Paperwhite Second Gen: First Impressions

Originally Posted by Outrager

What would the pinholes look like? Just light leaking out of the front layer?

From what others have described, it looks like a pixel that always stays white rather than showing grey or black when it should. eInks don't actually have pixels of course, but it gives you an idea of what it looks like.

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by Outrager

What would the pinholes look like? Just light leaking out of the front layer?

Think of a green glow stick someone grated into fine pieces and a tiny piece of its dust got stuck on your Kindle screen. It's most noticeable right after a full refresh. It's easy to find when reading in the dark. I didn't find mine till I changed fonts. Mine are as tiny as a pinprick. If you take flash light to it you will see it's a hole.

As of 11:30pm CDT it looks like at least 3 people from MR and 2 from KBoards have units with pin holes. Also 2 people on MR and 1 on KBoards have light leaks they describe as 1/4" to 1/2" blobs of light or a streak of light. I guess 8 units doesn't sound too bad at first, but when you consider the small number of people who have posted about their PW2s (perhaps 50 people), then it starts to look like a big issue. And this MR thread shows a totally screwed up PW2 light system.

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by jswinden

As of 11:30pm CDT it looks like at least 3 people from MR and 2 from KBoards have units with pin holes. Also 2 people on MR and 1 on KBoards have light leaks they describe as 1/4" to 1/2" blobs of light or a streak of light. I guess 8 units doesn't sound too bad at first, but when you consider the small number of people who have posted about their PW2s (perhaps 50 people), then it starts to look like a big issue. And this MR thread shows a totally screwed up PW2 light system.

Amazon has not fixed their Quality control issues with the PW it seems. Unlike the K4 which they fixed they seems to have only fixed the color blobs.

[Josieb1]

That's why I always buy my devices direct from Amazon, I know that if they are faulty I can just pack them up and return them, and then decide if i want to try another. Yes I know I should be able to return faulty goods to say Currys or Argos but getting a refund is not as simple with them as with Amazon.

Originally Posted by Josieb1

That's why I always buy my devices direct from Amazon, I know that if they are faulty I can just pack them up and return them, and then decide if i want to try another. Yes I know I should be able to return faulty goods to say Currys or Argos but getting a refund is not as simple with them as with Amazon.

I agree. I was going to wait until mid-October and pick one up at a local Best Buy, but I changed my mind. If I get one, and that is looking less likely now, I will order direct from Amazon so I can get it replaced or return it if necessary. Really sad that Amazon cannot seem to get control of their quality assurance problems.

[Josieb1]

Originally Posted by jswinden

I agree. I was going to wait until mid-October and pick one up at a local Best Buy, but I changed my mind. If I get one, and that is looking less likely now, I will order direct from Amazon so I can get it replaced or return it if necessary. Really sad that Amazon cannot seem to get control of their quality assurance problems.

I've pre ordered, mines due in the 12th, but if its bad then I'll return it and wait until after Christmas before I try again. It's another reason why I have no current plans to get rid of my PW1.

[xendula]

Originally Posted by Blossom

Amazon has not fixed their Quality control issues with the PW it seems. Unlike the K4 which they fixed they seems to have only fixed the color blobs.

About the color blobs: In complete darkness at light level 8, my screen is partly faint pink at the top, while the rest looks yellowish, getting very faintly greenish towards the bottom. It's almost like having two poles on the device, each with its own light temperature.

I thought I detected something earlier, but didn't want to say anything until I could confim in the dark.

Again, the color differences are very slight, but I can see them.

[Barty]

I followed the kobo aura thread for a while. It doesn't seem to have these light problems (it has software problems instead). What's kobo doing differently?

[goggin]

I got my new PW today and absolutely love it! Lighting is near perfect and way better than PW1. Vastly improved reading experience . Way worth the money to me since I'll use this device more than any other during th coming year.

While I'm thrilled, the improvements may not be worth the cost of upgrading to someone more accepting of PW1's flaws.

If you're not sure, wait until you can see one in person. Don't bother agonizing over pictures on forums when everyone who has ever taken such pictures knows firsthand you can't capture display quality that way.

[soulfuldog]

Originally Posted by Barty

I followed the kobo aura thread for a while. It doesn't seem to have these light problems (it has software problems instead). What's kobo doing differently?

There's a lot more people complaining about pinholes in the Kobo Aura impressions thread than there is in this one? I was tempted by the smaller & lighter Aura, but on early impressions of the Aura and the PW2, I'm leaning towards the PW. Still waiting for more feedback though. In terms of anyone thinking about buying a Kobo, it's the slightly bigger Aura HD that is by far the best bet in their range.

[Josieb1]

Originally Posted by Barty

I followed the kobo aura thread for a while. It doesn't seem to have these light problems (it has software problems instead). What's kobo doing differently?

The Kobo Aua does have pin hole light issues, particularly in those purchased or viewed in the UK in WHSmith

[jbcohen]

Is the new Paperwhite 2 that much faster than the original? My only qualm about the original paperwhite, and its the same complaint about my older Kindle three.

[booklover6]

Originally Posted by jbcohen

Is the new Paperwhite 2 that much faster than the original? My only qualm about the original paperwhite, and its the same complaint about my older Kindle three.

Yes! In my opinion, MUCH faster, and an extremely valid reason to replace the older model.

[sirmaru]

Originally Posted by jswinden

As of 11:30pm CDT it looks like at least 3 people from MR and 2 from KBoards have units with pin holes. Also 2 people on MR and 1 on KBoards have light leaks they describe as 1/4" to 1/2" blobs of light or a streak of light. I guess 8 units doesn't sound too bad at first, but when you consider the small number of people who have posted about their PW2s (perhaps 50 people), then it starts to look like a big issue. And this MR thread shows a totally screwed up PW2 light system.

Those "pinholes" are an OPTICAL ILLUSION just like all the complaints last year. Its like dozens seeing flying saucers or seeing big cities in the Sahara Desert. They do NOT exist.

As of right now at the PW 2013 page at Amazon there are 45 reviews of which 33 are five star and 2 are one star. One of those two complains he cannot play audible books on it and the other says his instructions came in French (he probably pressed French on the opening screen).

Its like last year's complaints here of discolored screens. The PW 2012 shows right now 17,087 reviews of which 10,964 are five star reviews and 813 are one star reviews.

If you want to find flaws, stare at any surface for 30 minutes in a concentrated way and you WILL find them aplenty. That is called Optical Illusions as contrasted with hallucinations which are only in one's mind. Optical Illusions are REAL as perceived but do not exist in reality.

Those pinhole reports here today on the PW 2013 are like the multicolor reports here last year.