Is upgrading from a Kindle Keyboard to a Paperwhite worth it?

May 10, 2013 9:00 PM

I've had a Kindle Keyboard with lighted case that I've been pretty happy with for a couple of years. However, I'm thinking of upgrading to the Paperwhite for the improved display. Is it worth the price, and is there any trade-off in battery life?

After trying out the Kindle app on the Nexus 7, I was pretty blown away by the screen quality of my books. I actually felt more compelled to read them as a result. However, I find e-ink to be much easier on the eyes, so I'm sticking with Kindle.

The screen on my Kindle Keyboard isn't bad, but I'm wondering how it compares to the Paperwhite for long-term reading.

For those who have used both the Kindle Keyboard and the Paperwhite, do you think the upgrade is worth it solely for the better screen?

Bonus question: how does the Paperwhite battery life compare to that of the Kindle Keyboard with lighted case? Better, worse, about the same? (I know this is somewhat dependent on the Paperwhite brightness setting)

posted by iamisaid to Technology (15 answers total)

Yes, the screen is worth it. And the battery lasts longer than my old Kindle Keyboard. But I never liked the lighted case, which also seemed to sap the battery.
posted by mullacc at 9:02 PM on May 10, 2013

I upgraded from a Gen 2 Kindle Keyboard to a Paperwhite at the end of last year and I LOVE IT. The screen is lovely, and the touch settings are very responsive and easy to deal with. I tend to run mine at about half-brightness (though it definitely looks amazing at full white and just like the old kindle at the lowest setting), so the battery has a very good long life. Maybe not the three weeks I'd get out of the old Kindle, but close enough. Worth it, worth it.

Probably get Wi-Fi instead of 3G, though, unless you plan on taking it out and about a lot in places where you aren't guaranteed Wi-Fi.
posted by whitneyarner at 9:04 PM on May 10, 2013 [2 favorites]

I have a Kindle Keyboard. I used a Paperwhite last week at a store because I wanted an excuse to buy one. I was totally amazed by how much I preferred my Keyboard, though. The rendering on the letters on the Paperwhite was nowhere near as crisp as on the Keyboard. Jagged edges everywhere. It was shocking.
posted by Jairus at 9:12 PM on May 10, 2013

I made the switch about six months ago, for me the illuminated screen is the killer feature, wherever you want to read, the light is perfect. Gone are the days trying to keep it centred in a narrow spot on a plane, or not being able to read outside at night.

The lack of physical page turn buttons is frustrating. Inadvertent page turns are not uncommon (brush your hand against the surface while setting it down and good luck finding your page again.) Plus to turn pages you have to move your thumb off the bezel onto the screen, which I agree is a pretty small thing, but still interferes with complete immersion. I prefer the subconscious task of depressing my finger 1/64th of an inch rather than moving my thumb 1/8th of an inch. Pretty niggling criticism, but enough that I'd gift my paperwhite to my wife and get one with buttons were it to be available.

On balance though, the convenience of the light overcomes the irritation of no buttons. The front light causes no eye strain, and only affects the battery minimally.
posted by Keith Talent at 10:42 PM on May 10, 2013

I did that precise shift (keyboard to paperwhite) and I don't regret it. The light is not perfect at all levels but overall the ability to vary brightness so easily compensates for that. I read 1-2 hours a day and the battery lasts nearly a month for me (always on standby). I recommend the 3G for minimal additional outlay with no ongoing costs for the service. Free international 3G is a huge advantage if you want to get hold of a book or document on your account anywhere on the planet with no wifi.
posted by Hugobaron at 3:39 AM on May 11, 2013

Yes, aside from missing the left side button to advance pages (can only advance with right hand now!) the Paperwhite has been great. Battery life on my old old old Kindle Keyboard was atrocious at this point (well, atrocious for a Kindle) and the screen resolution/clarity is much nicer. I was prompted to upgrade after realizing how much better the contrast was on my wife's Kindle Touch, plus I was tired of hassling with a clip-on book light.
posted by caution live frogs at 6:30 AM on May 11, 2013

I loved my Kindle Keyboard until I got the Paperwhite. Backlight, contrast and resolution, battery life—any one of them would have made the trade-up worth it for me.
posted by markcmyers at 7:17 AM on May 11, 2013

I have acquired a paperwhite after owning a keyboard. I miss the page turning buttons on the side on the keyboard, but the improved contrast, built in light, and lighter weight are so worth it on the paperwhite.
posted by Requiax at 8:11 AM on May 11, 2013

I switched to the paperwhite from a keyboard, and it's awesome.

Especially if you fall asleep reading.
posted by Medieval Maven at 8:42 AM on May 11, 2013

Like everyone else here I think the Paperwhite is a singificant advance. For me it's the backlight, I can read in bed without turning a light on. Also the other improvements: no buttons, etc. The paperwhite's battery life is amazing, lasts weeks, as long as you turn off the WiFi.

However, you may be disappointed by the screen compared to your Nexus 7. The Paperwhite display is still an eInk display with ragged edges and poor contrast. It does not look at all like a backlit LCD; it looks like a better Kindle display. I think it's just fine, and I prefer it to LCDs in many ways. But it won't have that magic quality that you experienced looking at a Nexus 7 (or an iPad).
posted by Nelson at 8:49 AM on May 11, 2013

Response by poster: I would only be upgrading for the Paperwhite's improved clarity/resolution (though I know it won't match an LCD), and it sounds like everyone is happy with the screen in this regard except Jairus.

I need to track one down in a store and have a look for myself. I see the Kindle Fire in many office stores but have yet to find a Paperwhite on display.
posted by iamisaid at 11:16 AM on May 11, 2013

I mean, it's possible that the Paperwhite I saw was somehow busted. But I held them both next to each other (my Keyboard is running Kindle 3.4) and the text on the Keyboard was by a wide margin crisper than the Paperwhite. The improved contrast on the Paperwhite only emphasized how jagged the characters were.
posted by Jairus at 12:17 PM on May 11, 2013

Response by poster: Update: I tried out two identical Paperwhites at a store and was not impressed with the display. The text didn't seem any sharper or clearer than on the Kindle Keyboard, and I tried a variety of font settings. I also noticed very visible letters/artifacts or "ghosting" from the previous page that remained after turning to the next page on both units, which I have never seen on the Keyboard model. To quote Jairus, I was shocked.

The display on the Kindle Fire HD (and to a slightly lesser extent, the Kindle Fire) was pretty gorgeous, but more hours staring at what is essentially a small computer screen doesn't seem good for my eyes. And I'm sure the backlight would not be good for pre-sleep reading.

I'm sticking with the Kindle Keyboard.
posted by iamisaid at 2:21 PM on May 12, 2013

If you tried the Paperwhites at a retail store with bright florescent lighting then you might not have seen much difference. But if you were sitting on your couch or in bed then you would be stunned by the difference between the old Kindle screens and the Paperwhite.

As for late-night reading, the screen is far better than an LCD.
posted by schrodycat at 7:23 PM on May 12, 2013

WSJ thinks the newest Kobo is the best ereader available. Significantly higher resolution, evidently.

As long as you're not too invested in DRMed books from either Amazon or B&N.

Just thought I would throw that out there.
posted by timepiece at 6:58 AM on May 14, 2013