Aussie Readers discussion

I am seriously considering getting a Kindle Paperwhite and just wonder if people here can give me any feedback on it. I would mostly use it for reading in bed, with no other lights on other than the Kindle's own built-in light. (I read lying on my side, in case that's relevant!) I have rheumatoid arthritis, so weight and ease of handling is important. I would be very grateful for people's general opinions on it, or if anyone can answer any of these questions:

1. How good is the built-in light for reading in an otherwise completely dark room?

2. Does the battery really last for eight weeks?

3. I have a Kindle app on my iPad, is it easy to sync with the Kindle itself?

4. Is there an adaptor that can enable it to be plugged straight into a normal Australian powerpoint rather than having to charge it via a computer?

5. Is it better to buy it from Amazon direct or from an Australian retailer?

Thanks for any and all advice!

I'll let others answer your questions Sally, but I know there are people out there who have them. So you should get some good answers:)

Good luck!

Sally wrote: "Is there an adapter that can enable it to be plugged straight into a normal Australian powerpoint rather than having to charge it via a computer?..."

Don't have a Paperwhite, so no help for most of your questions, but I can answer this one.
I got my parents Kindles for Christmas in 2012. They don't have a computer so I just bought a power point adapter with a USB connection from Coles. Just plug the cord that comes with the Kindle into that.
I think it was around $15 and works perfectly, they have been charging their Kindles with it for over a year with no problems.

That's awesome, thanks, Patricia!

I have the paperwhite and ive been happy with it. I bought mine from Amazon US and it shipped fine. Disadvantage to buying overseas is if theres a problem with it I presume you would have to deal with where you bought it from? I dont know for sure but it something to consider. It took me a while to get used to the light as it comes up from the bottom and at first I thought there was a problem with it because of how it looks but didnt take long to adjust to it and now I dont notice. I bought it because of the light and read quite a bit at night with it, there is a brightness adjuster. Battery is good. I havent timed it exactly but it seems to last a long time. I havent tried plugging it into the wall but it hasnt been any bother charging via the computer. Its synched fine with the Kindle app. All in all ive been very happy with it. I am selling it but only because i now have a samsung note 8 which has a reading mode so I dont need both and the tablet being multipurpose wins out.

Yes, I was wondering about the fact that it's not backlit like an iPad but front-lit. Is there any way you can describe the difference?

Before buying the paperwhite I was reading on the ipad but it hurt my eyes if I read for any length of time (even with my glasses) . I didnt have this problem with the paperwhite so I guess I preferred its lighting.

Thanks for that info, Jennie :-) Much appreciated!

Your welcome.

One advantage of buying direct from Amazon is that when it arrives it will already be registered to your Amazon account - just charge and go! On the other hand, it's not difficult to set it up, anyway.

I don't actually have the Paperwhite model, but I was considering whether to upgrade for the light function. One of my workmates brought hers in for me to try and in the end I decided the light by itself was not enough to sway me for an upgrade when there is nothing wrong with my current Kindle. But when the time comes, I will go Paperwhite. (There was no wifi for my test so I had no opportunity to test the other major drawcard - Goodreads connectivity!)

Re your syncing question - I have a Kindle and also use the Kindle app on my phone at times. Never had a problem with keeping them in sync.

Hi Sally

I have a paperwhite & I love it.
Yes you can read it in a completely dark room & the light doesnt seem as bright (even thought you can read essily in the dark)or as hard on your eyes as back-lit ones.
The battery depends on how much you are using it. If you are regulary using it, then no the battery will not last 8 weeks.
I charge mine in a normal power point using my phone charger. My phone is a HTC
I bought mine from Dick Smiths, which was good as I didnt have to wait for it to be posted & connecting it to Amazon is easy

Thanks so much, Andrea and Zoey, your advice really helps :-) I think I'm pretty much sold on getting one now!

Even better :-)

I've just ordered my Kindle Paperwhite and cover from Amazon :-) They wouldn't ship the screen protectors to Australia, though, and I'm not having much luck finding them in any Aussie online stores. Can anyone recommend any? Ditto for chargers that plug straight into a powerpoint rather than a computer. I've read that they have to be the correct wattage etc.

I have a Paperwhite and love it. The battery will last 8 weeks if you don't leave wifi switched on (like I do).

Re the chargers: Any charger with a USB connector will do. I use my iPhone plug and just use the supplied Kindle cable.

Sally wrote: "I have rheumatoid arthritis, so weight and ease of handling is important."

It's not the lightest of the Kindle family, but a lot lighter than a paper book. I sometimes find my hand gets achey, but that's not often. If you read on your side, I'm guessing you'll be using the bed to support it anyway?

regarding the screen protector, if you really need one, I think Dick Smiths sell them

Thanks for the advice, Vicki and Michael :-) Vicki, yes, I use the bed for support, so anything that is lighter than a paper book sounds fine to me :-)

I'd suggest trying it without a screen protector initially. The screen is matte, so it doesn't suffer from fingerprints etc like tablet screens do. You may find you don't need it, or even prefer it nude (the screen, I mean).

I prefer it nude, too. :)

A nude screen sounds good, LOL, I guess I'm too used to LCD tablets and phones. Thanks, Andrea!