The Kindle Fire HD

Is it finally time for me to get a tablet media player? It suddenly seems

very convenient to have a dedicated Netflix player that I could set on the

table while I’m computing, or I could carry into the kitchen or living room

or bedroom, or whatever.

Coincidentally, Amazon just announced a new line of Kindle devices.

First they announced a new e-reader called the Kindle Paperwhite. This is a

no-brainer, and I have already pre-ordered it. It has a slightly higher

resolution, better fonts, a higher contrast screen, *and* lighting built-in.

But then they announced this thing called the Kindle Fire HD, which made me

re-think my need for a tablet. There’s a 7″ model, but I’m interested in the

8.9″ model with 1920×1200 resolution for $299.

That is a full $200 less than the equivalent iPad. I say equivalent, but

obviously the iPad technically has broader functionality and a bigger and

better display. But I can’t see myself jumping into the iTunes ecosystem any

time soon, whereas I’m already somewhat invested in the Amazon ecosystem.

So if I *were* going to buy a tablet, right now it would definitely be the

Fire HD.