Galaxy Note 8 vs. Kindle Fire HD 8.9



All Images this post: Credit: http://alturl.com/49ra8
 

iPad still tops the tablet arena!  Both the full size and the mini outsell all of the rivals.  Apple’s two biggest competitors, Amazon and Samsung, are showing what they are made of.   Galaxy Note 8.0 and Kindle Fire HD 8.9” are the newest successes. Both of these are terrific alternatives to the iPad and iPad mini.  See specs below to compare the Note 8 and Fire 8.9.



Kindle Fire's pixel density is 34 percent higher and  a much sharper image than the Galaxy Note.

Remember to consider speed, size, pixels, weight, cost difference, software, cameras, battery, fees for wireless, storage, RAM, processor and material type. These two devices are both plastic.



Note 8 has a faster processor
 

If you don't like plastic, you may want to consider the Surface or an iPad. Sounds like all these issues are similar to the topics we research when buying a smartphone, PC, laptop, iMac or MacBook Pro. See this excellent article below for all the specs to help unravel your decision.



$130 difference in price

Article from Gizmag April 23, 2012

http://www.gizmag.com/kindle-fire-hd-8-9-vs-galaxy-note-8-0-specs-comparison/27231/

 

Note 8 has double the RAM

 

Click on this link below. Scroll down to pictures and articles for comparing various iPads and tablets.
http://www.gizmag.com/kindle-fire-hd-8-9-vs-galaxy-note-8-0-specs-comparison/27231/pictures

iPad mini 7.9" vs. Kindle Fire HD 7"




Image Credit: http://www.apple.com/ipad/

iPad mini fits in one hand —

Yet it can do everything an iPad can do!

So, how do you decide what's best for your library? 

I'd like to have both:]

Image credit:

http://alturl.com/fv93g

iPad mini                                   Kindle Fire
Anodized aluminum                                   Plastic
Cost $ $329                                                7" $199
Lower pixels 163ppi                                   Higher pixels 216 ppi
Camera front/rear                                        Camera front
Superior apps library                                   Nominal # of apps
Not so crisp text/images                              Extra crisp text/images


So, the questions looms, does the extra iPad mini's 0.9" make a difference for the low pixels and at a higher price? [$329 vs. $199]

Would we pay extra for the best software selection and design of the iPad mini or buy the Kindle Fire for less and get a sharper image and faster processor? One funny comment I've read: "If it doesn't fit in my cargo pants, I'm not buying it....."  This guy is keeping his 7'' Kindle Fire.

Makes us wonder if the clothes designer's will make those cargo pant pockets bigger for the larger 'mini' electronic gadgets in the future or perhaps for the Samsung Galaxy4 and other super-sized smartphones? It's certainly interesting what drives the market these days.

 

 

Another choice might be the new Kindle Fire 8.9"

$269 with 254 ppi.





Image Credit: http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-Fire-HD-9-inch/dp/B008GFRE5A



What do you think is the perfect device for library check out? 

Let us know what you are doing in your library.

 

Stats for iPad mini and Kindle Fire HD

http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?ie=UTF8&docId=1000846051

 

 

Overview for Kindle Fire HD 7"

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008GFRB9E/ref=fs_j

 

Overview for Kindle Fire HD 8.9"

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008GFRB9E/ref=fs_j

 

 

Overview from Apple

http://www.apple.com/ipad-mini/overview/

 

Image credit: http://alturl.com/j3ffs

What's new this week?
Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0, an iPad mini rival,
to hit stores Thursday
Check out this article today:
http://alturl.com/qy8o2

189ppi, Wi-Fi, front/rear camera, 5 megapixel/1.3
$400

 

New iPad this summer?
http://alturl.com/pwmyy

Quote from USAtoday.com: "Speculation into the launch of a new iPad kicked off last week, after Fortune reported last week retailers such as Best Buy and Walmart were slashing prices on iPads and iPad Minis, suggesting Apple is poised to launch a new model."

The Best iPad Apps of 2012 from Gizmag

http://www.gizmag.com/ipad-mini-review/24855

Kindle 4G and New Tablet

Kindle Fire HD 4G and other new Kindle devices

 

All pictures on this page image credit: http://alturl.com/cpatv

 

 

It's just amazing what is being offered this holiday season in eReaders, tablets and iPads.  Good luck sorting all this out. Doing your research will definitely get you and your patrons the best fit for your library. At our academic library, we like the new choices, especially on a tight budget.  The cost shown below is for the low end memory devices.  See Amazon's web site for specs and all pricing.  http://alturl.com/cpatv

 

Presently we are using the 3G Kindle3 models to replace many of the worn out 'original' Kindle1's.  These older models served us well for the last four years and hope the new devices hold up just as well. Kindle1's were $359 in 2008, which makes even the 8.9" Kindle HD Wi-Fi device at $299 and the new $199 Kindle Fire HD 7" a bargain. 

 

We have many required titles for class reading that transfer smoothly to the new models. The Kindle Fire is popular here for required reading, assignments and terrific in class when students work in groups researching for a class project.

 

Next Blog:
New iPad mini

 

 

 

 

All pictures on this page image credit: http://alturl.com/cpatv

 

$499 HD 4G LTE Wireless 8.9"

$299 for Wi-Fi model

 

$159 no HD

$199 HD model

$139 3G w/keyboard

 

3G $179

Wi-Fi $119

 



6" B/W $69

New Nook HD, Nook Tablet, Glowing Nook, Simple Touch

Eleven Nooks to choose from, including the original Nook Color.


All images this page Image Credit: http://alturl.com/uyket

We have so many remarkable choices now for libraries loaning eReaders and tablets. So many great devices for any size library budget.

 

 We have the Nook Color, the B/W original Nooks and two B/W Sony's. We have iPads, Kindle Fires, original K1's, K2's, K3's and Kindle DX. Students are really fascinated with our collection.

For those libraries just getting started in this ever changing technological arena, it's the training of staff and scheduling maintenance that's important to consider in your purchases, not just the cost of the device.  We have been implementing eReaders since 2008. As the devices get more sophisticated, the more time required updating and cleaning the internal devices.

With Amazon coming out with new Kindle models and Apple announcing a possible 7" iPad Oct. 23rd, it will make the choice even more difficult. I would like to stay within the area of Kindles, Nooks and iPads to help keep some sense of stability with our inventory. Not that we wouldn't try a new company's device, but for now, our inventory is servicing our needs quite well for students, faculty and staff.

 

Next blog:

New Kindles and the New Smaller iPad



Nook HD+ 9" screen
 

Nook Tablet 7" touchscreen
8GB $179
16GB $199

The Glowing Nook
Nook Simple Touch with Glowlight $119
6" Touchscreen 7 oz.

Nook Simple Touch B/W $99

Nook Color 7"
$149
Original price last Fall...$199

 

 

 

New 10" Kindle Fire? Mini iPad? Kindle Announcement Today, Sept. 6th, 2012

Image Credit: http://alturl.com/wtm2s

Amazon online has sold out of their Kindle Fire devices and is in production of their 2nd model. It's rumored to be a 7" replacement with a new 10" Kindle Fire.

There is a major press conference in Santa Monica, California, scheduled today, Thursday Sept. 6th.
They are expected to announce their 'jazzed-up' replacement at this time.

Image Credit: http://alturl.com/gzam3

See exciting information in the USA TODAY tech news, TechCrunch and CNNMoney below.

USA TODAY

http://alturl.com/gzam3

TechCrunch

http://alturl.com/6b5as

iPad mini vs. Kindle Fire 2

CNNMoney

http://alturl.com/uzzvv

Watch the Olympics Live on our iPads

Check out an iPad for 3 hours and watch the Olympics Live!

Image Credit http://www.nbcolympics.com/index.html

Here's the Olympic schedule:  http://alturl.com/9nge6

Stop by the Circulation Desk on the 3rd floor of the library at the Lake Worth campus.

After you check out the iPad, sign into Panther Web, click on the Olympics icon, then the London Live Extra app.

Follow the directions and NBC will give you a temporary 4 hour pass to watch the Olympics Live. 



Image Credit: C. Shaffer



Windows Surface tablet arriving Nov. 2012?

The new Windows Surface looks like a very exciting addition to the growing collection of tablets!

Image Credit http://alturl.com/nv42j

What's in it...
Intel-based processor Surface RT and the Windows 8 Pro Surface tablet to run a full-blown version of Windows 8 Pro  [to come out 3 months later]

32GB and 64GB configs
10.6-inch screen, thickness of 9.3mm, wide enough for a full-size USB
Gorilla Glass 2.0 screen
1.8 lbs.
Kickstand that pulls out when you want to watch a movie
Dual-antenna Wi-Fi
Touch Cover with multi-touch keyboard

Quote from Wilson Rothman, Gadget Box on MSNBC.com Tech June 21, 2012
http://alturl.com/nv42j 

"The Surface tablet has a pen interface as well. The Touch Cover may be quite a cool tool: It's like a rubber keypad, and it knows when you're not using it because of a built-in accelerometer, and it shuts off and doesn't drain the battery. The technology behind the covers is pretty snazzy -- it tracks your finger movements, using logic to determine if you're typing or just resting your hands. There is actually a second cover, as well. The Type Cover has a slightly raised keyboard for more traditional clickety clack."

Image Credit http://alturl.com/nv42j

The ARM-based Surface tabs, [Surface RT] will come in 32GB and 64GB configs, and ship around the Windows availability.  The price is to compete with other ARM tablets probably similar to iPads. The Intel-powered Windows 8 Pro Surface tablets to be released 3 months later will have a 64GB and 128GB configs and be more like ultabooks.  There seems to be a lot of chatter about battery power in both Surface tablets.  The power ratings in the specs they have sent out show the battery power will be a little less than the iPad.

Image Credit http://alturl.com/nv42j

Surface RT Tablet is mostly for people who don’t need the performance of a PC or laptop. "RT" is an abbreviation of Windows Runtime. Continue reading this site below. See "Microsoft Surface Tablet Review" under paragraph two. http://alturl.com/tcgzx

Information to help explain the technology:
ARM=Advanced RISC Machine
ARM is a reduced instruction set computer (RISC) instruction set architecture (ISA) developed by ARM Holdings. It was named the Advanced RISC Machine and, before that, the Acorn RISC Machine. The ARM architecture is the most widely used 32-bit instruction set architecture in numbers produced.[2][3] Originally conceived by Acorn Computers for use in its personal computers, the first ARM-based products were the co-processor modules for the BBC Micro series of computers.