Comparing iPad to Kindle Fire Misses the Point

I’ve read a number of Kindle Fire reviews that compare Amazon’s new tablet to the iPad, often on a point-by-point basis as far as specs. I think this approach is flawed and misses the point.

When we buy a product, we have a specific goal in mind. When selecting a television for the main entertainment area in your house, you look for something different than when buying a television for a bedroom or the kitchen. You know that the 61-inch TV for the main room serves a different purpose than a 27-inch TV to watch in bed.

The same goes for the iPad and Kindle Fire. The iPad is nearly 3 times as expensive as the Kindle Fire. Doesn’t it make sense that it will have more capabilities and be bigger?

People who could afford an iPad and wanted one bought one. Others maybe couldn’t justify the price tag of the iPad but still want to be able to consume content conveniently. For this target market, the Kindle Fire works. It’s not a device to take pictures or video with, although I’d argue the iPad isn’t either for the vast majority of owners. I’m still looking forward to seeing that first iPad user hold that tablet up and say “Cheese.” I know, I know, the iPad has video chatting. Great. If that’s a major need of yours and you can afford it, buy the iPad. I hope you also get the 61-inch TV. Whether you do or you don’t, I’m pretty sure you don’t expect it to be the same as the 27-inch model.

Another point made in Kindle Fire reviews is that it doesn’t have the memory of the iPad. Again, I think this misses the point. If you like the Cloud Concept, the Kindle Fire will be a good, lower priced alternative for you as far as video, books, checking email, music and web surfing. If you don’t like the Cloud, then the Fire might not be for you so you either save up and get the iPad or go without.

I have both an iPad and Kindle Fire. I think both are good products. I also understand that they are different devices that serve different needs for different prices.

Like most purchases, it comes down to the main points: What are your wants? What are your needs? How much can you spend? Answer those questions and decide whether to buy an iPad, Kindle Fire, another device or nothing.