So many different Kindles

[saor]

So I've never had a Kindle before, but an considering getting one now.

There are so many different options that range from R1679 to over R3000.

Which one to get?

But I see it doesn't do ePub. Is that an issue?

I'm using an earlier gen kindle and for any formats it doesn't support I've just used any number of free online conversion tools. I wouldn't mind a paperwhite tho - the screen is fantastic and it's great being able to read in the dark under your blanket munching on biscuits .

 

[AfricanTech]

So R700 more for a built in light?

Just not worth it for me. I have lights in my house to read by

Wife complains that she can't sleep if the bedside lamp is on

I like to read until late in the night

There is a reason they built a light into the thing

Oh, ja, and no shadows cast on the screen is also a plus, and now of course with loadshedding, it's another plus

 

[TEXTILE GUY]

I still have the first gen kindle - bought it in the US - then ago. Its the e-ink tupe.

The kindle does one thing only - its a book reader. But it does it so well.

Theres no backlight screen glare, theres a book mark facility, a note facility, and the battery life on the e -ink side is phenominal to say the least.

I got an ipad, and believed the kindle would become obsolete - well, that didnt happen.

As said here - calibre is a must to convert to mobi format should you need to.

The light - I bought a clip LED light - works great for the plane at night, rather than being THAT guy that his hi reading light on while everyone else is snoozing - (assuming econmy class travel).

IMHO - Worth the cash if you are a big reader, a scholarly type guy, or a traveller.

 

[Inn3rs3lf]

I don't know man, there is just something that's awesome about a tablets apps that make the reading a "game".

As in, competitions with your friends on the Kobo app, progress stats, etc.

That being said, the light on a tab is just too straining on ones eyes, and the kindle/kobo will be far, far superior in reading at night.

 

[OrbitalDawn]

I got the new paperwhite from Amazon last night. all I can say is EPIC!!!! Costs about 2400 depending on the exchange rate. The new paperwhite will only be sold by Takealot maybe at the end of this month. The price on Amazon for the new one is almost the same as the price we are paying for the old one.

As far as I can tell the new Kindle Paperwhite has only a higher res screen and a new font that apparently makes reading easier.

Hope it helps.

I'm definitely going to get one of those when I hit the US. It looks fantastic.

Along with the new Paperwhite they released a software update with a new typeface, font and improved hyphenation. All helps readability - not that it was bad before, but it's even better now.

 

[AstroTurf]

So I've never had a Kindle before, but an considering getting one now.

There are so many different options that range from R1679 to over R3000.

Which one to get?

I just want to be able to read ebooks with an e-Ink screen:
http://www.takealot.com/all/?qsearch=kindle&_sb=1&_dt=all&_r=1

I was looking at:
http://www.takealot.com/kindle-touch-wifi-2014/PLID32851374

But I see it doesn't do ePub. Is that an issue?

Amazon gave me a paperwhite after my last kindle died.

http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/692396-Thank-you-Amazon-)?p=14991278&viewfull=1

Read that thread if you would like to know about Amazon Support

 

[cerebus]

Along with the new Paperwhite they released a software update with a new typeface, font and improved hyphenation. All helps readability - not that it was bad before, but it's even better now.

I found the hyphenation and font choice to be quite bad previously so I'm glad they updated it. The Kindle software hadn't been updated in quite a while.

 

[karnuffel]

Along with the new Paperwhite they released a software update with a new typeface, font and improved hyphenation. All helps readability - not that it was bad before, but it's even better now.

I find reading on the kindle absolutely amazing, my old kindle keyboard was great but the paperwhite is next level. /off to scour the book threads.

 

[Chevron]

Thanks for the all the insights guys. Looks like the new PaperWhite is the way to go.

 

[phoneJunky]

Thanks for the all the insights guys. Looks like the new PaperWhite is the way to go.

Definitely, I got the 2nd generation one and haven't been disappointed yet. I also found that I read more now than when I used physical books. Don't know why though. My kindle has paid itself off with the discounts I have received from just the books I have bought in 2 years over the physical copy in my local bookshop.

I bought my kindle directly from Amazon and it was here quite quickly.

The only downside is that I buy books easier now, as I just have to click. In the book-store I had more time to make up my mind. In the Amazon store you go by ratings, but I don't find that to be the best way to buy a book.

 

[Bryn]

So R700 more for a built in light?

Just not worth it for me. I have lights in my house to read by

The light is the best feature. You will never, ever be able to use an e-reader that doesn't have lighting once you've used one. It's not just awesome for reading in low light (and far more legible than using an external light source), but it increases the legibility even during daylight. The lighting makes the background of the Kindle look white, even on low brightness. Trust me, my brother has a Kindle without lighting and I have the first gen Paperwhite, and the difference is night and day. Also, when you're reading in bed at night, it's awesome being able to read on any side and at any angle and have perfect visibility. You can't do that when you're relying on a bedside or overhead light.

 

[karnuffel]

Thanks for the all the insights guys. Looks like the new PaperWhite is the way to go.

Amazon shipped mine on the evening of the 29th and I had it in my hands at before noon on the 2nd. Quick and pain free. I added my ID number to my saved address during checkout, apparently that helps the customs process a bit.

 

[OrbitalDawn]

The light is the best feature. You will never, ever be able to use an e-reader that doesn't have lighting once you've used one. It's not just awesome for reading in low light (and far more legible than using an external light source), but it increases the legibility even during daylight. The lighting makes the background of the Kindle look white, even on low brightness. Trust me, my brother has a Kindle without lighting and I have the first gen Paperwhite, and the difference is night and day. Also, when you're reading in bed at night, it's awesome being able to read on any side and at any angle and have perfect visibility. You can't do that when you're relying on a bedside or overhead light.

This.

I have the first non-keyboard Kindle, the one that had the little arrow-pad on, and my SO has the Paperwhite. Used the Paperwhite when we were away and going back is impossible.

 

[phoenix99]

Wife complains that she can't sleep if the bedside lamp is on

I like to read until late in the night

There is a reason they built a light into the thing

Oh, ja, and no shadows cast on the screen is also a plus, and now of course with loadshedding, it's another plus

Those pesky wives. If only they knew how we sacrificed for them

 

[diabolus]

I got me the Kindle Voyage , i upgraded from the original Kindle that still had a keyboard (without any light) . Definitely amazing, especially now with the Eskom Loadshedding, having the lighting is essential...plus battery life with light is still weeks .

The only thing that i am slightly disappointed in is that they've locked down the 3G in the browser , my old one i can still use the free 3G to browser, but no in the voyage. So i felt i probably should've gone with the WiFi only version and saved some money , i believe they've done this on Paperwhite too...so don't be fooled with the 3G features, all you can do is connect to the Kindle Store and download books.

Other than that, it's amazingly small and light and the buttons to the side is back, this was my main pet peeve with getting the paperwhite/touch kindles, having to tap on the screen to turn pages. The Voyage now have these touch sensors which operates much like the original buttons did (you press down on the side and depending on how you set up the sensitivity it will turn pages without you having to touch the screen).

 

[DeeinSouthAfrica]

How did you get a Voyage? Ebay? I thought they were unavailable for export via Amazon.
I am going to get a new Paperwhite from Amazon as soon as my money is through. I was thinking 3G but it is R1000 more than the Wifi version.

 

[karnuffel]

How did you get a Voyage? Ebay? I thought they were unavailable for export via Amazon.
I am going to get a new Paperwhite from Amazon as soon as my money is through. I was thinking 3G but it is R1000 more than the Wifi version.

If I may ask, why do you want the 3G version? Most phones today can create a wifi hotspot?

 

[Ianf1]

How did you get a Voyage? Ebay? I thought they were unavailable for export via Amazon.
I am going to get a new Paperwhite from Amazon as soon as my money is through. I was thinking 3G but it is R1000 more than the Wifi version.

I bought a Voyage off takealot last year, it is great. It is one with offers but this is totally innocuous.

 

[DeeinSouthAfrica]

If I may ask, why do you want the 3G version? Most phones today can create a wifi hotspot?

That is true. I am just used to it, I guess, as I had the 6th edition Paperwhite with 3G. This I gave to my father when he dropped his Nexus 7 and broke his screen.
Now I am out shopping for a new one, and as I have to visit hospital a lot I figured on the 3G.
Then again I have wifi at home, and as long as I don't have to look up a vexing word while out of Wifi range I may as well save the extra moolah and spend it on books.

 

[DeeinSouthAfrica]

I bought a Voyage off takealot last year, it is great. It is one with offers but this is totally innocuous.

I see genesistrading.co.za do the Voyage, but I think I will stay with the Paperwhite.

A while ago I had the Kindle Fire - I hated it as I wanted a pure e-reader so I sold it. Before I sold it I got rid of the adverts by going to Amazon help/chat and wailing about the fact that I couldn't get any of the free offers and why was this?
Some Amazon lady with a long Indian name (probably based in Delhi) immediately apologised and removed the adverts.