Kindle E-reader owners - will I regret upgrading?

[Hyperfix8d]

Hello fellow readers - I have a very old Kindle (2011 model) which I love but only really use on holiday as I never find time to read at home. It still works great but I have been considering upgrading to one with a backlight and waterproof for by the pool.

My concern with the newer models though is that they are touchscreen - is this really annoying? Mine still has the buttons at the side to flick pages and it means I can hold it any way (like thumb on the screen) and not turn the pages by accident. I just don't want to chuck £100+ at something when I prefer my old one..

Sorry, first world problems I know!

I guess... you will adapt?

The background light is nice and that's one of the main things I like about Kindle (I wasn't aware the old version didn't have it).

Accident touches on screen do happen. But it's hard to ask for things to be perfect and we get used to new ways anyway.

One thing I don't like is the size. I would prefer it to be same as the size of a book. Don't know why, just my feeling.

@Rekka have you tried reading it landscape rather than portrait? Sounds ridiculous but I found myself moving my eyes too often .... I now read landscape (I appear to be literally the only person I ever see doing this) and I find it much more like reading a book.

@Hyperfix8d I thought I'd regret it but haven't looked back. My original one died on holiday when I accidentally left it in the direct sun for a couple of hours. Love my new one.

I love my new one, had it about a year now after having an antiquated one for donkeys. Really glad I upgraded and you quickly get used to it.

It will be the best thing you ever do.

I had the same reservations but upgraded and I’m really pleased. The backlight is so useful. I was a bit concerned about the touchscreen, especially as I’m left handed and was concerned about having to ‘reach’ over the screen to turn forward. But actually I’ve got used to it really quickly and I couldn’t really tell you how often I accidentally flip the page, so it’s not a frequent occurrence!

I have a Paperwhite one, it's not the latest one. It has a touch screen and some physical buttons. It's not a touch screen in the sense of being a backlit screen like a phone, the touch function is really only for things like highlighting text. It's fine though feels a bit clunky and slow to use compared to a smartphone. I tend to use the physical button on the side to turn pages.

For me the important feature in a Kindle is it having the e-ink screen. If I am looking at things on a backlit screen then I would rather just use my phone or a tablet.

Had the old version like you for ages. Now have a paperwhite . Love it.. it's just like a bigger smart phone really but easier.
Very very easy. I have sometimes touched twice n skipped a page ..so just touched back.
I love it that it's lighter and easier to old. I do have a flip cover on it..
Also l don't need any reading lamp on.
It's a game changer.
I'm an avid reader... that is every night and more so on holidays.

I have a touchscreen Kindle and I really miss my old school keyboard, non-touchscreen Kindle!

I dislike the touchscreen and find it tricky to hold it comfortably without accidentally turning pages. It's quite slow and sluggish when you are typing, and the battery life is not as good as the old one.

I have a waterproof pouch that I use when I read in the bath, but I think that the waterproofing is the only benefit of the newer devices.

I have the paperwhite signature and an oasis. Seriously considering buying another oasis just incase.
the paperwhite is lovely - but the buttons on the oasis just mean the screen is kept clear and more like a new book feel. (iykyk)

@Realist2022 I didn't know you can do that. 😂 That probably explains my dislike of the small size. Will give it a try!

Is the oasis really worth the money? I loved my ancient Kindle with the buttons but couldn’t get on with the touch screen on the new one I got when it finally died so stopped using it. My teenagers use it now. I did love the screenlight though.

I really want an oasis but they are pricy (and don’t work with Libby - I read a lot from the library) but if the buttons work and the turning isn’t annoying when you swap hands I could be tempted

Sorry, that was aimed at @Alphabet1spaghetti2

I love my 2012 kindle dearly, the thumb touch page turn is perfect, feels more robust than my teens new kindle too. I have read a few books on the new one but just can't gel with it. Will stick with my 2012 until the poor thing dies!

I had an old one with a keyboard, then a voyage, now a paper white. I've loved them all but the backlit ones are a real game-changer. You won't regret it

@Polkadottablecloth i think they are worth it. Although mine was purchased second hand from eBay.
Maybe I should add that we are a kindle household - we have three so far between two of us and considering another oasis.

my oasis has a backlight so can be read at night without disturbing Dh. Has the buttons so the screen is kept clean. Easily swaps between hands. I don’t have it in a case but have a screen protector - I adore its lightness and thin profile as it doesn’t make my hands ache and the balance in my hand is more booklike. I find the paperwhite a bit too heavy/wrong shape for a book experience. The oasis screen also seems much bigger and feels more like two pages worth of a real book, but that is very much subjective!!
However. I much prefer taking the paperwhite out in my bag in a case as it feels much more robust.
Both are easy to read outside in sunlight.

currys used to have display models, might be worth popping in and seeing if they still do and holding them.

Oasis all the way. I like buttons, i don’t want to swipe. LOVE mine and thinking of upgrading (bought in 2017)