Got a Paperwhite and I hate it.

Forums › Gadgets, robotics, home automation, electronics (including wearables) › Got a Paperwhite and I hate it.

Elpie

1304 posts

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#116240 23-Apr-2013 01:32

My new Kindle Paperwhite arrived this afternoon. This one is going back to Amazon because it's faulty, but even without the screen faults, I can say I really don't like it.

The menu is not intuitive. Turning WiFi off means having to turn airline mode on, which cannot be done while you are reading a book (have to go out to the home screen, access the menu, enable airline mode, then get back to the book). And - my biggest gripe - even with my small hands I keep inadvertently changing pages because something touches the screen. I can see myself going nuts when reading in bed because I balance my Kindle against the pillow and it touches the screen. I've already turned pages by having a cushion bump the screen.

It is very disappointing that my new Paperwhite arrived with a dodgy screen. In talking to Amazon customer services it seems that its not uncommon. The replacement is due to arrive May 15th so I hope that one doesn't have screen issues BUT I can't see myself liking the Paperwhite anyway.

Amazon confirmed that production of the Kindle keyboard model will continue for at least a year. I suspect I will be gifting the Paperwhite to a family member soon and ordering a keyboard one ;)

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2051 posts

Uber Geek

#804076 23-Apr-2013 08:41

Couldnt see the keyboard one still for sale, theres a lot to be said about using its keyboard for on device purchasing though. All of the new ones are far slower, My answer to that though is to my purchasing on the Amazon website and just send it to my device. Far easier and faster than even the keyboard model.

I dont mind the new wifi menu as it its two clicks in rather than 4 or 5. Also why would you turn the wifi on while reading a book?

Touch screen in this device I always thought was silly, and annoying and have never had it. My latest one is the Kindle . No touch screen just the paddles, but no keyboard!

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scheduler

264 posts

Ultimate Geek

#804104 23-Apr-2013 09:26

I think you will find that all Kindles have the turn on airplane mode to disable Wifi. I know my kindle certainly updated itself to that mode and I am sure I saw in the help file that all kindles were being changed to operate that way for consistency

Elpie

1304 posts

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#804218 23-Apr-2013 12:04

itxtme:
I dont mind the new wifi menu as it its two clicks in rather than 4 or 5. Also why would you turn the wifi on while reading a book?

On my Kindle keyboard I can press the menu button from anywhere and turn WiFi on or off from the top of the menu. 2 clicks and no need to get out of a book to do it. I only ever turn WiFi on when I want to download a book or send an annotation. If I am close to finishing a book I will often get another one downloading while I am still reading. Conversely, if I forget to turn WiFi off and am reading, I don't want to have to get out of the book to do this.

Elpie

1304 posts

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#804222 23-Apr-2013 12:05

scheduler: I think you will find that all Kindles have the turn on airplane mode to disable Wifi. I know my kindle certainly updated itself to that mode and I am sure I saw in the help file that all kindles were being changed to operate that way for consistency

My Kindle keyboard hasn't changed yet. Maybe I'll avoid the next update just in case ;)

freitasm

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#804228 23-Apr-2013 12:13

My Kindle keyboard certainly had to turn Aeroplane Mode on/off to turn WiFi - and it has been like that all the time since I first got it.

Also YOU CAN access settings on the Kindle Paperwhite and turn Aeroplane mode on/off while reading a book. Just tap the top of the screen, tap the menu icon and settings will be there.

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#804232 23-Apr-2013 12:16

itxtme: I dont mind the new wifi menu as it its two clicks in rather than 4 or 5. Also why would you turn the wifi on while reading a book?

You turn 3G/WiFi off so the battery lasts longer.

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Elpie

1304 posts

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#807687 29-Apr-2013 20:52

The replacement Paperwhite arrived from Amazon. It doesn't have a band of bright light on the side but the discolouration effect on the screen is even worse. This one has a decidedly pink tinge across the screen. Like the first one, I can't read it at all if the brightness level is below 18.

The combination of the blotchy screen, poor lighting, and bad font choices makes this unusable for me.

It was interesting comparing fonts between the Kindle Keyboard, the Touch, and the Paperwhite. The same settings on each device render very different font sizes and readability. The Paperwhite is definitely worse than either of the other two.

So, I'm back to square one. I need a reader but it looks like I will have to investigate alternatives to the Kindle.