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I’m not normally a product reviewer but in this case I just had to share with you guys. I recently was given a Kindle Paperwhite and to be completely honest, I had no clue what to expect. Sure, I’d looked at some reviews online and I’d asked other bloggers but I didn’t know how I’d feel about it until I actually got my own. I’m a huge fan of paper books and transitioning to ebooks has been hard for me. I still prefer paper books (and I always will) but reading ebooks has almost become necessary for bloggers. I figured if I’m going to read them, might as well get a good ereader.
The Paperwhite far exceeded my expectations. I expected to not mind reading on but in fact, I love reading on it. I can certainly see why ereaders are becoming more popular and definitely why people recommend Kindles.
First off, the big draw of a backlit screen wasn’t something that I initially cared about. It was actually something I was worried about. Reading on a computer screen really bothers my eyes and I was worried that having a backlit screen would be the same way. That’s definitely not the case at all. The screen still has no glare, the ink is the same as any other Kindle, the resolution is actually better, and the light makes it quite a bit easier to see. Also, I don’t travel much but I have recently and I must say that the built in light has really helped. It’s so nice to be able to read in a dark car since I always forget a book light.
Another thing that helps with travel is the size. The Kindle Paperwhite is so small. It’s got a good size screen though so don’t worry about not being able to read it. I just love that I can throw it in my purse and not have to worry about space. It’s also small enough that I can hold it with one hand which I really like. However, with small size does come some fragility so definitely get a case for it. I’ve already got one on mine and I feel a lot more confident now that I’m not going to break it.
One thing I had to get used to about this Kindle though was the touch screen. I’ve always had a Kindle with keypad and it has the buttons to turn the pages. When I first got my Paperwhite I was a little lost. I kept trying to turn the pages with the buttons that weren’t there. If you’re transitioning from a traditional ereader to this one, just keep that in mind. Other than that I truly adore the touch screen. It’s super easy to turn the pages (you can either swipe the page or tap the screen) and I actually find it easier to navigate than my older Kindle.
I also want to mention that I got the Kindle with ads and I was a little nervous about that. I know the one without ads isn’t much more expensive but I didn’t feel that the extra money would be worth it and I was right. The ads show up on the lock screen of your Kindle which means you only see them when you’re not actually reading. I have no problem at all with this. I admit that I thought the ads would pop up in the middle of my book.
Oh and fun little feature: not only does the Paperwhite tell you what percentage of the book you’ve read, it also tells you how much time it should take you to read the book. It bases this number on the rate of your page turns and it’s a really neat little feature.
Truly the only complaint I have with the Kindle Paperwhite has to do with the backlight. Because of the addition of the backlight there is a slight blue tint around the edges of the pages. It’s faint, but noticeable. No matter how bright or how dim the screen, these hints of blue still show up around the edges. It’s a bit annoying but nothing that really makes me dislike my Kindle.
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Overall, I highly recommend the Kindle Paperwhite if you’re hoping to transition from an older ereader or get your first! It has so many wonderful little features and I look forward to reading books on mine a lot in the future!
This makes me happy! I got my paperwhite recently [as well as a case, THANK YOU EBAY $11!] and i LOVE it. Its so much easier to read on than my Nook Glowlight was. Glad you’re loving it, Katie!
I totally agree that ereaders have become somewhat necessary for bloggers! I hated having to read book on my computer, but then I was given just the regular kindle, which I absolutely LOVE, almost two years ago, and have just felt so much better!
Glad you like and enjoy it!!!
PS: I only use my kindle either for books $2.99 or under, or reviews copies, otherwise I still my buy my favorites! 🙂
I have a Kindle Paperwhite too – my parents got me one for Christmas because I had the first model of the Kindle and it was getting a little dinky, and I wasn’t sure if I would like this as much and I definitely loved it more than my old Kindle! I love the feature that tells you how much longer you have till the end of the book and it’s so portable and light, I can really take it anywhere.
And I have to add that it’s more durable than you would think, I don’t have a case for mine and I just toss it in my bag and it gets thrown around in there, and there isn’t a single discernable scratch on it! I truly love and recommend the Paperwhite too to everyone, even if you think an eReader isn’t for you, this has converted a few of my friends.
Wow, thanks for the review. I have an older version of Kindle and was thinking of upgrading. I will definitely look it up.
Thanks fot this review. I am going to buy my first Kindle and I was wondering if Paperwhite is really a good choice 😉 Now I know it is! 😀
I got a kindle touch, but I have always wanted a paperwhite. But at least I have a kindle…hehe. The only difference between the touch and paperwhite is The kindle touch doesn’t have white paper and the lit up screen.
Good choice
I’m so glad you enjoy your Paperwhite! I got mine for Christmas, and like you, I’m finding the transition from physical to technological. However, since the Paperwhite is so portable and easy-to-read, I figured I could deal 🙂
I’ve had a kindle since they very first introduced them. I tried to convince people to buy one, they all thought I was nuts. Now everyone has one. I’m so happy to see people finding they really do enjoy having a portable and convenient new way to read books. My nephew got a Paperwhite for his 13th birthday, he LOVES it!!! I’m glad you do too!
I got mine about 2 years ago and I can’t imagine living without it. I kind of want the paperwhite just because I want a brighter screen. It’s kind of too small for me though cuz I like my Kindle’s size just perfect lol
Oh gosh, I want a Papwerwhite so bad. I still have a 3rd gen Kindle (Keyboard) and I hate having the attachable booklight for reading at night – the backlight looks so nice! Good to know about the ads, it was something I was curious about. Hope you enjoy your new toy!
I have an older kindle that I like. I generally only use it when I get eARCs, since I also have one of the newer Nooks. But I do prefer the Kindle. I never really put much thought in the backlight option until I tried to read my Kindle in a poorly lit place. I prefer physical books, but ebooks have been growing on me.
I tend to read ebooks on my iPad, which has it’s pluses and minuses. I love that I can do so much with my ipad, but it’s certianly bigger than a kindle, and it’s backlit, which does bother my eyes. That’s great that the paperwhite didn’t bother your eyes at all. I do love that I just need my iPad, though. I don’t need my iPad, and my Kindle, you know.
I have a kindle fire and I HATE reading on it because it’s just another screen. So I was concerned about the paperwhite having a light but Angela said it’s the best on her eyes out of EVERYTHING she’s read on and that was the selling point for me. I like the light for when I travel or read in dark areas, but I don’t want it backlit like the fire. By what I understand this is a different concept for the lighting. I’ve checked them out at Best Buy and have had my fingers crossed that I win one or something. I REALLY want one! I started a book on my fire this morning and I lasted about one chapter before my head started throbbing (I’ve been fighting a headache anyway). I MUCH prefer paper books, but like you said, an ereader is almost a necessity for bloggers these days. I’m glad you love it!
I have a Paperwhite too and I LOVE it! It is so much nicer than any other device I think. It’s not hard on the eyes, it’s light enough to hold one handed while you’re eating, it’s great for in the car or in bed. Overall I think it’s the best device for dedicated reading.
You hit all the points that are necessary. Awesome review for the Paperwhite! I couldn’t agree more.
I recently got a paperwhite too and I love it! I had a kindle touch before but the ability to read in the dark is awesome! I can read in bed without having to get up to turn off the light when I’m done.
Just to clarify, the paperwhite isn’t back lit, which is why it doesn’t have glare. Light is protected *down* onto the screen as opposed to up at your face (back lit).
I think the new Kindles are much better than the previous ones – the screen lighting helps regardless of where you want to read.
This was a great product review.