Kindle Paperwhite vs basic kindle.

[NicoAndTheNiners]

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.

Sounds like everyone loves their Paperwhite. Think I will spend the extra and get it, thanks.

It's invaluable if you want to sit in the sun and read. I just can't my phone or iPad bright enough to read books on when I'm on holiday.
My paperwhite is about 5 years old and the charge holds fine but I got a cover for it which turns it on automatically when you open the cover and the battery life went to shit after that. I don't use the cover anymore because I was having to charge the bloody thing every two days!

Just got a new kindle - tossed up between a paperwhite and an 'all new'. Settled on the all new and it's brilliant, only differences between the two are 4 lights instead of 5, 4GB of storage instead of 8GB, wifi only instead of wifi/cellular and non waterproof instead of waterproof, 167dpi instead of 300dpi. The extra money made no sense to me - I love my new one!

I changed ftom a basic keyboard kindle to a paperwhite last year. I love it. The light is great and like previous posters I find it holds charge well if you keep the WiFi off.

@happysonhappymum am I right in thinking the new basic is backlit, just has 4 lights not 5? And less memory....but still more than the keyboard?

My 'all new' is backlit, has four lights not five. The lights are also fully adjustable to the level you need so you can change it from day to night. I had a keyboard then a touch and 4GB is enough for me. Unless you listen to a lot of audiobooks then I would recommend getting the paperwhite for its 8GB. Have a look on youtube there are people there comparing the two current kindles.

You can still get the Voyage by the way, they’re just not making any more which is a shame.

And yes I agree if you turn off the WiFi the charge lasts longer.

I had the first Kindle, a paperwhite and now an Oasis.

The paperwhite is amazing for the money it costs.

My Oasis was a gift, I wouldn't have bought it myself as I don't think it is worth the money.

I always keep mine in airplane mode unless I'm downloading a new book.

This is my issue, I can't quite work out why the paperwhite is so much more expensive than the all new with a back light.......

I've had mine so long that I don't want to buy a rubbish one but I also don't want to spend an extra £60 for no real reason.

Well ive been watching some of the YouTube videos and the only difference I can see if the Paperwhite has more storage and is waterproof. They have the same light but the Paperwhite has 5 bulbs/leds and the basic one has 4. The Paperwhite has better contrast and more dpi so meant to be clearer/sharper but I can't see the difference.

I still can't find any info out about any difference in battery. I suspect the battery on the basic one may actually last longer as it's only powering 4 bulbs, not 5.

Still not ordered but am swayed towards the basic one now as it's quite a price difference. Might wait and see if they have a bank holiday sale.

I also had a kindle keyboard and upgraded to a paperwhite. Love it! I can read in bed whilst DH goes to sleep if he's tired. It's a brilliant invention!

I love my paperwhite but it’s from before the recent update so much more like the new basic model.

I suspect you’ll find that many of the people raving about their paperwhite have an older version.

I had the original keyboard. Now I have a Paperwhite and a voyage. If the 3 I prefer the PW, the light is excellent but the battery life isn’t as good as the old keyboard. It’s fine, but I did get caught out a couple of times until I adjusted to it.

The person who was complaining that the new basic kindle's battery didn't last probably left the wifi and a bright light on.

Amazon's blurb says it lasts for weeks and I think you are correct that the differences are less storage, one fewer light and not waterproof.

I wouldn't worry about any of these unless you are in the habit of reading in the bath. If new basic kindle is probbaly a lot like previous generation paperwhites, which were excellent and the storage will be plenty.

Amazon are very good about returns, so I would buy the cheaper one and return if it you don't like it.

I've just bitten the bullet and ordered the paperwhite. I've faffed about all week and decided that the waterproof feature will be good on holiday and for bath reading.