REVIEWS:The Kindle Fire HD 8.9

So, as the apple ipad at last gets a completly slighter version, the Kindle Fire HD gets a rather bigger one.

Both models are, essentially, similar as the modern variants of the respective series. Though, both are oddly sized additions to their respective families. The iPad Mini is 7.9 Inches and so isn’t, strictly speaking, a 7 Inch tablet and, to not be beaten, this new Kindle Fire is 8.9 Inches and so is consequently not, strictly speaking, a ten-inch version of their (usually 7-Inch) Kindle Fire HD.

Historically, tablet pc’s come in 2 sizes, 10″ and 7″, and both sizes have their advocates, just as much as both sides have advantages and drawbacks. I checked out this latest Kindle Fire in an effort to find if larger actually is better…

THE SPECS

Perhaps I would have been more contented evaluating the Kindle Fire HD to the Google Nexus instead. The Nexus 7 is, after all, really the only tablet pc in Kindle Fire’s price range that matches it for effectiveness, specifications and reputation.

Initially a 7 Inch tablet pc, the 10 Inch Nexus 10 was released to about as warm a welcome as George Costanza’s wig and sold pretty poorly from there. Actually, there is barely around 680,000 Nexus 10 models currently in use, which looks bad, especially in comparison to estimated 6.8 million Nexus 7 tablet pc’s.

Why is this? The Nexus 10 was just as good a tablet the Asus nexus 7 (and the Nexus 7 is an incredibly, excellent tablet). On the other hand, for some reason, it just did not cut the mustard.

Perhaps it’s a size thing. Bigger tablet pc’s basically are not as lightweight (or as cheap) as their smaller counterparts. Fundamentally, it appears that when people go big, they go apple ipad.

Seemingly, the Kindle Fire HD 8.9 is identical classy, multinational accessory as the standard Kindle Fire HD, however it’s just slightly bit bigger this time about. This implies it has a similar duel WiFi aerial, identical astounding array of downloadable apps and content and also the same specially designed Dolby surround sound system.

THE COST

The 8.9 version + Kindle Fire HD is a great buy costlier than the 7 Inch model. For example, I can buy a 7″ Kindle Fire HD (with free delivery, no less) from Amazon for £160, but the 8.9-Inch version, that is, barring one or two minor modifications, the identical device, will set me back about £230. That is quite a bit to think about.

THE OPERATION

Right now, I’ve talked (at great duration) regarding the Kindle Fire HD in a variety of other places, so I’ll frankly summarise here so as to save space and avoid repeating myself.

The Kindle Fire HD is a stunning success of condensed computing; it offers a simple, likeable user interface, outstanding media playback with a fine array of apps to boot. The Kindle Fire HD is an excellent all rounder that provides great value for money and is a very sensible choice for the commuter, first-time purchaser and/or the casual consumer.

Experienced software engineers may find the Fire HD restrictive (Amazon are notoriously heavy-handed about what you can and cannot install, for example) and its not on the level of an iPad or a Surface in terms of processing power. Though, it is a good product overall.

The 8.9 Inch version differs in only one, achingly obvious, way.

The dimensions increase does benefit from a bigger display, that’s a genuine boon to the visually impaired user, but beyond that, this indicates slightly superfluous. The enlarged size makes the Kindle Fire HD feel that rather more cumbersome and clumsy, whilst also making it less prone to fit on your bedside, or as cozily right into a handbag or rucksack.

The difference in size is not as jarring as the 10 Inch model would have been, but it is certainly noticeable. #On the# one hand, its nice to have increased options, but on the other…

THE VERDICT

Basically, the smaller size of the Kindle Fire HD is among its main selling factors. Cheap and cheerful, the 7″ Kindle Fire HD was seemingly made for livening up boring bus journeys, replacing the book on your nightstand and being a perfect travel companion on the last-minute holiday. Conversely, the 8.9″ version lacks most of those charms, whilst at the same time also lacking the processing muscle of the 10 Inch pc tablet.

This new Kindle Fire HD continues to be a excellent device, but the size (along with the cost) increase does not seem prone to make it many new friends. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a fan of the series, but I forecast this one sharing the same fate to the Nexus 10.