Pros
- Smooth integration of cloud and local storage
- Easy shopping for Amazon books, music, videos
Cons
- Not as flexible and versatile as other tablets
- Interface still has some bugs
- Sluggish performance
Bottom Line
The 7-inch, Android-based Amazon Fire will appeal to those who buy books, videos, and music at Amazon, but it will frustrate those looking for a more versatile slate.
More Information
PCWorld's Amazon Kindle Fire Coverage
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iPad Mini Draws Strong Consumer Interest
One in two would consider buying a smaller version of Apple's popular tablet if the price were right, survey reveals.
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Future Tablets will Crowd iPad, Kindle, Analysts Say
The iPad's market dominance will wane by 2017, while the popularity of Amazon's Kindle Fire is already shrinking.
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How a Non-Tablet Changed the Tablet Market
Amazon's Kindle Fire is so capable, so packed with features, and so cheap that no tablet but iPad can compete.
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Kindle Fire Dominates U.S. Android Tablet Sales
Comscore credits Amazon's popular tablet with more than half of Android tablet sales, but the results are skewed by a significant omission.
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Cheaper iPad 2 Is Still No Kindle Fire Competitor
At $399, the older iPad is still twice the cost of Amazon's color tablet. Could Apple have a 7-inch tablet waiting in the wings?
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iPad Mini: The Rumor that Refuses to Die
Does Apple's iPad need a smaller sibling to keep the Kindle Fire at Bay? Even if iPad 3 debuts this week, the chatter about a 7-inch Apple tablet will persist.
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Wanted: A Camera for Kindle Fire
A camera isn't big on tablet-users' wishlists, but it could enhance the Kindle Fire as an essential shopping tool (especially when browsing Amazon).
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Find February Deals on Laptops, HD TVs, Kindle Fire
Plenty of bargains are emerging, but it turns out it's not a great month to snap up a digital camera. Here's the lineup.
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19 Percent of American Adults Own a Tablet
Tablet ownership in the U.S. nearly doubled over the fourth quarter holiday season, a Pew Research Center study reports.
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Kindle Fire Customers' Biggest Complaints
Amazon is already promising a software update, but can an over-the-air refresh address all of the biggest gripes about the hot tablet?
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Amazon Vows to Fix Flaws in Kindle Fire
Amazon promises to update the Kindle Fire's software before Christmas in answer to early customers' complaints, but not everything can be patched.
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Kindle Fire will Shine Despite Mixed Reviews, Analyst Says
Although technically inferior to the iPad, Amazon's tablet entry has a different aim and is "strategically misunderstood" but a sales success anyway, Morgan Stanley analyst reports.
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Kindle Fire Gets Knocked on Usability
A usability expert says the Kindle Fire is too heavy and that its interface has some trouble spots.
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Kindle Fire Users Report Wi-Fi Bug: 6 Possible Fixes
Kindle Fire owners are complaining their Wi-Fi-dependent tablets are unable to connect to wireless networks.
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Amazon's Kindle Fire will Help Sell iPads, Analyst Says
New tablet users get hooked by the sub-$200 Kindle Fire, and when they're hungry for more the iPad and its meatier specs and features will be waiting.
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Amazon Kindle Fire Said to be Moving into Second Place in Tablet War
IHS estimates the company at a 13.8% share of tablet shipments in the fourth quarter, beating out the 4.8% held by Samsung.
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Kindle Fire vs. Nook Tablet: Which Should You Buy?
If you want an inexpensive slate, the new tablets from Amazon and Barnes & Noble are your best bets. We tested them head-to-head to see which one worked better for reading, browsing the Web, watching video, listening to music, and more.
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Amazon Kindle Fire and Google Music with Guest Carlos Rodela on PCWorld Podcast #128
The Kindle Fire is out, and it's not really that great. What did you expect for $200? Guest Carlos Rodela worked at Amazon for years, and joins the PCWorld editors to discuss Amazon's tablet and Google's music service.
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Is Kindle Fire Already Losing its Spark?
Customers give the new tablet good ratings, but also share their gripes about its limited memory, occasional sluggishness, and various glitches.
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Seven Kindle Fire Apps for Getting Work Done
Amazon’s new tablet is obviously no robust business tool. But basic productivity apps can help you review email and more in between reading the latest bestseller.
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Amazon Kindle Fire: A Fireside Chat
Two PCWorld staffers discuss the pros and cons of Amazon's Kindle Fire. Is it an anemic Android tablet, a particularly robust e-reader, or a new breed of device? Tune in to find out!
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Kindle Fire Intrigues Tablet Shoppers
A survey reveals more than three times as many potential buyers are considering the $199 Amazon Kindle Fire over the bestselling iPad.
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New Nook Color: 4 Things We Want to See
Barnes & Noble is expected to announce a new version of their e-reader/tablet soon. Here's what we think they need to compete with Amazon's Kindle Fire.
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Amazon Answers Privacy Concerns About Silk Browser
A privacy group, the Electronic Frontier Foundation, was happy with some replies, but 'pretty serious' issues remain.
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Amazon Silk Offers Increased Security on Open Wi-Fi Networks
The cloud-based design of Amazon's Silk browser has positive security side effects because it encrypts all traffic between users and websites.
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Amazon Cuts Publishers Out of the Mix, Makes Deals With Writers
Releasing a book on one of the world’s largest publishing marketplaces could help your company. Here's a quick guide to the basics of self-publishing.
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Congress Targets Amazon's Silk Browser
Privacy concerns are raised about the tablet browser that routes and stores personal data in Amazon's cloud.
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What You Get With $199 Tablets
The demand for low-priced tablets has gone up in recent months, as witnessed by the mad rush to buy Hewlett-Packard's $99 TouchPad tablet.
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Holiday Tech Gadget Sneak Peek
Gadget makers are gearing up for the holidays, showing off AudioBulbs, Kinect add-ons, and sub-$250 tablets. Here is a look at what they'll be promoting.
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Kindle Fire's a Hit, Sight Unseen
Amazon's budget tablet is reportedly blazing its way to record pre-orders, even before prospective customers have touched it.
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Kindle Fire Preorders: 95,000 Units Sold
Third-party research firm eDataSource's estimate comes close to the number of day one preorders for Apple's original iPad.
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Will the Kindle Fire Spark Business Interest?
At $200, the Fire looks tempting as an Internet machine. But will it fit the bill for professional use?
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Can Amazon's Kindle Fire Tablet Challenge the iPad?
Amazon announced its long awaited tablet, the Android-based Fire, which comes in at just $200. Will the new device pay off for the online retailer?
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Amazon Kindle Fire First Impressions: Solid but Limited
Following extended eyes-on time, here are a few thoughts on where Amazon's new Kindle Fire fits into the tablet landscape.
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Size Matters: A Guide to Tablets, Great and Small
From the teensy Galaxy Note to the Motorola Xoom, tablet computers come in all sizes.
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12 Tech Gifts for Commuters
Looking for the perfect present for someone who has a long commute to work? Here are a dozen great options that won't bust your budget.
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Great Gifts Under $200
From realistic lightsabers to the season's hottest video games--we’ve got the perfect gift for everyone on your list.
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What Do Your Gadgets Really Weigh?
Wonder why your backpack or jacket feels too heavy? We weighed popular tech items along with some common handheld objects to give you perspective on what you're lugging around with you.
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Kindle Fire: Up Close With Amazon's Media Tablet
The Amazon Kindle Fire, one of the most anticipated tablets of the season, ships Tuesday. Here's a preview of some of its notable features.
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