Amazon Kindle Paperwhite eReader Review

Introduction

Front

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Back

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In the Box

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The rather nondescript packaging to the {{product.name}} contains your eReader, and a USB cable. Not much to see here.

Handling

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For the most part, eReaders have fallen into about what their ideal form should be, so there are very few if any innovations from year to year with this. Like it is with most other eReaders, its light weight makes it easy to hold for long durations, and there aren't any sharp or prominent edges that will dig into your hand or anything. Overall, very satisfying to use.

Screen

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Here it is, the most-hyped feature of Amazon's new eReader: the screen. A backlit eInk display may not sound like a huge innovation, but it does allow you to read your books at night without a flashlight or other external light source, and that adds a lot to the experience, especially if you're a night reader.

The screen itself is a standard 3.53 x 4.81 inches, with a resolution of 768 x 1024 pixels, which nets it the best pixel density of any eReader at the moment. What does this mean for you? It means that on its own the screen is one of the best out there for an eReader.

Indoor & Outdoor Use

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Unlike tablets with LCD screens, eReaders using eInk displays primarily use a display that uses ambient light to be seen, meaning brighter lighting conditions are ideal. By combining a display that uses ambient light to be seen during the day, and a backlight at night, the {{product.name}} should be able to keep up with your reading habits no matter the lighting condition.

Reading Books

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Reading eBooks on your new {{product.name}} is intensely rewarding, as it feels very much like you're reading from an actual book, and not just a cold, soulless machine. Either tap or swipe to turn pages, and tap the top of the screen to call out a menu for advanced options like font, size, quick jump to a chapter, or get back to the home screen.

As far as advanced options go, you can tweet or facebook passages of books if you so choose (and are connected to the internet). If you choose to set down your eReader and switch to a tablet, you can even pick up where you left off as the Kindle App and device both use a feature called "WhisperSync" that tracks your position on an open book across all devices.

Buying Books

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To buy a new title, the process is very simple: just set up or link your Amazon account to your kindle when prompted, and enter your preferred billing method. Once you've done this, you will gain access to the brobdingnagian content library of Amazon, and browse the incredibly large selection of eBooks. Simply tap to purchase the title you'd like, and your download will begin as soon as your payment method clears.

eBook Formats

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While using a relatively closed system like the Kindle, you're probably not going to need to worry about file formats all that much (you'll be using the proprietary format most likely). However, if you're looking to import your library from another type of device or eBook store, you can convert files to PDF, TXT, or the Kindle format using online tools, or download a program like Calibre to convert your old files. Drag and drop them from your computer to your Kindle, and you're good to go.

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Newspapers & Magazines

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The Amazon Kindle Store also allows you to buy issues of, or subscribe to different periodicals like newspapers and magazines. It works just like the eBook purchases: simply tap to buy or subscribe once you've made your selection. Your titles will not only be downloaded to your Kindle, but available to your account if you use another device.

Device & Specs

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Device & Specs

Earlier this year, Barnes & Noble released their own eReader with a LED edgelighting that worked to eliminate the eReader's inherent shortcoming of not being able to be used in low lighting conditions. While it wasn't the first to do so, it was probably the highest-profile eReader to date that had a lighting system. It's a solid eReader, but the Paperwhite, being newer, has better specs, and the support of the largest online retailer of eBooks.

Screen

Battery

eReader

Internet

Screen

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With identical screen sizes, the Paperwhite's much higher pixel density and better-constructed backlight is a huge improvement over that of the Barnes & Noble eReader. The SimpleTouch with Glow Light really doesn't hold any advantage over the {{product.name}} in this regard.

Battery

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The increased performance of the {{product.name}} comes at a price, as the battery does not last as long as that of the Barnes & Noble eReader. When both last over 24 hours, it's splitting hairs, but the Nook SimpleTouch with Glow Light is technically better in this regard.

eReader

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As eReaders, both are incredibly similar, but if you're looking for content, Amazon is king. Not only do they have the largest selection available to consumers, but they also allow Kindle users to borrow books in eBook format from their lending library online, and through partnerships with local libraries.

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Device & Specs

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Device & Specs

Amazon really loaded the {{product.model}} with a lot of improved specs, and it shows in comparison to the older Kindle Touch. Not only does it have a better resolution, but a better touchscreen, and the ability to be read in lower lighting conditions. All around, a much better eReader, though you'll pay a bit more for the added performance. However, if you like to listen to audiobooks, the older Kindle supports them, where the newer Paperwhite does not.

Screen

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Screen

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The screen of the {{product.model}} is not only improved from a legibility, responsiveness, and resolution standpoint, but the backlight makes the eReader able to be read at any time of day, and in almost any lighting condition. On the other hand, the Kindle Touch cannot, as it has no backlight.

Battery

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While the {{product.name}} does offer some impressive measurables, its battery life is not one of them. Though both eReaders last over 24 hours straight, the backlight to the {{product.model}} on full does cramp its style a bit, quite literally decimating its battery life. For reference, the older Kindle lasts up to 10 days straight.

eReader

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Both are very similar devices as far as eReaders go, but the {{product.name}} offers the capability of reading books at night. For some, this is hugely attractive, especially if you like reading in bed. However, others want the better battery life for long trips, and my elect to go with the older model.

Internet

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Conclusion

Overall, this is a very impressive fielding from Amazon in the eReader department. Not only does the {{product.name}} enjoy all the same content availability and support as the other Kindles, but it is the beneficiary of a sizeable spec bump and a backlight that enables one of the best all-around eReader experiences on the market currently.

The {{product.name}} has its share of issues, but they're relatively minor: namely, its battery only lasts a little over 24 hours on full backlight, and WiFi also puts a drain on battery life. If that's the worst we can complain about, that's not so bad at all, is it?

By adding a higher pixel density screen, the text looks crisp and much like a printed page even under a microscope. The better processor and across-the-board boost in performance eliminates many of the minor annoyances of the early eReaders, and the {{product.name}} does a great job of remaining as hassle-free as one could hope for an eReader.