PW for my bad eyes?

AndyfromVA · 10-14-2014, 06:00 PM

I have older Kindles (K3 and K4) that I read everyday, but I'm thinking of buying the newest version of the Paperwhite.

While my Kindles work very well I'm finding it harder to read unless the lighting is very bright. That's not surprising because I've developed some vision problems over the past three years.

My question is will the Paperwhite be easier to read with less strain on my eyes? I'm thinking it will be but I thought I'd check with this forum before I take the plunge.

sirmaru · 10-14-2014, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndyfromVA

I have older Kindles (K3 and K4) that I read everyday, but I'm thinking of buying the newest version of the Paperwhite.

While my Kindles work very well I'm finding it harder to read unless the lighting is very bright. That's not surprising because I've developed some vision problems over the past three years.

My question is will the Paperwhite be easier to read with less strain on my eyes? I'm thinking it will be but I thought I'd check with this forum before I take the plunge.

I use the Paperwhite 2013 for reading eBooks and have both cataracts and macro degeneration with 100 year old eyes. I can't read paper books at all but with the PW 2013 its clear as day. Surgically removing cataracts could cause severe worsening for macro degeneration so I'm going this way to the very end.

I don't use any glasses anywhere.

I can also read good on a 24" Monitor and with my HDX 2013. Reading on TV's is mostly blurry for me. I can also read good on my Samsung Galaxy s5 (5.1 inch screen).

harriska2 · 10-15-2014, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sirmaru

with 100 year old eyes

Really?

patrickt · 10-16-2014, 12:47 PM

I'm old and have had the Kindle Keyboard, Kindle Basic, and now the Kindle Paperwhite I. For me, the Kindle Paperwhite is the same as reading the Keyboard or the Basic in excellent light.

Anthem · 10-16-2014, 01:12 PM

The light is helpful for making the text visible... but I find the Paperwhite screen renders text a little hazy and washed out. I prefer the screen on the new Kindle (7th gen.) and the Kindle (5-button) that it replaces to that of the Paperwhite. Just my preference.

Now, Amazon has a generous return policy. You could just order one, try it out for a book or two and then decide whether you want to keep it or send it back.

I haven't seen (beheld!?) the Voyage screen yet.

AndyfromVA · 10-18-2014, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

I'm old and have had the Kindle Keyboard, Kindle Basic, and now the Kindle Paperwhite I. For me, the Kindle Paperwhite is the same as reading the Keyboard or the Basic in excellent light.

That's what I'm hoping for. Thanks.

AndyfromVA · 10-21-2014, 04:05 PM

I went to Best Buy to check out the new Kindles. I spent about 15 minutes with the new Kindle and Kindle PW and was super-impressed with both. They look almost identical, except for the PW's lighted screen, and are equally quick at page turning and other functions. Both feel great - very lightweight and easy as can be to operate. I was surprised how much I enjoyed the touchscreen - much better than my K3 and K4. If it wasn't for my need for a lighted screen I'd buy the regular Kindle in a heartbeat.

It sure would be great if I could find the PW on sale.

geekaren · 10-21-2014, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndyfromVA

It sure would be great if I could find the PW on sale.

If you don't mind getting a gently used Paperwhite, Best Buy marks down their open box items -- they're usually products that other folks have used briefly and then returned. I got my 16GB Kindle HDX 8.9 for $319 last year by buying open box; it was in perfect condition and saved me $40. Their usual return policy applies.

Here's a link to the Best Buy Outlet -- you can search availability by zip code to see if the product you're seeking is available as an open box "sale" at a store near you.

AndyfromVA · 10-21-2014, 10:57 PM

Thanks, geekaren!

AndyfromVA · 10-24-2014, 03:28 PM

Now that I've decided to buy the 4gb Paperwhite I'm feeling less and less satisfied with trying to read my Kindle's grey screen in less than perfect light. I'm hoping that I'll be able to get a good deal on black-Friday or cyber-Monday and that's the only reason I'm waiting.

AndyfromVA · 10-26-2014, 06:09 PM

I see the 2gb Paperwhite is on sale at Staples for under $100. While it's an attractive price it's not the latest model. Would I lose anything if I purchase the 2gb model rather than the current 4gb model?

Edit - I decided to bite. It's possible that the description on the website is in error and the PW actually has 4gb. Someone else posting to Mobileread has mentioned this. But even if there's only 2gb I doubt if that will be problem for me.

geekaren · 10-26-2014, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndyfromVA

I see the 2gb Paperwhite is on sale at Staples for under $100. While it's an attractive price it's not the latest model. Would I lose anything if I purchase the 2gb model rather than the current 4gb model?

Ebook files are so small that you can download hundreds of ebooks onto a 2GB kindle. Unless you have a huge kindle library and need to have them all downloaded locally, 2GB is plenty.

Sounds like a good deal to me... can't wait to hear what you think of your new paperwhite!

Knightreader33 · 10-26-2014, 08:51 PM

I tried using my mightybright 4 led music light with my paperwhite, which i previously used with my non-lighted kindle. It makes the screen look absolutely amazing! The background is very white with the additional light, and that makes the text look darker and clearer.

I got the pw so i wouldn't have to have a light attached to the kindle, but the result is so good i think i will keep using it.

AndyfromVA · 10-28-2014, 02:58 PM

My Paperwhite came today. The Staples' product description was wrong - the device is the most recent one with 4gb of storage.

So far I like it very much. I don't see the uneven lighting or the creamy color that others have mentioned. The font is noticeably lighter than that in my Kindle 3 and 4 but the increased sharpness and built-in lighting more than make up for it.

geekaren · 10-28-2014, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndyfromVA

My Paperwhite came today. The Staples' product description was wrong - the device is the most recent one with 4gb of storage.

So far I like it very much. I don't see the uneven lighting or the creamy color that others have mentioned. The font is noticeably lighter than that in my Kindle 3 and 4 but the increased sharpness and built-in lighting more than make up for it.

Enjoy

10-14-2014, 06:00 PM	#1
AndyfromVA Zealot Posts: 127 Karma: 1002610 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: Nook 1E, K3, K4, Paperwhite 2	PW for my bad eyes? I have older Kindles (K3 and K4) that I read everyday, but I'm thinking of buying the newest version of the Paperwhite. While my Kindles work very well I'm finding it harder to read unless the lighting is very bright. That's not surprising because I've developed some vision problems over the past three years. My question is will the Paperwhite be easier to read with less strain on my eyes? I'm thinking it will be but I thought I'd check with this forum before I take the plunge.

10-26-2014, 06:09 PM	#11
AndyfromVA Zealot Posts: 127 Karma: 1002610 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: Nook 1E, K3, K4, Paperwhite 2	I see the 2gb Paperwhite is on sale at Staples for under $100. While it's an attractive price it's not the latest model. Would I lose anything if I purchase the 2gb model rather than the current 4gb model? Edit - I decided to bite. It's possible that the description on the website is in error and the PW actually has 4gb. Someone else posting to Mobileread has mentioned this. But even if there's only 2gb I doubt if that will be problem for me. Last edited by AndyfromVA; 10-26-2014 at 06:29 PM.

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10-16-2014, 12:47 PM	#4
patrickt Wizard Posts: 1,221 Karma: 8381518 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Oaxaca, Mexico Device: Paperwhite 4 X 2	I'm old and have had the Kindle Keyboard, Kindle Basic, and now the Kindle Paperwhite I. For me, the Kindle Paperwhite is the same as reading the Keyboard or the Basic in excellent light.

10-16-2014, 01:12 PM	#5
Anthem Guru Posts: 704 Karma: 1622328 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: USA Device: Kindle Oasis, OnePlus Nord	The light is helpful for making the text visible... but I find the Paperwhite screen renders text a little hazy and washed out. I prefer the screen on the new Kindle (7th gen.) and the Kindle (5-button) that it replaces to that of the Paperwhite. Just my preference. Now, Amazon has a generous return policy. You could just order one, try it out for a book or two and then decide whether you want to keep it or send it back. I haven't seen (beheld!?) the Voyage screen yet.

10-21-2014, 04:05 PM	#7
AndyfromVA Zealot Posts: 127 Karma: 1002610 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: Nook 1E, K3, K4, Paperwhite 2	I went to Best Buy to check out the new Kindles. I spent about 15 minutes with the new Kindle and Kindle PW and was super-impressed with both. They look almost identical, except for the PW's lighted screen, and are equally quick at page turning and other functions. Both feel great - very lightweight and easy as can be to operate. I was surprised how much I enjoyed the touchscreen - much better than my K3 and K4. If it wasn't for my need for a lighted screen I'd buy the regular Kindle in a heartbeat. It sure would be great if I could find the PW on sale.

10-21-2014, 10:57 PM	#9
AndyfromVA Zealot Posts: 127 Karma: 1002610 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: Nook 1E, K3, K4, Paperwhite 2	Thanks, geekaren!

10-24-2014, 03:28 PM	#10
AndyfromVA Zealot Posts: 127 Karma: 1002610 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: Nook 1E, K3, K4, Paperwhite 2	Now that I've decided to buy the 4gb Paperwhite I'm feeling less and less satisfied with trying to read my Kindle's grey screen in less than perfect light. I'm hoping that I'll be able to get a good deal on black-Friday or cyber-Monday and that's the only reason I'm waiting.

10-26-2014, 08:51 PM	#13
Knightreader33 Junior Member Posts: 9 Karma: 915 Join Date: Oct 2014 Device: kindle	I tried using my mightybright 4 led music light with my paperwhite, which i previously used with my non-lighted kindle. It makes the screen look absolutely amazing! The background is very white with the additional light, and that makes the text look darker and clearer. I got the pw so i wouldn't have to have a light attached to the kindle, but the result is so good i think i will keep using it.

10-28-2014, 02:58 PM	#14
AndyfromVA Zealot Posts: 127 Karma: 1002610 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: Nook 1E, K3, K4, Paperwhite 2	My Paperwhite came today. The Staples' product description was wrong - the device is the most recent one with 4gb of storage. So far I like it very much. I don't see the uneven lighting or the creamy color that others have mentioned. The font is noticeably lighter than that in my Kindle 3 and 4 but the increased sharpness and built-in lighting more than make up for it.

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