Paperwhite 3 First Impressions

[cvkemp]

For me I love my PW2, and if I had to replace it today. I would get the PW3 and hope that it is as good as the PW2. I love the lighting, and I do not need the paging buttons of the voyage.

[Eltanin]

I have just got order for replacement PW3.
But in order (in the end of name) is letter "- R", as below.

All-New Kindle Paperwhite, 6" High-Resolution Display (300 ppi) with Built-in Light, Wi-Fi - R

Is that mean, that I will get refurbished device ?

[HarryT]

Replacement devices are generally refurbished units, yes. There's absolutely no difference from a new one. Nothing to worry about.

[Eltanin]

Well, certainly was some reason why somebody return it.
If somebody returned this device because of defect of screen (example glowing dot), they could replace whole screen? I am afraid that maybe they thought "It's not big problem, next customer will not notice it".

[Barty]

Originally Posted by Eltanin

Well, certainly was some reason why somebody return it.
If somebody returned this device because of defect of screen (example glowing dot), they could replace whole screen? I am afraid that maybe they thought "It's not big problem, next customer will not notice it".

Then you just ask for another. Amazon CS is very easy.

[TimW]

Originally Posted by Eltanin

Well, certainly was some reason why somebody return it.
If somebody returned this device because of defect of screen (example glowing dot), they could replace whole screen? I am afraid that maybe they thought "It's not big problem, next customer will not notice it".

If it's returned within 30 days, there may be no reason other than "I changed my mind." Customers could have buyer's regret or simply dislike the eink flash. When Amazon receives a returned Kindle, it's thoroughly checked before being designated a refurb. No physical repairs are done. If a screen(or any other physical part) is found to be defective, the unit will be recycled. Amazon does not repair ereaders.

As an aside, I've only had one eink reader have its screen replaced. I purchased a SquareTrade drop/break warranty for my K2 when I purchased it (June 2010). Later, the screen was broken. To satisfy the warranty, ST had to replace, repair, or refund the purchase price. The first option was impossible, the second option would likely cost them $100 for parts/labor (a bit of a guess), and the third would cost them $259.99 + tax. Obviously, they went with option two.

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by Eltanin

Well, certainly was some reason why somebody return it.
If somebody returned this device because of defect of screen (example glowing dot), they could replace whole screen? I am afraid that maybe they thought "It's not big problem, next customer will not notice it".

Originally Posted by TimW

If it's returned within 30 days, there may be no reason other than "I changed my mind." Customers could have buyer's regret or simply dislike the eink flash. When Amazon receives a returned Kindle, it's thoroughly checked before being designated a refurb. No physical repairs are done. If a screen(or any other physical part) is found to be defective, the unit will be recycled. Amazon does not repair ereaders.

As an aside, I've only had one eink reader have its screen replaced. I purchased a SquareTrade drop/break warranty for my K2 when I purchased it (June 2010). Later, the screen was broken. To satisfy the warranty, ST had to replace, repair, or refund the purchase price. The first option was impossible, the second option would likely cost them $100 for parts/labor (a bit of a guess), and the third would cost them $259.99 + tax. Obviously, they went with option two.

Once the box is opened, it cannot be sold as new -- but many barely-opened devices are returned, for various reasons. When the device works perfectly it becomes a replacement unit.

[booklover6]

Originally Posted by Eltanin

Well, certainly was some reason why somebody return it.
If somebody returned this device because of defect of screen (example glowing dot), they could replace whole screen? I am afraid that maybe they thought "It's not big problem, next customer will not notice it".

I just had my Voyage replaced. They sent me a refurb in a brown box. The device is perfect. I sent the old one back in their brown box. The thing that annoyed me most about the transaction was the brown box LOL. I keep my boxes! So I have my nice black original box tucked safely away.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Replacement devices are generally refurbished units, yes. There's absolutely no difference from a new one. Nothing to worry about.

I prefer refurbished. I consider them "tested in the real world".

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Eltanin

Well, certainly was some reason why somebody return it.
If somebody returned this device because of defect of screen (example glowing dot), they could replace whole screen? I am afraid that maybe they thought "It's not big problem, next customer will not notice it".

I bought a PW2 and returned it within 30 days because the PW3 came out. The PW2 was fine. I might have one of those horrible screens with the technicolor problem but they look fine to me. Or, someone might buy a Voyage planning to play games and surf the net so they return it.

Assuming there was a defect isn't smart. That aside, assume there was a defect that was found and repaired. So what? And, I have never bought myself a new car. I prefer someone else work out the bugs and pay the first year's depreciation. I did have to buy brand-new cars for two wives but I never got to drive them anyway.

[jbcohen]

Originally Posted by patrickt

I bought a PW2 and returned it within 30 days because the PW3 came out. The PW2 was fine. I might have one of those horrible screens with the technicolor problem but they look fine to me. Or, someone might buy a Voyage planning to play games and surf the net so they return it.

Assuming there was a defect isn't smart. That aside, assume there was a defect that was found and repaired. So what? And, I have never bought myself a new car. I prefer someone else work out the bugs and pay the first year's depreciation. I did have to buy brand-new cars for two wives but I never got to drive them anyway.

Preferring someone else to work the bugs out before you buy in typically works the best when you are dealing with Microsoft Corp, who has a nasty habit of doing just that. I would dare say that Amazon seems to get the bus out before making the product available to the general public.

[Admiral Freebee]

My Kindle Keyboard recently died so I'm in the market for a new e-reader. As I was very satisfied with my Kindle and my wife with hers I was looking at the PW3. However, I couldn't find if the frontlight can be switched completely off or not. I read a lot of complaints about the PW1 with regards to the frontlight.

Can anyone confirm if you can switch off the frontlight on the PW3?

[JSWolf]

There is now a new firmware for the PW3 that has the promised typesetting features.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Admiral Freebee

My Kindle Keyboard recently died so I'm in the market for a new e-reader. As I was very satisfied with my Kindle and my wife with hers I was looking at the PW3. However, I couldn't find if the frontlight can be switched completely off or not. I read a lot of complaints about the PW1 with regards to the frontlight.

Can anyone confirm if you can switch off the frontlight on the PW3?

You cannot switch it off, but on its lowest setting it is the faintest of glimmers in a very dark room.

[rashkae]

There's a new firmware update, which I'm very certain fixed something with the screen driver. The headache inducing fuzziness I was getting when trying to read with Bookerly is gone. (It's quite pleasant now, actually,) (Font rendering in screenshot images is completely unchanged, so without 2 paperwhites to compare side by side under a microscope, I can't really define what changed.)

Edit: Just psyching myself out I think. I few hours of reading seems to have cured me of it. I don't think the firmware offers any improvements to screen rendering.