Kindle for PC - Great Free Download

Amazon just recently released a free version of their Kindle for PC. I have always wanted a Kindle and when I saw this free version, I jumped at the chance. Why would I want Kindle software for my desktop or my laptop? For one, there are free downloadable books at Amazon and two, I wanted to try the features of a Kindle without buying one yet.

I was surprised at how easy it was to load onto my computer. It took under a minute. At the Amazon site, I typed in "Free Kindle Books," and I was able to select several that I might find interesting. That same feature is built right into the Kindle on your computer. At the top, just click the "Shop in Kindle Store," and it takes you directly to the online site.

For each book that you have downloaded, a book cover is shown on the main page. Below each book cover are dots which show how large the book is. As you read the book, the dots are filled in to show how far you've finished it. At the top, you are able to sort by title, author or most recent. The best feature, in my opinion, is the fact that I can change font size. You can take a regular book and make it into a large-size print format in less than one second.

It will remember the last page that you have read. The Kindle for PC also allows you to bookmark a page. There is no manual or information provided so I had at first assumed that bookmarking was its way of finding your page again. Bookmarking, in fact, allows you to mark multiple pages in a book. This would be useful for a textbook or nonfiction book where you want to be able to quickly return to a particular topic. Once bookmarked, you click "View All Notes & Marks," and it shows all the pages you have bookmarked. Sadly, this version does not allow any highlighting of text.

Navigating through the books is extremely easy. You have the option of using your arrow keys on your keyboard or you may use your mouse. With the mouse, you can either go right or down so there are plenty of options for all kinds of clicking.

Sadly, Kindle for PC is a completely stripped down version of the regular Kindles. There are no extra features whatsoever. There are no "Read-to-Me" features or built-in dictionary feature. It's just a simple program that allows you to download Kindle books onto your desktop or laptop.

Pros

It's free and if you want to read Kindle books, here is your chance. If you have difficulties reading due to eye sight, this is another method of reading large print. Kindle for PC is easy to use. If you install this on your laptop, this would be an easy way to read a book while on a trip or at a coffee shop.

Cons

It has absolutely no extra features to it. As I download and add more books, it may eat up the hard drive. I wish I could see the back cover or flaps on the books to read the summaries or learn more about the authors. I'm not sure if this is a feature or not for the real Kindles or not.

So far, I've really enjoyed having it on my computer. I love books and here is just one more way that I can get my hands on them.