Kindle - buy standard or paperwhite?

bitsandpieces

I'm looking for an ereader, after having lost my old Nook It seems like Kindle pretty much dominates the market now. I'm therefore trying to decide between a standard and paperwhite Kindle. As far as I can see, the main difference is that the paperwhite is higher resolution and has a backlight - and twice the price. Would I be likely to notice the higher res (I'm a bit short-sighted, so my eyesight's not perfect)?

I'm also open to other suggestions. I'm certainly not wedded to getting a kindle, but there seem to be limited other options nowadays...

John_Gray

If you're short-sighted then you probably need to view the screen a few inches from your nose. There, a higher resolution will improve the appearance of the letters, which will look less pixillated.

bitsandpieces

Thanks - good point, though I tend to enlarge the text rather than hold a reader quite that close!

tacpot12

I wouldn't buy an Amazon product again since they stopped supporting my Kindle two years after I bought it. To make it worse, they lied about the reason they pulled the support. Please don't buy a Kindle device or Kindle books.

dj1471

Find a store that has display models, give them both a try and see which you prefer. They will probably have some cheaper alternatives you can try as well.

mac.d

Kindle does dominate the market, but there is also the option of buying a Kobo. Both have their good and bad points.

Kinde
+ integration with the Amazon bookstore
+ Amazon has arguably the best selection/price of books
+ Amazon customer support
+ ease of use, just pick up and read books with no fiddling
- not hugely customisable
- can't borrow library books
- limited to books from Amazon

Kobo
+ more customisable, better font/text options
+ can borrow library books
+ not limited to Amazon, can buy books from more sources
+ better book organisation (with Calibre software)
- can require more fiddling (as more customisable), but for some this is a plus
- tends to be more buggy than Kindle (probably because more customisable)
- can't buy books from Amazon
- customer support can be hit and miss

As for the lighted reader v basic non-lighted. If you were perfectly happy with your Nook, the cheaper Kindle (or Kobo Aura) would probably be fine. The increased resolution is nicer but not hugely noticeable, as the built-in light tends to make the screen slightly less clear. Mind you, I'd personally never go back to an ereader without the built-in light.

Another thing about buying a Kobo would be (if you are willing to spend a little more) the option of buying an Aura H20 with a slightly bigger screen. It makes it less portable, but gives you a bit more screen size to enlarge the text on.

mac.d

tacpot12 wrote: »

I wouldn't buy an Amazon product again since they stopped supporting my Kindle two years after I bought it. To make it worse, they lied about the reason they pulled the support. Please don't buy a Kindle device or Kindle books.

I know someone who bought a refurbished Kindle ereader seven years ago. It still works just fine (battery maybe not quite so good), and is still used regularly, and Amazon are about the best company for supporting older ereaders, so unless you bought a cheap Fire tablet or a very, very old device, I'm struggling to think what you mean by them stopping support?

London50

I have both the first generation Kindle and the Kindle paperwhite and use both. I have found the Paperwhite far better both with the clarity on screen and able to read both in my home but also outside in the sun and still have a clear and easy to read screen.
As you say Amazon have got the main market in e books so there is always something new to read. Personally other than buying true paperback books I would not choose any other make for an e reader:0)

bitsandpieces

Thanks. I thought I could use Overdrive library books on a Kindle now?

Trying to check out some in a bricks-and-mortar store makes sense. Is an Argos likely to have them on display? Trying to work out where's a good place to take a look, now Waterstones has stopped selling them in-store (and I don't have a John Lewis nearby).

DigForVictory

Or get a portable tablet, load the kindle app & see how it works for you, as the e-reader software is abundant (albeit ahem, variable) unless you want a one function device?
Mind, I have an unlit kindle, a nook, the kindle app on ipad, iphone & hudl & do remote diagnostics on m'father's kobo. Frankly I kindle willingly, and mostly use the nook when a child has kidnapped my kindle for a specific trip.
If you can stand it, PC World usually have a couple of ereaders out for use (though please call ahead before making the trip?!)

bitsandpieces

DigForVictory wrote: »

Or get a portable tablet, load the kindle app & see how it works for you, as the e-reader software is abundant (albeit ahem, variable) unless you want a one function device?
Mind, I have an unlit kindle, a nook, the kindle app on ipad, iphone & hudl & do remote diagnostics on m'father's kobo. Frankly I kindle willingly, and mostly use the nook when a child has kidnapped my kindle for a specific trip.
If you can stand it, PC World usually have a couple of ereaders out for use (though please call ahead before making the trip?!)

Good point, but I do want a one-function device (I found it more comfortable to read on my nook than ipad). I'll check out local stores!