Exchaning new iPad for Kindle Fire

~~
Why I'm returning my new iPad and buying a Kindle Fire

My new iPad is going back to the store.

I paid $600 for the 32GB Wi-Fi model, and although I like it well enough,
I don't think it's worth the money.

Before the Apple faithful take my head off, allow me to explain -- and to
note that I'm keeping my original iPad. Also, I have such mad love for my
iPhone 4S, I want to cook it breakfast every morning. You get my meaning;
this isn't just wayward iPad-bashing.

When Apple announced the new tablet, I was underwhelmed but intrigued. I'd
skipped the iPad 2, so I figured I "owed" myself this upgrade. Plus, it
would be a business expense; I do write for a blog called iPad Atlas,
after all.

Mostly, though, I got caught up in the hype. After reading gushing praise
for the new iPad's Retina Display and blazing processor, I had to see what
the fuss was about.

The fuss, it turns out, was more overblown than a Kardashian wedding. The
screen? Yep, it's nice. Does it make my eyes leap from my skull and dance
a cha-cha? No. Neither does it cure cancer or introduce me to supermodels,
despite what some drooling bloggers intimated.
...

As fate would have it, a Kindle Fire arrived shortly after the new iPad.
(It's a loaner, due back to Amazon in about a week.) As you're no doubt
aware, it's a hair less expensive: $199.

Yes, it has a smaller screen, less storage, no cameras, no 3G/4G, no
Bluetooth, and so on. But you know what? I love the little guy, because it
better suits my needs.

For one thing, it's way more comfortable for reading. I consume a lot of e-
books, but I find the iPad too big and cumbersome -- especially for
reading in bed. The Fire is small enough and light enough that I can lie
on my side and grip it one-handed. (Shut up.)
...

I also like the Kindle's modern, media-centric, dare-I-say-sexy interface,
which actually makes Apple's UI seem rather dated.

So here's the upshot: for one-third of what I paid for the new iPad, I can
accomplish 95 percent of what I want to do with a tablet, and with a
smaller form factor I find more appealing. Different strokes for different
folks, of course, but for me this is a no-brainer: I'm returning the new
iPad and jumping into the Fire.

Your thoughts?
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http://snipurl.com/22vxz88

I just finished reading a book on my HP webOS/Android TouchPad. I agree,
the bigger tablet is not as good for reading as the smaller format. (I
would have bought the book for the Nook Simple Touch if it Barnes & Noble
hadn't been charging twice what Google was charging for it.)

Personally, just going by what I've seen at Best Buy, I think the 8.9" is
the best compromise. Supposedly that's what Google's first (subsidized)
tablet's format will be -- if the early rumors are true.

RonB
Registered Linux User #498581
CentOS 5.7 or VectorLinux Deluxe 6.0
or Linux Mint 10