Paperwhite Second Gen: First Impressions

[AnemicOak]

Originally Posted by sparklemotion

I don't experience this myself, but my friend does and she complained about it on both the 1 and 2. Are you able to maybe check one out in person at Best Buy?

I think that's what I'll have to do if I can get there in the next day or so.

[Katsunami]

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

Question for PW2 owners.

When I briefly had a PW1 last year I had a problem where it felt like I was reading through glass (that's the best I can explain it). There were a few other who mentioned the same thing, but most folks didn't seem to notice it or it just didn't occur for them. I'm wondering if anyone who noticed that with the PW1 also notices it with the PW2? The PW1 is the only eInk reader I've ever noticed it on and I found it a bit distracting. I have the opportunity to get a discount on a PW2 if I buy soon and am considering it, but hoped to know an answer to this first.

I don't see or feel anything strange when reading on the KPW1, as long as the front-light stays at or slightly below ambient light.

I can't imagine what you are noticing or feeling.

[AnemicOak]

Originally Posted by Katsunami

I don't see or feel anything strange when reading on the KPW1, as long as the front-light stays at or slightly below ambient light.

I can't imagine what you are noticing or feeling.

The only way I can describe it is like taking a page from a pBook and putting it behind glass then trying to read it. It's not that you can't read it, but it distracts from reading when doing it for page after page. I pretty much always kept the light turned all the way down on the PW1 (actually wish you could turn it off like on a Kobo).

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

The only way I can describe it is like taking a page from a pBook and putting it behind glass then trying to read it. It's not that you can't read it, but it distracts from reading when doing it for page after page. I pretty much always kept the light turned all the way down on the PW1 (actually wish you could turn it off like on a Kobo).

I totally agree with how you put it. I can't read with the light all the way down because it's like looking through a window and reading. I asked the same question when it was released and was told nothing had changed.

[xendula]

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

Question for PW2 owners.

When I briefly had a PW1 last year I had a problem where it felt like I was reading through glass (that's the best I can explain it). There were a few other who mentioned the same thing, but most folks didn't seem to notice it or it just didn't occur for them. I'm wondering if anyone who noticed that with the PW1 also notices it with the PW2? The PW1 is the only eInk reader I've ever noticed it on and I found it a bit distracting. I have the opportunity to get a discount on a PW2 if I buy soon and am considering it, but hoped to know an answer to this first.

When held next to my K4B, this is how I would describe what I see, but when I look at the PW1/2 on their own, I do not think much about it. My K4B is like real paper, the font like real print, and the PW's definitely not.

However, in the past year, I have used my K4B exactly zero times, so the PW has other redeeming qualities for me.

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

Question for PW2 owners.

When I briefly had a PW1 last year I had a problem where it felt like I was reading through glass (that's the best I can explain it). There were a few other who mentioned the same thing, but most folks didn't seem to notice it or it just didn't occur for them. I'm wondering if anyone who noticed that with the PW1 also notices it with the PW2? The PW1 is the only eInk reader I've ever noticed it on and I found it a bit distracting. I have the opportunity to get a discount on a PW2 if I buy soon and am considering it, but hoped to know an answer to this first.

Yes I definitely experienced that with the PW1s I tried. It was worse than glass, it was like reading through a layer of plastic. I still experience that with the PW2, but it is not as bad as the PW1. I think much of the benefits of having a higher resolution screen and more contrast for text is lost due to the light layer sitting on top of the screen. The light layer is plastic. I have to bold the text or embed a heavier font to read comfortably on the PW2. That is why I gave it a 3-star rating on Amazon.com.

[gouni]

I just got my second paperwhite 2 it is... beautiful.

Superb lighting, superb screen uniform as it is our Aura HD.

I'll make mine this paperwhite 2, what a pity that it does not have the kobo for the text and the font settings.

[levante]

I have my second PW2. No faults. With fonts and jailbreak would be perfect.

[Barty]

My third pw2 has a serious pin hole. It's right under the "boy under the tree" and the second I turned it on the pin hole twinkled like a little star. Noooo.

Well, that's it for me. If I exchange another I think Amazon may ban me.

I'm going to leave it to fate. If the dev can find a user jailbreak or Amazon reinstates font sideload, I'll get one from BB. Meanwhile, I'm back to the loving arms of my k3.

[sparklemotion]

Originally Posted by Barty

My third pw2 has a serious pin hole. It's right under the "boy under the tree" and the second I turned it on the pin hole twinkled like a little star. Noooo.

Well, that's it for me. If I exchange another I think Amazon may ban me.

I'm going to leave it to fate. If the dev can find a user jailbreak or Amazon reinstates font sideload, I'll get one from BB. Meanwhile, I'm back to the loving arms of my k3.

Sorry Barty! You could always try Best Buy? I went through a few too, but my current one is perfect so it was worth it in the end.

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by Barty

My third pw2 has a serious pin hole. It's right under the "boy under the tree" and the second I turned it on the pin hole twinkled like a little star. Noooo.

Well, that's it for me. If I exchange another I think Amazon may ban me.

I'm going to leave it to fate. If the dev can find a user jailbreak or Amazon reinstates font sideload, I'll get one from BB. Meanwhile, I'm back to the loving arms of my k3.

I am sticking with my PW1 it's perfect for me. Now if I could only get a HDX that is perfect. My replacement has a neon blue border around the edges that Amazon says is normal! A small scratch on the back but I can live with that. Battery life is better. I'm starting to think Amazon no longer has Quality Control.

[sparklemotion]

Originally Posted by Blossom

I'm starting to think Amazon no longer has Quality Control.

Me too, sadly.

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by sparklemotion

Me too, sadly.

The sad part is Amazon is now calling its flaws normal!

[sparklemotion]

Originally Posted by Blossom

The sad part is Amazon is now calling its flaws normal!

Sigh. It's madness.

[Synamon]

Originally Posted by gouni

I just got my second paperwhite 2 it is... beautiful.

Superb lighting, superb screen uniform as it is our Aura HD.

I'll make mine this paperwhite 2, what a pity that it does not have the kobo for the text and the font settings.

I've just bought a Kobo Aura and agree that the ability to customize font settings on the Kobo is exceptional.

I'll be letting my husband use the Paperwhite I got last week, he reads in landscape mode so Kindle is the only option for a lighted reader for him anyway. I'll be keeping the Kobo Aura, and I'd recommend looking at it if anyone is frustrated with their Kindle Paperwhite.