Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

lastlib

(24,893 posts)
Fri May 6, 2022, 06:16 PM May 2022

Pondering a Microsoft Surface tablet for my mom. Can I load e-books on it?

She currently has an old Kindle, which, if I read correctly, will soon be obsolete/unusable as 3G networks are phased out. I want to upgrade her before that happens, because reading is just about all she can do anymore given her health issues. So I want to be sure I'm getting her something she can use. with her fading eyesight, she needs L-A-R-G-E PRINT, so I want something that can enlarge the font of the book she's reading.

Does anybody here have any insight on these? Would appreciate.

8 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Pondering a Microsoft Surface tablet for my mom. Can I load e-books on it? (Original Post) lastlib May 2022 OP
There is a kindle app that would probably work. AZSkiffyGeek May 2022 #1
Does she have wifi or is the old 3G Kindle her only way to download anything? hedda_foil May 2022 #2
Wi-fi here is spotty.... lastlib May 2022 #7
Sure you can. One way or another you can load ebooks on... TreasonousBastard May 2022 #3
Microsoft surgace laptop with downloaded kindle app and wifi connectionwill let you do hlthe2b May 2022 #4
If dollars are an issue canetoad May 2022 #5
Reading on an LCD screen is difficult Progressive dog May 2022 #6
When reading on a Windows device AnyFunctioningAdult Jul 2022 #8

AZSkiffyGeek

(12,597 posts)
1. There is a kindle app that would probably work.
Fri May 6, 2022, 06:24 PM
May 2022

I believe it is available for Surfaces, I had it on my Win 10 laptop.

hedda_foil

(16,501 posts)
2. Does she have wifi or is the old 3G Kindle her only way to download anything?
Fri May 6, 2022, 06:24 PM
May 2022

I'm asking because Kindle has gone so far beyond the 3G Kindle (which I owned years ago and have replaced with successive newer Kindles) that you should take a look at what's available now. They're infinitely less expensive than the Microsoft Surface, and likely considerably lighter as well. I have an 8" model that I do everything except heavy duty work on.

lastlib

(24,893 posts)
7. Wi-fi here is spotty....
Fri May 6, 2022, 10:08 PM
May 2022

I have to go into town to the library to be able to load the books on her Kindle. I may take another look at newer Kindles too, but I'm more comfortable with the Surface, and I'm her only "tech support". So I need to get her something I can work with, and I have more of a learning curve w/ a Kindle. So-o-o......... I've been flipping a lot of coins lately....

TreasonousBastard

(43,049 posts)
3. Sure you can. One way or another you can load ebooks on...
Fri May 6, 2022, 06:27 PM
May 2022

anything.

I have a couple of Nooks, a Windows and an Android tablet, a laptop, a Windows desktop, a Linux laptop, and a phone. They are not all currently working, but when they do, they do fine with ebooks.

They don't all like the Kindle format, but that's easily dealt with. More important is how your mom deals with the machine itself. If she is comfortable with the Surface, then go for it.

hlthe2b

(106,318 posts)
4. Microsoft surgace laptop with downloaded kindle app and wifi connectionwill let you do
Fri May 6, 2022, 06:28 PM
May 2022

just about anything you want. If she orders e-books from Barnes & Noble rather than Amazon, she might need the nook app too.

Progressive dog

(7,230 posts)
6. Reading on an LCD screen is difficult
Fri May 6, 2022, 08:06 PM
May 2022

But, according to Microsoft, surface tablets run Windows 10 S, which should have no problem running Amazons Kindle Ap for PC;s.

8. When reading on a Windows device
Mon Jul 18, 2022, 10:07 PM
Jul 2022

Make sure to turn on the "Night Light" which will filter out blue light. This feature by default turns on at night when activated, but you can adjust the time or just leave it always on. That will make reading a ton better on your eyes. I love reading on my Surface.

Latest Discussions»Help & Search»Computer Help and Support»Pondering a Microsoft Sur...