Kindle 4 (NT) - worth is used? or new basic?

burnafterreading · 01-09-2015, 06:43 AM

so, since i'm not using the Kindle app on my android tablets, i thought i could maybe possibly add a Kindle eink device to my collection of stuff i own but don't use every living second.

i can find used K4 NT locally for around $40 to $60. i've never played with one, though. a new Kindle basic is $80 and the PW (i think PW2) is $130. whatever amazon.ca says it is.

so is a used K4NT worth it for around $50? i guess i'd miss the backlight the most, but being that this is "yet another toy" i can't justify the $130 for a PW(2). but i might like the physical buttons which my tablets & Glo don't have.

rcentros · 01-09-2015, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by burnafterreading

so is a used K4NT worth it for around $50? i guess i'd miss the backlight the most, but being that this is "yet another toy" i can't justify the $130 for a PW(2). but i might like the physical buttons which my tablets & Glo don't have.

I like my K4NT quite a bit, but I also able to buy an Amazon OEM lighted cover for it and that makes a big difference. That's one big advantage it has over the new Kindle Basic (aka KT2), that it has a lighted cover available.

But since the $80 Kindle is really more of a newer Kindle Touch than a Kindle 4, you might also want to look at used Kindle Touches (which also have OEM lighted covers available -- though the covers are harder to find now). The advantage the Kindle Touches have over the old Basic (K4NT) is that it has a Touch Screen (though some would consider that a disadvantage). The advantage it has over the new Kindle Basic (KT2) is that it has sound (with speakers) for Text to Speech.

The disadvantage that the both the K4NT and Touch have compared to the New Basic is that they are older and a bit slower. But, being older, also means they have hacks that are not yet available for the new Basic.

Sorry to ramble. I'm just saying I would add used Kindle Touches to the comparison. They can be bought for about the same price as the K4NTs.

Honestly, I really think you like any of these Kindles.

burnafterreading · 01-16-2015, 06:43 AM

(bit of a bump)

i'm leaning towards the K4NT i think because of the non-touch and the side buttons. only missing "feature" would be the light. should i look at a clip-on light, or has anyone hacked a K4NT and inserted some LEDs inside to illuminate the screen?

i don't put any value in audio, so the Touch is out as far as interest.

jj2me · 01-16-2015, 08:42 AM

The black K4NT is preferable to the silver K4NT--a better screen, per lots of posts on this forum.

eInk screens are opaque. External light is your only choice.

burnafterreading · 01-16-2015, 03:39 PM

i was thinking of hacking it to do sidelighting (since as you say the screen is going to be opaque no matter what is displayed).

hmm, i didn't know about the different colors of K4NT. my Glo is white and i actually prefer that for the eink display - makes the small 6" screen look bigger.

robko · 01-16-2015, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by burnafterreading

i was thinking of hacking it to do sidelighting (since as you say the screen is going to be opaque no matter what is displayed).

You're probably better off just getting a clip on light. The manufacturer lit screens have a special "light guide" layer over the screen to distribute the light evenly. And at that not all of them can get an evenly lit screen. If you just add LED's pointing across the screen I think it will end up being really unevenly lit. At least with a clip on you'll be able to adjust it.

Hampshire Nanny · 01-16-2015, 06:39 PM

I'd love to buy a K4 (NT) I was just getting ready to do so when IBM surprised me by replacing it with the new basic.

barryem · 01-29-2015, 04:20 PM

If you want a light and can afford the difference I'd take a look at the Paperwhite. It has a beautifully lit screen that's a perfect reading surface in any lighting situation from in a dark room to out in the sun.

You can find a used Paperwhite for around $80 if you shop a bit. Amazon has them fairly often for $90 or $100.

Yes they do have a touch screen but I think that's another advantage.

Barry

susan_cassidy · 01-29-2015, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hampshire Nanny

I'd love to buy a K4 (NT) I was just getting ready to do so when IBM surprised me by replacing it with the new basic.

What does IBM have to do with Kindles? Amazon is the one that makes Kindles.

If this was intended as a joke, I don't get it.

faithbw · 02-02-2015, 02:16 PM

At this point, I wouldn't pay $50 for a Kindle 4NT unless it came with some extras (lighted case, etc). I was able to find a used Kindle NT on eBay for $20. You could probably find a Kindle 4 NT for between $20 and $40 on eBay.

At this point though, I would also spring for a PW if I could afford it. The screen res is better and the light is really nice. I'm hoping to upgrade to either the PW or the Voyage soon because they both have much better screens than the K4 NT. Of course, if you really dislike touchscreen then the PW is not an option.

burnafterreading · 02-02-2015, 02:45 PM

i'm actually thinking of doing the wait-and-buy-PW for now. there's a used PW1 locally for a fair price, but how do i check if Amazon is going to block it???

barryem · 02-02-2015, 07:37 PM

You can ask the store to let you register it on premises and sell it to you if it's okay. A lot of places will do that. Those that won't might promise you a refund if you can't register it.

Registration requires you have an Amazon account and Wifi. If the store doesn't have Wifi you can always go to MacDonalds or Starbucks or some such and try it out. It just takes a couple of minutes.

By the way that risk exists with any Kindle you buy, not just the Paperwhite.

As for the Paperwhite 1 vs Paperwhite 2, I have both and the differences are there but I rarely notice them. I'm reading my current book on my PW1 simply because I picked it up first. That's how important the differences are.

Barry

jscarbo · 02-06-2015, 08:34 AM

I don't know about Canadian prices and availability, but I recommend a PW, preferably the PW2 but the PW1 is fine if you get a much better price. If Amazon doesn't have any used or certified refurbs available in Canada, you might check out your local Craigslist.

I took a quick look and didn't see any Kindles for sale in Ottawa at the moment but here's one listing today in Montreal that looks like a great price ($80 for a PW1 3G and an Amazon case), but I wouldn't buy without meeting in person, being sure the battery takes a full charge and requiring that the seller de-register it and register it to your account before payment. It's particularly important that you check the battery because if the seller hasn't been using it and keeping the battery charged, it may be bad.

The safest way to buy from Craigslist is to meet in a public place that has free wifi so you can register it before payment (although this particular one is a 3G model so a wifi hotspot may not be necessary in order to register).

biteme · 02-17-2015, 06:16 AM

I have often bought second hand devices, but used ereaders are something I wouldn't bother with.

For a start, you can buy nice new ereaders, with warranty, for around the $100 mark. Kindle Touch or Kobo Touch. Take your pick.

Any ereader that's 4 or 5 years old is going to have a battery that's approaching the end of its life.

And all of the older ereaders are going to be slower than the new ones.

And the new ones have nicer screens, and more storage, and are probably running better firmware.

And, presumably, the vendors of the old ones are selling them for some reason or another...that may or may not be because they are knackered.

And the new one will be prettier, with no scratches, mould, petrified drool or snot.

So, you might save $40 or $50 buying an old one. I just don't see the cost benefit in it.

YMMV

faithbw · 02-17-2015, 12:32 PM

I guess it depends on why you want the e-reader. I sold my Sony PRS-350 to a fellow MR member who wanted a backup since Sony stopped making that line of readers (eventually stopped making e-readers altogether). I bought my first Kindle used because I wanted to see if I would like Kindles. The model I have is four years and was a demo model but it still works great and the battery life isn't too bad TBH. The screen isn't the best but it has the same resolution as the current Kindle Touch. I guess it just really comes down to what you value. Some people don't want a touchscreen, some people don't want a lighted screen, some people aren't bothered by a lower screen resolution. Some people don't have $100 to spend on an e-reader.

01-09-2015, 06:43 AM	#1
burnafterreading Groupie Posts: 192 Karma: 1237440 Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Ottawa, Canada Device: Kobo Glo, Arc7HD/10HD, smartphones	Kindle 4 (NT) - worth is used? or new basic? so, since i'm not using the Kindle app on my android tablets, i thought i could maybe possibly add a Kindle eink device to my collection of stuff i own but don't use every living second. i can find used K4 NT locally for around $40 to $60. i've never played with one, though. a new Kindle basic is $80 and the PW (i think PW2) is $130. whatever amazon.ca says it is. so is a used K4NT worth it for around $50? i guess i'd miss the backlight the most, but being that this is "yet another toy" i can't justify the $130 for a PW(2). but i might like the physical buttons which my tablets & Glo don't have.

02-06-2015, 08:34 AM	#13
jscarbo Addict Posts: 220 Karma: 1075434 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Costa Rica Device: Kindle Voyage, Kindle PW2, Nook HD+, Nexus 7	I don't know about Canadian prices and availability, but I recommend a PW, preferably the PW2 but the PW1 is fine if you get a much better price. If Amazon doesn't have any used or certified refurbs available in Canada, you might check out your local Craigslist. I took a quick look and didn't see any Kindles for sale in Ottawa at the moment but here's one listing today in Montreal that looks like a great price ($80 for a PW1 3G and an Amazon case), but I wouldn't buy without meeting in person, being sure the battery takes a full charge and requiring that the seller de-register it and register it to your account before payment. It's particularly important that you check the battery because if the seller hasn't been using it and keeping the battery charged, it may be bad. The safest way to buy from Craigslist is to meet in a public place that has free wifi so you can register it before payment (although this particular one is a 3G model so a wifi hotspot may not be necessary in order to register). Last edited by jscarbo; 02-06-2015 at 08:43 AM.

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01-16-2015, 06:43 AM	#3
burnafterreading Groupie Posts: 192 Karma: 1237440 Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Ottawa, Canada Device: Kobo Glo, Arc7HD/10HD, smartphones	(bit of a bump) i'm leaning towards the K4NT i think because of the non-touch and the side buttons. only missing "feature" would be the light. should i look at a clip-on light, or has anyone hacked a K4NT and inserted some LEDs inside to illuminate the screen? i don't put any value in audio, so the Touch is out as far as interest.

01-16-2015, 08:42 AM	#4
jj2me Guru Posts: 820 Karma: 8820388 Join Date: Dec 2008 Device: Sony PRS-505, -350; Kindle 3 3G, DX, PW 2; various tablets	The black K4NT is preferable to the silver K4NT--a better screen, per lots of posts on this forum. eInk screens are opaque. External light is your only choice.

01-16-2015, 03:39 PM	#5
burnafterreading Groupie Posts: 192 Karma: 1237440 Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Ottawa, Canada Device: Kobo Glo, Arc7HD/10HD, smartphones	i was thinking of hacking it to do sidelighting (since as you say the screen is going to be opaque no matter what is displayed). hmm, i didn't know about the different colors of K4NT. my Glo is white and i actually prefer that for the eink display - makes the small 6" screen look bigger.

01-16-2015, 06:39 PM	#7
Hampshire Nanny Guru Posts: 615 Karma: 8064562 Join Date: Aug 2009 Device: Sony PRS-505, Kindle 3 KB, iPad2	I'd love to buy a K4 (NT) I was just getting ready to do so when IBM surprised me by replacing it with the new basic.

01-29-2015, 04:20 PM	#8
barryem Wizard Posts: 2,459 Karma: 68781975 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Arkansas Device: Paperwhite 4	If you want a light and can afford the difference I'd take a look at the Paperwhite. It has a beautifully lit screen that's a perfect reading surface in any lighting situation from in a dark room to out in the sun. You can find a used Paperwhite for around $80 if you shop a bit. Amazon has them fairly often for $90 or $100. Yes they do have a touch screen but I think that's another advantage. Barry

02-02-2015, 02:16 PM	#10
faithbw Guru Posts: 618 Karma: 1526148 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: A place where the sun always shines Device: Kindle Oasis, iPad Mini 2	At this point, I wouldn't pay $50 for a Kindle 4NT unless it came with some extras (lighted case, etc). I was able to find a used Kindle NT on eBay for $20. You could probably find a Kindle 4 NT for between $20 and $40 on eBay. At this point though, I would also spring for a PW if I could afford it. The screen res is better and the light is really nice. I'm hoping to upgrade to either the PW or the Voyage soon because they both have much better screens than the K4 NT. Of course, if you really dislike touchscreen then the PW is not an option.

02-02-2015, 02:45 PM	#11
burnafterreading Groupie Posts: 192 Karma: 1237440 Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Ottawa, Canada Device: Kobo Glo, Arc7HD/10HD, smartphones	i'm actually thinking of doing the wait-and-buy-PW for now. there's a used PW1 locally for a fair price, but how do i check if Amazon is going to block it???

02-02-2015, 07:37 PM	#12
barryem Wizard Posts: 2,459 Karma: 68781975 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Arkansas Device: Paperwhite 4	You can ask the store to let you register it on premises and sell it to you if it's okay. A lot of places will do that. Those that won't might promise you a refund if you can't register it. Registration requires you have an Amazon account and Wifi. If the store doesn't have Wifi you can always go to MacDonalds or Starbucks or some such and try it out. It just takes a couple of minutes. By the way that risk exists with any Kindle you buy, not just the Paperwhite. As for the Paperwhite 1 vs Paperwhite 2, I have both and the differences are there but I rarely notice them. I'm reading my current book on my PW1 simply because I picked it up first. That's how important the differences are. Barry

02-17-2015, 06:16 AM	#14
biteme Member Posts: 15 Karma: 140426 Join Date: Feb 2015 Device: Kobo Aura H20	I have often bought second hand devices, but used ereaders are something I wouldn't bother with. For a start, you can buy nice new ereaders, with warranty, for around the $100 mark. Kindle Touch or Kobo Touch. Take your pick. Any ereader that's 4 or 5 years old is going to have a battery that's approaching the end of its life. And all of the older ereaders are going to be slower than the new ones. And the new ones have nicer screens, and more storage, and are probably running better firmware. And, presumably, the vendors of the old ones are selling them for some reason or another...that may or may not be because they are knackered. And the new one will be prettier, with no scratches, mould, petrified drool or snot. So, you might save $40 or $50 buying an old one. I just don't see the cost benefit in it. YMMV

02-17-2015, 12:32 PM	#15
faithbw Guru Posts: 618 Karma: 1526148 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: A place where the sun always shines Device: Kindle Oasis, iPad Mini 2	I guess it depends on why you want the e-reader. I sold my Sony PRS-350 to a fellow MR member who wanted a backup since Sony stopped making that line of readers (eventually stopped making e-readers altogether). I bought my first Kindle used because I wanted to see if I would like Kindles. The model I have is four years and was a demo model but it still works great and the battery life isn't too bad TBH. The screen isn't the best but it has the same resolution as the current Kindle Touch. I guess it just really comes down to what you value. Some people don't want a touchscreen, some people don't want a lighted screen, some people aren't bothered by a lower screen resolution. Some people don't have $100 to spend on an e-reader.

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