<p>My son will be studying in Italy and will be able to travel a bit next semester. It was recommended that we get him a kindle because it is difficult to get some of the books there. Any suggestions on which Kindle would be best? Do they all work in Europe? I have an older Kindle, but I know they come with all sorts of bells and whistles now. Thanks!</p>
<p>I’m shopping for these now as a gift for DW. The Kindle Fire HD 8.9 inch seems to have everything I’m looking for, and today only Amazon has a $50 off deal.</p>
<p>[Deal</a> of the Day: Kindle Fire HD 8.9"](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?&docId=1000886021]Deal”>http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?&docId=1000886021)</p>
<p>I hope this helps.</p>
<p>My son used his extensively in Europe.</p>
<p>Kindle Fire, old (non-HD) version. It is faster, lighter, and more reliable. I have both and reach for the older one MUCH more often.</p>
<p>We are a Kindle family! I have the largest one, the DX, but I would not recomend it unless you had a need for large format (ie legally blind) because it is very expensive. My son has the Fire. He loves it; it is a back lit screen and is in color and can do videos and Android apps. Downside- it has a shorter battery life and needs WIFI or direct computer connection to download. H has a Kindle 2 with 3G. We go away alot, and are rarely around WIFI so the 3G is great. I got My Mom a Kindle paperwhite 3G for Xmas. She has cateracts so the higher contrast screen with front lighting is perfect and she does not have a computer so she will share our books (we already have 118 in the family account). Be sure to get a hard cover (like a DODO case) to go with it, since cracking a screen is heartbreaking. if you can get to the Amazon website, it will work in Europe with the right adaptors.</p>
<p>I have a Kindle app (and a Nook app) on my iPad. If he really only wants to read, then the basic Kindle will do, but if he wants to check mail or surf the web, he should consider the Kindle Fire or iPad.</p>
<p>One thing to consider is battery life. The Kindle Fire is a tablet, so it uses up the battery accordingly. The regular Kindle will go a month on one charge, so I prefer it for travel. Sometimes I leave the charger at home. That would be the best choice if reading is the main objective, but it’s not much good for the internet. I find for compact travel, my regular Kindle for reading plus my Iphone with the phone turned off to use for the internet work for me. I can still use the Iphone with Skype as a phone.</p>
<p>He will need a plug adapter for charging in any case, but that’s all.</p>
<p>I have a kindle and an iPad and use the kindle for reading. S just got the paper white and ohh how I loved it. So different than a backlit kindle fire. I had a fire and sent it back. To read I use my regular kindle. S has a tablet also but uses the paperwhite to read with.</p>
<p>Deb922 - Glad to hear you like the paperwhite. That is what I am getting for Christmas (excited). I’ve been tempted by the kindle fire, but keep having to remind myself my primary reason for wanting one is for reading and that my top wants are the the light (I always read in bed a while before going to sleep), lightweight , plus long lasting battery.</p>
<p>Swimcatsmom, I think you are going to be so happy with the paperwhite. My S travels a lot and spends lots of time in airports and so does a ton of reading. He burns through his cellphone battery so I know he was looking for something that had a better battery life. And better on his eyes as he spends the rest of his time in front of a computer screen.</p>
<p>Thinking of ordering one for my D but I think the paperwhite is back ordered. They have a nook glowlight so I might go with that.</p>
<p>My DH got me a paperwhite for my birthday and I love it. At first I was a bit disappointed he didn’t get the Kindle Fire, but I realize my new gadget is “just” for reading. I didn’t really need another computer. I’m surprised how much I enjoy the Kindle and highly recommend it.</p>
<p>Last Christmas , my husband got my daughter and I Kindle fires. We love them , though neither of us thought we would use them. The ease of ordering books from Amazon is a huge plus for me too. I used mine for internet while traveling abroad too.</p>
<p>I have the most basic Kindle and Kindle Fire HD (7 inch). I ordered a reading light from Amazon for the basic one. Works great for reading in bed. It’s very lightweight and the battery charge lasts a LONG time. Love the Kindle Fire for the easy internet access,email, all the free apps you can download and the larger screen for reading books. It has to be recharged more often but it’s not a big deal. DS1 has put lots of music on his Kindle Fire. The sound quality is really good.</p>
<p>Nexus? Anyone?</p>