Kindle Fire HD Tablet Computer - A Great Gift

The Kindle Fire HD tablet computer is a great piece of personal electronic gadgetry. It's packed full of features, but comes in at a price which, as little as two years ago, would have been thought unattainable by a tablet computer.

In addition to the hardware features, one of the big attractions is access to the Amazon content ecosystem. Downloading books, magazines, TV shows and videos couldn't be simpler - and there are plenty to choose from.

All things considered, it's easy to see why the Fire HD would appeal to gadget lovers - but it's also very popular with technophobes as well. The fact of the matter is that it is just so simple and easy to use that it appeals to a wide range of people.

As you may already have inferred from the name, one of the key features of the Kindle Fire HD is the fact that the display is HD. 1280 x 800 resolution if that sort of thing interests you.

It also has an anti-glare, polarizing filter, which means that it's quite a bit easier to use in strong lighting conditions than many other tablets (including the entry level Kindle Fire). However, as nice as the display is, that is far from all that the Fire HD has going for it.

One of the really nice features is the dual band, dual antenna wi-fi system. This means that downloads a re a lot faster and there is less chance of experiencing dropped connections. According to Amazon, download speeds are 65% faster than a Google tablet and 38% faster than the iPad Mini.

Processor power is also better than the entry level Kindle Fire - and surfing the net and performing basic functions are noticeably faster on the Fire HD.

The Fire HD has Dolby stereo speakers, a front facing camera and a more powerful processor than the entry level Kindle Fire. It is certainly powerful enough to keep any gadget lover entertained for hours at a time!

Summary:

• HD display (1280 x 800) with anti-glare, polarized filters.
• Weight: 13.9 ounces.
• Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.4 x 0.4 inches.
• Dual antenna, dual band wi-fi for super fast downloads and less dropped connections.
• Go for up to 11 hours between battery charges.
• On board Dolby stereo speakers (or use headphones connected into 3.5 mm jack).
• Choose from 16GB or 32GB memory.
• Front facing camera.

Given the range of features and functionality packaged in the Fire HD it's hardly surprising that it appeals to gadget lovers and anyone who enjoys surfing the web, playing games, watching video etc.

However, it is also a great choice for the less technically gifted - technophobes even. My own wife struggles to open her e-mail (which she must do for her work) on a notebook or desktop computer. It's never a pleasant experience for her - and anyone within earshot is likely to get caught up in the crossfire.

Since she got her Kindle Fire HD, she is a lot more relaxed. After a simple initial set up, opening e-mails and calendars is a simple, one click operation. Likewise watching videos or navigating to frequently used websites can easily be arranged and configured as a one click operation.

You can also set the Fire HD up to access your favorite social networks with just one click. Again, it's a great way for anyone who isn't necessarily that gadget centric to enjoy social networking and to stay in touch with friends and family.

In short, the Fire HD has enough features for gadget lovers and is user friendly enough for technophobes. It's a great gift option for a great many people.

Whether you're buying a Kindle Fire HD for yourself or as a gift, there are some accessories that you might also want to consider.

First of all, you will want a cover for your Kindle Fire HD. That will help to protect it and keep it free from damage, both in use and in transit.

Do be careful to pick a 7" HD cover. Although the Kindle Fire and the Kindle Fire HD look very similar, they have slightly different dimensions and the same cover will not fit both devices.

Like all of the other devices in the Kindle range, the Fire HD ships with a charging cable which can be connected into the usb port of your computer. That's fine, but it needs your computer to be on - which might not always be convenient for you.

A Kindle Powerfast charger will allow you to charge your device direct from a wall power outlet. It will also charge up your tablet faster. Using the Powerfast charger, your Kindle Fire HD will charge up fully in about 4 hours.

Finally, you might want to consider getting a capacitive stylus (or a set of them). It's a matter of personal preference, but I certainly find it easier, and more accurate, to use a stylus rather than poking, prodding and swiping with my fingers. It also stops your screen becoming covered with smears and fingerprints.

There are plenty of different designs and colors to choose from. You can normally pick these up pretty cheap these days