Replace Kindle Fire HDX 7 battery - or just get an iPad?

[Sooz]

My Kindle Christmas present from 2013 is not fully charging--I always charge it overnight and it gets to 100%, but now it gets to 94%.  I've checked the outlet, the charging cable, and the usb port and all seem fine.

I don't play games on it.  I sometimes watch videos, and I do use it a lot for reading the books I have on it, or for visiting my fave online forums and sometimes for email.

I seldom watch movies on it (unless the power cord is plugged into it). 

I've done the troubleshooting with the Amazon rep and that didn't do much, and I don't want to do a factory re-set because then I'll lose everything before I have a chance to "make notes" on what I do have (bookmarks on the Silk browser) for when everything disappears during a hard re-set (it's wiped clean, so says the customer rep).

Amazon has told me they don't sell replacement batteries, but I've seen a few YouTube videos where it shows how to replace the battery.

Y'all know how tech challenged I am.  I know the iPad is more expensive than a Kindle, but this month, I can swing a purchase of a Kindle or an iPad.

1) Should I bother trying to replace the battery or is my Kindle's life expectancy coming to an end anyway?
2) Should I replace my Kindle with an iPad, instead of a newer Kindle?
3) Is there anything I can do on a new Kindle that I can't do on an iPad (or vice versa)?
4) Any recommendations for which Kindle or which iPad to purchase, and where?

Thanks, and smiles!
Sooz

[Xairbusdriver]

94% after 7 years sounds normal to me. Although my Model 3(?) iPad still charges to "100%". Those batteries don't die immediately, but slowly, until just before the end. But battery 'condition' self-reporting is as much an art as a science! Remember, my comments are worth every penny you pay for them!

(Q1) I've replaced the battery on my iPhone 6S. It was mainly tedious and delicate (I even put the battery sticky tab upside down!), but many have done so with a kit from iFixit.com.

Once you have made a backup of your Kindle data, what do you have to lose? About 40 bucks. The iFixit guide/instructions are about as simple as you can get. The only hard part is 'cracking' open the case (get the two tools: $6 for iFixit tools). You'll have to buy the battery separately (~$30). If you don't want to try it or if you break it, buy a replacement.

(Q2) I've never thought proprietary readers were of value. A 'tablet' that has apps available will probably also have one that will read Kindle books, the iPad certainly does and I have several 'Kindle' downloads on it. So, I'd recommend an iPad as a replacement, after you've downloaded all the Kindle stuff onto your computer. But I doubt if there is any need to rush the purchase. Others may be able to be of more help concerning the ca[abilities of the latest Kindles.

[kimmer]

It's all about how you like to purchase books for the Kindle.

• If you like to buy books directly in the Kindle app, then purchase another Kindle Fire (I'd go for the newest one that they have).
• If you don't mind using your laptop/desktop Mac to purchase books, and then have them sent to your iPad, then consider the iPad.

I don't watch video's on my iPad, but I'm guessing that the same would be true if you want to "rent" a movie from Amazon--you'd have to do it on your laptop/desktop and have it sent to your iPad.

[Sooz]

Ah, Jim, what will you doing with all those pennies I've been saving over here? Thanks for suggesting iFixit. 

The only thing I've got on my computer and on my Kindle are books and some (free) movies--and I usually delete them when I'm done. I googled how to back up stuff that's on my Kindle, so I might be good to go on that.

Kimmer, I don't usually *purchase* any Kindle books--maybe I've purchased two in the last 6 years--the rest of the books I choose are free on the Kindle, so that's a bonus for me. Many of them are free for a reason.

Thanks again!!!!
Sooz

[daryl66]

FWIW I have the Kindle App on both Ipad and MBP, and like you I don't purchase, just loiter around and occasionally download a "freebie" that  looks interesting.  Seems to work great.

Daryl

Kimmer, I don't usually *purchase* any Kindle books--maybe I've purchased two in the last 6 years--the rest of the books I choose are free on the Kindle, so that's a bonus for me. Many of them are free for a reason.

Thanks again!!!!
Sooz

[Paddy]

Well, I have both a Kindle (a Paperwhite, not a Fire) and an iPad (9.7" 2016 iPad Pro).

Why do I have both, you may ask. Well...try reading an iPad outside in the sun. Doesn't work. And last year, Amazon had an amazing deal on the Paperwhites, so I got one, figuring it would be great to travel with, since it's small and keeps its charge for up to 6 weeks (!). It fits in my purse, so I can take it anywhere easily. And it is great - though I find I use the iPad when I'm at home - probably because I can do other things on it too. I do have the Kindle app on the iPad, and they sync, so I can switch from one to the other very easily. I belong to BookBub, so get a lot of very inexpensive and occasionally free books, as well as buying other Kindle books by favourite authors.

However - it should be noted that the Paperwhite is a different beast than a Fire. The Fire is more of a general all-purpose tablet. It has an LED screen, not the E-ink of the Paperwhite, so it has the same drawbacks as the iPad for readability in sunlight. Its screen is not as good as the iPad, nor is its camera; and you certainly don't have the Apple easy interoperability options (Mail, Messages etc.). Of course, the Fire is a lot cheaper, too.

I use my iPad a lot - for reading news, checking and responding to email, recording board meetings for which I'm secretary, texting, occasionally taking pictures, playing games (addicted to Hearts...LOL), and reading books - both in the Kindle app and the Apple Books app.

If I had to choose one or the other, I'd definitely go for the iPad because of its versatility/integration with the rest of my Apple devices, screen quality, camera quality, and just accept that it isn't useful outside for reading (though neither is a Fire). You can get pretty good deals on the refurbished 6th generation models on the Apple refurb store at the moment. Still more expensive than a Fire, of course.

If you decide to tackle putting in a new battery, this site might be a good source: https://www.newpower99.com/Amazon_Kindle_Fire_Battery_Replacement_Kit_p/amazon%20kindle%20fire.htm (I'll leave you to find the right one though). Looks pretty easy...

[Sooz]

Thanks for ringing in here, Daryl & Paddy -- and for the link!

It's odd that last night, it charged to 100%. That got me thinking more  --maybe it's the charging cord for it, maybe it's the power strip that I use, so I'm going to try the process of elimination before I spring for a new battery or a new Kindle (or iPad).  (sigh)

Thanks!!!!!
Smiles,
Sooz

[Xairbusdriver]

Now you’re sounding like a trouble-shooting Pro!

[Sooz]

Oh, Jim! You crack me up!!!!  It sure took me a while to get there and to even *think* of using the process of elimination (but thanks for the nice words and making me grin!).