8 Questions to Ask Before Buying the Kindle

Does the Kindle have all the features you're looking for in an eReader? Read on to decide if the Kindle is right for you and if it can help enhance your reading experience.

Do you have trouble reading small print?

You can adjust the font size on the Kindle to your preference. Many libraries and bookstores only have limited collections of large print books, but with the Kindle can now choose from any book in the Amazon Store and make it a large print book on your device. A simple push of the button increases the text size and helps eliminate eye strain. It makes reading a more enjoyable experience.

Do you want to save money on books?

Best sellers and new releases on Amazon are usually priced at $9.99, while titles with an older publication date typically sell for even less. When you think that the cost of a hardcover new release ranges from $25-$30, this is quite a bargain and the savings can really add up over time. You could practically buy another Kindle with the amount of money you would save by buying just one digital book a month instead of a print book. The savings multiple even faster when you take into account purchases of magazines and newspapers. For anyone who reads with any frequency at all, the Kindle will be sure to be a money-saver.

Do you not have room for a large book and collection and want to save space in your home?

The Kindle and the Kindle DX have the capacity to hold entire libraries of books. The Kindle's memory can accommodate up to 1,500 books, while the Kindle DX's memory can store up to 3,500 books. All books that you download remain in the Kindle library, in one convenient location. You won't have to go around asking your family members if they've seen your book lying around anymore, because you will know exactly where to find it. Just visit your Kindle library's Archived section to find anything you've ever downloaded.

Do you want to choose from a huge selection of books, with the opportunity to own thousands of free titles?

With over 450,000 books to choose from, the Kindle Store offers an amazing selection of books, magazines, newspapers, and blogs. There are also numerous third party sites that offer eBooks, many of which are free. Some of the most notable sites include Project Gutenberg, the World Public Library, and Mobipocket. Most of the titles on these sites are works that have gone out of copyright, so they are in the public domain and available at no cost. You can find a great selection of classics on many of these sites, with titles such as Pride and Prejudice, Treasure Island, and Crime and Punishment available for download.

Do you want to be able to read the same book on multiple devices?

You can find a number of free apps on Amazon's website that allow you to read digital content on devices other than the Kindle. The Kindle for iPhone, Kindle for PC, and Kindle for BlackBerry are currently available, and the Kindle for Mac application is in the works. Amazon's Whispersync technology means you can pick up where you were reading even when you switch devices. You can read your book on your iPhone while riding the train, then switch to your Kindle when you get home.

Read on whatever device suits your needs at that particular moment.

Do you want an easy way to make notes and mark important places in the text you're reading?

The Kindle comes equipped with a number of built-in tools. It has a digital highlighter, making it easy to note key passages you need to remember. You no longer have to dog-ear pages of a book, because the Kindle has a bookmark feature that marks the pages you wish to return to. A full QWERTY keyboard allows for note-taking. Those undecipherable scribbles in the margin are a thing of the past. Finally, the Kindle stores all notes and highlighting and you can view your additions across multiple devices.

Do you want the option to hear the text spoken like an audio book?

In the most recent version of the Kindle, Amazon has included an experimental Text-to-Speech feature that practically renders audio books obsolete. Any book, magazine, or blog you download, provided the publisher has granted permission, can be read aloud to you through the Kindle. Not only can the text be read, but you can choose how fast or slow it is spoken and whether you want a male or female speaker. The Kindle automatically turns the pages as the text is read, so there will be no confusion if you want to switch back to reading mode. You can start back up right where the reader left off.

Do you want to eliminate the need for your printer?

While the Kindle is great for personal reading material, it is also a great device for reading work documents. You can send Word and PDF documents as well as pictures using Whispernet to your unique e-mail address given to you by Amazon when you purchase your Kindle. You can then view your documents on the go. Currently documents must be in the following file formats: unprotected Microsoft Word (DOC, DOCX), PDF, HTML, TXT, RTF, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP, PRC and MOBI files. This service is free if you transfer documents from you PC to your Kindle via USB, otherwise there is a small charge per megabyte of content sent.