Let me guess: you love books, but you're not sure you want to get a kindle because you love the feel of books, right?
I'm here to tell you that the kindle is the perfect balance of book and digital format.
SHORT REVIEW
Yes, you should buy a kindle. Get the paperwhite with no ads. You're welcome.
LONG REVIEW
I love physical books too, I'm with you. But I know myself, and I know that once I forget to take the book I'm reading with me, that's it. I'll start another book and rarely finish the first. I also know if I try and read on my phone or iPad that I'll get distracted and start wondering about what's happening on the internet (Instagram's not gonna scroll ITSELF). Either way I'm not finishing the book.
WHY KINDLE
The kindle takes the best of both worlds and mashes them together. The e ink display is honestly incredible. I wish iPhones had an e ink display. It really looks just like a printed page. So you get the experience of reading a physical paper book, but with the perks of being digital.
Namely:
- Share what book you're reading to Goodreads, Facebook, or twitter (so you can look SMORT)
- Built in dictionary (so you can learn the proper spelling of the word SMORT)
- Export your highlights as a PDF
Plus, it'll also sync with the kindle app on your phone so you can squeeze in the final few pages of the chapter while you're in the bathroom (don't pretend you don't do that. You're either on your phone or you're reading the febreeze ingredients)
READING IN BED
The backlight looks great. It's a perfect size. And because it's one page at a time, you overcome another annoyance of physical books: you can read laying down in bed without the awkward "I just need to hold the book weird like this for a second while I finish the left page, then I'll be on the right page and can relax" situation. It's great.
LIBRARY BOOKS
You can check out library books digitally without leaving your house. And yes, you can make highlights and export those as a PDF (to answer your next question, yes, you could technically highlight the whole book, but that would take more time than it's worth).
ADS OR NAH?
Get the one without ads. Remember the problem with reading on your phone? Distractions. Why would you buy a device that ONLY does one thing exceptionally well (isolated reading) and then ruin the experience with ads about products you should buy? Now you're thinking about "oh right, I gotta get my oil changed" or "what am I gonna make for dinner?" instead of whether Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy are really ever going to get together.
WHICH MODEL?
And no, you don't need a more expensive kindle. This one works great and the other ones don't give you much more for the money. Get the wifi only model (please, you're REALLY going to use the 3G to download books on the go? Get real).
And yes, this is the best e-reader out there. Come on, it's Amazon. ANY book you want is a few taps away.
WHAT YOU WANT
Kindle Paperwhite (wifi only, cuz really, you're gonna use 3G??) with no ads.
You're furiggin welcome.
Amazon help pages actually tell you that you can't use borrowed library e-books with the children's FreeTime feature that let's you track the amount of time they read each day (see attached image). In fact, even some customer service representatives tell you it can't be done.
Luckily, it can....and it makes for a wonderful combination for parents who want to track their kids' reading while still taking advantage of free library loans.
Here are the steps after having checked out the book:
1. Go to "Manage Your Content and Devices"
2. Click on the "Actions" button (labeled "...") next to the library-borrowed book.
3. Choose "Manage Family Library"
4. A small dialogue box should pop up with your child's Freetime profile. Click the "Add to Library" button next to it.
5. Sync the Paperwhite....and the book shows up in their Freetime account!
I've confirmed this with a borrowed e-book on my son's Paperwhite.
Now Amazon needs to update their help pages and give these instructions.
Any Kindle was a hard sell to me. They’re expensive, locked down (no other third party support except open source book formats), and limited in what they can do. After all I can use my phone or iPad to read right?
I consider myself an advisor reader and have read a lot of books, mainly in the Sci-fi/fantasy genre. My problem was how many books I’d carry which made my work back bulky. I started reading on my iPad since it felt a little more natural due to being able to view two pages at once. However it just didn’t feel right, holding any tablet felt like a workout after a while of extensive reading. Ultimately I broke down and bought a Kindle for my birthday.
The Kindle is everything a book lover would want, but also one I feel many would hate. It’s light and the e-ink display looks more like a book than an electronic device. Onboard the device has a plethora of feature like Wikipedia, dictionary functions, and other tools to make reading fun and easy for every person, albeit with a WiFi connection. The touch screen allows for a smaller footprint and easier navigation, that gets a little clunky. I’ve read 4 novels since purchasing it and expect to read more. Allowing Kindle unlimited books, public libraries to loan out e-books, and soon Audible integration makes it a worthwhile investment.
The $120 device comes with some compromises. One of these is the obvious fact, Kindle books tend to hover around the price as their physical copy counterparts. While the publishers are to blame for this, and not necessarily Amazon, it can be a turn off for those thinking they could save money especially since there’s no real way to trade, sell, or even give away books once you’re done. Another thing to consider is that many services require WiFi to use like the Wikipedia plugin for example. For people who have spotty WiFi or cell service this can be a problem.
Some other issues I find is that tactile buttons should exist for simple controls like turning pages. With large hands like mine I find myself accidentally turning pages and opening controls especially if I don’t lock the screen or have to set it down (I will say that if you’re prone to “butt dialing” I’d recommend putting a lock and pin, it’ll save you from annoying text readjustments later). The slow refresh of the displace makes typing and selecting options monotonous at times.
The Paperwhite boasts a backlight for reading at night. While it’s perfect for reading in dark settings, I find the light bleed a bit annoying. This isn’t a takeaway to me but just a little annoying.
All in all is this something I’d consider or recommend? Yes. It saves me lugging my iPad around just to read and feels more natural than a phone or tablet. However I’d consider this more for a reader who reads at least a book a month who just wants something light and easy to use.
I give it 4 stars despite its shortcomings because it’s still a great reader and one I hope to use for a while.
Okay, I resisted a Kindle or any other device for reading a "book" for a loooonnnnggggg time. I love the smell of a book, the russle of the pages and how it feels in my hand. BUT, storing all the books I read became a problem. A person only has so much space. So I bit the bullet.
I started reading using the kindle app on my ipad. Okay, it was really nice. Since I was going on a trip, I broke down and got the KINDLE Paperwhite.
I AM TOTALLY IN LOVE with my Kindle.
Pros:
- it is very lightweight. I can slip it into my purse without it feeling so weighed down.
- On a recent trip, I sat on a porch in the sun and I could STILL read. Happy Dance wohoo.
- The font and lighting are adjustable. No more squinting as small print in a book.
I have totally been converted. Ive read more in the last 2 weeks than I have in years.
Wished I had broke down and got one sooner.
I do recommend purchasings a cover.
**extra note: I've seen several comments about a Kindle plug in charger is a must. My charger came a couple of days AFTER my Kindle arrived. I had no issues charging with my computer USB or my wall USB plugin.
I've read Kindle books on my desktop, laptop, tablets, smartphone, etc. Hence, I never imagined I would ever consider purchasing dedicated Kindle device just so to read digital books. However, my eyes have started to fail and it was getting difficult staring at small screens of smartphone and even on larger screens of other devices, glares were starting be bothersome.
I didn't purchase Kindle Paperwhite brand new. Instead, I opted for Amazon's certified refurbished version/special offer both to save money and see what it was like to play with refurbished unit.
The device arrived in frustration-free cardboard box with Amazon logo. The device itself appeared new; didn't look like used at all. Setup was easy and straightforward; just follow the instruction on screen when you turn the unit on. Once you set up wi-fi at your home you're ready to download Kindle titles you want to read.
Suffice to say after I started reading on Kindle device, I was like wow, I found reading was more pleasurable(?) and was less stressful to my eyes.
Some people may find special offer screen that pops up from sleep mode or when you power up the unit. I personally didn't find it offensive or bothersome. But just in case you are bothered enough you can always access your Amazon account and pay one-time fee of $20 to get rid of the special offer screen from your Kindle device.
I would like to add that there is detailed owners manual pre-loaded in Kindle device instead of paper one. Also there is no power supply. Just USB cable to charge or download from your computer/laptop.
Some earlier reviewers were frustrated by the fact that they have had difficulty trying to figure out how to display their collection of Kindle books from cover only display to list of titles. My Kindle too was defaulted to cover only when I downloaded my collections to Kindle. What you need to do is to tap to ALL ITEMS and then you will tap List to display your collections in list.
What I liked: Glare free sharp text.
What I did not (mildly) like: When the screen briefly go black to change page.
Update 08/05/18: My device was delivered on 07/15/18 and I did full recharge for the first time. On today's date I did my second full recharge so the charge lasted exactly three weeks. The battery indicator looked pretty empty but without digital percentage I wasn't sure how much longer it could have lasted.
Feature Product
- Now available in black or white
- Higher resolution display (300 ppi) - with twice as many pixels
- Built-in adjustable light - read day and night
- No screen glare, even in bright sunlight, unlike tablets
- A single battery charge lasts weeks, not hours
- Massive selection, low prices - over a million titles $2.99 or less
- Prime members read free with unlimited access to over a thousand titles
Description
Featuring our highest resolution display, hand-crafted font Bookerly, and a new typesetting engine for even more beautiful rendering of pages. Our best-selling Kindle is now even better.
Highest resolution e-reader display
With twice as many pixels as the previous generation, the all-new Kindle Paperwhite has an improved high-resolution 300 ppi display for crisp, laser quality text. No other e-reader offers a higher resolution display.
Next-generation reading experience
Kindle Paperwhite offers Bookerly, an exclusive font crafted from the ground up for reading on digital screens. Warm and contemporary, Bookerly is inspired by the artistry of the best fonts in modern print books, but is hand-crafted for great readability at any font size.
Typesetting engine lays out words just as the author intended for beautiful rendering of pages. With improved character spacing and the addition of hyphenation, justification, kerning, ligatures, and drop cap support, our best-in-class typography helps you read faster with less eyestrain.
Enjoy reading with larger font sizes without compromising your reading experience. Page layout and margins automatically adapt to work well at even the largest font sizes. The new typography and layout improvements are available on over half a million books, including many best sellers, with thousands more being added every week.
No glare in bright sunlight
Unlike reflective tablet and smartphone screens, the latest Kindle Paperwhite reads like paper.
Won't tire your eyes in the dark
Kindle Paperwhite guides light toward the surface of the display with its built-in front light—so you can read comfortably without eyestrain. Adjust your screen's brightness for great reading in any light.
Charge monthly, not daily
Kindle Paperwhite won't leave you tethered to an outlet. A single charge can last up to six weeks (based on a half hour of reading per day with wireless turned off and the light setting at ten).
Read comfortably with one hand
Lighter than a paperback, comfortably hold Kindle Paperwhite in one hand for those times when you can't put the book down.
Lose yourself in a book
By design, Kindle Paperwhite is purpose-built for reading and creates a sanctuary so you can lose yourself in a book. Unlike tablets and phones, Kindle doesn't distract you with social media, emails, and text messages.
Take and share notes
Add margin notes that you can edit, delete, or even export from your device to your computer. Share highlighted sections and meaningful quotes on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads, and see passages frequently highlighted by other Kindle readers.
Look it up instantly without leaving your page
Smart Lookup integrates entries from The New Oxford American Dictionary with information from X-Ray and Wikipedia, so you can access definitions, characters, settings, and more without losing your place.
Read more challenging books
Word Wise makes it easier to enjoy and quickly understand more challenging books. Short and simple definitions automatically appear above difficult words, so you can keep reading with fewer interruptions. Tap on a word to bring up a simple card with definitions, synonyms, and more. Available on many popular English language titles.
Build your vocabulary
Words looked up in the dictionary are automatically added to Vocabulary Builder to expand your knowledge and reinforce retention. Swipe through your vocabulary words, quiz yourself with flashcards, and instantly see those words in context.
Share your library
With Family Library, you and your family can access and easily share not only your own Kindle books, but also books from the linked Amazon account of a spouse or partner.
Lowest book prices, massive selection
Over a million titles are priced at $2.99 or less. Over 2 million titles are $9.99 or less.
Set goals and celebrate with achievement badges
Kids can read books in a simple, fun, and safe environment designed specifically for them with Kindle FreeTime. Kids are rewarded with achievement badges when they reach their reading milestones. A progress report keeps parents updated on total time spent reading, number of words looked up, badges earned, and books read.
Compare Kindle E-readers
| Kindle | Kindle Paperwhite | Kindle Voyage | |
| Price | From $79 | From $119 | From $199 |
| Resolution | 167 ppi | 300 ppi | 300 ppi |
| Built-In Light | No | Yes | Yes + Adaptive light sensor |
| Page Turns | Touchscreen | Touchscreen | Touchscreen + PagePress |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi + free 3G | Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi + free 3G |
| Screen Size | 6" | ||
| Glare-Free Screen | Yes | ||
| Battery Life | Weeks on a single charge | ||
| Storage | Holds thousands of books | ||
| Weight | 6.7 oz | Wi-Fi: 7.2 oz Wi-Fi + 3G: 7.6 oz | Wi-Fi: 6.3 oz Wi-Fi + 3G: 6.6 oz |
| Dimensions | 6.7" x 4.7" x 0.40" | 6.7" x 4.6" x 0.36" | 6.4" x 4.5" x 0.30" |
After a lot of research on e-readers, I decided to get the Paperwhite, and I am glad I did!!! It is sleek and well-made. The screen does indeed get very bright (and very white). I also like how it can be more dim, which seems easier on my eyes. The font selection is also very good. I like that there are no buttons and that the touch screen is responsive. The battery life is obviously excellent. This is, in my opinion, the best e-reader on the market, at a pretty reasonable cost. I have already borrowed many books for free from my library onto my Kindle. I always told people I enjoyed real books more, but the sleekness and customizable options have officially changed me into a Kindle girl and I'm sure most of my reading will be done on my Paperwhite from now on. The portability and ergonomic feel of this e-reader make reading much more enjoyable. I highly recommend this product! (Photos shown with vinyl skin applied to product)
When I was a kid, I used to read so much, my parents would take my books away because I was staying up so late reading, but with my resent purchase of the Kindle Paperwhite I've been reading nonstop. I'm currently going through "Man In The High Castle," and just loving the rediscovery of how great a good book is.
I got the version without cellular, because like most people, I'm almost never away from WiFi for more than a short while. The interface on this Kindle is also quite good; and while e-ink displays definitely feel different, I assure you once you've set up your device, you'll never use it so intensely ever again. Regarding the "Special Offers," I highly recommend shelling out a little extra so you can read without any distractions what so ever.
Book shopping is super simple, searching titles, finding related titles, etc. Integration with Goodreads is also pretty cool, for metrics and such (and inspiration on what to read next!).
When it comes down to reading a book, that's where the e-ink display shines (figuratively; mostly). Because it's e-ink, in direct sunlight you can read without any issues. At night, you can read without a bedside light as the lights built into the Kindle Paperwhite light up the display (without blinding you!) to the most comfortable level for reading.
Important sidenote: I used to abhor e-readers. I loved physical books; couldn't standing reading on a tablet. But once I got my hands on this I was an instant convert! So give this a try if you're weary of converting.
Overall, I couldn't be happier with this purchase!
I read the reviews of Voyage and early 300dpi PW until the occasional manufacturing issue seemed to subside...
Then I purchased my PW 3 (I think it is 3rd gen), and it is everything I was hoping for and more. I already had a PW 2 and loved it. However my wife's old Kindle DX needed replacement (battery life decreasing), so we decided to replace it with a PW 3. We did not need the tactile page turning or auto dim on the Voyage.
Orderin process was smooth, although it would be better if Amazon clearly said PW 3 instead of just 300 DPI (just to be clear on the order form). The PW 3 package arrived intact, no damage in or out of the box. New product, not refurb. Turned it on and the setup was straightforward, however we have several Kindles and are used to this. I was immediately able to download what I was reading and ... start reading. Next I deauthorized the old Kindle DX (will be gifted), and we still have the PW 2 to use, plus various Android Kindle apps still authorized. This process was straightforward, but like I said, we are used to the Manage Kindle page on the main Amazon website. No comment on the need to re-download books. Yes that has to be done, however we tend to not keep all of our books on the Kindle at once.
When I started reading with the PW 3 I immediately compared it to the PW 2. Here is what I found... First, the Bookery new font is awesome. Now, some reviewers have complained that the contrast is less on PW 3 than PW 2. I believe that is because they were looking at two different fonts. The contrast on PW 3 is excellent, however the Bookery font is thinner slightly so it looks lighter. This is a plus for reading a lot, but may be confusing when comparing side to side.
Next the adjustable light. It does seem slightly less strong than the PW 2, however still works great in strong sunlight (and I read in planes above clouds in strong sunlight a lot), no issue for me there.
Next the consistency of the background light. Some folks have complained about blotches and uneven light. In the PW 2 at low light levels (e.g. 7) in a dark room, it is possible to see slight unevenness. With the PW 3, I don't even notice that. Very consistent.
Some folks have complained about the PW 3 having black "kindle" logo whereas PW 2 has that logo in silver. Personally I like the black because then there is absolutely nothing taking away from the immersion reading experience...
In short, we are thrilled with the PW 3 (and PW 2) and would purchase the PW 3 again because of the Bookery font, and the amazing 300 DPI resolution. I can view diagrams and pictures much more clearly than with the PW 2, and consider the purchase to be an excellent decision.
We hope this helps prospective buyers.
I am an avid reader (about 4 books a week) and a lover of hardcover books. I love the feel, the smell, the touch. I vowed I would never switch to an e-reader and criticized them very sternly (nothing like a good old fashioned book). As I near the end of my undergrad studies in legal psychology i have begun to read many books on disorders and psychological profiles with more demanding vocabulary where an on demand dictionary was needed. Not to mention the many books I read at a time and cross reference which made me have to carry up to 4 books at a time plus my reading light and it was just becoming as pain. Begrudgingly I logged on to Amazon and purchased the Paperwhite. BEST DECISION EVER. I understand the hype now. While this may never be as good as a real book in my eyes, this is as close as it gets.
1. The letters and feel of the page just makes it seem like you are reading a real page when the backlight is turned off.
2. This does not strain your eyes at all. Some books I wanted only existed in e-book format and this made me turn to my Surface Pro with harsh LED's that gave me a headache after one hour. Last saturday I had lots of free time and decided to read TWO books back to back and was able to do it without stopping and my eyes did not strain at all.
3. It is tiny and convenient: My heavy bag with 4 books has now been replaced by a small purse with just my Kindle. The portability is one of the best features seeing as how I can have millions of books in the palm of my hand. I can set it down or standing up with my case but it feels so good to hold that I just end up holding it.
4. Saves SOOOO much space: There is nothing more satisfying than a shelf full of books you've read. Sure gives you a feeling of accomplishment. HOWEVER, it takes up sooo much space and I end up donating most of my books to clear my shelves for more books. Often times I found myself wanting to revisit information from a book I had read years ago only to find I had to donate the book to make space. With Kindle, I can keep all my books in the palm of my hand, forever.
5. The dictionary feature: this is probably the feature most useful to me since reading lots of law and psychology comes with demanding vocabulary and terminology that I can have in seconds with just a slight press. With a real book you'd have to carry a dictionary around as well.
6. The light: Obviously this is the thing that distinguishes the Paperwhite from the basic Kindle and is, in my opinion, totally worth the extra cash. I do a lot of my reading at night before bed. Sometimes I am so enthralled in the book that I dont want to put it down and go to sleep but my boyfriend does. This means I cant keep the lamp on and my reading light is annoying to position properly to where it illuminates the entire page correctly, not to mention having to switch it every page. This alone makes the Paperwhite worth every penny. The light is fully adjustable and is never too harsh on the eyes. It is perfect.
7. The money saving: I read lots of very expensive textbooks as well as new releases that cost $20 in my preferred format (hardcover) since I dont like the flimsy feeling of paperback. The Kindle pays for itself when I am saving $10 per book which amounts to $200 a month. Not to mention with the Kindle Library subscription I have tons of books at my fingertips that would normally cost me $20, for practically free. If they had the Oasis in white I would buy it because like I said it more than pays for itself, but my Paperwhite does just fine.
8. The battery life: while this is obviously not something to worry about with real books, it IS something you consider when you are reading e-book versions on your phone or tablet. The battery life on this is ridiculously long, even for an avid reader like me I only find myself charging it once every 2 weeks depending on how much I read. Putting the Kindle in Airplane mode while not browsing or downloading books saves battery life.
9. The Ads: Ok most of you are probably like "what?" since that is a feature many people pay to remove. However, as someone always looking for a new book to read, the Ads are AWESOME since they include the book's reviews and a small overview. I've found many great books through the ads.
10. Sync features: How many times have you been reading a book and read something so meaninful that you just wanted to share with your friends but did not feel like typing it out. Well now you can! You can highlight easily and share to Facebook, Twitter or GoodReads and all your highlighted selections as well as your progress and notes are saved to GoodReads.
Overall, I have very little complaints such as they keyboard could be more responsive and easier to use but it's a non issue for me since I dont use it often. If they ever made a Kindle/Surface hybrid that you could write on with a pen and annotate the book I would be the first in line to purchase it. While I will always love my books, I have to admit I am impressed with the world of e-books and will do most, if not all, my reading on my Kindle.
I had the original Kindle with Keyboard and it was my favorite tech device that I owned at that time. Unfortunately, after so many long years, the battery began to die sooner and sooner eventually becoming unable to charge - rather than changing the battery I figured it was time to upgrade. After having done quite of bit of research, I chose the Paperwhite (with Whispersync) and have absolutely loved it! So far, I've had no problems with the device and truly love the backlight which my Keyboard never had. I did end up getting a screen protector (Tempered Glass by Infinland) as well as a case (Fintie - which can wake the device upon opening the case) to help ensure the longevity of the device as well as protect it from any scratches/smudges on the screen. As I have a 1hr bus/train commute to and from work each day, I have had the opportunity to use this device quite a lot. It is very light and easy to hold with one hand (wouldn't say my hands are large or small - about a medium size) - which comes in handy as I often require one hand to hold on to a railing. The UI (which was just recently updated) allows for very quick and easy access to many options that ensure you are reading in a setting you are comfortable with - you can quickly change the font, borders, spacing, as well as backlight, location tracking (Kindle location, percentage of completion, page #, etc). You can also easily create collections to group books together for easier access and navigation. While I do have Whispersync, which has allowed me to access books not downloaded on the device without WiFi available, I do tend to download books over WiFi which has allowed me to enjoy a long battery cycle. One charge easily lasts me two weeks with roughly 4 hours of use per day (2 hours during commute + 2 hours before going to sleep), along with backlight being used at medium-low settings (usually no backlight in a well-lit train).
Overall, I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking to either upgrade from older generations of Kindle and for anyone looking to get their 1st E-Reader. Kindles are definitely leading this market and you can definitely tell with the quality of their devices. While I personally do not use them, services such as Prime Reading and Kindle Unlimited can allow the book enthusiast to truly be immersed in their favorite pieces of literature. I am looking forward to not only re-read some of my favorite books but also expand my collection which I can easily keep in one easy to access location!
I will update if any issue should arise. Feel free to ask specific questions!
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