Good Idea to get an eReader now? Or wait for the next generation?

wastelander · 06-08-2012, 05:37 PM

Hi guys, I'm wondering now whether it's a good idea to grab up an ereader as i have been after one for a long while now but i'm unsure as to what I should do . . . I think I'll be going for the Kindle 4 basic - Or is it worth just waiting it out for the next gen of ereaders?

Are there any problems with the K4 itself? My main reasons for it are that well I just want a basic ereader that'll allow me sideload my own mobi books onto and enjoy to read, how is the battery life, its advertised as 30 days at 1/2 hr per day, i guess i'll be reading a lot more than that so will it still be worth it or is the K4 touch model better? my main preference is the page turn buttons tbh but I also must ask are they flimsy? And i have read about people getting problems such as lines on the screen and ghosting, are these issues prominent and is it a reliable device? How long have you had yours and how well has it put up? Does the battery tend to die quicker?

susan_cassidy · 06-08-2012, 06:44 PM

The K4 has less memory and fewer capabilities than the Touch or the Keyboard versions, and also has a glued-in battery that cannot be changed. I think the battery is smaller, too.

If you want buttons, go for the Keyboard version. Lines across the screen is a symptom of a broken screen substrate. That is usually caused by careless handling. Ghosting, I don't know about. The K4 hasn't been out long enough for anyone to know about longevity, or battery death.

SteveEisenberg · 06-08-2012, 07:03 PM

There's no indication I know of that 6 inch black and white text readers are going to get better. The next generation may offer color, but that won't improve the experience of reading a long text. If you like graphic novels or comic books, that's another story.

To me, the Kindle Keyboard with free worldwide text-oriented 3G internet is far superior to the current generation, or, likely, the next. But it depends on why you want an eReader, whether you traveling abroad, and whether you have a smart phone (since then you don't need overlapping features).

MikeOxlittle · 06-09-2012, 10:34 PM

I've had my K4 for about a month now and have been very happy with it.

The buttons don't seem flimsy to me at all, very solid feeling.

Ghosting is not an issue for me. I can see minor hints of it if I look real close at the screen but it's not distracting enough for it to be a problem. I use the setting to page refresh on each turn and don't think about it.

Like susan_cassidy says the line issue is from a broken substrate. Treat the reader with some care and it shouldn't be an issue. I don't use a cover/sleeve/protector of any kind, I just exercise caution with it as much as possible. I've read posts of people having no issues from their 3-4 year old readers but also seen posts of people who said they had issues within the first month. Is that an issue of the reader or the person handling them? Your call.

I read anywhere from 1/2 hour to 3-4 hours a night and I haven't had to recharge my battery yet in the time I've had it. I have had it attached to my computer to transfer books and it slightly recharges then but I haven't drained it all the way yet. Battery life is very good so far. I also keep wi-fi off to maximize battery life as I also side-load all my ebooks.

If you want to the newer model with the built in light and updated features it might be worth holding off a few months until it's released. You won't really go wrong with just getting one now as you could sell your K4 and recoup most of the money and put it towards an upgrade in a few months. Depends on your budget.

Alans · 06-15-2012, 04:43 PM

The kindle 4 is great..the battery life is amazing and it's light as a feather..sort of..it's
a great device and the price is good too..You know the old maxim..your device will
be dated by the time you walk out the store with it..the best time to buy a new ereader
is when you want one..right now.

Joykins · 06-15-2012, 05:31 PM

I have the k4 (nt) also. Ghosting is...well, sometimes noticeable, especially in very bright light or going right from a page with bold print to regular print. But most of the time you don't notice it and if you do it'll clear up in a few pageturns. Or you can set it to refresh every page--that's a setting available. Battery life is very good though touch can be better. If you want a bargain price ereader you can do very well with this one. If you want a "glowlight", then wait.

David Munch · 06-15-2012, 05:36 PM

Current generation is perfect for reading books.

Quelch · 06-15-2012, 07:16 PM

Google Amazon and purchase the Kindle Touch

If there is anything wrong with it Amazon will replace it quickly and freely !

I convinced my reluctant friend to buy the Kindle Touch from Amazon and he's 'as pleased as Punch' with it

Do it now !

You won't regret it

Flip Martian · 06-16-2012, 02:55 AM

There is always that question when you buy tech - "should I wait for something better?". But really, if you want an e-book reader and you've already decided you want a Kindle...just go and buy one.

I'm onto my second e-book reader and love them. Never regretted once not waiting for the next one to come along (then again, I DO shop around for a bargain and try not to pay full price - it then hurts less when my purchase is superceded!

).

06-08-2012, 05:37 PM	#1
wastelander Member Posts: 20 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2011 Device: none	Good Idea to get an eReader now? Or wait for the next generation? Hi guys, I'm wondering now whether it's a good idea to grab up an ereader as i have been after one for a long while now but i'm unsure as to what I should do . . . I think I'll be going for the Kindle 4 basic - Or is it worth just waiting it out for the next gen of ereaders? Are there any problems with the K4 itself? My main reasons for it are that well I just want a basic ereader that'll allow me sideload my own mobi books onto and enjoy to read, how is the battery life, its advertised as 30 days at 1/2 hr per day, i guess i'll be reading a lot more than that so will it still be worth it or is the K4 touch model better? my main preference is the page turn buttons tbh but I also must ask are they flimsy? And i have read about people getting problems such as lines on the screen and ghosting, are these issues prominent and is it a reliable device? How long have you had yours and how well has it put up? Does the battery tend to die quicker?

06-08-2012, 07:03 PM	#3
SteveEisenberg Grand Sorcerer Posts: 7,421 Karma: 43514536 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: near Philadelphia USA Device: Kindle Kids Edition, Fire HD 10 (11th generation)	There's no indication I know of that 6 inch black and white text readers are going to get better. The next generation may offer color, but that won't improve the experience of reading a long text. If you like graphic novels or comic books, that's another story. To me, the Kindle Keyboard with free worldwide text-oriented 3G internet is far superior to the current generation, or, likely, the next. But it depends on why you want an eReader, whether you traveling abroad, and whether you have a smart phone (since then you don't need overlapping features). Last edited by SteveEisenberg; 06-08-2012 at 08:47 PM.

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06-08-2012, 06:44 PM	#2
susan_cassidy Wizard Posts: 2,251 Karma: 3720310 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: USA Device: Kindle, iPad (not used much for reading)	The K4 has less memory and fewer capabilities than the Touch or the Keyboard versions, and also has a glued-in battery that cannot be changed. I think the battery is smaller, too. If you want buttons, go for the Keyboard version. Lines across the screen is a symptom of a broken screen substrate. That is usually caused by careless handling. Ghosting, I don't know about. The K4 hasn't been out long enough for anyone to know about longevity, or battery death.

06-09-2012, 10:34 PM	#4
MikeOxlittle Say my name very fast ... Posts: 131 Karma: 1387009 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: The High Seas Device: Kindle	I've had my K4 for about a month now and have been very happy with it. The buttons don't seem flimsy to me at all, very solid feeling. Ghosting is not an issue for me. I can see minor hints of it if I look real close at the screen but it's not distracting enough for it to be a problem. I use the setting to page refresh on each turn and don't think about it. Like susan_cassidy says the line issue is from a broken substrate. Treat the reader with some care and it shouldn't be an issue. I don't use a cover/sleeve/protector of any kind, I just exercise caution with it as much as possible. I've read posts of people having no issues from their 3-4 year old readers but also seen posts of people who said they had issues within the first month. Is that an issue of the reader or the person handling them? Your call. I read anywhere from 1/2 hour to 3-4 hours a night and I haven't had to recharge my battery yet in the time I've had it. I have had it attached to my computer to transfer books and it slightly recharges then but I haven't drained it all the way yet. Battery life is very good so far. I also keep wi-fi off to maximize battery life as I also side-load all my ebooks. If you want to the newer model with the built in light and updated features it might be worth holding off a few months until it's released. You won't really go wrong with just getting one now as you could sell your K4 and recoup most of the money and put it towards an upgrade in a few months. Depends on your budget.

06-15-2012, 04:43 PM	#5
Alans Connoisseur Posts: 57 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2011 Device: Kobo Vox	The kindle 4 is great..the battery life is amazing and it's light as a feather..sort of..it's a great device and the price is good too..You know the old maxim..your device will be dated by the time you walk out the store with it..the best time to buy a new ereader is when you want one..right now.

06-15-2012, 05:31 PM	#6
Joykins Wizard Posts: 1,610 Karma: 9211856 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: kindle Oasis 2018, kindle 4 NT, kindle PW2, iPhone, iPad mini	I have the k4 (nt) also. Ghosting is...well, sometimes noticeable, especially in very bright light or going right from a page with bold print to regular print. But most of the time you don't notice it and if you do it'll clear up in a few pageturns. Or you can set it to refresh every page--that's a setting available. Battery life is very good though touch can be better. If you want a bargain price ereader you can do very well with this one. If you want a "glowlight", then wait.

06-15-2012, 05:36 PM	#7
David Munch Scholar Posts: 1,009 Karma: 3999312 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Denmark Device: Kobo Libra H2O + iPad Air 4	Current generation is perfect for reading books.

06-15-2012, 07:16 PM	#8
Quelch Groupie Posts: 177 Karma: 1656608 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Brisbane Australia Device: Kobo Touch and iPad 4 hers, Samsung Galaxy S 8.4 mine !	Google Amazon and purchase the Kindle Touch If there is anything wrong with it Amazon will replace it quickly and freely ! I convinced my reluctant friend to buy the Kindle Touch from Amazon and he's 'as pleased as Punch' with it Do it now ! You won't regret it

06-16-2012, 02:55 AM	#9
Flip Martian Connoisseur Posts: 74 Karma: 45512 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: UK Device: Sony PRS 350, iPad, Sony PRS-T1	There is always that question when you buy tech - "should I wait for something better?". But really, if you want an e-book reader and you've already decided you want a Kindle...just go and buy one. I'm onto my second e-book reader and love them. Never regretted once not waiting for the next one to come along (then again, I DO shop around for a bargain and try not to pay full price - it then hurts less when my purchase is superceded! ).

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