[jineapple]

I've been in the same situation as you (out of guarantee too) and got a paperwhite.

First, contact Amazon's Customer Support and you might get a discount for a new model if you send your old one in, even if you have no guarantee on it. (I had the option of anything (but the keyboard) in the Kindle Family). I got a refurbished Kindle PW(with full guarantee) for 91€ as opposed to 115 € without the discount (or 129€ for a completely new one).

When I was trying it out in a shop before I too didn't particularly like the light - but it IS great when in dim or dark surroundings (Although I don't really understand the recommendation to set it to bright levels in bright rooms, looks much better without imo). In most cases, it's best to leave it off, if you turn it up until the screen is actually white like the name suggests then it won't be that pleasant, but if you use it sparingly enough it's great for readability. I rarely go above 8(from 24) in the brightness setting. I've also been reading for hours in more or less pitch darkness without any eye fatigue.

As said above, with a case (That'll also protect it if you should drop this one), you won't notice any fingerprints.

Another advantage the Kindle has over other e-readers is its shop - By far the most extensive, with easy, effortless shopping. I don't know how important shopping on the reader is to you, but imho this is the one area where the Kindle still is absolutely superior to its competitors.

But as said, definitely try contacting Amazon's CS, you'll get ereaders cheaper than elsewhere and with full guarantee.