More Paperwhite questions

OakIris · 02-18-2014, 06:39 PM

It has been a long time since I have been here on MobileRead so forgive me if this topic has been discussed ad nauseum - I did do a search and didn't find anything recent.

I have an older Kindle, the Kindle 3, which still works perfectly; I enjoy reading with it. I am looking into my upgrade options, however - upgraditis strikes again.

The Kindle Paperwhite with WiFi (no ads) is at the top of my list.

Except for the fact that Amazon is no doubt even more intrusive (Cloud control and all, lol) than they were in the days of the Kindle 3, I don't really see any, but are there any serious downsides to going from the Kindle 3 to the newest version of the Paperwhite?

Holly

VictoriaP · 02-18-2014, 06:55 PM

Battery life will *likely* not be what you're used to, due to the onboard light setup. Most of us consider it worth it, but anyone who has used a non lit reader will be able to tell the difference. Amazon suggests you'll get approximate 28 hours of usage (not standby time) with wifi off and light at level 10. For some, level 10 is perfect, others may set it higher or lower. (I personally leave wifi off for the most part, but daytime usage is around level 14-15 in brightness, and therefore my battery doesn't last as long.)

Light readers--an hour or so a day--may go several weeks without charging. Heavy readers may find they have to charge once or twice a week. I generally get 2-4 days per charge, reading several hours a day, which is very short compared to the K2 and Touch I used similarly.

That's really my main issue with the device--but I love mine, and do still recommend it to most people.

OakIris · 02-18-2014, 08:24 PM

Thank you for your response, Victoria.

Having to charge the PW once or twice a week isn't that much of a hardship, though the battery life of the Kindle 3 HAS spoiled me! One of the things that appeals to me about the Paperwhite is that it has its own light, so I don't mind the trade off.

Good to hear from a happy end-user!

Holly

crich70 · 02-19-2014, 03:42 AM

I have a PaperWhite1 and keep my light around 13 with the wifi off except for when I want to add a new book and the battery life is pretty good. Of course any electronic device always seems to lose power faster when you have wifi turned on no matter how well it works otherwise.

Yapyap · 02-19-2014, 04:03 AM

I have a PW1 and generally keep the light level at about 6-8 (I find that anything above 8 in general ambient light indoors starts looking a bit too bluish / obviously lit for my liking). My preferred font size is usually the third one from smallest to largest.

With these settings (and WiFi off unless I'm actively downloading content), I've found I can go about 3-4 average size novels (300-400 pages in print equivalent) with one charging, and I never let the charge go under ~25-30% before recharging.

It's perhaps a little less than my old Kindle 3, but I can't say I've really noticed a difference in practical use. People with a preference with higher light levels may of course find a more noticeable difference in real life use.

OakIris · 02-19-2014, 08:13 AM

Thank you for your responses. I have WiFi off on my Kindle 3 unless I need to download a book from Amazon so that habit will certainly carry over to the Paperwhite.

It would appear that the only "complaint" folks have about the Paperwhite vs Kindle 3 is the reduced battery life between charges. As I said, I can certainly live with that. Sounds as if I have a Paperwhite in my future!

Holly

Katsunami · 02-19-2014, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crich70

I have a PaperWhite1 and keep my light around 13...

Same for me. In the entire year+ that I have the KPW1 now, I never ever saw the 15% battery warning. When I add some new books to the Kindle, I often leave it connected to the computer (which charges it) until I turn the computer off.

I could problably use the Kindle that way without ever needing to plug it into a wall socket. Sometimes I do, when the fancy strikes me; for example, when pulling the phone off the charger and not needing the reader at that point.

soulfuldog · 02-19-2014, 11:31 AM

I went from the Kindle 3 to the PW2, and I'd highly recommend the upgrade. Battery life isn't quite as good as already mentioned (I rarely have my light above 10 and usually it's off or below 4), but the improved screen with the light makes up for that.

Some people have mentioned they feel a little 'looking through a glass window' effect, but it's fairly minimal and even if you notice that effect (plenty don't), I think your eyes soon get used to it. After a month owning my PW, I much prefer reading on it and wouldn't go back to the K3.

As for Amazon being "even more intrusive". I wouldn't say its intrusive, just can be an irritating nag. You'll get warnings to tell you books won't be synced to the cloud collection unless you turn on wi-fi and sync... if stuff like that will really bug you, you can look at jailbreaking to download to the original firmware, or consider using Calibre plugboards to improve the way your book titles are listed on your Kindle and don't even bother with collections.

Katsunami · 02-19-2014, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soulfuldog

...or consider using Calibre plugboards to improve the way your book titles are listed on your Kindle and don't even bother with collections.

Many people put the series before the title of a book, using plugboards, but that often runs the title off the screen. I prefer to put the series in parenthesis behind the author name. Then, when sorting by author, the books are also sorted by series.

Additionally I use Count Pages in Calibre, and use a plugboard to put the number of counted pages in parenthesis behind the title of the book, so I can instantly see how "thick" / long the book will be compared to others.

OakIris · 02-19-2014, 11:50 AM

I have an older copy of Calibre, probably needs some updating - haven't heard of "plugboards" before so I guess i am a bit out of touch! I will look into the program - didn't really like the way the K-3 handled collections either, so Calibre sounds like the way to go.

Holly

Andy_T · 02-20-2014, 04:09 AM

I have the PW2 now (to be precise, I gave it to my wife, but I am now the main user) and it is really a great upgrade.

I had the Kindle Keyboard before, and sent the PW 1 back that I received shortly after it was launched, because the screen was not as sharp as that of the Kindle Keyboard. Same with another Paperwhite 1 that I received about 3 weeks before the PW 2 was released - no improvement in that unit.

The PW 2, however, is everything that I ever wanted ... small, light, bright, and the screen as good as that of the Kindle Keyboard (plus lighted). Also, the touch screen is a nice improvement. I now prefer this one for nighttime reading to my Kindle Fire.

Best regards,
Andy

jbcohen · 02-20-2014, 07:17 AM

I charge all of my rechargables every day before I turn in at night. Which takes a little time becuase there are a few items that I need plug in: my employer provided berry, my ipad 3 and my paper white. However I do that so that none of hte devices run out of charge the next day. My paper white does very well if I charge it at nights.

sheygetz · 02-20-2014, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OakIris

It would appear that the only "complaint" folks have about the Paperwhite ...

Err .. nope.
Actually I haven't ever heard that in earnest.

But if you have more than say 40 or 50 odd books and you have this weird idea--at least one Kindle developers haven't thought of-- that you'd rather have them neatly organized, you should look into the "collections" issue.

There's enough reading matter on that already, so I'll just say, that the Kindle was never good at this stuff, but it just got worse last fall with the arrival of so called "cloud collections". I have about 250 unread items on my PW2, and even though I will experiment with a plugboard remedy, I might still send it back. I would then return ruefully to my refurb Sony T2 which takes its collections from my Calibre tags (Business, Novel, Essay, Poetry, Food, Medicine, etc.). Yes, yes, it has a myriad downsides to Kindle afficionados, I know, but collections are not one of them

If you should only need to have a dozen or so ebooks on your Kindle (and collect print bibles instead, like he who's name may not be mentioned, unless you want half the forum frothing at the mouth [insider joke off]) then, hey, no problem.

Hendrik

OakIris · 02-20-2014, 10:19 AM

I have read of the Cloud Collections problems, but I guess I need to experience it to find out how bad it really is. From what I have read there is just one 'nag' if you aren't on WiFi at the time you add something to a collection, and I gather that you can not sync non-Amazon material to their cloud storage; is there more to it than that? I do have more than a few books on my Kindle 3, and I don't get all of my books from Amazon, either. When books are transferred to the PW when I first register it, will all of the collections I currently have set up on the K3 disappear? If so, not nice......

Holly

dordale · 02-20-2014, 12:37 PM

OakIris--Not sure if books within your current Kindle 3 collections will automatically transfer to your Kindle PW2 or not...I'm sure someone else has the answer to this. But, from what I've read all your collections you've ever created on any Kindles you've had in the past will automatically get loaded on your KPW2...at least this is what happened to people when they upgraded from 5.4.0 firmware to 5.4.2 firmware. Not sure what happens if you purchase/register a new KPW2 with the 5.4.2 firmware already loaded on it, but I suspect all your collections will be loaded on it when first registered/connected to wi-fi.

02-18-2014, 06:39 PM	#1
OakIris Addict Posts: 310 Karma: 18487 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Colorado Device: Kindle 3 WiFi; Kindle Paperwhite	More Paperwhite questions It has been a long time since I have been here on MobileRead so forgive me if this topic has been discussed ad nauseum - I did do a search and didn't find anything recent. I have an older Kindle, the Kindle 3, which still works perfectly; I enjoy reading with it. I am looking into my upgrade options, however - upgraditis strikes again. The Kindle Paperwhite with WiFi (no ads) is at the top of my list. Except for the fact that Amazon is no doubt even more intrusive (Cloud control and all, lol) than they were in the days of the Kindle 3, I don't really see any, but are there any serious downsides to going from the Kindle 3 to the newest version of the Paperwhite? Holly

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Paperwhite new user questions	goldberry	Amazon Kindle	14	01-01-2014 05:51 PM
Paperwhite 5.4.2 update questions	joangolfing	Amazon Kindle	11	11-25-2013 11:28 AM
Paperwhite questions	narkalen	Amazon Kindle	1	09-20-2013 04:15 PM
Lots of questions about the Paperwhite	BeccaPrice	Amazon Kindle	20	01-05-2013 06:09 AM
Troubleshooting Questions on the Kindle paperwhite?	ProDigit	Amazon Kindle	7	01-01-2013 10:29 PM

02-18-2014, 06:55 PM	#2
VictoriaP Addict Posts: 298 Karma: 491576 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: Kindle PW2; Kindle Touch; Kindle 2; iPad Mini; iPad1	Battery life will likely not be what you're used to, due to the onboard light setup. Most of us consider it worth it, but anyone who has used a non lit reader will be able to tell the difference. Amazon suggests you'll get approximate 28 hours of usage (not standby time) with wifi off and light at level 10. For some, level 10 is perfect, others may set it higher or lower. (I personally leave wifi off for the most part, but daytime usage is around level 14-15 in brightness, and therefore my battery doesn't last as long.) Light readers--an hour or so a day--may go several weeks without charging. Heavy readers may find they have to charge once or twice a week. I generally get 2-4 days per charge, reading several hours a day, which is very short compared to the K2 and Touch I used similarly. That's really my main issue with the device--but I love mine, and do still recommend it to most people.

02-18-2014, 08:24 PM	#3
OakIris Addict Posts: 310 Karma: 18487 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Colorado Device: Kindle 3 WiFi; Kindle Paperwhite	Thank you for your response, Victoria. Having to charge the PW once or twice a week isn't that much of a hardship, though the battery life of the Kindle 3 HAS spoiled me! One of the things that appeals to me about the Paperwhite is that it has its own light, so I don't mind the trade off. Good to hear from a happy end-user! Holly

02-19-2014, 03:42 AM	#4
crich70 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,310 Karma: 43993832 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Monroe Wisconsin Device: K3, Kindle Paperwhite, Calibre, and Mobipocket for Pc (netbook)	I have a PaperWhite1 and keep my light around 13 with the wifi off except for when I want to add a new book and the battery life is pretty good. Of course any electronic device always seems to lose power faster when you have wifi turned on no matter how well it works otherwise.

02-19-2014, 04:03 AM	#5
Yapyap Guru Posts: 861 Karma: 3543721 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Estonia Device: Kindle Paperwhite, iPad 3, Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge	I have a PW1 and generally keep the light level at about 6-8 (I find that anything above 8 in general ambient light indoors starts looking a bit too bluish / obviously lit for my liking). My preferred font size is usually the third one from smallest to largest. With these settings (and WiFi off unless I'm actively downloading content), I've found I can go about 3-4 average size novels (300-400 pages in print equivalent) with one charging, and I never let the charge go under ~25-30% before recharging. It's perhaps a little less than my old Kindle 3, but I can't say I've really noticed a difference in practical use. People with a preference with higher light levels may of course find a more noticeable difference in real life use.

02-19-2014, 08:13 AM	#6
OakIris Addict Posts: 310 Karma: 18487 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Colorado Device: Kindle 3 WiFi; Kindle Paperwhite	Thank you for your responses. I have WiFi off on my Kindle 3 unless I need to download a book from Amazon so that habit will certainly carry over to the Paperwhite. It would appear that the only "complaint" folks have about the Paperwhite vs Kindle 3 is the reduced battery life between charges. As I said, I can certainly live with that. Sounds as if I have a Paperwhite in my future! Holly

02-19-2014, 11:31 AM	#8
soulfuldog I ♥ Calibre Posts: 2,073 Karma: 5678911 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis, Voyage, Sony PRS-350, Hudl2	I went from the Kindle 3 to the PW2, and I'd highly recommend the upgrade. Battery life isn't quite as good as already mentioned (I rarely have my light above 10 and usually it's off or below 4), but the improved screen with the light makes up for that. Some people have mentioned they feel a little 'looking through a glass window' effect, but it's fairly minimal and even if you notice that effect (plenty don't), I think your eyes soon get used to it. After a month owning my PW, I much prefer reading on it and wouldn't go back to the K3. As for Amazon being "even more intrusive". I wouldn't say its intrusive, just can be an irritating nag. You'll get warnings to tell you books won't be synced to the cloud collection unless you turn on wi-fi and sync... if stuff like that will really bug you, you can look at jailbreaking to download to the original firmware, or consider using Calibre plugboards to improve the way your book titles are listed on your Kindle and don't even bother with collections.

02-19-2014, 11:50 AM	#10
OakIris Addict Posts: 310 Karma: 18487 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Colorado Device: Kindle 3 WiFi; Kindle Paperwhite	I have an older copy of Calibre, probably needs some updating - haven't heard of "plugboards" before so I guess i am a bit out of touch! I will look into the program - didn't really like the way the K-3 handled collections either, so Calibre sounds like the way to go. Holly

02-20-2014, 04:09 AM	#11
Andy_T Evangelist Posts: 431 Karma: 5121676 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Hannover, Germany Device: iPod touch, iPhone, iPad, Kindle KB, NT, Fire, PW II	I have the PW2 now (to be precise, I gave it to my wife, but I am now the main user) and it is really a great upgrade. I had the Kindle Keyboard before, and sent the PW 1 back that I received shortly after it was launched, because the screen was not as sharp as that of the Kindle Keyboard. Same with another Paperwhite 1 that I received about 3 weeks before the PW 2 was released - no improvement in that unit. The PW 2, however, is everything that I ever wanted ... small, light, bright, and the screen as good as that of the Kindle Keyboard (plus lighted). Also, the touch screen is a nice improvement. I now prefer this one for nighttime reading to my Kindle Fire. Best regards, Andy

02-20-2014, 07:17 AM	#12
jbcohen Wizard Posts: 3,032 Karma: 11196738 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Where am I? Device: Kindle Paperwhite Signature edition and a Samsung S24 Ultra	I charge all of my rechargables every day before I turn in at night. Which takes a little time becuase there are a few items that I need plug in: my employer provided berry, my ipad 3 and my paper white. However I do that so that none of hte devices run out of charge the next day. My paper white does very well if I charge it at nights.

02-20-2014, 10:19 AM	#14
OakIris Addict Posts: 310 Karma: 18487 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Colorado Device: Kindle 3 WiFi; Kindle Paperwhite	I have read of the Cloud Collections problems, but I guess I need to experience it to find out how bad it really is. From what I have read there is just one 'nag' if you aren't on WiFi at the time you add something to a collection, and I gather that you can not sync non-Amazon material to their cloud storage; is there more to it than that? I do have more than a few books on my Kindle 3, and I don't get all of my books from Amazon, either. When books are transferred to the PW when I first register it, will all of the collections I currently have set up on the K3 disappear? If so, not nice...... Holly

Advert

Advert

02-20-2014, 12:37 PM	#15
dordale Wizard Posts: 1,731 Karma: 3472866 Join Date: Apr 2008 Device: Sony PRS-650 & 350; Kindle Voyage; Kobo Aura HD, Aura One, and Forma	OakIris--Not sure if books within your current Kindle 3 collections will automatically transfer to your Kindle PW2 or not...I'm sure someone else has the answer to this. But, from what I've read all your collections you've ever created on any Kindles you've had in the past will automatically get loaded on your KPW2...at least this is what happened to people when they upgraded from 5.4.0 firmware to 5.4.2 firmware. Not sure what happens if you purchase/register a new KPW2 with the 5.4.2 firmware already loaded on it, but I suspect all your collections will be loaded on it when first registered/connected to wi-fi.