Comments on: 70 percent of Kindle owners over 40?

It may not be a scientific poll, but some tabulations from an Amazon.com discussion thread indicate that the Kindle and Kindle 2 are skewing heavily toward Baby Boomers and seniors.

[Ampers]

I am not surprised that older people are buying this product. I know little about these gadgets but if I can alter the typeface and the point size of the type, I will definitely be buying one.

At 70, my eyes aren't as sharp as they once were, and when I am travelling (UK spelling) on public transport, the idea that I can increase contrast and point size even more to combat the shake of the vehicle interests me greatly.

Ampers.

[PearceR]

I've had a kindle for about 2 months now, and I'm addicted. It's just all-around easier to work with than "real" books. Need a word defined? Just highlight it and a short definition pops up on the bottom of the screen. Highlighting, clipping text, searching; there are some serious advantages to the "Kindle way". I have a stack of physical books that I bought before I got the Kindle, and now I wish I had them on the Kindle instead. I can plop it on the table & read it "hands free" without having to prop it open somehow. Will it completely replace hard copies? No. I'll still pick up bargain books or grab something that catches my eye at the bookstore or library. I agree that it will add a new market. It will probably bleed a little from physical book sales, but I have no doubt that it will lead to a huge net increase over time.

[cyclonica1980]

Im a huge reader personally, so I plan on investing on a Kindle for my 20th b-day. The kindle carries my textbooks so its gonna be a huge life saver for my poor back. I usually lug around 35-50 LBS of books a day on my back. Best of all its already been approved by the schools administration board :) Rumor has it we will get them at a discount.

If this thing is as good as ive been hearing, its going to be a college students next best friend. No more carrying these huge textbooks. "class turn to page 174" push one button, BAM! Though the main reason the Kindle is slow to catch on is of course the price. But I think its a worthy investment.

[aprice88]

I think I found the oldest Kindle 2 owner in the world: http://www.widwi.com/widwi.php?item=40

[xiteal]

Why would you want a Kindle ? You can get a netbook at roughly the same price ($350 or more). The netbook is definitely heavier and thicker than a Kindle, but has larger screen (> 10"), and deliver many many other functions. If you have disposable income, then you can own a computer, a laptop, a netbook, a kindle and a smartphone altogether. But if you not, you are better off with a netbook and a phone. The saving that you just earned can be used to buy e-books instead :-)

I concur with productvibe about the benefit of using e-textbook instead of breaking one's back with the heavy printed textbooks. However, if a college student already has a netbook, there is no room and budget for Kindle :-) I guess that this is the reason why the demography for Kinkle is > 40 year-old with disposable income.

Why would the Kindle be the savior for newspaper ? Digital prints can be consumed with computer, laptop, netbook, now kinkle, and smartphone in the future. Kindle will be just another distribution outlet, no more no less. The publishers need to re-invent their business model regardless.

[xiteal]

Why would you want a Kindle ? You can get a netbook at roughly the same price ($350 or more). The netbook is definitely heavier and thicker than a Kindle, but has larger screen (> 10"), and deliver many many other functions. If you have disposable income, then you can own a computer, a laptop, a netbook, a kindle and a smartphone altogether. But if you not, you are better off with a netbook and a phone. The saving that you just earned can be used to buy e-books instead :-)

I concur with productvibe about the benefit of using e-textbook instead of breaking one's back with the heavy printed textbooks. However, if a college student already has a netbook, there is no room and budget for Kindle :-) I guess that this is the reason why the demography for Kinkle is > 40 year-old with disposable income.

Why would the Kindle be the savior for newspaper ? Digital prints can be consumed with computer, laptop, netbook, now kinkle, and smartphone in the future. Kindle will be just another distribution outlet, no more no less. The publishers need to re-invent their business model regardless.

[bugsybuggles]

The Kindle provides one gadget that contains my current reading both professional and for pleasure, my magazine and my newspaper, oh and don't forget my audiobook. I have a home full of books and magazines and I am tired of managing "dead trees". I am addicted to reading and to the content not to the form it arrives in. I will read online and on my Kindle. What Kindle gives me is one thing to carry that contains everything. I have been known to walk around with a bag containing a newspaper, a magazine, and two books or so, and an mp3 player with an audiobook. One light thin gaget that relieves me of several pounds of paper that then has to have a home somewhere or be carted off and donated and sold somewhere is a great thing. I have also found that the savings from purchasing as I need the book not purchasing in the booksstore for "maybe want to read and have time to read it" has lead to lower costs for my reading materials. I am still reading just as much and perhaps more but I am no longer adding to the shelves in my home of the "unread". I am pretty sure that my Kindle has paid for itself in about 6 months.

[MaasaiPress]

In this economy in particular there is no way around the fact you better have some serious disposable income for an electrical gadget that is not particularly multifunctional. So it comes as no surprise about the age demographic.

Tired of the same poorly written storylines? When was the last time you actually read something good?

For progressive e-readers, or anyone who just enjoys a good read, I invite you to check out maasaipress.com and buy the latest new e-book offering on the web. The Host - Sword of Cain.

Upcoming titles will be published monthly. Leery about buying online? Then check out the Amazon link and purchase for your Kindle, iPhone, or iPod

Hope you enjoy!