The Kindle changed reading as we know it forever when it was launched in 2007. Readers could now take thousands of stories and ebooks with them everywhere they went without the need to choose between staring at a bright computer screen or carrying heavy books.
Of course, the big shift left those who are loyal to paper pages feeling as though something was missing from the reading experience.
Kindle ultimately asks readers to trade some of the satisfaction of “real” books for the convenience of getting books on demand.
Where do the pros and cons of the Kindle stand nearly 15 years after the first one was sold? These are the 15 pros and cons of Kindle.
Some Advantages of Kindle
What makes Kindle great? This device puts a library at your fingertips. Check out the 10 pros of converting to Kindle.
1. Convenient: There’s No Need to Carry Books Around
A Kindle packs an entire library of information into a device that’s thinner than a notebook.
This allows people to access more information than ever before! What’s more, the expense and hassle of storing “personal libraries” of books no longer make book ownership difficult.
For people who frequently move from city to city, there is no need to choose between keeping books and paying for expensive moving costs.
What’s more, every spare minute becomes a minute for getting lost in a great book when you carry a Kindle with you everywhere.
People who travel frequently can travel much lighter without missing out on the opportunity to pass the time immersed in great reads!
2. Easier on the Eyes
Kindle devices are so easy on the eyes! Readers can enlarge fonts to ensure they are never squinting to get through a page. In addition, Kindle books can be read in the dark without the need for a lamp.
3. You Can Store Thousands of Books
Newer Kindles can hold up to 15,000 books! Even the earlier Kindle generations can easily accommodate up to 3,500 books. Books can be accessed easily with a quick download.
4. There’s a Dictionary
Have you ever felt like you were taken out of the scene while reading a book because you didn’t know what a word meant?
Kindle readers can use the device’s built-in dictionary to simply “tap and hold” a word to learn its definition. In addition to making the reading experience more satisfying, this feature leaves a reader smarter than when they started a book!
5. Unlimited Bookmarks
Kindle provides unlimited bookmarks. That means it’s easy to pick up right where you left off. Unlike paper bookmarks, Kindle bookmarks can’t be displaced.
6. Discreet Reading Without the Need to Hide a Book’s Cover
We don’t always want others to see the title of the book we’re reading. With a Kindle, every read is an “anonymous” read.
That’s why the introduction of the Kindle was such a breath of fresh air for people who like to read on the train, on the bus, or during a lunch break at work.
7. Avid Readers Can Use Amazon Kindle Unlimited Subscription
Readers with voracious appetites don’t have to count every dollar to get a new book. The Amazon Kindle Unlimited subscription program allows readers to borrow from a huge selection of titles without due dates.
Members can borrow up to 20 books at a time for a flat monthly rate (currently at $9.99 per month) that works out to just pennies per day.
8. Readers Can Download Lots of Free Kindle Books
You don’t always have to “buy” Kindle books to read them. Amazon offers a number of free Kindle books.
In fact, many of the most famous classic works of all time are free on Amazon in digital format. In addition, many authors offer free limited promotions of their titles.
9. Digital Books on Kindle Are Cheaper Than Hard Copies
Forget about spending $10 to $25 per book. Publishers save by not having to print copies of books.
That means that they are able to offer titles for a fraction of the cost of what’s charged for paperback and hardcover books. As a result, most Amazon Kindle titles are under $10.
10. Readers Can Highlight Passages Without Damaging Books
Remember how you always hated marking up books with highlighter? The digital highlighter features in the Kindle allows you to highlight passages without damaging a book. You also don’t have to deal with messy, leaky highlighters.
Some Disadvantages of Kindle
Is the Kindle really the future of reading? Not everyone is a fan of this digital reader. Take a look at the cons of giving up physical copies of books in favor of the Amazon reading universe.
1. Kindle Books Don’t Feel the Same as Paper Books
Not everyone is satisfied by the sterile feel of a digital reader. Many book lovers miss the smell, texture, and weight of a real book.
The truth is that reading a page-turner sometimes just isn’t the same when you can’t actually turn the page!
2. A Kindle Reader Needs to Be Charged
The thousands of books stored on a Kindle don’t actually benefit a person if they can’t access them because their Kindle is dead.
Kindles need to be recharged between reading sessions. That means that a charger always needs to be close by when traveling with a Kindle.
Losing a Kindle plug while traveling can be frustrating because it’s necessary to track down a replacement to be able to keep reading. By contrast, a “real” book never needs to be plugged in!
3. Kindle Won’t Let You Lend Books to Friends
The thrill of sharing a book that has set your heart on fire with someone else is one of the best parts about discovering new books.
There’s something special about passing along a book with worn pages to a friend or loved one.
Many parents love the idea of passing down their favorite books to their kids. Unfortunately, lending is impossible with Kindle books.
4. Kindles Aren’t Always “Worth It” for Casual Readers
There’s no getting around the fact that Kindles are definitely for people who could be categorized as heavy readers.
You may simply find the cost, learning curve, and upkeep required to use a Kindle too cumbersome if you’re not an avid reader.
Moving to the digital ecosystem is a commitment that casual readers may not find useful. The people who get the most enjoyment from Kindles are the ones who are constantly going through books at lightning speed.
5. Kindles Are Vulnerable to Damage
Kindles are not impervious to damage. Screens can be damaged when they fall on the floor. A Kindle can also stop working if it gets wet.
Of course, there’s always the hassle of needing to order new cords and chargers when the original ones break.
The other problem with having all of your books stored in a Kindle is that you lose access to your entire library if a Kindle is stolen, misplaced, or damaged.
The good news is that a person’s Kindle library is stored in the cloud. That means that books that have been purchased aren’t necessarily lost just because a Kindle is damaged or lost. However, paying for a replacement Kindle isn’t exactly fun.
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