jetbook, but I'll probably upgrade to the 3g kindle

[Ganymede28211]

I have an HTC Evo. There is a kindle app. It has a 4"+ screen. I have plenty of books already. I can read them all on my Evo. Do I need another 3" on my device to read them? No. Do I want to carry more than 1 device around duplicating features I already have? No.

Will I but the Kindle? or any other e-reader for that matter... NO!

[goober_nut]

The major difference is that the EVO has a backlit screen, while the Kindle/Nook/Kobe, etc all have e-ink which to me is SO much easier on the eyes.

To each their own though.

[Harlan879]

I have an Evo too, and read books on it, but I'm looking forward to getting a Kindle to complement my Evo. There's a Kindle app for Android, now, so I can have the same books on the two different gadgets, and read on whichever one is most appropriate. Outside or for long periods? Kindle. Briefly and with a need for color or ePub? Evo.

Looking forward to the new device!

[DrMadducks]

I bought a Kindle 2 from Woot.com a month or so ago ($150!) and I disagree with you concerning the need for 3G. Is it a luxury? Yes, but my Kindle software syncs between my Moto Droid and our Kindle so both of my devices know where I am in the book. I usually read from my Kindle 2 but when I get a few minutes here or there away from home, I pull out my phone and read a little more and both devices know where I left off.

I guess the question becomes is the $50 difference worth it? Ummm yes. Lifetime of the device 3G coverage for only $50!

[johnseanconn]

But it's $50 for something you don't really need. I can't imagine any time where I will be away from wifi but desperately need to download a book at that very moment. The device claims to hold 3500 books so I'm sure I can download plenty to read when I'm connected to wifi so I wouldn't need a 3G connection - it's basically useless.

I will only pay $99 or less for the Kindle, though, so I won't be buying one any time soon. Since it's a one-trick pony I think it should be even cheaper than that.

[AndroidFTW]

The "Kindle on the Beach" advert made it very clear THIS is the best device for reading books.
Dedicated device for dedicated function wins.
And like Bezos said...Pay once , read anywhere (any platform)

[dumbspammers]

You know, I find that the best device for reading books is... A book. And if I drop it in the sand (or surf), or leave it behind accidentally, or it's stolen... Well, I lost ten bucks or less.

How much salt air and sand can the Kindle (or Nook, for that matter) tolerate?

"Kindle on the Beach" is the kind of advertising that appeals to people who don't think things through.

[showfizz]

@ dumbspammers - that's the dumbest theory. If we thought like that about every tech products, We'd be still slinging in the trees like monkeys.

BTW: dont drive to work, your car might get dirty. Walk instead.

[SFlawgirl]

Trendydigital.com sells a waterproof case for nook, kindle, and ipad. I used one with my nook last week at the beach and it was great! Talk about not thinking things through "dumbspammers"....

[lpady]

Actually, instead of spending $$ on a waterproof case for my Kindle, I just put it in a double zipper plastic bag ... works for me!

[j_ten_man]

Once you read on a Kindle for an hour, you'll be wishing you had it for reading over your iPad. It is 10x easier on the eyes. iPad is great if you do a lot of things besides reading, but if you are doing a lot of reading on your iPad, it would definitely be worth get a dedicated eReader. You won't regret it.

[rufwork]

"I'm also glad Amazon finally realized that built-in 3G is overkill..."

Quite the contrary. I think you're going to see more specialized, handheld devices with lifetime 3G or higher service in the coming years. WiFi is a hassle, between signing in, finding a good signal, getting dumped when too many people are on it, etc.

3G is fairly seamless and a better user experience. One less step is one less barrier to entry/use/purchase.

One of the nicest bonuses of the Kindle 3G is the ability to web browse (albeit somewhat ungainly) anywhere. It does Gmail surprisingly well, much better than the Peek, for example.

And let's see a WiFi-er buy a book for their whining kid to read while on road during the Great Family Summer Vacation. I'm very happy to have jumped on the $109 refurb special.

Anyhow, the point here is that 3G is becoming ubiquitous. You might not find apps downloading movies soon, but 3G in something like an iPod Nano to allow purchases on the road or your Garmin to update maps for the location you're in *now*, etc, is going to happen.

[make_or_break]

If you 'honestly don't care', then why did you even bother to ask the question?

Jus' askin...<sarcasm>

Is the price of the Wi-Fi only Kindle cheap enough to make me switch from Sony? Yes, but the Wi-Fi only Nook was cheap enough, too, and I didn't pull the trigger on THAT deal. Personally I have more faith in Amazon over Barnes & Noble making e-books workable and a long-lived venture. I don't really know how B&N is doing with Nook sales of late, but have you been in a Barnes & Noble lately? Not exactly doing great in terms of sales, even before the recession hit. And their recent price cut--no doubt done due to initial lukewarm sales--put a real damper on their loss forecasts when they announced their projected numbers late last month.

Amazon was smart way back when to diversify its sales; they can lean on many types of products for profit during ventures like the Kindle's birthing period, which by now (considering the upcoming Gen 3) should be done for them. Even Sony has a broad range of markets to pull income from should they EVER get truly serious about e-readers. B&N still has only its print media, overpriced CDs and DVDs, a few board game offerings and their coffee shop to hang their hat on while they ride out the Nook's red ink generation. Kinda HARD to put much faith in B&N's e-book business model, even with the Nook's e-pub friendly advantage.

[krubby]

who are you talking about? who said they honestly didn't care? I can't see that, but must of missed it.. whowas that addressed to?

[Ryan_Phx]

Wow--any more stuff you want to make up to try to make a point? Do you have data on Nook sales you'd care to share? How do you know the price reduction was because of "lukewarm" sales and not merely an attempt to undercut the Kindle? You say that B&N has "only its print media" etc to rely on--do you not realize that B&N has their own ebook store? You're just making stuff up. Next time, get some facts before making ignorant comments.

[lpady]

I did get the nook to try it out after they added a web browser. But ended up returning it. The SD card expandability, battery replacement, color touch screen, ability to read any book (but ONLY for 1 hour) while in a B&N brick and mortar store, ability to loan an ebook to a friend (but ONLY ONCE for any single ebook), etc. were not enough incentive to beat the lower price point for most books on Amazon and the free 3G lifetime access. Granted, I rarely use the 3G. But when I want it, it's there. Kindle was in the business first, and with their latest software update have shown that they are dedicated to keeping up the cutting edge. FINALLY the ability to categorize your books! There are still a few things I'd like to see, but I'm sure there will be updates down the road that will address them.

[boswd]

WOW lots of misinformation in this one. Usually when a company such as Amazon acts reactionary to it's competition that is a tell tale sign, they know they are in a fight.
Lets see if we can add this up shall we?

Barnes and Noble lowers their price to $199. What does Amazon do 3 hours later? Lower their price
The Nook has been touted as having the gold standard for contrast. What does Amazon do? Improve their contrast
The Nook now offers a Wi Fi only device. What does Amazon do? Offers up a wi fi only device.
The Nook has been touted for having a clean sleak look. What does Amazon do? Redesigns it's Kindle to have a cleaner sleaker look and taking a page from the Nook to have only the page forward and backwards buttons on the side.
The Nook has been touted for offering Wi Fi. What does Amazon do? Throws in Wi Fi.

Are you seeing a pattern here? If the Nook was doing so poorly I highly doubt Amazon would act so reactionary.

If the Cool ER ereader made some changes do you think Amazon would react? I highly doubt it.

Oh yeah, The Kindle still NO E-PUB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[manwalklikebear]

If it was with the 3g for under $100 then i'd jump on it. As some above commenters said, 3g is one less step in buying more books. I think there should be no wi-fi only version and still have the $140 price point (refurbs could then be under $100). Plain and simple, a device that is only good for books and light light browsing shouldn't cost much at all.

I paid $189 for a Kindle 2 that arrived last Saturday. I'm probably sending it back (30 day return policy), and I'll get the 3G+WiFi version, and I'll maybe also get a WiFi only version.

[longveu]

I've owned a Sony PRS-505 for a few years (got it for $150 when Circuit City closed) and bought a Kindle 2 a few weeks back (refurb, $110). I read every single day and have found I really prefer the Sony. It's weight, feel, design, and text clarity are all just slightly better than the Kindle. No single attribute would give it the win, but taken together they push the Sony ahead.

The almost-coup comes with the cord factor. Having to plug the Sony in to manage the library is a minor hassle (and the software GUI blows), but 3G wireless syncing for the Kindle is really sweet! I am hoping to score another Kindle or two to give as gifts to my mom and my mother-in-law, neither of whom would I want to subject to WiFi hassles.

[mavalos88]

3G overkill? I really do think you are mistaken. On my trip to South Africa, I bought a book through 3G at the airport in Paris (internet is not free there). I also used 3G many times to check my email while on the road. If you are in your home town I might give you that it is overkill, but abroad it's really handy.

[Seaspray0]

Rick, perhaps you should have included a poll question.

[Paralegal99]

I'm one of the lucky ones who was able to but the "Refurb" Kindle for $110.00 a couple of weeks back. I really doubt this was a refurb because everything was just like new to include having to pull the cardboard tab off of the surrounding kindle box. But I digress....I agree that the 3G is a bit of a luxury although having this stay in synch with my Iphone is really nice. But I am loving my Kindle and reading more again than I use to. I agree that the magic pricepoint for this to be fully adopted will be $100 or less. Now I just hope that the price of books fall a little bit. Seriously, without the cost of materials, labor, storage and shipping, I think the publishers and authors can still make a nice profit from digital books at a lesser price than paper books.

[lpady]

Speaking of the price of ebooks over paper ... what killed me was when the latest book I wanted was MORE EXPENSIVE in the ebook format than the hard cover!!!! WTH??? I found this to be true at Amazon as well as B&N. Talk about a complete rip off. Although this is an isolated case and most ebooks are cheaper, they aren't ENOUGH cheaper. Especially considering the fact that I can loan out my hard copy book to anyone I choose while I can't do that with my ebook (except for the Nook and the limit there is ONE TIME EVER for any single book). Meh.

[lmmvirago]

As someone who owns both the iPad and the Kindle I can say that the Kindle is far more preferable for reading due to the e-ink and being much lighter to hold with one hand. Reading in bed or on the couch is difficult with iPad. I can easily hold and turn pages with just one hand on the Kindle. I can't with the iPad.

If something happened to my Kindle I would definitely buy the $139 model to replace it.

[tad0900]

Definitely agree with this comment. The iPad (which I own) is cool, and is a great way to browse the web or keep up with something like Google Reader. But when I'm reading a normal novel, being able to easily hold the Kindle in one hand and press the next page button using the same hand, while I'm eating a greasy snack with my right hand is essential. Swiping a finger to turn a page on the iPad is fast and looks cool, but it takes another hand.

[tw1975]

"Will you buy the $139 Kindle Wi-Fi?"

No.