Paperwhite Second Gen: First Impressions

[anywho]

Maybe mailing kindle-feedback@amazon.com to request more fonts or some sort of real support for fonts would be great. Like books, you could buy them, and some would be free.

[allowingtoo]

Am I crazy? Mine is not as bright as my first Paperwhite

[sirmaru]

I use font # 6 of 8 with Helvetica and the line spacing at # 1 of 3 and margins at # 3 of 3.

They seem to be the best on the PW 2013.

[Blossom]

Can so one take a pic of the PW1 vs PW2 Text's close up? Right now I really can't tell with the pics people have taken any difference in contrast. If you need an example of what angle I am talking about. Check my old K4s comparison pic.

[sparklemotion]

Originally Posted by allowingtoo

Am I crazy? Mine is not as bright as my first Paperwhite

You're not crazy. I find the brightness of the lights almost always differ between PW's. I have 3 PW's in my possession atm. One PW1 and two of the new PW2's and the light brightness is different on all 3.

[sirmaru]

Originally Posted by Blossom

Can so one take a pic of the PW1 vs PW2 Text's close up? Right now I really can't tell with the pics people have taken any difference in contrast. If you need an example of what angle I am talking about. Check my old K4s comparison pic.

Only an expert photographer with full knowledge of shutter openings, shutter speeds and proper lighting effects could do the photos justice. I doubt if anyone here is that qualified.

That was the reason we had so many complaints here on the PW 2012 even though Amazon reviews on that product had ONE THOUSAND times more 5 star reviews versus the 1 star reviews and still shows that ratio.

Someone already complained here that their unit of the PW 2013 has noticeable pin holes for light. I can't see anything like it. When we look too closely at anything, we can get optical ILLUSIONS seen by many like in the desert. They are quite different than hallucinations which can only be seen by a single individual.

You can order and try the PW 2013 at zero financial risk.

[anywho]

This is what I sent to kindle-feedback@amazon.com

Hi, on the previous version of the paperwhite I used the USE_ALT_FONTS file on the kindle to be able to access fonts of my own choice. This was a fantastic solution for me.

This is not available anymore and my suggestion is as follows: Please allow for the free distribution and sale of fonts in a similar manner you provide both books and games for the kindle. This not only would allow you to sell more things, but cater to those of us who have specific demands when it comes to fonts. It's a win-win.

[sirmaru]

Originally Posted by allowingtoo

Am I crazy? Mine is not as bright as my first Paperwhite

Set the light settings at 22 of 24 on both the Paperwhite 2012 and the Paperwhite 2013. You will then see the huge difference.

Go into a pitch dark room with those settings and the differences will be pronounced.

The PW 2013 is shipped with the 22 light setting. It is the best one to keep under all ambient light conditions.

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by sirmaru

Only an expert photographer with full knowledge of shutter openings, shutter speeds and proper lighting effects could do the photos justice. I doubt if anyone here is that qualified.

Anyone with a decent camera can take a pic like I did. I'm no expert but I was able to capture the difference without too much problem on the K4s I own back in 2012. I think someone here can do the same with showing the difference in contrast.

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by sirmaru

Set the light settings at 22 of 24 on both the Paperwhite 2012 and the Paperwhite 2013. You will then see the huge difference.

Go into a pitch dark room with those settings and the differences will be pronounced.

The PW 2013 is shipped with the 22 light setting. It is the best one to keep under all ambient light conditions.

OMG My eyeballs would burn off if I did that. I keep my PW1 on 8 at all times but my PW is brighter than most. I think the setting in normal conditions on most is 10 not 22.

You really do need to get your eyes checked. Your probably hurting your retina by looking at a screen that bright in the dark.

[Katsunami]

Originally Posted by Blossom

Anyone with a decent camera can take a pic like I did. I'm no expert but I was able to capture the difference without too much problem on the K4s I own back in 2012. I think someone here can do the same with showing the difference in contrast.

I can. Order me a KPW2, and I'll do it

[tomsem]

Originally Posted by zwarbles

Yes. The light is set at 22 on both. I'm on my way to work right now. I will set it up and check it out more when I get there.....

I think it is somewhat irrelevant that light setting is 'the same'. Even when people compared two PW1's, it was often the case that one would be brighter at a given setting than another. Ideally you'd use some sort of light meter to achieve a common brightness level, or just eyeball it. Then compare the evenness blotchiness or lack thereof.

Originally Posted by sparklemotion

Mine arrived and had a tiny, tiny glowing pin hole and also a very tiny black speck. Dust between the layers, I assume. Argh. I went to Best Buy and picked one up and that one is thankfully perfect!

Bummer. That has me worried now that you and xendula got units with pinholes. Amazon still hasn't worked out the kinks in their manufacturing process. Apparently their clean rooms are not truly clean! I think I'll hold off until mid-October and try one from Best Buy first.

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by Katsunami

I can. Order me a KPW2, and I'll do it

Good One! I just ordered a HDX so I'm out of funds at the moment. I am hoping the pics will help me decide if I need the new PW2. So far I am not impressed with pics and Engadget said the same thing about the screen.

[sparklemotion]

Originally Posted by jswinden

Bummer. That has me worried now that you and xendula got units with pinholes. Amazon still hasn't worked out the kinks in their manufacturing process. Apparently their clean rooms are not truly clean! I think I'll hold off until mid-October and try one from Best Buy first.

They definitely don't seem to have worked them out completely in this area, no. It seems dust particles are finding their way between the screens. It's very possible others also have them and maybe they don't notice them as they can be very tiny. I showed the PW to my friend and they could not spot anything, but to me it's obvious. I think waiting and trying one at Best Buy is a good idea.