Paperwhite Second Gen: First Impressions

[fearindex]

Originally Posted by sirmaru

All these technical tests are great but the only test I run is: how does it feel to read on a PW 2013. It feels great to ME and I'd rather waste my time reading eBooks than doing a close examination of the device. It reads better than the PW 2012 but that device is good for reading as well.

It appears there is a large segment of the posters here who enjoy analyzing every millimeter of the device. That is fine with me but we all have different tastes of what we enjoy.

Some folks enjoy jacking their cars up every weekend and running all kinds of tests with expensive equipment. I just enjoy riding in the car.

Obviously that is the most important test - and I'm sure everyone of us does that by themselves when the computer is closed and the lights are down (or up, as the preference may be).

I do have to wonder what your point is, though. I sense almost a mocking tone in your messages when people use great time, care, effort and even expensive equipment (as you said) to provide detailed information to the community here. Unless you are Amazon PR - which I don't think you are - I don't see why you wouldn't see that effort as a service to the community, instead of something to, it seems, almost dislike.

This is valuable information for those who need it and the volunteers providing it are to be commended, in my opinion. And of course, if you think their information is suspect, the great thing is you can provide your own to contribute further to the shared knowledge. Most people who volunteer information actually usually like to be countered with further data to consider. I for one see value in the detailed analysis and reviews. The information value of "I liked it", "I didn't like it" kind of posts would become very low, very fast.

Besides, people analyze PW2 because with the PW1 history they have a reason to. Again, maybe I could see why Amazon PR would prefer people not analyzing, but I don't see why anyone else would see that as nothing but a favor. Well, that's just my opinion anyway.

[sirmaru]

Originally Posted by fearindex

Obviously that is the most important test - and I'm sure everyone of us does that by themselves when the computer is closed and the lights are down (or up, as the preference may be).

I do have to wonder what your point is, though. I sense almost a mocking tone in your messages when people use great time, care, effort and even expensive equipment (as you said) to provide detailed information to the community here. Unless you are Amazon PR - which I don't think you are - I don't see why you wouldn't see that effort as a service to the community, instead of something to, it seems, almost dislike.

This is valuable information for those who need it and the volunteers providing it are to be commended, in my opinion. And of course, if you think their information is suspect, the great thing is you can provide your own to contribute further to the shared knowledge. Most people who volunteer information actually usually like to be countered with further data to consider. I for one see value in the detailed analysis and reviews. The information value of "I liked it", "I didn't like it" kind of posts would become very low, very fast.

Besides, people analyze PW2 because with the PW1 history they have a reason to. Again, maybe I could see why Amazon PR would prefer people not analyzing, but I don't see why anyone else would see that as nothing but a favor. Well, that's just my opinion anyway.

I don't begrudge anyone their fun. They can even take off the back and explore the wiring and processors if they want. Once they buy it, they can enjoy the device any way they want.

The new iPads will be released on Oct 22. I wonder if the iPad part of this forum will fill with defect discoverers as well.

I am eagerly awaiting my new Kindle HDX 7' 32 Gb unit on Oct 18. I'm sure the nitpickers will be flooding into that thread with all the defects there as well.

By the way, you and others keep asking if I work for Amazon. I do NOT. I've been retired for decades. However, I like to enjoy all my consumer products whether they be Dell, HP, Sony, ATT, etc. without undue looking for problems. I like to enjoy the product FUNCTIONS and not waste my time looking for defects everywhere.

I buy eReaders ONLY to read eBooks.

Just remember, those who look for trouble, WILL FIND IT.

[fearindex]

Originally Posted by sirmaru

I don't begrudge anyone their fun. They can even take off the back and explore the wiring and processors if they want. Once they buy it, they can enjoy the device any way they want.

The new iPads will be released on Oct 22. I wonder if the iPad part of this forum will fill with defect discoverers as well.

I am eagerly awaiting my new Kindle HDX 7' 32 Gb unit on Oct 18. I'm sure the nitpickers will be flooding into that thread with all the defects there as well.

By the way, you and others keep asking if I work for Amazon. I do NOT. I've been retired for generations. However, I like to enjoy all my consumer products whether they be Dell, HP, Sony, ATT, etc. without undue looking for problems. I like to enjoy the product FUNCTIONS and not waste my time looking for defects everywhere.

I buy eReaders ONLY to read eBooks.

Just remember, those who look for trouble, WILL FIND IT.

Usually most enthusiast forums fill in with experiences and, yes, defect reports too once a new product launches. Usually the best forums are very accurate too, over time, and truly helpful for those that find those issues troublesome. You get help with repairs, where to go, what to do, maybe what to DIY to remedy it, etc.

We all buy Kindles to read on them. What you have to understand is, some actually find product issues detrimental to that reading experience and that is why they are discussing them.

Just to clarify, I didn't ask if you work for Amazon, I specifically said I don't think you do. All I said was that I think your comments would make sense to me coming from Amazon PR, but other than that I do have a seriously hard time understanding why you post such things. I mean people are contributing information here and you basically keep posting that you don't like to post information. I mean, your personal preference of course is just fine, but it almost feels like you'd rather others were like you and didn't post analysis but simply kept reading on their Kindles. This would be a very quiet forum in that case.

As you can see, people are not only analyzing what is wrong, but also what is right. That is what product reviews do. People aren't looking for trouble in PW1/PW2, they are trying to understand what the product does and does not, is and is not. Once they have that shared understanding, they can understand for example what to expect of product exchanges and what is simply not likely to happen. This will also help to settle in with a unit - once you know what is normal, you can more easily deal with something you might otherwise consider a defect.

This is why we need the grassroots information that only enthusiasts and hobbyists can provide. The manufacturers don't want to, commercial product reviewers don't have the time or the space for it. That kind of information is good of course, but these kinds of forums fill the void that is left - that extra bit of information and peer-support that can really make a difference when you have some trouble beyond what the guy at Best Buy or a glossy magazine can help you with.

I mean, I completely get it why not all have the time or the interest for the detailed work that posting and analyzing these things takes, but why anyone would find it annoying - as you seem to - is beyond me.

I think it is a great volunteer service for the community. The purpose isn't to distract from anyone's product experience, but to provide information those who find it relevant. If you do enjoy your product, that of course is useful insight for those that can relate to what you are saying.

I hope you are not seriously advocating a "bury your head in the sand" to avoid trouble approach.

[xendula]

Originally Posted by Yolina

Mine's here and... and.... I got a good one *squeeeeeeee*

No colour blotches; no pinholes that I can see; no light leak; more even lighting; contrast is fine; and the screen is a more pleasing, more natural white than on my PW1 (a touch creamier but without too much yellow)

After all the disappointment and hassle with the PW1, I extremely pleased and relieved to have a good PW2

So glad you got a great device, Yolina!

[Yolina]

It's just so darn nice to read on that screen. I need to tidy up the PW1 to get it ready for ebay!

[xendula]

Thanks for your review, Jack, and so glad you have such a great device. I now wonder if I should try one last time and get one from BB.

[sparklemotion]

Originally Posted by xendula

Thanks for your review, Jack, and so glad you have such a great device. I now wonder if I should try one last time and get one from BB.

I'm considering trying one more at BB too.

[fearindex]

Great to see the information also bringing hope to people, not just despair.

Originally Posted by xendula

Thanks for your review, Jack, and so glad you have such a great device. I now wonder if I should try one last time and get one from BB.

Thanks xendula! The only two issues with it are the thin fonts and the dark screen in the middle. The fonts are not just a PW2 issue though, all Kindles and Kindle apps have thin fonts. I loaded an eBook I modified to turn all the text bold and font-wise it looks pretty good on the PW2. But that is a kludge way to do things. As you can see from the photo I posted in my review, the screen looks a bit dirty in the middle, or actually all over except for a narrow band around the perimeter. The best way I can describe it is to say it reminds me of a cheap paperback after you touch the page with your thumb and then you see the ink lightly smeared about making the page look dirty at that place. The issue with my PW2 is that most of the screen looks that way. Time will tell if I can read like that without eyestrain. So far so good. But the PW2 still has room for plenty of improvements related to the light, IMHO.

EDIT: BTW, the photo in my review was using normal text weight (not bolded). I think I had it set to Caecilia Condensed.

Originally Posted by sparklemotion

I'm considering trying one more at BB too.

I think you should. I know it is a pain to return or exchange BB items, but it just might get you a good one. Too bad you cannot see them turned on before buying.

[Yolina]

Originally Posted by xendula

I now wonder if I should try one last time and get one from BB.

Originally Posted by sparklemotion

I'm considering trying one more at BB too.

Uh-oh

[sparklemotion]

Originally Posted by Yolina

Uh-oh

I know. I blame it on you and Jack getting good ones!

Originally Posted by jswinden

I think you should. I know it is a pain to return or exchange BB items, but it just might get you a good one. Too bad you cannot see them turned on before buying.

I wish I could!

[Bookworm_Girl]

Originally Posted by jswinden

Okay, this is a very preliminary review as I just unboxed and set up my Paperwhite 2013 (PW2).
I attached a photo (see below) that very accurately portrays my PW2 the way I see it. The photo was taken with a Canon Powershot G1X in RAW format and post-processed in Adobe Photoshop CS6. When I place the actual PW2 next to this photo displayed on my computer monitor, they look virtually identical. So this is what I consider a highly accurate photo.
Screen Tint Light OFF: My PW2 screen tint when the light is at the lowest setting looks like most of the Pearl eInk screens I've seen. It is a bit dull with a light grey tint and perhaps just a hint of cream color. That is, it looks good. (Note: The light is not actually off but it is set to the lowest level possible.)
Screen Tint Light ON: My PW2 screen tint when the light is at the optimum setting for reading has a very slight blue tint. It does not have any blobs or pink tinting. This is definitely a slight blue tint rather than the yellow tint some have on their PW2s. So far it looks good. (Note: I set my light level to 16 in my lit room where I read, use the computer, watch TV. The room is not very brightly lit, but it is lit. Level 16 seems to be the optimum setting for this lit room.)
No color blobs or shadowy blobs! My first PW ever to not have these. One of the demo models at Best Buy had horrible color and shadowy blobs, so I lucked out big time.
No noticeable pinholes or dust while reading. When the screen goes black during a reboot, I have a cluster of possible pinholes, or more than likely just dust particles, that appear apprx. near the beginning of the 5th line of text in the attached photo. I only saw them when there was a black screen in that area. They do not shine at me with text on the screen. The cluster was about the size of a lowercase letter i seen in the photo, but of course is not visible itself in the photo. So thus far the cluster does not appear to be problematic. I'll examinine and clean the screen later and perhaps it will go away then.
Text: The text does seem to be much darker than it was on any of the three PW1s I had. The text is still too thin, but that is a software issue with all Kindles. I think the text looks darker with the light OFF than ON. The brighter the light, the lighter the text looks, in general. The contrast level is still to low for my tastes though.
Light: The light is much better than on the three PW1s I had. The light falls a bit more uniformly across the entire screen than on PW1s, and there are no blobs or headlight shadows. However, there is light leakage around the edges of the screen. As someone else noted in a post, there is a faint, blue, horizontal line of light across the very top of the screen. You can see this in the photo. It doesn't bother me though. There is a 1/2 inch tall vertical light leakage line at the bottom-right side. Again this doesn't bother me as it is mostly noticeable when a black background is present. Over all, the screen looks lighter around the edges and a bit dark in the middle. By middle of the screen I mean the entire screen minus a perimeter band about 1/4" to 1/2" wide all the way around. So the text still seems to be in a shadow of sorts. I won't know how I feel about this until I read on it for an extended period of time. But it is kind of dark in the middle for my tastes.
Screen refresh and touch speed: I don't notice the extra zippiness Amazon claims. My PW2 is not indexing anymore as I only downloaded one book and it already indexed it. But if anything it seems less zippy than my Touch when I select a word to define or select text.
Preliminary Thoughts: While the PW2 seems much better in many ways than the PW1, I'm not sure yet whether I will keep it. To determine that I must read on it for quite a while to see how my eyes are affected. I'll get back to you on that decision in a day or so.

Your photo looks very much like mine. So far the light bleed in the lower right corner isn't bothering me too much. Better than pinholes, I think. Still find it annoying though.

[Katsunami]

Originally Posted by jswinden

Thanks xendula! The only two issues with it are the thin fonts and the dark screen in the middle. The fonts are not just a PW2 issue though, all Kindles and Kindle apps have thin fonts...

Are even Caecilia, Caecilia Condensed and Verdana too thin for you? Futura is actually quite fat as well, but not very readable.

I completely concur with Baskerville and Palatino being too thin to read on an e-ink screen. They look very nice, but for people with less than stellar eye-sight, they may be hard to read if not set very large.

I myself have resorted to just embedding my preferred font into the AZW3 file. That's easy, as I convert everything from EPUB, and don't use the AZW3 for anything except for reading on the Kindle.

[tlaine]

I received my new PW2 today, I'm impressed with it. Fortunately, no defects either.