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Original poster

Kindle Paperwhite vs basic kindle.

40 replies

NicoAndTheNiners · 01/05/2019 19:36

I have a 12 year old keyboard style kindle which they don't make anymore. It's good but i fancy a touchscreen one which has book cover pictures to help you browse your library (mine is all text).

I don't think I will notice the difference in screen resolution between the two and the basic one has the light now so you can read at night. I don't feel I need the waterproofness of the new Paperwhite.

So am leaning towards the basic one. But then some reviews I read moaned about the battery life, saying it's really only a couple of days and nowhere near as good as the old ones like my keyboard one. But then I read similar reviews about the Paperwhite.

I know battery life will depend on use and light, etc but does anyone know is the battery on the basic one much worse than the Paperwhite or not much difference? Because if the Paperwhite battery is much better I might get that one. But if they're both crap I might cling on to my keyboard one.

Must admit I don't use my kindle much, normally use the app on my iPad. But when I go on holiday i use it loads. And sometimes at home in the summer in the garden.

OP posts:
ArtificialArctophile · 01/05/2019 19:37

Watching with interest as thinking of buying a new Kindle myself! I'll be interested to hear what people think 😃

DianaPrincessOfThemyscira · 01/05/2019 19:40

I don’t have either of those (so take this with a pinch of salt!) but I had a kindle keyboard. The charge never seemed to run out!

I replaced it with a Kindle Voyage (which they don’t make anymore - shame as I LOVE it) the reason the battery runs out quicker is because unless in bright sun the light is always on. It’s adaptive light.

Mine lasts with full charge about 2 weeks. I absolutely love it and use it for between 1-2 hours most days and more at the weekend.

(PS I wanted the Voyage because it’s touch screen but also has buttons to turn pages)

Original poster
NicoAndTheNiners · 01/05/2019 19:41

Shame they don't make the Voyage then because I think I would miss the page turning buttons.

OP posts:
Original poster
NicoAndTheNiners · 01/05/2019 19:42

I think with the new kindles you can turn the light off.

OP posts:
Dinnaehinksae · 01/05/2019 19:43

I much prefer the paperwhite, mines lasts ages no problem and I use it constantly. The paperwhite cuts down on glare if reading in the sun which might actually be my favourite feature cause I found both the keyboard and fire could be difficult to see right in the sun.

Flurgle · 01/05/2019 19:44

I have a Paperwhite and I love it. You can adjust the light and it feels very natural.
I can read in the dark and there’s very little glare. Bright sunlight, fine. It’s brill.

WrongKindOfFace · 01/05/2019 19:48

I’d get a paperwhite. The backlit screen is miles better as you can read it in light or dark.

vjg13 · 01/05/2019 19:49

I keep the wifi mode off on my paperwhite and it holds the charge well. Love reading in the dark in bed.

yummyeclair · 01/05/2019 19:53

Ditto vjg13 - kindle paperwhite is worth buying.

britnay · 01/05/2019 19:54

The paperwhite is awesome. You can read in the dark, you can read in bright sunlight. It is very comfortable and holds charge for a few weeks.

SwearyPoppins · 01/05/2019 19:54

I bought a basic one and it turned out I needed the backlight. DH has it now and I bought a voyage, which is lovely. The backlight is a really necessary function imo, so I would always recommend a paperwhite.

Nevth · 01/05/2019 19:54

I love my Paperwhite. Like you, I was thinking about the basic version but I'm not looking back now! The backlit screen is just amazing for reading in bed or in sunlight. Also I keep mine in flight mode all the time unless I'm downloading something, and I can easily go three-four weeks without charging. I'm more of a commute reader so not hours every day, but I find the battery life very good.

Staywithmemyblood · 01/05/2019 19:57

I used to have a keyboard kindle. Now have the Voyage - love it! Chose it over the paperwhite because of the buttons for page turning, but tbh I now use the touch screen for page turning most often. Love the backlight so can keep reading in the dark or in full sun. No problem with battery life. It's my favourite gadget - couldn't do without it Smile

PS - nice username btw! Grin

backinaminute · 01/05/2019 19:58

Op, I'm in exactly the same position - also worried about loosing the page turn buttons and can't work out the difference between the paperlight and basic with a front light......

backinaminute · 01/05/2019 19:59

Paperwhite even

Theworldisfullofgs · 01/05/2019 20:02

Paperwhite is brilliant. As long as you are not constantly connected to the internet the battery lasts really well.

Original poster
NicoAndTheNiners · 01/05/2019 20:05

The new basic one now has the backlight. So I don't think it's very different from the Paperwhite. Main difference seems to be waterproofness of the Paperwhite. So,from a screen point of view I don't think I need the Paperwhite. But if the battery is better I'd get it over the basic.

OP posts:
Smoothyloopy · 01/05/2019 20:05

Paperwhite, worth every penny

Original poster
NicoAndTheNiners · 01/05/2019 20:06

Or does the basic just have a front light? I'm confused.

I've always found the keyboard one ok even in direct sunlight.

OP posts:
Original poster
NicoAndTheNiners · 01/05/2019 20:07

@staywithmemyblood you also have a fab username. Grin

OP posts:
PhannyMcNee · 01/05/2019 20:12

I replaced my keyboard kindle with a paper white in October. I was sceptical but it’s been worth it. Dh replaced his at Christmas and that’s even better as his clip on light used to keep me awake!

user1471514872 · 01/05/2019 20:12

I have the original basic and then replaced with the original paperwhite.
Don't know what the current basic and paperwhite are like but once you have the back-lit you'll never be able to go back to the basic. Makes a world of a difference!

8FencingWire · 01/05/2019 20:16

I love my paperwhite! Get one, OP, it is worth it. Mine isn’t waterproof, but that’s fine by me:)

MouseRatFan · 01/05/2019 20:20

I have a paperwhite at the moment and wouldn't go back.

LifeInAHamsterWheel · 01/05/2019 20:24

100% paperwhite. I couldn't be without mine now.