Amazon’s currently running a Warehouse Deal on some used Kindle Paperwhite e-ink readers with “minor cosmetic imperfections” as a result of use. Depending on the level of the imperfection, they will run you either $70 or $75, plus sales tax if applicable in your location.
That’s about as good a deal as you’ll come across on the self-lit Paperwhite (and $10 less than the brand-new unlit basic Kindle model costs). If you’d rather shell out a little more for a blemish-free certified refurb, that will come to $100; the pristine brand new version costs $120. These are the versions with Special Offers included on the lockscreen; getting rid of those will cost you a little extra—but unlike with the color Fire tablets, I’ve never found Kindle Special Offers annoying or distracting.
My main e-reading device right now is the second version of the Paperwhite. It’s several years old, but I don’t have any complaints—and after using the Paperwhite, I couldn’t see going back to an unlit e-ink screen. As with my older model, this sale Paperwhite also takes advantage of the just-released new firmware that offers five adjustable levels of bold weighting on text if you’re reading a book you bought from Amazon, as well as the Ember Bold font you can use on sideloaded titles.
If you enjoy basic e-ink reading and are ready to move up to the Paperwhite, this could be just the deal for you. If you’re curious about e-ink but don’t see yourself dropping $250 on an Oasis or $200 on a Voyage, this would be a great introduction.
But if even $70 is too much to spend, Amazon also has a Warehouse Deal on blemished basic Kindles starting at $51. Either way, you’ve got a great e-ink experience ahead of you.
Sorry, but I have given up on Kindle ereaders altogether. I don’t use my aging Kindle 3, so I hardly need something newer.
I would be interested in a large epaper screen that’d talk to apps on Android and iOS devices, letting them handle the processing but offering me a larger screen for reading. But no one is likely to make one of those.
Amazon killed epaper devices by leaving them mere one-trick ponies. Adding Audible playback in the latest merely emphasizes that they exist not as useful devices but as a means to sell Kindle books. Contrast that with the wealth of third-party apps you can install on Android and iOS devices.
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It’s funny that most people turn to Kindle exactly because it’s only meant for reading and is thus free from distractions.
I don’t think that your ideal ereader is a good idea, eink is too slow and unresponsive to do more than just read. If you want versatility, stick with the tablet.
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Important note: The seller, “Amazon Warehouse Deals” has a 79% positive rating, which is extremely low. I generally will take a chance on something in the low 90s, but that is way too low for me. The good news is that the Return policy for this company is the same as Amazon’s (30 days). I actually would consider taking the chance. One thing though. It doesn’t look as if they identify which generation of Paperwhite the device is. BTW, I am eager for a cheap slightly used kindle (preferably a paperwhite!).
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Chris, this is a dumb question, but how is the interface for Collections on the Paperwhite? I have a K4 and the collections interface is terrible — plus it doesn’t include the different collections I created on the Kindle app for Android. Do collections sync across devices? Collections is turning out to be a critical feature for me. I have lots of trouble keeping up with my ebooks.
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Honestly, I don’t know. I’ve never used collections, and frankly am not even sure exactly what they are. Are they something Calibre can do? That’s where I manage my ebook library from…
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Chris, the reason I don’t use Calibre to manage anything on Kindle is that sideloaded mobi files typically are twice the size as files you send to the device through Amazon.com By the way, I found the answer about which devices will sync your collections: https://www.amazonforum.com/forums/kindle/kindle-devices/2047-transferring-collections#c5
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