I have always been an avid reader. My physical book collection is ever-expanding, but thanks to the countless free library books I’ve read on OverDrive’s viral app, Libby(opens in new tab) — These days, I tend to gravitate towards e-books. It’s portable and perfect for reading almost anywhere – in bed, at the gym, or on vacation. Also, it doesn’t feel as heavy in a carry-on bag as a “standard” minimum of 3 books.
Over the years, the majority of my e-book consumption has been on the iPad and, in desperate cases, the iPhone, but it’s time to try the latest version of Amazon’s Fire HD 8 Plus tablet. I was interested in(opens in new tab) As an affordable alternative to my 8th generation iPad(opens in new tab).
Unpacking the Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus
Right out of the box, the 12th Gen Fire HD 8 Plus tablet is compact, lightweight and robust. It’s about the same size as the iPad mini, but at 0.37 inches thick, it’s a bit heavier than the 0.25 inch thick iPad mini. As an accident-prone person (and scared of dropping a $329 iPad), I appreciated the focus on durability, but I wasn’t sure the plastic back cover would break. . actual The Fire HD 8 Plus supports Amazon’s claim that it is “twice as durable” as the iPad Mini.
Thankfully, Amazon’s compatible tablet cover puts those worries aside. Once attached to the device, I was immediately amazed at how sturdy the combination was. It’s a little heavier than I thought it would be, but I’m pretty sure you can throw this device around and do more damage to walls than a tablet.
The back of the Fire HD 8 Plus feels a little cheap and plastic, but the tablet cover makes the device feel very sturdy.
Credit: RJ Andersen / Mashable
However, I was a little disappointed with the Fire tablet from there. It’s nothing special or impressive. It looks almost identical to my display. echo show 10 —And while I appreciate the simplicity, it does look a bit dated.It has a thick black frame around the 8-inch HD display, and my hands-on experience with this device is a testament to my Apple products and partners. It felt like it was far behind the Samsung Galaxy Note Ultra. The 1280 x 800 screen was pretty dark compared to my other devices, the colors were a bit subdued, and the screen glare was intense.
First impressions of the Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus
If you’re expecting lightning-fast, streamlined performance from the Fire HD 8 Plus, get this out of the way and you’ll be disappointed. This tablet features a 30% faster processor than its predecessor , the operating system is still rather slow and unwieldy. The tablet automatically wakes up when you open the lid (or you can tap the power button once), but I didn’t like that I couldn’t touch the screen to wake the tablet from there. Your only option is to press the power button again. From the lock screen you have three options. Another option to access Amazon’s “Device Dashboard” (where you can see other Amazon devices in your account), unlock with a middle swipe, and view other special offers. Full screen ads weren’t enough.
If you opt for the cheaper version of the Fire HD 8 Plus, your lock screen will be dominated by ads.
Credit: RJ Andersen / Mashable
From there, navigating the Fire tablet can be a bit cumbersome. After unlocking the tablet, three options are available for her: A “For You” page (with weather forecasts, recent apps, sponsored apps, and a prompt to keep reading the book you had open on your device), a more traditional “Home Page” page, and a “For You” page on your device. Library”. You can download additional apps to your device such as Netflix, Minecraft, TikTok, and Zoom, with the notable exception of YouTube (although there are many imitators).
Fire tablets use Amazon’s software launcher, Fire OS, which limits the use of the app library — I’ve heard of people loading the Google Play Store on previous versions of the Fire HD 8 Plus tablet. — so your options are: A little limited. It’s not a big deal for those using Amazon’s various entertainment options (Kindle Unlimited, Audible, Prime Video, Amazon Music, etc.), but if you’re looking for a little more flexibility, the Fire tablet isn’t for them. May be. Purpose.
Should I buy the Fire HD 8 Plus?
If you’re looking for a tablet that’s primarily used for entertainment (reading, streaming, etc.), the Fire HD 8 Plus(opens in new tab) A decent choice. Incredibly compact and sturdy makes him the perfect workout companion. Riding an exercise bike on an iPad is a terrifying experience. Entertainment options were surprisingly robust. I had no problem watching all my favorite shows on my tablet. The sound quality was decent, and the battery life was impressive. I also immediately started using the lengthy free trial of Kindle Unlimited.
Plus, at $120 for the 32GB version (with lockscreen ads), the Fire tablet is incredibly affordable compared to other brands. , social media, and reading on the go. And if you have kids, the durability factor alone makes it an attractive option. It also has an impressive lineup of parental controls that make it even more child-friendly.
However, if you’re looking for a more robust tablet, I’m not sure I would recommend this one. Plus, the amount of sponsored content, coupled with the app’s limitations, was more than frustrating. There is still a lot of promotional content hidden in places. Matches my other devices. It’s definitely cheaper than the iPad Mini, but it’s close in price to other compact he tablets like the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 and Lenovo Tab M7.
If you’re hesitant or looking for a budget-friendly entertainment tablet, we recommend sticking with the Amazon Fire HD 8 tablet. At just $99 (and often cheaper), it’s not much better than the Fire HD 8 Plus. The Plus has a slightly faster processor and wireless charging, but most people won’t notice the difference.
