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Amazon’s $50 Fire tablet reviewed: Surprisingly, it doesn’t suck
Ars Technica UK | Oct 24, 2015 4:25am PDT | Mark Walton

Posted on 10/26/2015 8:31:18 AM PDT by Utilizer

Ars Technica UK published an article that might be of interest to those of you considering purchasing or already owning a Tablet. In summary, and in comparison with other similar tablets the Fire tablet comes out surprisingly well.


TOPICS: Computers/Internet
KEYWORDS: amazon; android; arstechnica; firetablet; tablet
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To: knittnmom

I’ve been looking for something inexpensive to stream I Heart Radio for our (small) sales floor. I know I would have to use external speakers, but that’s not a problem.

Would something like the Kindle Fire be good for this purpose?


21 posted on 10/26/2015 9:27:52 AM PDT by TheRobb7 ("Patriots don't negotiate the terms of their enslavement"--JimRob)
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To: Georgia Girl 2

Remember that they need wifi access for many useages, and you might need a Prime account for others. I refer you to the article... :)


22 posted on 10/26/2015 9:30:06 AM PDT by Utilizer (Bacon A'kbar! - In world today are only peaceful people, and the muzlims trying to kill them)
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To: Utilizer

I guess I’m a little slow. Why do I need a tablet? I have 2 laptops, 1 desk PC and a smart-ass phone. What would I do with one?

I don’t watch streaming video now. I rarely watch movies on my cable. I don’t play games or listen to music. I doubt I’m going to work on spreadsheets with it.


23 posted on 10/26/2015 9:31:00 AM PDT by umgud (v)
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To: Utilizer
Remember that they need wifi access for many useages, and you might need a Prime account for others. I refer you to the article... :)

I use my fire every day and haven't paid amazon a nickel since I bought it.


24 posted on 10/26/2015 9:32:58 AM PDT by 867V309 (Trump: Bull in a RINO Shoppe)
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To: Utilizer

Any trouble with the screen freezes?


25 posted on 10/26/2015 9:38:50 AM PDT by Kartographer ("We mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.")
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To: umgud

Dunno about you, but I use this one as a bookreader (using the web browser) in html format, and to watch saved episodes of favourite tv- series programmes I prefer. It also plays mp3 songs and uses less energy, whle producing less heat than other devices -although the battery life does seem a bit poor.

It’s simply more convenient than a laptop or desk computer, and more portable. Anywhere you can sit or stand you can easily access your files. (Including the dunny). :)


26 posted on 10/26/2015 9:39:21 AM PDT by Utilizer (Bacon A'kbar! - In world today are only peaceful people, and the muzlims trying to kill them)
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To: Utilizer

In a few weeks I will be spending five days in the hospital, I will need a tablet or a cheap laptop ( $100-300 ) any suggestions?


27 posted on 10/26/2015 9:43:03 AM PDT by heights
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To: Kartographer

Not so far, but this one is currently not much more than the default setup. The only thing I added was the Opera Tablet Browser, since the other offered apps required a google account and wireless access to the google store.

It plays mp4 vids by default, so it’s pretty much loafing along for the most part. Not much stress to cause a screenfreeze.


28 posted on 10/26/2015 9:43:48 AM PDT by Utilizer (Bacon A'kbar! - In world today are only peaceful people, and the muzlims trying to kill them)
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To: Utilizer

Are your files on the tablet or in the cloud? Can you operate with power attached? BTW, I have Amazon Prime.


29 posted on 10/26/2015 9:45:49 AM PDT by umgud (v)
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To: Utilizer

We have Wifi at home.


30 posted on 10/26/2015 9:48:52 AM PDT by Georgia Girl 2 (The only purpose of a pistol is to fight your way back to the rifle you should never have dropped)
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To: Utilizer

Cool! and thank you, better yet my Grandkids thank you! They got a great deal right now buy five and get a sixth one for free!! That’s means I have an extra just in case there is a issue with one! and then if not I have something to play with myself!


31 posted on 10/26/2015 9:50:21 AM PDT by Kartographer ("We mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.")
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To: heights

I’m not really a tablet expert, which is why I acquired this low-end unit for evaluation. Wifi access and battery life would seem to be the major considerations for these units. That and the lack of a few apps I personally needed. Oh, and the greater chance of loss as well.

The relative fragility of a tablet verses a laptop should also be a consideration, as I still have not found a suitable hard shell casing for this one. Not to mention the relatively small and possibly easily-damaged micro USB power jack.

When I last stayed in the hospital, I managed to bring a laptop along with an extended cord for the power pack. Most hospitals are tolerant of laptops these days for a patient’s personal useage and entertainment. I spent a lot of time catching up on episodes of NCIS, Leverage, Bones, Longmire, and The Mentalist. I had all the episodes on an external 2.5in 320 gig hard drive, with lots of room to spare. Read a few e-books as well.

Would have gone mad from boredom without it. :)


32 posted on 10/26/2015 10:00:01 AM PDT by Utilizer (Bacon A'kbar! - In world today are only peaceful people, and the muzlims trying to kill them)
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To: heights

Oh, and the article referenced here also presents some comparisons you might want to take a look at as well.


33 posted on 10/26/2015 10:01:03 AM PDT by Utilizer (Bacon A'kbar! - In world today are only peaceful people, and the muzlims trying to kill them)
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To: umgud

My files are on the device itself, not in the cloud.

Yes, it operates with the power attached: it simply recharges more slowly. Or discharges, if you are watching vids.


34 posted on 10/26/2015 10:02:48 AM PDT by Utilizer (Bacon A'kbar! - In world today are only peaceful people, and the muzlims trying to kill them)
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To: Kartographer

I bought one last year when they were $89. I love it for freeping. On it now.


35 posted on 10/26/2015 10:02:50 AM PDT by ebshumidors
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To: Utilizer

I have a Paperwhite and a Kindle Fire, as well as an iPad mini and iPhone. I need to bring the Fire more when away from home rather than carrying the iPad mini, especially when I get a new and expensive iPad. I am very happy with any Kindle. I also am glad that the Kindle app on my iPad and iPhone as well as Fire have my Amazon library and videos too.

When I was in the UK and didn’t want to take my iPad on the trip for fear of roaming charges, the Fire was a great replacement when wifi was available.


36 posted on 10/26/2015 10:07:14 AM PDT by Moonmad27 ("I'm not bad, I'm just drawn that way." Jessica Rabbit)
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To: umgud

Thanks


37 posted on 10/26/2015 10:14:03 AM PDT by heights
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To: Ernest_at_the_Beach; Swordmaker; dayglored; ShadowAce; martin_fierro
I'm lazy, didn't check to see if anyone had pinged ya.

38 posted on 10/26/2015 10:22:21 AM PDT by SunkenCiv (Here's to the day the forensics people scrape what's left of Putin off the ceiling of his limo.)
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To: Utilizer

Thanks. They’re so cheap, I’ll prolly buy one.


39 posted on 10/26/2015 10:29:55 AM PDT by umgud (v)
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To: Utilizer

40 posted on 10/26/2015 10:30:19 AM PDT by martin_fierro (< |:)~)
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