The Kindle Paperwhite made me get pleasure from studying books once more

Desk of Contents

Confession: I’ve completed a startlingly low variety of books since I completed highschool.

It is not that I dislike books or battle with comprehension or something like that. As a substitute, my explicit model of ADHD makes it troublesome to search out the motivation to begin and focus after I do, plus I simply don’t love holding books in my arms that a lot. Relying on their measurement, each paperbacks and hardcovers can simply be just a little cumbersome to deal with, particularly for those who like studying one-handed like I do.

I am completely satisfied to say the 2021 version of the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite is practically good for people who’d like to learn extra if not for all of the little annoying issues about studying. Each the ad-supported $140 mannequin (which I used for this assessment) and the ad-free, $190 Signature Version characteristic larger 6.8-inch shows that look implausible underneath any lighting, weeks-long battery life, and a flawless type issue match for lazy one-handed readers like myself.

And with Prime Day, the sticker value will virtually actually go down. Amazon discounted the Paperwhite by $55 a 12 months in the past, for example.

Even with some value and efficiency considerations, Amazon’s newest Kindle can, uh, re-kindle your curiosity in studying.

Kindle Paperwhite value and specs

In its first Paperwhite replace since 2018, Amazon did not stray too removed from its earlier efforts. Each the cheaper Paperwhite and the Signature Version characteristic virtually similar specs:

• 6.8-inch show with 17 LEDs and 300ppi (up from 6 inches on the 2018 mannequin)

• New USB-C charging port with as much as 10 hours of battery life on a full cost

• Signature Version helps wi-fi Qi charging

• 8GB storage on the bottom $139.99 mannequin, 16GB for $149.99, and 32GB on the $189.99 Signature Version

• IPx8 waterproof ranking, may be absolutely submerged

Amazon managed to bump the display measurement up by practically a full inch with out making enormous weight sacrifices. At 205g (208g within the Signature Version), it is solely marginally heavier than the 182g mannequin from three years in the past, maybe because of the dramatically thinner bezels across the display

Higher than books

As I discussed earlier than, a part of the rationale I do not learn as typically as I ought to is that I am lazy and like to lounge round with one hand free. Some precise books simply do not accommodate that life-style on account of their measurement and weight distribution. This Kindle Paperwhite is simply heavy sufficient to not really feel low cost and flimsy, with out being a hindrance on the one-handed readers amongst us.

This can be a absolutely touch-driven Kindle with no buttons for turning pages. A easy faucet or swipe does the trick. Tapping the highest of the display whereas studying brings up a fast toolbar with choices for going again to the house display, altering font sizes and types, and enabling a easy page-turn animation. Swiping down from the highest pulls out one other menu for turning on Bluetooth for listening to Audible audiobooks, adjusting display brightness and heat, and turning darkish mode on or off.

Highlighting passages, trying up the definitions of phrases, and bookmarking pages are all right here, too. All of these nifty options are secondary to studying books, nevertheless, and the wonderful Paperwhite show makes {that a} delight.

Textual content is sharp even when holding the machine proper as much as your face. The glare-free display is immensely legible and pleasing to the attention in all types of lighting. I’ve learn Frank Herbert’s meandering epic Dune (what can I say, I’ve obtained sandworm fever) on the brand new Paperwhite each outdoor within the shining solar and indoors at evening with the lights turned off. In each eventualities, it was as snug as studying off an precise web page with a lightweight shining on it. Even at excessive brightness, the display did not harm my eyes, both. You’ll be able to actually take the brand new Paperwhite with you wherever and have a very good time studying it.

I would be remiss to not point out the small however essential addition of a USB-C charging port. As we transfer additional and additional right into a USB-C world, it is a godsend and was most likely overdue, seeing because the how 2018 mannequin did not have it. It sits on the underside of the machine subsequent to the facility button, which is the one button you will discover right here.

It ought to go with out saying at this level that I liked every thing concerning the new Kindle Paperwhite’s bodily design. This is a perfect e-reader for me when you even have a e-book able to go on the display. Sadly, attending to that time may be considerably troublesome.

Gradual and principally regular

Amazon does not got down to make iPad-level powerhouse tablets with the Kindle Paperwhite line. You employ these units to learn or hearken to books, and that is about it. Amazon promised higher general efficiency and responsiveness with the newest Paperwhite, and whereas my expertise with it was principally nice, I did run into a few technical blemishes.

Merely navigating the Kindle’s easy menus is usually extra of a chore than it must be as a result of this display was solely designed to show nonetheless textual content. Scrolling up and down by way of lists of books or settings is jittery and gradual reasonably than clean such as you would count on from virtually every other touch-based machine launched in 2021. It is responsive sufficient that you could accomplish no matter you are attempting to perform, be it looking for a brand new e-book or altering display brightness, with out an excessive amount of trouble. However you will not have a lot enjoyable doing it.

I completely get that Amazon designs these Kindles to be actually good for studying books on the expense of doing, nicely, the rest. The large type issue and top-notch show outweigh these small efficiency hurdles for me as a result of, once more, I am not anticipating an iPad or perhaps a Fireplace HD pill right here. Even with these low expectations in thoughts, although, it nonetheless feels just a little behind the occasions.

It does not assist that, on one event, the Paperwhite froze and have become fully unresponsive in the course of studying Dune. I waited a number of minutes for it to un-jam itself and that did not occur. Holding the facility button down for 40 seconds or so onerous reset the machine and I used to be capable of get again to studying after that, however nonetheless, I felt this wanted to be famous.

Except for that one anomalous freeze, efficiency on the Kindle Paperwhite was not less than constantly at that a-little-too-slow degree in my time with it. I respect consistency as a result of not less than I do know what to anticipate.

One ultimate side of the efficiency to notice is battery life. Amazon charges the brand new Kindle Paperwhite for as much as 10 weeks of battery on a full cost. I solely had the machine for rather less than every week, so it was not doable for me to completely confirm that. With that in thoughts, although, the battery drained by a mere 10 % or so in that timeframe. Possibly you will not get 10 weeks out of it for those who learn for hours each day, nevertheless it’ll final a very good, lengthy whereas irrespective of the way you shake it.

Huge leap to do away with adverts

I can study to dwell with the Kindle Paperwhite’s laggy efficiency and even the odd lock-up from time to time. Every little thing else about truly utilizing the machine is essentially wonderful and truly obtained me, an individual with extreme consideration span issues, to willingly sit all the way down to learn a dense sci-fi screed about faith and feudalism. The one factor that truly offers me pause in recommending it to individuals is the value.

At $140, I really feel that the usual 2021 Kindle Paperwhite is perhaps just a little too expensive, however avid readers will get their cash’s value. It is the Signature Version, which bolts on an additional $50 for the privilege of not seeing adverts, getting some additional space for storing, and with the ability to have the Kindle routinely modify brightness based mostly on the sunshine degree within the room that bothers me. Tying storage and bonus options to a value hike is normal fare in tech, however the advert factor is simply slimy. Would not Amazon make sufficient cash already?

Is the Kindle Paperwhite value it?

The excellent news is that these aren’t your solely Kindle choices. The entry-level Kindle is $99.99 and can most likely do the job if all you need is a reliable e-reader. For those who can afford to pay additional for the Paperwhite, nevertheless, you will not remorse it. This little e-book pill’s huge battery, beautiful and versatile show, and maximal hand consolation made me get pleasure from studying extra within the a number of days I spent with it than I had in a number of years prior.

And for those who’re as severely Dune-pilled as I’m proper now, that is significantly better than hauling round a large e-book.