Paperwhite Second Gen: First Impressions

[sparklemotion]

Originally Posted by Chi Cygni

I guess you can imagine how nervous I was before I opened my box when it arrived from across the ocean knowing that it would have to go where it came from if anything was wrong. Yes, I read last year's thread. It was a big relief everything was fine *knock on wood*

Oh yes, I can totally imagine. I know it's a lot more of a pain for those of you not in the states to return things to Amazon. Gak, that adds a whole other layer of aggravation. I'm so glad everything was perfect with yours, Chi.

[Bookworm_Girl]

My text is black and crisp. Better than my PW1 which had a blurrier, layered look. I'm very happy with the text! Also I have no problems with fit with the Amazon cases.

If you have pinholes, then you might try reading with them for awhile in your typical lighting conditions to see if you adapt to them. Depending on where they are located and how low you keep the light, then you might not really see them. Surprisingly, I found that my PW with 3 holes is easier to read than the PW with 1 hole.

I have purchased 2 from Best Buy. I decided to try an exchange today with the one I liked least. My third PW has zero pinholes! Finally! Although it has a 1/2 inch light leakage on the lower corner but not nearly as severe as my old PW1 model. The final verdict for me is to decide between pinholes and leakage. I think I'll settle for the little bit of side leakage and read on it for a week before I return the other one.

Of the 3 that I've tried, 2 had side leakage & 2 had pinholes. None were defect free. I'm sure that there is a good combination out there and others just have better luck than me at beating the odds. All 3 were much superior to my PW1! So in that regards I'm still happy in my frustration.

[Bookworm_Girl]

Originally Posted by TimW

There is another possibility. Since there is a blank tab with a grayed out *something*, it's very likely there is only one "default" dictionary on that account. I only have two myself...I just never bothered to add more. It's possible to add too much meaning to one fuzzy image.

"Don't Panic!"

There are three tabs now. One for dictionary, x-Ray and Wikipedia. I see only 2 tabs on a book that doesn't have x-Ray capability. I like the new layout because you can see a full dictionary definition now so there are fewer clicks required. I also use the Wikipedia look-up. Maybe the multiple dictionary feature will be added back.

Another thing I miss is that you can't swipe across the text in the lower left corner to cycle through the Reading Progress. You now have to go into settings and change it if you want to know how much time to end of book instead of end of chapter for example.

[induna]

I believe that you can just tap in the lower left corner to change between pos, time in chapter, and time in book (also page # if available).

[Katsunami]

Originally Posted by induna

I believe that you can just tap in the lower left corner to change between pos, time in chapter, and time in book (also page # if available).

So instead of Time To Read you can see the page number? They've seen the light... there are many people that wanted that. Often I like TTR, but not on books with very long chapters. It's a bit... not fun... to see "3 hours, 15 minutes remaining in chapter"

[Bookworm_Girl]

Originally Posted by induna

I believe that you can just tap in the lower left corner to change between pos, time in chapter, and time in book (also page # if available).

Interesting! Thanks. So they took away the ability to either swipe or tap from the PW1. Now it is tap only. I'm used to swiping from my Sony readers and didn't think to try tapping only. I saw someone else post a similar comment on another forum so I'm sure others will have the same conundrum.

Yes, they also added Page in Reading Progress which is a plus. Although you see less info at the bottom of the screen now when you bring up the menus.

I really like the page menu when you swipe up from the bottom so you can easily switch chapters and do a page preview.

[Carmelreader]

About the dictionaries. If this is all old info, my apologies. I am not very familiar with the dictionaries on the PW1, but I had liked the idea of the multi dictionaries. I just tested the dictionary and at the bottom I clicked on more which led to 2nd page which had translation. Being as I was reading a book in English and the word was English too, it just said English to English. So I went and downloaded a free book in French and when I did so, along came an automatic download of a French dictionary. Again highlighted a word (French), definition was in French, clicked on more and translation and could chose from a whole list of languages to have it translated into. Hope this helps. Oh it says the translations are being done by Bing Translator.

[laura99]

Originally Posted by laura99

Thanks so much for posting this! I have had my PW2 for a few days, coming from the basic Kindle. The font is noticeable lighter on the PW2. Will be calling customer service tonight!

Well that did not go to well. The transferred me to a specialist and she basically said that is just the way it is, sorry.

If these show up in Best Buy before the 30 days I may just buy one and see if it is better. If not, may just return it and stick with the basic Kindle.

[allowingtoo]

Originally Posted by laura99

Well that did not go to well. The transferred me to a specialist and she basically said that is just the way it is, sorry.

If these show up in Best Buy before the 30 days I may just buy one and see if it is better. If not, may just return it and stick with the basic Kindle.

I was on Live Chat. I went through 3 people. The first transferred me to a Kindle specialist and then they transferred me to a Kindle special specialist. I had to convince them that my text was gray and it was giving me a headache trying to read it. It took a while. They had me on hold several times while they did "who knows what". There truly was not enough of a contrast between the font and the screen for me. The second PW was a big difference. Especially when the light comes on at night - then it was really enhanced and washed out.

Originally Posted by laura99

Well that did not go to well. The transferred me to a specialist and she basically said that is just the way it is, sorry.

If these show up in Best Buy before the 30 days I may just buy one and see if it is better. If not, may just return it and stick with the basic Kindle.

Wow, that sucks! Call again and demand a bump up to 2nd tier CS. Be polite but firm and see if they budge any. If not, maybe the PW2 needs to develop another symptom or two in a week or two, if you get my drift. Normally I would never suggest the latter, but since Amazon seems to not have a conscience about releasing defective units that surely they know are defective, then why should you let your conscience keep you from getting a replacement to try?

[sparklemotion]

Originally Posted by laura99

Well that did not go to well. The transferred me to a specialist and she basically said that is just the way it is, sorry.

If these show up in Best Buy before the 30 days I may just buy one and see if it is better. If not, may just return it and stick with the basic Kindle.

Yeesh, that stinks. I'm sorry. Hopefully you'll get them in stock at your local Best Buy soon. If not, I'd return it and then try Best Buy when they do come in stock. Good luck!

[allowingtoo]

I've already posted my review on Amazon about my first Paperwhite and the gray font and the not white screen. I love Amazon and I love my Paperwhite, but this is not Paper White. It's an improved screen as far as the lighting from last year, but a step down in color as far as I'm concerned. It's not White!

[sirmaru]

Originally Posted by allowingtoo

I've already posted my review on Amazon about my first Paperwhite and the gray font and the not white screen. I love Amazon and I love my Paperwhite, but this is not Paper White. It's an improved screen as far as the lighting from last year, but a step down in color as far as I'm concerned. It's not White!

My PW 2013 has a perfect white screen. My PW 2012 has a greyish screen. I checked the one and two stare reviews on the Amazon site on the PW 2013 and did not see your review. Maybe Amazon is still reviewing it.

If you are dissatisfied with your unit, call Amazon CS for a replacement.

[Barty]

Originally Posted by allowingtoo

I was on Live Chat. I went through 3 people. The first transferred me to a Kindle specialist and then they transferred me to a Kindle special specialist. I had to convince them that my text was gray and it was giving me a headache trying to read it. It took a while. They had me on hold several times while they did "who knows what". There truly was not enough of a contrast between the font and the screen for me. The second PW was a big difference. Especially when the light comes on at night - then it was really enhanced and washed out.

When you plug your kindle into your computer, does the text on the "kindle plugged in screen" nice and dark, or is it gray, too? What about the menu text?

[jersysman]

Originally Posted by Carmelreader

About the dictionaries. If this is all old info, my apologies. I am not very familiar with the dictionaries on the PW1, but I had liked the idea of the multi dictionaries. I just tested the dictionary and at the bottom I clicked on more which led to 2nd page which had translation. Being as I was reading a book in English and the word was English too, it just said English to English. So I went and downloaded a free book in French and when I did so, along came an automatic download of a French dictionary. Again highlighted a word (French), definition was in French, clicked on more and translation and could chose from a whole list of languages to have it translated into. Hope this helps. Oh it says the translations are being done by Bing Translator.

That is pretty cool. I like that feature. Does the other dictionary stay on the Kindle after it is downloaded?