I went with the Kindle Paperwhite about a year ago and I like it a lot. I do most of my reading in the winter months so I joined Kindle Unlimited on Amazon and there is a ton of material that is available for free. You can join/unjoin whenever you want, so it works very well for me.

quote:

Originally posted by ensigmatic:

A Kindle Paperwhite display needs light (sunlight, reading lamp, etc.), does it not?

It does not. The PaperWhite models all have built-in LED's that work well in any lighting condition, anything from dim room lighting to total darkness. The newer models have better LED systems.

I have an older PaperWhite that travels with me any time that I go someplace I might have to wait, like doctor office, etc.

I also have a Kindle Oasis, the top-of-the-line Kindle E-reader, that adds a few features that the PaperWhite does not have. I particularly like the physical buttons for page turning, as opposed to the PaperWhite's touch-sensitive screen.

I have and use the Kindle Paperwhite, it works terrific for reading outdoors. I have read books on my Ipad and prefer the Kindle, it's easier on the eyes. If I'm reading on the Ipad I convert to grayscale, works better for me.

I get most of my Kindle books from the local library. The system they use is Libby, I can download books, put them on hold, return from my Iphone or Ipad.

As long as you’re reading for pleasure the electronic books are great. Anything technical, I still prefer physical paper.

As usual for me, this thread has me interested in the Kindle Paperwhite model. I see that one can purchase it with 8GB memory on up to 32GB, of course the more memory it has, the more expensive it is. How much memory is needed for a decent amount of use?

quote:

Originally posted by Warhorse:

As usual for me, this thread has me interested in the Kindle Paperwhite model. I see that one can purchase it with 8GB memory on up to 32GB, of course the more memory it has, the more expensive it is. How much memory is needed for a decent amount of use?

My PaperWhite is the 8G model, which can store a few thousand typical books. I don't keep a lot of books -- for recreational reading, I borrow a book from the county library and return it when I've read it. Same with books from Kindle Unlimited.

I do keep a few reference books, maybe couple dozen.

I'm a voracious reader, but not retaining books that I have read, I'm just using a small amount of that 8G. Of course, memory is like ammunition, no such thing as too much, so if the difference in cost is minimal between the 8G model and the 32G, grab the 32G, but the 8G should easily do the job for you if you're not amassing a monstrous reference library.

I did opt for the 32G option on my Kindle Oasis, but that was just because it didn't cost me anything extra (separate story).

Thanks for providing me that info V-Tail.

"My PaperWhite is the 8G model, which can store a few thousand typical books." I am sure the 8G model will more than be sufficient for my needs.

I moved from a Paperwhite to the Kindle Oasis a few years ago. I like it much better for all of the reasons it is different. Page turn buttons & night display are just 2 of the reasons. I read an average of 70 books a year and read in bed, in the sun, in the house - and the display is always perfect.

'What are you reading' is a ongoing thread in the Lair. I have picked up some really good recommendations there.

Here's another handy-dandy use for my Kindle:

I have a small collection of User Manuals for various things (including SIG pistols) stored on a hard drive in PDF format.

Each Kindle has its own email address. You can email a PDF document to the Kindle's email address, with the word "convert" in the subject line of the email, and your user manual (or any other PDF document) will be stored on your Kindle, in Kindle format. You can organize this stuff in folders.

I agree with a preceding post by jbcummings, an actual book is nice for technical stuff, but on the other hand, you can store hundreds or thousands of books on one small Kindle, and the documents are searchable, so it's easy to jump to a reference to a "framistan" or whatever you're looking for. Paper, electronic, they're both useful.

quote:

Originally posted by jbcummings:
Anything technical, I still prefer physical paper.

My take is entirely different here. I really like e-books' ability to search, when I'm diving deep. Also, I was brought up not to deface books, so I don't use highlighter or underlining on physical books. On e-books there's no inhibition. I highlight all the typos, as a starter, just so they don't bug me.

I'm fine with physical books - I have more bookcases than I want to think about filled with them. But the advantages of having them always available while taking zero space in the already-crowded bookcases, and being able to search, mark, etc. means that as I buy new books, I prefer their e-book versions where available.

quote:

Originally posted by Warhorse:
As usual for me, this thread has me interested in the Kindle Paperwhite model. I see that one can purchase it with 8GB memory on up to 32GB, of course the more memory it has, the more expensive it is. How much memory is needed for a decent amount of use?

8GB will hold lots of books - maybe 2000. 32GB will four times as many. It is more a matter of how many books you want store on the device. Any will hold more that you are going to be reading at any given moment.

I am heavily invested in google books so I read on my iPad or android phone.

My wife’s kindle is a much better reader but I don't think I can access my google books on one.

If you have an iPad or Samsung tablet, get the app, it looks and acts just like the stand along Kindle and it's free. And if you do get a Kindle, get the app on your smart phone so you can login and get your books on the phone when you don't have the Kindle with you.


If you want a new Kindle to keep reading separate from your other devices, check Woot, they are sold out now but get Kindle readers refurbed the last batch sold at $28 a unit if you are not in a hurry get on the email list.


Link

This is exactly what I do, and like it.

quote:

Originally posted by jhe888:
I use a Samsung tablet for my Kindle program. An actual Kindle's screen is better for reading, but the tablet is more capable for other uses as well - internet browsing, games, e-mail etc.

I am an Android user, so Apple is not a good choice for me. I prefer Android to Apple anyway.

One thing that is nice is that you can have your Kindle program linked to computers anywhere. I can read on my phone, my work desktop, etc.

I'll take my Kindle over anything. And the ease of taking books out of the library is fantastic. It's truly all-in-one.

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:
Here's another handy-dandy use for my Kindle:

I have a small collection of User Manuals for various things (including SIG pistols) stored on a hard drive in PDF format.

Each Kindle has its own email address. You can email a PDF document to the Kindle's email address, with the word "convert" in the subject line of the email, and your user manual (or any other PDF document) will be stored on your Kindle, in Kindle format. You can organize this stuff in folders.
<snip>

Very interesting, V-Tail. Where did you learn about that?

And how can a kindle owner learn the email address of his kindle?

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:
Each Kindle has its own email address. You can email a PDF document to the Kindle's email address, with the word "convert" in the subject line of the email, and your user manual (or any other PDF document) will be stored on your Kindle, in Kindle format.

I did not know that. I'll have to try it.

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:
You can organize this stuff in folders.

I need to figure out Kindle folders. So far I've this one library of books. I need to figure out how to organize them into subject areas.

quote:

Originally posted by joel9507:
I'm fine with physical books - I have more bookcases than I want to think about filled with them.

I love physical books, but, our bookshelves are full to overflowing. There simply is no more room for more books and no more room for more bookshelves.

So I started buying Kindle books. Then my wife asked "How am I going to read them?" "Shared family account, honey. You can read them on your iPad." Then I got to thinking her 13 in. iPad Pro is kinda big and heavy, so I bought her a 16GB Kindle Paperwhite for Christmas.

quote:

Originally posted by Pipe Smoker:

Very interesting, V-Tail. Where did you learn about that?

And how can a kindle owner learn the email address of his kindle?

Here's a link to get a Kindle User Guide (it's free): https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws...le_User_Guide_EN.pdf

I used the wrong nomenclature when I said that books, manuals, etc. can be organized in "folders." Kindle's term for this is "Collections," also explained in the User Guide.

V-Tail mentioned a feature not really used. I have a lot of sheet music on my Kindle which also means my Kindle Apps on my iPad and phone. Very convenient.

I've downloaded all of the NOAA bluewater charts in all directions for several hundred miles. I regularly grab survival and field guide books and stash them on my kindle devices. I keep them in EMP sleeves, in bugout bags. They tend to last on a charge for about a month, and are easily recharged. I consider them excellent tools for the end of the world, or a difficult day. I've discovered that they work pretty well with night vision also. I've been expanding my aviation chart database on them, and expanding the USGS topo maps I keep on them. Having plant and medicinal guides and other references is awesome. You could have thousands of books, maps, and other useful PDF's on them.

I have a Scribe 64GB and a waterproof Oasis. Of course I also have the app on my phone and the wife's Samsung tablet.