Kindle wear and tear: How's yours holding up?

chrissy · 12-06-2008, 03:48 PM

After several months of using my Kindle almost daily, I found that the plastic casing started to show visible signs of wear and tear. The buttons to page back and forth in particular started showing shiny, worn marks due to repeated use -- a lot like how frequently-pressed keys on a keyboard (such as the space bar) display worn patches after a while.

I was a little disappointed to see this after only a few months of regular but careful usage. Perhaps a decal should have been applied prior to using the device, but then I really wasn't expecting such quick degradation of the plastic.

I don't have close-up photos of the impacted areas to share here, and have since parted ways with the Kindle, not personally having found the wireless connectivity or keyboard useful. I just purchased a Sony PRS-700 mainly for its touchscreen, built-in light and generally what seems to be better hardware quality as it is made of mostly metal. The contrast isn't as sharp as the Kindle's; so far this hasn't been a problem at all, but I'm going to take the next week to see if this will be an issue for me. The screen is made of plastic, but since swiping to page back and forth doesn't involve any fingernail contact, I'm hoping it will hold up better than the Kindle has.

How have other Kindles been faring so far -- has anyone else here encountered the same wear issue?

daffy4u · 12-06-2008, 04:01 PM

Mine is all good but then again, I've used a silicone skin on it for most of the time I've owned it (since April). No cracks or wear marks. The keyboard area is a little dingy at the moment but it's pretty easy to clean. When my Tego skin arrives, it should take care of that issue permanently.

Elsi · 12-06-2008, 05:38 PM

Mine doesn't show any visible signs of wear and I have no skin -- silicone or sticky -- applied. So far, I've read almost 50 books on the Kindle since purchasing it in February. 22 of these have been pretty long books, over 400 pages in their print versions. I do keep the Kindle in the cover and my fingers are on the cover rather than the device when I'm reading. I only lift my thumb to lightly press the Next Page button at the appropriate time.

desertgrandma · 12-06-2008, 06:55 PM

Not being an especially observant person, I had to go open my Kindle and look it over carefully.

Nope. Still in pristine condition. I"ve had mine since June and read daily.

I do use the m-edge, I like the little ledge it gives while reading.

When reading or carrying it around, I usually have my fingers either where the 'amazon kindle' logo is, or on the cursor bar.

On mine, the key I usually use most is the 'home' key....and it still looks like new.

Have you tried calling Kindle support and letting them know? If nothing else, it would let them 'track' any further problems you could have.

RickyMaveety · 12-06-2008, 07:08 PM

Both of mine are in pristine condition after several months of daily use. No wear and tear at all.

pshrynk · 12-06-2008, 09:55 PM

I use mine every day and there is a little scuffing on the right next page button from the m-edge cover, otherwise no problems. As you can see, I just put my Tego skin on, so no worries!

tcv · 12-06-2008, 10:20 PM

Chrissy, you seem to have gotten yours recently. Anyone else? Maybe switching case manufacturers or materials is the difference?

Rocketime · 12-06-2008, 11:02 PM

5 months and going strong. Had 1 freeze up. Re-set and good to go. What a great toy!

Strether · 12-06-2008, 11:05 PM

Mine's a year old and used every day. No sign of any wear at all.

Jim

chrissy · 12-07-2008, 01:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tcv

Chrissy, you seem to have gotten yours recently. Anyone else? Maybe switching case manufacturers or materials is the difference?

I had used the Kindle as-is since it arrived in May -- no decal/skin/protective case. The included cover was used when I brought it outside, but not when reading at home.

tcv · 12-07-2008, 02:20 AM

Uh.. what the heck is that picture??

KlondikeGeoff · 12-07-2008, 11:07 AM

chrissy, I have had mine since last Dec and read a lot every day. Entire device looks like new.

Luckly, the original cases were leather before they switched to plastic, so my cover gets smoother and more flexible all the time. There are a lot of other good cases available you might consider.

But before that, as you are still under the warranty, give the support guys a call about this. I'll bet at the very least they will give you a new cover, and perhaps replace the Kindle too.

DixieGal · 12-07-2008, 11:28 AM

This is a bit off-topic, but here is a link to a purse that is perfect for any e-reader. Lots of nice padding also! https://www.buxtonbag.tv/?cid=545466

desertgrandma · 12-07-2008, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DixieGal

This is a bit off-topic, but here is a link to a purse that is perfect for any e-reader. Lots of nice padding also! https://www.buxtonbag.tv/?cid=545466

Dixie, I"m glad you like yours........I sent mine back. That little netting holder? It kept opening, and I kept losing stuff out of it. I did love the idea, but every time I opened it, since there were holders on both sides, something would fall out.
Hows the eye doing?

DixieGal · 12-07-2008, 04:31 PM

Well, I fit it into the main section. It is too small for a purse but was OK for the reader.

What got me thinking was that I ordered a matching laptop case this morning, seeing as how I can't use my device anynmore.

Eye seems be doing well.

12-06-2008, 03:48 PM	#1
chrissy Enthusiast Posts: 26 Karma: 319 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: New York, NY Device: Sony PRS-700	Kindle wear and tear: How's yours holding up? After several months of using my Kindle almost daily, I found that the plastic casing started to show visible signs of wear and tear. The buttons to page back and forth in particular started showing shiny, worn marks due to repeated use -- a lot like how frequently-pressed keys on a keyboard (such as the space bar) display worn patches after a while. I was a little disappointed to see this after only a few months of regular but careful usage. Perhaps a decal should have been applied prior to using the device, but then I really wasn't expecting such quick degradation of the plastic. I don't have close-up photos of the impacted areas to share here, and have since parted ways with the Kindle, not personally having found the wireless connectivity or keyboard useful. I just purchased a Sony PRS-700 mainly for its touchscreen, built-in light and generally what seems to be better hardware quality as it is made of mostly metal. The contrast isn't as sharp as the Kindle's; so far this hasn't been a problem at all, but I'm going to take the next week to see if this will be an issue for me. The screen is made of plastic, but since swiping to page back and forth doesn't involve any fingernail contact, I'm hoping it will hold up better than the Kindle has. How have other Kindles been faring so far -- has anyone else here encountered the same wear issue?

12-07-2008, 11:28 AM	#13
DixieGal Hi There! Posts: 7,473 Karma: 2930523 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ft Lauderdale Device: iPad	For the Ladies... This is a bit off-topic, but here is a link to a purse that is perfect for any e-reader. Lots of nice padding also! https://www.buxtonbag.tv/?cid=545466

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12-06-2008, 04:01 PM	#2
daffy4u I'm Super Kindle-icious Posts: 6,734 Karma: 2434103 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Long Drive, Calinadia Candafornia Device: KDXG, KT, Oasis	Mine is all good but then again, I've used a silicone skin on it for most of the time I've owned it (since April). No cracks or wear marks. The keyboard area is a little dingy at the moment but it's pretty easy to clean. When my Tego skin arrives, it should take care of that issue permanently.

12-06-2008, 05:38 PM	#3
Elsi Wizard Posts: 2,366 Karma: 12000 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Texas, USA Device: Kindle; Sony PRS 505; Blackberry 8700C	Mine doesn't show any visible signs of wear and I have no skin -- silicone or sticky -- applied. So far, I've read almost 50 books on the Kindle since purchasing it in February. 22 of these have been pretty long books, over 400 pages in their print versions. I do keep the Kindle in the cover and my fingers are on the cover rather than the device when I'm reading. I only lift my thumb to lightly press the Next Page button at the appropriate time.

12-06-2008, 06:55 PM	#4
desertgrandma Enjoying the show.... Posts: 14,270 Karma: 10462843 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Arizona Device: A K1, Kindle Paperwhite, an Ipod, IPad2, Iphone, an Ipad Mini & macAir	Not being an especially observant person, I had to go open my Kindle and look it over carefully. Nope. Still in pristine condition. I"ve had mine since June and read daily. I do use the m-edge, I like the little ledge it gives while reading. When reading or carrying it around, I usually have my fingers either where the 'amazon kindle' logo is, or on the cursor bar. On mine, the key I usually use most is the 'home' key....and it still looks like new. Have you tried calling Kindle support and letting them know? If nothing else, it would let them 'track' any further problems you could have.

12-06-2008, 07:08 PM	#5
RickyMaveety Holy S**T!!! Posts: 5,213 Karma: 108401 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: San Diego, California!! Device: Kindle and iPad	Both of mine are in pristine condition after several months of daily use. No wear and tear at all.

12-06-2008, 09:55 PM	#6
pshrynk Beepbeep n beebeep, yeah! Posts: 11,726 Karma: 8255450 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: La Crosse, Wisconsin, aka America's IceBox Device: iThingie, KmkII, I miss Zelda!	I use mine every day and there is a little scuffing on the right next page button from the m-edge cover, otherwise no problems. As you can see, I just put my Tego skin on, so no worries!

12-06-2008, 10:20 PM	#7
tcv Addict Posts: 330 Karma: 596 Join Date: Oct 2006	Chrissy, you seem to have gotten yours recently. Anyone else? Maybe switching case manufacturers or materials is the difference?

12-06-2008, 11:02 PM	#8
Rocketime Zealot Posts: 124 Karma: 431 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Fruita, CO Device: Kindle/Nook Color/NST/Acer Iconica	5 months and going strong. Had 1 freeze up. Re-set and good to go. What a great toy!

12-06-2008, 11:05 PM	#9
Strether Guru Posts: 765 Karma: 2825929 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Fresno Device: Kindle 1; iPad Air; iPhone 7; Kobo Libra; Kindle Oasis 3	Mine's a year old and used every day. No sign of any wear at all. Jim

12-07-2008, 02:20 AM	#11
tcv Addict Posts: 330 Karma: 596 Join Date: Oct 2006	Uh.. what the heck is that picture??

12-07-2008, 11:07 AM	#12
KlondikeGeoff Wombat Aficionado Posts: 481 Karma: 733 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Arizona Device: Fire, Kindle1, Sony PRS-500 Reader, Rocket 1100 eBook	chrissy, I have had mine since last Dec and read a lot every day. Entire device looks like new. Luckly, the original cases were leather before they switched to plastic, so my cover gets smoother and more flexible all the time. There are a lot of other good cases available you might consider. But before that, as you are still under the warranty, give the support guys a call about this. I'll bet at the very least they will give you a new cover, and perhaps replace the Kindle too.

12-07-2008, 04:31 PM	#15
DixieGal Hi There! Posts: 7,473 Karma: 2930523 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ft Lauderdale Device: iPad	Well, I fit it into the main section. It is too small for a purse but was OK for the reader. What got me thinking was that I ordered a matching laptop case this morning, seeing as how I can't use my device anynmore. Eye seems be doing well.