Is the Kindle Fire an appropriate tablet for a computer illiterate person?

[apples and oranges]

My father finally wants to take the plunge into technology. He wants to be able to check email and maybe get sports updates. The iPad is too expensive. Does anyone have experience with the Kindle Fire? Is it user friendly for newbies?

[tammywammy]

1. I have a Kindle Fire

I like it a lot. I think it's perfect for some internet surfing and email. I think it would be easy for him to pick it up.

[apples and oranges]

3. Thanks!

[handmade34]

2. still need connection

but there shouldn't be any reason he can't learn to use it... I just find the keyboard tedious

[apples and oranges]

4. I'm concerned about his ability to use

the virtual keyboard.

[handmade34]

5. take him to the store

and let him play with it...

[pipi_k]

8. It's not so bad

if you use a stylus instead of your finger

[Frank Cannon]

12. And if you turn it sideways.

The "keys" are wider and easier to hit that way.

I love my Kindle Fire. It's been the one technology purchase of the last couple of years that actually exceeded my expectations.

[pipi_k]

6. I have one too....

switched over from a regular Kindle two months ago.

I really like it...mostly intuitive, and the parts that aren't are easily understandable through an online book available for download called, appropriately enough, "My Kindle Fire".

My one and only complaint is that I do a LOT of reading, and find I have to recharge about every other day.

Also, if your dad can get email from places like Free eBook and Pixel of Ink (I'm sure there are others too) there are lots and lots of free books. And he can get magazine subscriptions as well. I get one called "Reminisce" for about $1 per month (downloaded every other month). There are lots of reader articles and photos from different time periods pre-1980 or so, going back to WWII days.

And you can surf the web a bit, too.

Lots of fun!

Right now I'm reading one of those Fodor travel books called "1936: On the Continent" that gives lots of info (in the quaint manner of the early 20th Century) on various European countries.

[apples and oranges]

9. Thanks for the suggestions!

[ohiosmith]

7. Wife has one and loves it.

[Ron Obvious]

10. Why not a netbook or laptop?

Why not get him a netbook or a simple laptop?

I don't get tablets, I really don't.

[pipi_k]

14. In addition

to my Kindle Fire, I also have an HP tablet, plus a regular laptop and a netbook.

The difference for me is that the tablets are way easier to handle, having only one flat surface. Plus they're smaller...at least the Kindle is...than the netbook/laptop, and more portable.

[The empressof all]

11. I think having him try it is a great idea

My daughter has one and loves it but my older eyes finds the screen a wee bit small. I use an Acer Icona Tablet for basic browsing off my regular computer. It has a far bigger screen for the internet stuff. I prefer the black and white screen of the old school Kindle for reading.

[avebury]

13. If your Dad likes to read he may also be able to download ebooks from his local library as well.

I frequently download both audio and ebooks from my library.