Worth upgrading from Kindle Paperwhite 2 (2013) to New Kindle 2019 (not P/W)?
 

Amazon is once again offering the new Kindle (standard, not Paperwhite) for a decent deal...

My hubby has been completely won over by the used older Paperwhite I bought last summer so I am considering an upgrade, but I am not sure how the speed, lighting quality and resolution will actually compare on the brand new basic Kindle versus a Paperwhite 2 (2013). Has anyone had any experience doing a similar move, or anyone have any thoughts/comments? TIA!

May be a moot point... Just remembered the 2019 versions are now a different form factor so hubby can't use his favourite leather case for a new one (not about to dish out for another one of those so soon!).

The screen is also lower resolution. Unless you need audible or (if you have a early version with 2 GB of storage) an additional 2 GB of storage, it's probably a small downgrade over the PW2

The Paperwhite is $85 today.

I think it would be better than the PW2. I recently got the Kids Edition, which is the same as the basic Kindle, but comes with a case, NO Ads, 2 year warranty, and 8 GB storage. It is super nice, and though the resolution is lower, it's hardly noticeable compared to my PW4 screen. The lighting is perfectly even, and it's such a nice device I am really glad I got it for my daughter. So far she hasn't used the Free Time that comes with it, she probably never will. Overall I think it is a Great value and highly recommend it, especially if you hate the ads and always pay to get them off of the device, like I have done.

I bought a basic 2019 Kindle for travel to have a device that I wouldn't mind losing. Not a fan. It did feel more responsive than the PW2, though.

A lot depends on how easily you can switch to a lower dpi. I have no problem with it, but the next person may detest switching. I regularly use ereaders that are 167, 212 and 300 dpi.

The Kindle 10 weighs less than the PW2. The lighting is equivalent to the PW3.

I like the 2019 Kindle, which I bought for about $5 during a promotion, plus trade-in credit on a PW1 (slow as snot, only 2GB storage, and murky screen). I actually don’t use it much because I have TMK syndrome (Too Many Kindles). It’s certainly a vast improvement over the PW1. As others suggest, PW2 has higher display resolution, but I think 2019 Kindle should be a bit zippier because it has more RAM (512MB vis 256MB). The front light should be more even as well given there are 4 additional iterations on the technology. The RAM boost came about in 7th gen and later Kindles because Amazon needed to have enough to support VoiceView screen reader, but it also helps out with performance. And it weighs less.

The PW4 has similar dimensions to earlier models but I don’t know if it is cover compatible (I suspect it depends on the cover as the backs have different shape). I don’t feel a need for one myself, it just makes it heavier and more awkward to hold.

Thanks for the fantastic review! Unfortunately I am in Canada and Amazon Canada doesn't offer the kids one, nor do they have Audible on our basic Kindles (boo!!!). Ironically I've bought it as a gift to take for my mother-in-law when we visit in a couple of months but they also have BOTH options in the UK (for a much higher price).

I am in Canada, so for $85 CAD I can get the basic Kindle. The Paperwhite here is $115. It's a big price gap, and more than I can justify paying for a token gift for someone... (I don't think I have ever paid over $100 for any of my own eReaders) :)

Thanks so much! The RAM was definitely a question we had about it, so it is good to hear it will be (hopefully) faster. The lighting was also a concern I had because of all of the mixed reviews I recall seeing... but as you said, this is a much newer version and if we are happy with what is on the very old PW, this should be very acceptable. If it ends up going to the MIL, it is going to be a big upgrade as her last-known eInk device was an old Kindle keyboard. I think she is going to love a light-up eReader!