Kindle
Author
Discussion

LordHaveMurci

Original Poster:

12,338 posts

199 months

Thursday 21st June 2018
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Did a quick search but all I found were 2yr old + threads.

I read a fair bit, tend to have more than one book on the go at a time & am getting fed up of having hundreds of books lying around (I have an issue with keeping books)!

Recently downloaded the Kindle app to my iPad Mini 2 & have bought about a dozen books & some magazine subs, but I'm just not getting on with reading on the iPad.

Would a Kindle be any better? If so, which Kindle? The research I've done would suggest the Paperwhite but I do like the idea of the cheaper & lighter basic Kindle, mainly the lower resolution that's putting me off.

So Kindle users, am I missing a trick & should I purchase, if so, which one?

Testaburger

3,975 posts

228 months

Thursday 21st June 2018
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Reading on a kindle is infinitely better than on a tablet.

I have the Voyage and the 2nd gen Oasis, and they are both brilliant.

The oasis is a magically formed piece of quality. It’s conplwtely waterproof (I spend a lot of time in pools!) and the image inverts when you hold it in your other hand. Not cheap, though.

I’d suggest a paperwhite for £50 if you’re unsure. It’s a great way to see if e-readers are for you. My wife, for example, far prefers a physical paper book. I do, to a degree, but they aren’t worth the other compromises to me. Books are also a lot cheaper for the kindle.

As for definition, the clarity and definition on my 2 kindles is much greater to my eye, than standard book print. There’s no blur on the edges of the font.


JimbobVFR

2,822 posts

174 months

Thursday 21st June 2018
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I've had both a basic Kindle and I recently got a Paperwhite.

TBH the resolution didn't bother me at all on the basic Kindle but it is better on the Paperwhite. The main thing that had stopped me using my old kindle was the lack of backlight which is the game changer.

I wouldn't buy one without the backlight now.

plasticpig

12,932 posts

255 months

Thursday 21st June 2018
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Testaburger said:
Reading on a kindle is infinitely better than on a tablet.
I find quite the opposite. I much prefer using a tablet than a Kindle.

Jinx

12,021 posts

290 months

Thursday 21st June 2018
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cry I bought a nook cry

Unsupported in the UK now - I can still read on it but there is no "store" to easily install content on it. My account has been moved via Sainsbury's to Kobo.


I also have Kindle HD but the battery life sucks compared with the nook.

Funk

27,722 posts

239 months

Thursday 21st June 2018
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JimbobVFR said:
I've had both a basic Kindle and I recently got a Paperwhite.

TBH the resolution didn't bother me at all on the basic Kindle but it is better on the Paperwhite. The main thing that had stopped me using my old kindle was the lack of backlight which is the game changer.

I wouldn't buy one without the backlight now.
Same. Very happy with the Paperwhite.

NDA

25,705 posts

255 months

Thursday 21st June 2018
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A Kindle is great - I have a paper white and use it every day.

I don't think magazines would be good on it though.

Testaburger

3,975 posts

228 months

Thursday 21st June 2018
quotequote all
plasticpig said:
I find quite the opposite. I much prefer using a tablet than a Kindle.
Interesting - we’re all different. Why is that? I find the beaming light (very different to a kindle backlight) a huge downside, and obviously the size and weight of a kindle is far more comfortable (particularly the Oasis).

I’m assuming you prefer reading on your tablet vs an actual book, then?

I prefer to read newspapers and magazines on my iPad, that’s for sure. Again, probably because it’s more similar an experience to the ‘real thing’ - which is the same reason I prefer reading books on a kindle:

plasticpig

12,932 posts

255 months

Thursday 21st June 2018
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Testaburger said:
Interesting - we’re all different. Why is that? I find the beaming light (very different to a kindle backlight) a huge downside, and obviously the size and weight of a kindle is far more comfortable (particularly the Oasis).

I’m assuming you prefer reading on your tablet vs an actual book, then?

I prefer to read newspapers and magazines on my iPad, that’s for sure. Again, probably because it’s more similar an experience to the ‘real thing’ - which is the same reason I prefer reading books on a kindle:
I find it more comfortable reading white text on black background. You can't do this with a paperwhite (I know you can invert black and white on an Oasis) .

LordGrover

34,181 posts

242 months

Thursday 21st June 2018
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Kindles are ace. My main device is a paperwhite gen7, but I also have a cheapy base model I bought at an airport when I forgot the paperwhite. rolleyes
The cheapy is fine for reading in good light, but no back light and relatively poor battery life - only lasts a few days whereas the paperwhite will last weeks.

My only gripe with kindles is they're not the most long lived devices - mine seem to freeze or just stop working after a few years. The only one that's been rock solid is my original with keyboard. Gave it to my father and it's still going strong.

Testaburger

3,975 posts

228 months

Thursday 21st June 2018
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plasticpig said:
I find it more comfortable reading white text on black background. You can't do this with a paperwhite (I know you can invert black and white on an Oasis) .
Fair enough (weirdo hehe).

Kindles really are great though. I think, for something keen readers get so much out of, I think they’re great value - especially the paperwhite nowadays.

Given the books are often significantly cheaper, I reckon my voyage paid for itself over 10-12 months.

The Oasis is a little pricey, I’ll admit. But, it’s REALLY good.

tim0409

5,962 posts

189 months

Thursday 21st June 2018
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I used to own an iPad mini and used it a lot for reading (Kindle app) but decided to switch to a Kindle Paperwhite and for me it was the right decision. I find it is so much more ergonomic to use in bed (lighter) and the screen IMO is much better for reading. I do miss being able to browse on my iPad in between reading books but now I have phone with a bigger screen I use that instead.

motco

17,649 posts

276 months

Thursday 21st June 2018
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I really do not like reading on screens of computers whether they be desktops, laptops, or tablets, but my Kindle (the original one with physical keys) is really good and I use it a lot. Later 'paperwhite' style ones may be even better. You should try to test one.

LordHaveMurci

Original Poster:

12,338 posts

199 months

Thursday 21st June 2018
quotequote all
FFS people, you were supposed to tell me they were a waste of money & I should just stick to my tablet hehe

Time to explain yet another £120 non essential purchase to the OH...

tim0409

5,962 posts

189 months

Thursday 21st June 2018
quotequote all
LordHaveMurci said:
FFS people, you were supposed to tell me they were a waste of money & I should just stick to my tablet hehe

Time to explain yet another £120 non essential purchase to the OH...
I'm not sure if you have Amazon Prime or can wait till the 16th July for "Amazon Prime Day" - they usually sell Paperwhites around the £90 mark.

Big Pants

574 posts

171 months

Thursday 21st June 2018
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Another vote for the Paperwhite. You can read it outside in sunshine, or in bed without a light on. It's simple, light, and I'd use mine more if I didn't keep buying real books.

Captain Smerc

3,347 posts

146 months

Thursday 21st June 2018
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I've found the Paperwhite to be a excellent device .

FlossyThePig

4,143 posts

273 months

Thursday 21st June 2018
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I've got a Kobo Aura H2O (I can read in the bath). I didn't want to be locked into the Amazon world. Most of my eBooks come from my local library, a facility not available on Kindle.

Derek Smith

49,926 posts

278 months

Friday 22nd June 2018
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On the question of which is better, books or Kindle/e-books, I still read from both. What I like about e-books is that I can take a selection with me without having a back-pack. I use a tablet and find it perfectly OK. I've used an early Kindle and found it just as good.

I use Readly on the tablet as well. I used to buy half a dozen magazines a month that I know get on Readly and I now read others that I would have been put off from buying due to price.

However, I like the feel of a book and tend to pick one for holidays.

Library e-books are another unexploited boon.


bakerstreet

5,051 posts

195 months

Friday 22nd June 2018
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Towards the end of last year, I became fed up with watching TV on the train and at lunch times, so I decided to read through some of the unread books sat on our shelf gathering dust. Worked my way through an entire shelf and off they went to the charity shop or my mum's holiday cottage library. Clearing the space was very satisfying smile

I liked how there was no distractions from a book when on the train (FB/WhatsApp notifications). At the same time, I didn't like the bulk of hardback or just normal softback. I cycle/train/cycle to work and my bag is already very bulky (towel, clothes and lunch) . I used to read books via the Kindle app on my old iPad. Didn't want to go down that route again, as that would more LCD time and same ability for distractions.

Bought the base model e-reader first. I just found it to be too dark, so sent that back and got a graded papewhite from amazon along with a case. It's brilliant. I use it every day and the battery lasts several weeks. It also charges using micro USB cables and I have loads of those floating around.

I had several unread books in my kindle library, so I've worked through those and as an prime user, you also get a few books for free. Other benefit is it doesn't use data and I can get very close to my limit if I stream on the train and at lunchtime and reading the kindle means no streaming smile

I found the paperWhite much nicer to read when compared to a tablet. Its also much lighter than my iPad Air and I just didn't want to buy an ipad Mini for just reading books. Since buying buying a 6in screen phone, I haven't actually touched my iPad Air for about 8 months!

PaperWhite is bound to be reduced on Prime Day. Think they were down to £80 recently. I don't have one of the official cases, but I still got one from Prime for about £14. Its a really nice case. Knitted materiel like finish.