We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.
This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
Daft question - how to "hold" an 8-inch tablet?
dunroving
Posts: 1,903 Forumite
in Techie Stuff
I am now the proud owner of an 8 inch Kindle Fire. So far, very pleased with it. The only thing I struggle with is how to hold it securely while I am reading it.
I mainly bought it to read my newspaper subscription, plus occasional casual browsing of YouTube, th'interWeb, etc. I find my phone (Samsung Note 3) is a bit too small for this, and my laptop isn't convenient.
Here are what I am finding are the problems with holding one-handed:
1) Screen is very smooth/slippy, so doesn't feel very secure in my hand.
2) In association with the above, the screen border is just a little too narrow - I find if I try to get a secure grip, I keep accidentally touching the live part of the screen with my finger/thumb, triggering actions I didn't want to.
3) The width of the tablet is just that little too big to hold from the back (i.e., in the way I typically hold my phone). I can hold it this way, but it is a stretch (literally; my hand is just slightly too small)
4) The Amazon case doesn't lend itself to giving a "handle", so to speak.
I have seen some tablet cases that do have a handle/strap for this purpose. At the moment, although I like the Amazon case, I am thinking of returning it and exchanging for one with a strap. I also looked at the "bumper" cases, as these have big round knobs to hold onto - but I didn't want a case that said "Amazon Kids" on the back!
On reflection, the 7 inch Kindle might have been a better size - large enough screen for what I want, but narrow enough to hold "from behind", like a phone. Hindsight is 20/20, as the saying goes.
Yes, I know I could hold it two-handed, but for casual reading I really prefer to hold one-handed.I used to have a 10-inch Asus tablet and didn't find that easy for casual reading because it definitely was a "two-hander", which is why I decided to get a smaller tablet this time.
I mainly bought it to read my newspaper subscription, plus occasional casual browsing of YouTube, th'interWeb, etc. I find my phone (Samsung Note 3) is a bit too small for this, and my laptop isn't convenient.
Here are what I am finding are the problems with holding one-handed:
1) Screen is very smooth/slippy, so doesn't feel very secure in my hand.
2) In association with the above, the screen border is just a little too narrow - I find if I try to get a secure grip, I keep accidentally touching the live part of the screen with my finger/thumb, triggering actions I didn't want to.
3) The width of the tablet is just that little too big to hold from the back (i.e., in the way I typically hold my phone). I can hold it this way, but it is a stretch (literally; my hand is just slightly too small)
4) The Amazon case doesn't lend itself to giving a "handle", so to speak.
I have seen some tablet cases that do have a handle/strap for this purpose. At the moment, although I like the Amazon case, I am thinking of returning it and exchanging for one with a strap. I also looked at the "bumper" cases, as these have big round knobs to hold onto - but I didn't want a case that said "Amazon Kids" on the back!
On reflection, the 7 inch Kindle might have been a better size - large enough screen for what I want, but narrow enough to hold "from behind", like a phone. Hindsight is 20/20, as the saying goes.
Yes, I know I could hold it two-handed, but for casual reading I really prefer to hold one-handed.I used to have a 10-inch Asus tablet and didn't find that easy for casual reading because it definitely was a "two-hander", which is why I decided to get a smaller tablet this time.
(Nearly) dunroving
0
Comments
-
I had a similar problem but managed to find a case with a front cover that rolls up onto the back as a stand and that I can use like a handle.
Like this...
0 -
I rue the demise of the sub-7" tablets. For reasons of economy, I use separate SIMs (and devices) for telephony and internet so don't need or even want the phone facility on a large-screen phone.
Why can't I buy a tablet that fits in my inside pocket?
I'm not sure that I can trust as competent any seller who states We Ship to Worldwide, except China and so on.
0 -
Never had one foul up yet and they always surprise how fast they get stuff here from China.Kernel_Sanders wrote: »I'm not sure that I can trust as competent any seller who states We Ship to Worldwide, except China and so on.
How is your Chinese? I've never let a translation influence anything, that's just being a bit middle England.
Each to their own, If you are that sensitive you could go for the one from Brum....;)Drinking Rum before 10am makes you
A PIRATE
Not an Alcoholic...!0 -
I have a Kindle Fire 7". It is fitted into a standard Kindle Fire case with flip over magnetic "latch" to hold it closed over the screen. With the lid flipped back it has a soft-feel, secure texture that makes holding the Fire easy.
I tend to rest mine on the palm of my left hand, with my thumb and little finger catching opposite edges of the case. YMMV depending on the size of your hands. 0 -
Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I am currently using the Fire to type this reply. I have found one or two variations on the "strap" theme. One in particular hooks into the top and bottom of the tablet using nylon covered hooks a bit like those you find on a bungee cord.
Have also done a bit more research on the dimensions of the Fire 7 and 8. The 8 is 12.8 cm wide and 369 gm. The 7 is 11.5 cm wide and 295 gm. In comparison my trusty old Kindle e-reader is 12.4 cm wide and 240 gm.
I have been persevering with the 8 for a couple of days. I'm currently laid up on my back recuperating so lots of free time! I am really finding the 8 just that little bit wide and heavy to hold one handed for any length of time. I intend to stick with it for a while but am also wondering about Amazon's returns policy in a situation like this. Considering I will use it constantly in retirement, it needs to be fit for purpose. That's the only thing I don't like about online shopping. If I had the chance to handle it beforehand I think I would have plumped for the 7.(Nearly) dunroving0 -
That doesn't really serve the purpose of what I'm looking for, as it's not portable. I'm trying to achieve one-handed operation of a tablet, not a rest or stand for the tablet.(Nearly) dunroving0 -
OK, it was just a thought,sorry0
-
Did you read the newspaper one handed?0
This discussion has been closed.
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply
Categories
- All Categories
- 352.2K Banking & Borrowing
- 253.6K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 454.3K Spending & Discounts
- 245.3K Work, Benefits & Business
- 601K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 177.5K Life & Family
- 259.1K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.7K Read-Only Boards