[superairwolf]

I purchased the paperwhite last week after months of pondering whether to switch to an eBook reader after years of tablet usage, both iPads (all iterations including the mini) and androids, Samsungs and the nexus 7.

Can't wax ecstatic enough about the welcome change of not having weary eyes after hours of reading. I am rediscovering the pure joy of reading all over again. I should have tried eBook readers much sooner.

The reason why I stayed away at first from the kindle PW was the blotchy and uneven screen lighting. I was fortunate that the one I got is pretty much evenly lighted and had practically zero blotches. I guess they already had enough time to improve after almost a year of manufacturing.

I narrowed down my first eBook reader to the kindle PW and the Kobo Glo because these were the only ones available where I live. I really wanted to try out the Kobo Aura HD, but these were nowhere to be found.

I finally settled on the kindle PW because the Kobo Glo screen was not as responsive or snappy or accurate as the Kindle. I guess if I didn't have the chance to try out the kindle, the kobo would have come off as passable. But after road testing both in the flesh, it seems that capacitive screens are the way to go. The kobo front lighting is definitely brighter at all levels versus the kindle, but does appear harsher and too bluish in hue compared with the kindle. The kindle is easier on the eyes.

The kobo lighting isn't flawless though. I noticed blotchiness or shadows at the bottom of the screen. But nothing serious really. Pity the kindle doesn't have the dedicated on/off switch for the light like the kobo's.

Finally, there is that x factor as far as feel is concerned, but maybe that's just me. The kobo feels like a toy as far far as fit and finish is concerned. The kindle PW just feels plushier.

I am still on the hunt for a Kobo Aura HD. But I may wait for the next iterations from both kindle and kobo.

Meanwhile, I'm a happy camper with the kindle PW. It looks like I'll be able to squeeze a few hours of reading on it daily without needing to be tethered to an ac outlet for at least a week. That's the most welcome change in my transition from tablets to my first eBook reader!