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stephenwilks · 12-30-2013, 10:25 AM

I have had a Kindle 3 for about 2.5 + years. Recently, I noticed that the outer insulation of the recharging and USB connection cable was beginning to crack and shed off. So I taped it up a bit and it does still work OK. I tend not to leave the unit charging any longer than I have to. I wondered a bit if it was because I tend to leave it in the box coiled up (with quite loose big loops). So I resolved to change that habit. But I do have another lead. Trouble is I have now noticed the same problem developing (not really significant yet) with the other lead - despite it having been left largely in the box since I bought the unit.

Could it be something to do with the hot and humid climate I live in? I don't have an air-conditioner anywhere in the house, as I find the air-conditioning at work is not particularly conducive to good health. I somehow doubt that this is the real problem, however - because I notice all the other computer leads I've left lying around for years (exposed to room sunlight and the hot humid climate) are all doing just fine after much longer than 2.5 + years. And those would include leads from China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea and Thailand. Only the leads supplied by Kindle USA are exhibiting this problem.

I'm left wondering if the real issue here is that the build quality of the Kindle 3's Chinese manufacturer is a bit sub-standard. Perhaps we would better off paying a bit more, but having higher expectations. I really like the Kindle 3, but it did quite quickly develop a few dodgy-looking lines on the screen - although the legibility is still pretty good

One could be forgiven for thinking that the various problems reported on this site, and others, are some sort of indication of indifferent build quality. Well, I could always buy a new lead quite cheaply, but I would probably just buy a newer version - that is if I can get my head past wondering if some other more expensive device might meet my needs better in the longer term.

Do folks here have any thoughts about whether the newer basic Kindles, Paperwhites and Fires (and even more recent Kindle 3s) are of better build quality than the Kindle 3s sold in the first year o0f their production?

12-30-2013, 10:25 AM	#1
stephenwilks Member Posts: 21 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2011 Device: Kindle 3 Keyboard Wi-fi 3G	Kindle 3 Cable Quality I have had a Kindle 3 for about 2.5 + years. Recently, I noticed that the outer insulation of the recharging and USB connection cable was beginning to crack and shed off. So I taped it up a bit and it does still work OK. I tend not to leave the unit charging any longer than I have to. I wondered a bit if it was because I tend to leave it in the box coiled up (with quite loose big loops). So I resolved to change that habit. But I do have another lead. Trouble is I have now noticed the same problem developing (not really significant yet) with the other lead - despite it having been left largely in the box since I bought the unit. Could it be something to do with the hot and humid climate I live in? I don't have an air-conditioner anywhere in the house, as I find the air-conditioning at work is not particularly conducive to good health. I somehow doubt that this is the real problem, however - because I notice all the other computer leads I've left lying around for years (exposed to room sunlight and the hot humid climate) are all doing just fine after much longer than 2.5 + years. And those would include leads from China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea and Thailand. Only the leads supplied by Kindle USA are exhibiting this problem. I'm left wondering if the real issue here is that the build quality of the Kindle 3's Chinese manufacturer is a bit sub-standard. Perhaps we would better off paying a bit more, but having higher expectations. I really like the Kindle 3, but it did quite quickly develop a few dodgy-looking lines on the screen - although the legibility is still pretty good One could be forgiven for thinking that the various problems reported on this site, and others, are some sort of indication of indifferent build quality. Well, I could always buy a new lead quite cheaply, but I would probably just buy a newer version - that is if I can get my head past wondering if some other more expensive device might meet my needs better in the longer term. Do folks here have any thoughts about whether the newer basic Kindles, Paperwhites and Fires (and even more recent Kindle 3s) are of better build quality than the Kindle 3s sold in the first year o0f their production?