|
![]() |
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
![]() |
#1 |
Enthusiast
![]() Posts: 25
Karma: 10
Join Date: Jan 2025
Device: Paperwhite 4 & 5
|
Is Kindle PPW 12th gen safe to buy for sideloading (working book covers etc, etc)
In near future I plan to upgrade my paperwhite 10th gen and Im thinking about new ppw, 12th gen, but Im open for other recommendations too. However I would like to ask about few things which worries me.
Does new PPW 12th gen works fine for sideloading (with Calibre)? And does book covers works fine? (in library and as screensaver, sleepmode). And if yes, then how to do it correctly. Does it work with mobi? azw3? kfx? I don't mind using this device without wifi if its required. Im totally used to doing it this way, since Amazon store was never available in my country. So Im used to buying ebooks from local bookstores. Ofc some of you may ask, if I don't plan to use Amazon features and their store is not available in my country, then why Kindle? Till now I had always good experiences with their hardwares (all of them works till now, even after 7/10 years). With good battery life. Software was always stable enough (even with some questionable quality formatted ebooks, with css errors etc, etc). If 12th gen turns out to be problematic, Im considering 11th gen paperwhite too. Or totally different brands, but Im not very familiar with other systems tbh. However why not, but there's list of important features for me: 7" screen or at least 6"8, good for sidealoding, book covers, long battery life, Not faulty hardware/software, high probability that the device will work well for at least for next 7/10 years. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#2 |
Resident Curmudgeon
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 77,954
Karma: 142032074
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts
Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3
|
The side loaded covers will not work because access to the system directory is not allowed. Also, if sll you have in your account is a 2024 Kindle, you won't have access to Download & Transfer via USB.
|
![]() |
![]() |
Advert | |
|
![]() |
#3 |
Grand Sorcerer
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 12,477
Karma: 235427862
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Estonia
Device: Kobo Sage & Libra 2
|
They said they don't buy Amazon books. But yes, covers are problematic, from what I've heard. So a 11th gen PW would be better.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#4 |
Enthusiast
![]() Posts: 25
Karma: 10
Join Date: Jan 2025
Device: Paperwhite 4 & 5
|
I'll probably buy 11th gen then.
However Im thinking about Kobo too (I like its UI), but Im little afraid, cause I heard Kobo tends to have issues (high battery drain, software problems because of css errors, etc, etc) :/ Btw, is it possible that Amazon will enable mtp connection for older Kindles? Like 11th, or even 10th? With just software update |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#5 |
Grand Sorcerer
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 12,477
Karma: 235427862
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Estonia
Device: Kobo Sage & Libra 2
|
No one here knows what Amazon may or may not do. But I don't think it likely that they'll enable MTP via a software update. They didn't with the Scribe - they just released a new Scribe with MTP.
As to Kobo, yes, they're a bit more capricious than Kindles, but also much more customizable. I haven't encountered high battery drain with any of my Kobos, but I've encountered a few freezings, restarts and other bugs. For me using a Kobo instead of a Kindle (I used Kindles for many years before switching to Kobo) is worth it; YMMV. There is currently no 7" black and white Kobo model, though. There is the 8" Sage, but it has lousy battery life. The 7" Libra 2 was discontinued and replaced with the Libra Colour. Personally I'm not a fan of color eink (the tech just isn't good enough yet, IMO), but again, opinions differ. Last edited by Sirtel; 01-28-2025 at 11:32 PM. |
![]() |
![]() |
Advert | |
|
![]() |
#6 |
Bibliophagist
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 42,618
Karma: 163285328
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Vancouver
Device: Kobo Sage, Libra Colour, Lenovo M8 FHD, Paperwhite 4, Tolino epos
|
As for the battery life on Kobos? The only Kobo that has shown relatively short battery life is the Kobo Sage. Perhaps having the smallest battery (1,200mAH) of Kobo's ereaders—by comparison, the Kobo Libra Colour has a 2,050mAH battery—and largest screen along with a CPU that is noted for poor power management has something to do with that.
OTOH, I get ~16 hours of reading on my Sage and courtesy of it's USB C port and small battery, the charge time is less than an hour. Much like the older Kindle Oasis which needed a power cover for decent reading life, the Sage has an optional battery cover but for most people the weight made it a non-starter. I went with a 10,000mAH power bank which allows me to charge my Sage multiple times and was quite a bit cheaper than the Kobo power cover not to mention it allows me to charge my other devices if needed. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#7 |
Reading till the spring
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 13,045
Karma: 97000289
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Ireland
Device: All 4 Kinds: epub eink, Kindle, android eink, NxtPaper
|
I think I get about 20+ hours on a Sage. No front light, Wifi or BT. Maybe more. I don't find it more onerous in lack of run time than Libra, Libra 2 or Paperwhite 3. Typically 40 minutes charge and I have a 3m USB cable.
Kobo & manage metadata via Calibre is far far better than Kindle. As I have several models of both I have experience and would not buy another Kindle. I've not seen CSS or other ebook issues on Kobo. Kindle is fussier. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#8 |
Resident Curmudgeon
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 77,954
Karma: 142032074
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts
Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3
|
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#9 | |
Resident Curmudgeon
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 77,954
Karma: 142032074
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts
Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3
|
Quote:
|
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#10 |
o saeclum infacetum
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 20,990
Karma: 230227289
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: New England
Device: H2O, Aura One, PW5
|
Except that the Kindle store isn't available in their country!
You need to take posters at their word and not address every infinitely remote possibility in an unforeseeable future, especially when it contradicts what the poster has said in so many words. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#11 |
Resident Curmudgeon
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 77,954
Karma: 142032074
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts
Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3
|
I have two Amazon accounts. One in the US and the other in the UK. I can get books from either.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#12 |
Grand Sorcerer
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 12,477
Karma: 235427862
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Estonia
Device: Kobo Sage & Libra 2
|
Yes, and I cannot buy from anywhere else than Amazon US. I can't buy from Amazon UK, Amazon.de, Amazon.fr or any other Amazon store. And there are countries where Amazon doesn't sell at all, period.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#13 |
Grand Sorcerer
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 12,477
Karma: 235427862
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Estonia
Device: Kobo Sage & Libra 2
|
The OP probably knows that. It's possible used/refurbished PW5 devices are sold in their country. That they're expensive in the US doesn't mean they're expensive everywhere.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#14 |
Grand Sorcerer
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 12,477
Karma: 235427862
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Estonia
Device: Kobo Sage & Libra 2
|
And I get barely half of it, because I use the frontlight, although on low levels. Not everyone wants to use their ereader with the light off all the time.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#15 | |
Junior Member
![]() Posts: 3
Karma: 10
Join Date: Jan 2025
Location: US
Device: Multiple
|
Quote:
I bought one in December for the same reasons you are considering it. And, I keep it offline and use it for sideloading because of the same concerns about MTP. |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
|
![]() |
||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Problem with Kindle Paperwhite 12th gen - a dealbreaker | richorlin | Amazon Kindle | 40 | 12-26-2024 08:02 PM |
Kindle 8HD 12th Gen Connectivity issues | dougaldan | Kindle Fire | 2 | 02-17-2023 12:09 PM |
Kindle Fire Tablet HD 8 Plus 12th Gen Failing to Communicate | oldronin | Devices | 12 | 02-11-2023 12:24 AM |
Kindle Fire Tablet HD 8 Plus 12th Gen | dougaldan | Devices | 5 | 02-09-2023 10:30 PM |
Kindle Fire Tablet HD 8 Plus 12th Gen Failing to Communicate | oldronin | Kindle Fire | 2 | 01-15-2023 03:26 PM |