[OT] Amazon and Fire Tablet

[pinnerite]

I had just ordered a mains lead for our TV. The packers (or me) had packec it separately from the TV 9 months ago. The TV went up on the bracket yesterday. After crawling around our loft looking in the likly boxes, I gave up fithy and miserable.

I couldn't find where I could buy one anywhere locally (within 5 miles) so I ordered one from Amazon.

Still down I spotted an advert for a Fire HD 10.1 inch tablet. I had never looked at them before so clicked on the button and then read the spec and the reviews.

The most negative one said it was crap the most positive one aso said it was crap.

I cheered immediately. :)

Alan

[Andrew]

Blimey, doesn't everyone have a box full of mains leads with an IEC connector or the figure-of-eight ending ?.

I use one of those hangers that slips over the the top of a door, intended for clothing, and hang all my spare leads and connectors on that. Downside is the 3-pin plugs have scored some marks in the door mouldings from constant opening/closing the door.

[Brian]

I have one of the Fire Tablets, the 10.1 I think- certainly about that size.

I find it pretty good for watching videos- the reason I bought it. I use it with Amazon Prime, my media server, YouTube, IPlayer ( and similar players), etc. Occasionally browsing the web.

It is slower than my iPad but ok for basic watching media etc.

I bought mine when it was on offer - I think about £110 for 64G without ads.

I?d recommend one for the purposes I use mine but not as a substitute for and iPad.

[Brian Gaff (Sofa]

Actually if all you want is online content then the fire sticks are pretty good. The tablets are cheap and cheerful, you need to adjust your expectations. what can you expect for the money. They can work with things like zoom and can indeed watch stuff on streaming media, but just don't expect lightning speed or super high rest screens for the money I know a number of blind people who use them happily with their inbuilt screenreader. Brian

[Brian Gaff (Sofa]

Depends on the telly, some are using a weird version of figure of 8 with three connections like a triangle with rounded corners. My samsung has a right angled figure of 8 in case you want to wall mount it. Brian

[Brian Gaff (Sofa]

Regarding mains leads, they do have them at currys pc world, but they are over priced. Brian

[Brian]

Yes, the Firesticks are good, we have several. If you buy them during the sales, they are as cheap as chips.

The only annoying thing is the frequent updates for no obvious reason.

[John Rumm]

Aka "cloverleaf" plug - often used on laptop PSUs

[John Rumm]

The only thing more annoying than frequent updates is no updates.

[nightjar]

It depends what you want it for. I have one as a convenient way to refer to my family tree when out in the field (sometimes literally) doing research on my ancestors. I can also use it to take pictures relating to the research and to take notes. That is the extent of my needs for a tablet and it does that as well as something much more expensive.

[Pamela]

You and I may differ on many things but on this I agree.

I have a sort of "coathanger" with 11 hooks for ties where I hang audio and USB leads.

[Andy Burns]

Or "mickey mouse" plug.

IEC C5 if you're being picky.

[pinnerite]

Most of my leads are in two substantial boxes. One for mains stuff, leads, extenders etc and the rest, ethernet, hdmi, etc in another.

BUT the one I wanted we now feel certain is in one of a number of boxes currently in storage. The packers are known to have packed everything in sight! With terrible markings. Although very securely done.

[Andrew]

Very handy too. I need one of those for my collection :-)

Andrew

[Andrew]

I'm sure Russ Andrews has a special "low-intelligence" range of mains leads.

Andrew