Those who need just a bit more workspace, or who can't stand to ever be offline from any location, might want to consider the 8.9. Meanwhile, if you're a more serious tablet user who wants access to the full power of the Android operating system, the decision is still simple: go with something else.
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79
Conclusion: We're mixed
If you're an Amazon fan, and especially if you get most of your video content through the Amazon Prime service, the Kindle Fire HD 8.9 could be worth considering, given its large, high-definition display. But if you want more flexibility and support for a wider universe of apps and content, there are better full-featured large-screen tablets available, including the Samsung Nexus 10 and the Apple iPad 2, both of which are available for $399, about the same price as the ad-free 32GB version of the Fire HD 8.9. Comparing it to the Nexus 10, Gizmodo points out that "if you're looking for a full sized tablet that can multitask and run any Androidy thing you want, that's probably a better deal for you. It's not quite cheap enough to take a flier on, and not quite good enough to win on merits." Engadget concurs, saying: "If you're a more serious tablet user who wants access to the full power of the Android operating system, the decision is still simple: go with something else."
90-Day Price History
Critic reviews
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Can I unequivocally recommend this Fire to the average user? I would say no. A tablet of this size and style has a very specific space in the pantheon of tablets, and I don’t believe the Amazon app store and Fire UI are robust enough to support the tools users may want from a tablet at this price.
Read the full review →If you're looking for a pure media consumption experience, the Kindle Fire HD 8.9 delivers better than any tablet before it. People looking for something more utilitarian, however, will want to look elsewhere.
Read the full review →The 8.9-inch Amazon Kindle Fire HD is the top low-cost large-screen tablet you can buy, but to get the best bang for your buck, go for the Wi-Fi-only version.
Read the full review →It's not that the 8.9-inch Fire HD isn't a bargain. It is. But at $300, you're halfway from a $200 7-inch tablet to the $400 Jellybean 4.2 Nexus 10. And if you're looking for a full sized tablet that can multitask and run any Androidy thing you want, that's probably a better deal for you.
Read the full review →We like the Kindle Fire HD, but we still think it sits in the shadow of the better, more flexible tablets out there, but it's hard to argue with the price.
Read the full review →This probably isn't the best tablet in the world, but it's certainly the best Kindle yet. The 7-inch version may have its compact form factor on its side but the new model is far zippier.
Read the full review →Like the 7-inch version, the Kindle Fire HD 8.9 offers great value for money. There’s a lot of quality hardware on offer here at a reasonable price, with the high-resolution screen being a stand-out feature.
Read the full review →The user interface, while sleek, doesn't offer everything Android has to offer and gaming is hindered by low graphics capabilities... But the high resolution does make the Kindle Fire HD 8.9 an excellent device for e-reading (especially comic books!) and web browsing, at a relatively low price.
Read the full review →Great hardware for the money, and a great range of content to buy, but Amazon’s take on Android still feels comparatively inflexible.
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How it stacks up
Instantly compare the Amazon Kindle Fire HD 8.9-inch side by side with some of the top devices on gdgt!
Compare these-
Amazon Kindle Fire HD 8.9-inch 79 from $269 -
Apple iPad mini 93 from $329 -
ASUS Nexus 7 (Nexus Tablet) 88 from $224 -
Apple iPad 4th-gen 97 from $499 -
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Other Amazon tablets
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Amazon Kindle Fire HD 7-inch 79 from $199 -
Amazon Kindle Fire 74 -
Amazon Kindle Fire 2nd-gen 69 from $159
Don't forget to check out these other devices by Amazon, you might find something good!