Amazon just launched the Kindle Fire HD yesterday. We compare the specs of the 8.9 inch version of the tablet against Apple’s iPad. The American retail giant hopes that its Android 4.0 based tablet will become a direct competitor to Apple’s iPad.
But is it a worthy challenger? Let’s check out:
The Screen: The new screen is of course bigger than the original 7-inch Kindle Fire. Amazon has also increased the screen resolution to 1,920 x 1,200 at 254 pixels per inch (ppi). In terms of screen resolution, the new iPad is still way ahead with its 2048 x 1536 pixel resolution at 264 ppi. It also has a bigger 9.7 inch screen.
The iPad thus still has the edge in terms of screen resolution and this is one feature that is going to be hard to match.
Processor, Speed and Disk space: Unlike the original Kindle Fire which was available only in the 8GB size, the new Kindle Fire HD (the 8.9 inch version), will be available in three versions. 16, 32 and 64 GB. This is same as the iPad. Amazon has thrown a direct challenge to Apple by increasing space for users. This means more space for storing books, movies and music.
CEO Jeff Bezos also said that Amazon won’t lose money on the devices even if customers don’t use them to buy digital content from its online store. “We want people to buy content from the device, sure,” he said. “We’re fine if they don’t.”
Faster Wifi on the Kindle Fire HD. AP
The processor for the Fire is still a dual-core OMAP that clocks in a speed of 1.5GHz. The new iPad also has an A5 Dual-core chip but this one has a special dedicated quad-core unit for Graphics, to deal with Retina Display. So while Amazon and Apple’s processor speed might be the same, in terms of high-end graphics, the new iPad has the edge.
WiFi: Amazon says it has used a dual-band chip for WiFi in the Kindle Fire HD which they claim is 54 percent faster than the Nexus 7, and 41 percent faster than on the iPad 3.
Camera: Amazon Kindle Fire HD ships with a front camera. There’s no rear camera. The new iPad on the other hand has both. It has 5 megapixel rear camera and front camera for VGA-quality photos and video. Kindle Fire HD’s camera specifications are not yet known.
Price: Price is probably where the new Kindle Fire HD has a major edge over the new iPad. For a 64 GB Kindle Fire HD with 4G connection, the cost is only $599. The new iPad costs nearly $829 for the same version. For $500, the basic Wi-Fi model of the new iPad is available.
At the press conference Amazon showed that for US consumers, the purchase price, plus the data plan came to a one-year cost of $549 for the Amazon tablet as compared to an iPad which costs $959 with data plan.
So it looks as though Apple has the edge over Amazon in terms of features, but the Kindle Fire offers customers a tablet that is as almost as good for a much cheaper price.
It could be just the thing for Apple aspirants who can’t quite afford its devices, and as such could launch quite a challenge to the iPad.
