Kindle Paperwhite

DicedT · November 24, 2013, 01:32:03 PM

With so many books coming out as e-books, I'm thinking of an e-reader, and especially the Amazon Paperwhite. My eye do seem to get a little strained from reading the iPad 4, so I'm wondering if the Paperwhite would be better.

Anyone have thoughts on the Paperwhite? I assume I can transfer book and PDF files from my PC to the Paperwhite via USB? Do I need to be connected to the Internet to read books? I also see there's an ad-supported and a more expensive non-ad version. How annoying are the ads? I'm thinking that the ad-supported version means I have to be connected to the Net, because otherwise how would they send me the ads?

Michael

Staggerwing · November 24, 2013, 01:47:59 PM

I have the 1st gen paperwhite (I think the current one is 2nd gen) and I do find it much easier to read on than an lcd screen. The 'backlight' is really a 'sidelight' and does not cause me any eyestrain and is not needed anyway if it's daytime or you have a good reading light. Mine is wifi only and that's how I fetch most of my books though you should be able to load them up via USB to read later when there is no wifi. I've read some pdfs but if they have drawings, pictures, or diagrams then I find it easier to read them on my iPad since you cannot easily zoom in and out on the kindle. If you can keep it hooked to your wifi network then you will be able to use the primitive web browser and also the dictionary and wikipedia from right inside whatever book you are reading. You can highlight an unfamiliar word in the book and go straight to wikipedia which is just way cool if you don't want to get up and turn on your laptop.

BanzaiCat · November 24, 2013, 01:52:28 PM

Second everything Staggerwing just said. I bought mine this past summer and I love the side lighting. Get a good protector/cover for it too.

Toonces · November 24, 2013, 02:51:28 PM

Hello all.

I'd say my Kindle Paperwhite is among the most significant things I own. I absolutely love it, and I can't even remember what life was like in the old days when I couldn't carry around a library of books in my pocket.

I have the 1st generation, ad-supported version. First, the light on mine is a little blotchy; there is some dark shading along the edges that is noticable but doesn't really detract from the ability to read it. The battery, even with the light on about halfway, lasts an extremely long time. I read a LOT and I'd guess I'm about 3-4 weeks between chargings. And it charges pretty quickly.

The ads are weak sauce. However, what I've noticed is that if you keep the wifi off and do your book transfers by USB through your computer, the ads will disappear after about a week and you'll just get a small text box that says, "Ensure your Kindle is hooked up online to see the latest offers" or something to that effect. The ads show on the screensaver before you turn it on, and there's a small banner ad similar to the ones on this site that sits at the bottom of your homepage. Once you select a book and get reading the ads disappear and they don't come back until you return to your homepage or turn the Kindle off. Really it's a personal thing if you want to spend the $20 to remove them. I don't really notice them anymore because I rarely turn on the wifi.

I read the Kindle all the time and I have never experienced any kind of eye-strain. It works great indoors and outside. There is just so much content you can read for free on the Kindle that it pays for itself almost instantly. You can get tons of classic works and Amazon is always offering freebies that guys like Peaceflower post up in the books forum, lots of military history and such. If you have a library membership you can usually borrow e-books through your library and if you have Amazon Prime you can borrow books through their library.

I haven't tried pdf's on my Paperwhite, but I would suspect they won't work well. You can't really re-size things on the Paperwhite like you can on the Kindle Fire or iPad. If most of your reading is going to be via pdf then I'm not sure I'd recommend this...although I'd still recommend it just to be able to read all of those wonderful free books.

Finally, like I mentioned, the thing is pretty small. I wear cargo shorts or BDU's a lot and the Kindle fits well in a cargo pocket. So for example, I'll throw it in a pocket, go to chow, and then break it out to read while I eat because you can read with one hand or even prop it up (I have a folding protector for it) and just turn pages with a finger tap on the screen.

Alright, I guess that's enough. ;D

Toonces · November 24, 2013, 02:57:54 PM

Take yesterday for instance.

My son had a football game, but he had to be there an hour before the game started. I threw my Kindle in my pocket and we're off. Break out the beach chair and then pull out the Kindle. Do I want to continue reading about the Crusades? Maybe finish Phase Line Green? Or how about Game of Thrones book 4 that I just downloaded from the library? I don't have to choose which to bring before I leave; they're all in my Kindle!

Later that day I go to pick up pizza for dinner. Throw the Kindle in a pocket and I'm off. Pizza's not ready? No problem! Sit down, read a bit, and it's all good.

Or Friday. I have to take my son to an appointment for a costume fitting. How long is this going to take? Am I going to be sitting around for an hour or two? Who knows? I guess I better throw the Kindle in my pocket, just in case. Oh I need to fill out a bunch of paperwork? No problem, I'll just put the Kindle in my pocket so I have two hands free to write.

It really rocks. If I could change on thing on it, I'd love to get one that is solar powered like a calculator. That would totally rock.

Mr. Bigglesworth · November 25, 2013, 09:23:28 AM

Do people using the paperwhite miss color?

BanzaiCat · November 25, 2013, 09:30:30 AM

Color, as in a color display? Books are pretty much black and white, right? :P

Personally, I don't care about a color display. The Paperwhite is very crisp and sharp as it stands; it's very easy to see when there's a glare. That's the problem with the Fire - while it's all color and cool and such, it's very tough to read outside.

Bison · November 27, 2013, 10:29:56 PM

If you are reading a book with a lot of pictures it doesn't always display them very well. However I love my kindle and it's very nice as Toonces said to have an entire library at the push of a button.

Staggerwing · November 28, 2013, 08:08:45 AM

Quote from: Mr. Bigglesworth on November 25, 2013, 09:23:28 AM
Do people using the paperwhite miss color?

Since 90% of most books is text (subject to personal preference, of course) most of the time no color is no problem. Most novels, biographies, etc do fine on the paperwhite. The only time I miss a larger screen with color and the ability to zoom is if there are a lot of maps, photos, or charts in the text, as well as the previously mentioned PDFs. Those I will read on my iPad. Which would work best for someone really depends on what they read. In the end, though, having both a tablet and a Paperwhite (or other e-ink device) is the best of both worlds. If cost is an issue keep an eye out for sales on the B&N Nook SimpleTouch. It is frequently on sale for $50 to $70 since B&N is getting out of the e-reader business.