My Thoughts on The Kindle Paperwhite (11th Gen) || iPad vs. Paperwhite

Today I'm sharing my experience transitioning to a Kindle Paperwhite (11th Gen) after reading ebooks on my iPad and iPhone. I started out reading ebooks on my first iPad, which I bought in 2012. I now own a 2nd generation iPad Pro, which I got in 2020. Note: I placed the clip where I talk about the Whispersync function earlier in the video than when I filmed it, which is why my reference to Audible sounds strange.

Timestamps:
0:00 Why I use Kindle ebooks
3:48 My history with devices
4:46 Getting the Kindle Paperwhite
6:59 Annotation benefits on the Kindle app
9:00 Paperwhite annotation vs iPad
11:13 Immersive reading
12:13 Distractions
13:29 Fantasy reader consideration
14:13 Books read on Paperwhite so far
14:34 Is the Paperwhite worth it?
15:05 Stand for Paperwhite
15:28 Is it worth it to pay for ad removal?
15:56 Recap of features
16:21 Accessing ebooks
17:57 Please share your thoughts in the comments

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[Johanna_reads]

I feel silly that I didn't realize you could tap the left-hand corner to change the time count, page, number, and percentage or make all numbers disappear. Thanks for the tip, everyone!

[ctaylorcaldwell]

I resisted e-books for a long time but I have to admit the ability to change the font size has been a revelation for me and my failing eyesight. I also love the fact I can read YA trash in public with no one being the wiser.

[lesliegordon]

A lovely analysis. My daughter gifted me my first Kindle twenty years ago. I've never looked back. To carry a library in your pocket is still amazing to me. Of course, I still have a generous physical library, but I have to admit, an e-reader can be so handy at times. I have the Kindle app on my phone as well. One of the best inventions ever.

[liamwhalen]

If the ebook you purchase has the maps and appendixes you could use your Kindle's bookmark feature to jump to those pages quickly. Not quite the same sense as in a physical book, but time wise it has a similar effect.

[joshramirez]

I have always enjoyed reading on e-readers more, easier to hold, easy on the eyes, and love the adjustability. Nice review! To turn off the minutes at the bottom of the screen, just tap it a few times until it goes away. I would also recommend turning on the warm light feature, very nice a night. Also, it has auto off and on if you put a case on it. Hope you continue to enjoy!

[vaughnroycroft]

I read well over half of my fiction on my Paperwhite, but I often buy the physical books I end up loving. I love it for: reading in bed (after my wife turns off her light); for travel and running errands (it's lighter for packing, and fits in my back pocket for carrying to office appointments, etc.); the built in dictionary; the whispersync feature is really handy, as I use audible for car trips. For some writers, I can imagine it could be helpful to see the actual numbers, from how many people are reading your ebooks all the way down to how many pages were read in a day (I don't check these things, and prefer to try not to watch any of the numbers too closely). You definitely can change the number at the lower left to page numbers. Just tap it. It also offers percentage of the book read.

Also, my wife gets the ocular migraines, too, and it's definitely related to eye-strain for her (and occurs more during stressful periods). She read somewhere that drinking Gatorade when you feel one coming on can help (the electrolytes, I guess). She swears by it. Wishing you the best with that issue! Solid analysis, Johanna. Good job!

[andrewhanson]

Great review! I remember when e-readers came out and I was like what's the point you can read them on a regular tablet, but once I tried the paperwhite, it made me realize quickly how hard a tablet had been on my eyes.

I was also amazed that the Kindle could slide into my same pants' pockets as my phone and could take it everywhere easy.

The whisper-sync that you mention is really cool when coupled with the fact that amazon often only charges around $7.50 for the audiobook if you bought the Kindle edtion. The 9.99 for most Kindle and $7.50 for audio still keeps it slightly cheaper than most non-mass market paperbacks. I like to pair the Kindle and audible versions together for anything over 700+ pages to keep my tbr moving.

Thanks for sharing you thoughts! I look forward to your next upload.

[PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

As possibly one of the last persons on BookTube not to own an e-reader, I found your thoughts here very helpful. I'm not sure I'll ever buy one, but at least I know a bit more about what they can do. Thanks, Johanna!

[Will_]

Great video Johanna!

I resisted moving to ebooks for years, but after a period of moving about a dozen times in the the same amount of years (boxes of books are bulky and heavy), and finding a lack of space to be a problem, I eventually made the switch. I might go back to physical books next time I have the space to have multiple large bookshelves.

You mentioned many benefits and drawbacks but I thought I'd mention some other benefits that I've found over the years.


-Sync to "furthest page read" between kindle app on my ipad and my phone. Can always switch devices and pick up right where you left off.
-You can change the page color. I don't know for sure that it reduces eye-strain, but I feel like it does for me. I use the black background with a white font.
-You mentioned not being able to flip to the map (or the appendices) and back, but you can use the bookmark feature for this
-I like being able to read on a device without another light source, like outside at night (it doesn't get all that cold where I live).

A drawback

-Sometimes Amazon is having server issues and I have found myself not able to download a book I own for several hours until the problem got fixed. That would never be a problem with physical books (or if you always keep all your kindle books downloaded and don't have space issues).

[blacknbluecollarreader]

This was an excellent video and so helpful!!! I love the feeling of a book in hand and love building my little library. However, I am running out of space. lol. I tried audio books but I also prefer to make notes/underline points, prose etc. This device I think would be perfect for me at this time. Again Excellent video and EXTREMELY HELPFUL. Thanks

[philip]

i love reading on my ipad. mainly because landscape mode and being able to make an album with maps and fanart to reference while reading. it’s so immersive for me. i use the yellow paper color in the kindle app as well as night shift and true tone on and i don’t notice any eye strain

[esmayrosalyne]

Really interesting video! I have always read my ebooks on my Samsung tablet, but the eyestrain and headaches are really starting to suck the joy out of reading at this point. Amazing to hear that this Kindle paperwhite has helped you so much with that, I am going to have to seriously consider getting one myself now.
I love that you annotate so much using your kindle! I tend to only save quotes that resonate with me or that I think will turn out to be foreshadowing, but then I find that I never actually look back on the things I saved hahah.
Great video Johanna, thanks so much for sharing!

[TallGuyReads]

Great video, I totally agree with so much of what you said! I love the Paperwhite! I usually go in waves between reading strictly physically and then strictly e-book, but lately I've been finding myself opting for the e-book even if I own the physical copy haha it's so convenient, I love highlight, and it's significantly easier to read in bed! I still prefer physical books overall, but e-books have proven to be a great resource for me and the Kindle Paperwhite is an awesome tool!

[francoisbouchart]

I have transitioned my whole library to my Kindle with the exception of a few treasured books. The Kindle is easy on the eyes (compared to a tablet or phone) and I can change the font size (getting old 😞😏). It allows me to take multiple books when backpacking and kayaking. I can read at night without a light waking up my wife. Sure, physical books are beautiful but I will never go back. Thanks for sharing your experience. Cheers.

[CurlyHoward]

If you purchase regularly from Amazon. Wait a month from purchasing your Kindle and call customer service and they'll often remove ads for free.
I solve the map issue by putting it on my phone.

[ReadingByTheRainyMountain]

This was a fun video to watch and learn about your experiences with e-readers. Thank you for sharing Johanna! I did most of my reading on a kindle in the last ten years or so. I switched to hard copies when I read the Broken Earth trilogy a few years ago on paperback for some reason or the other and I realized I was more inclined to pick up the book before bedtime because of the format. I still own and regularly use a kindle, but mainly for bedtime reading and traveling. I've owned a few different kinds, but I like the Oasis the most :)

[almaaguado]

I been using kindle for years, I bring it with me everywhere. It was great for reading in the tube, even when changing trains. For the page number or percentage at the bottom of the page, just tap on it and it change between number, time, location, percentage or nothing. Great informative video, thanks!!

[ChristopherNavoBooks]

Very informative video Johanna. I'm still old-school as a physical book reader (plus a book collector). I think comes down to so much of my life utilizing a screen: work and recreation. There are many times, especially when traveling I wish I had an e-reader. I will admit I've never really tried a paperwhite and your breakdown on it has me curious since you mention optical fatigue as I suffer from headaches from excessive screentime, and the paperwhite seems to be a good solution to that. Thanks for taking the time for putting this together

[TuftyMcTavish]

Oooo, Paperwhite! I upgraded my 2013 Paperwhite to an 11th Gen model when it first came out, because I was getting frustrated at the clunkyiness of the old model that wasn’t getting OS updates and needed constant rebooting. I’ve used an iPad since the very original model, but I must confess I have never, ever wanted to read a book on it!!! I know that I can’t use a device late at night if I want to fall asleep, but a Kindle will very successfully send me to sleep. That said, I vastly refer physical books despite my long term e-reader experience. I’ve only recently starting using my Apple Pencil on Procreate when generating images, so seeing your system in action was highly informative as that was all new to me. I paid the tax to rid myself of the ads! I also kept up my Kindle Unlimited subscription after the included 3 month trial expired. I’m all on… Here in 🇬🇧 we used to get digital credits, but I’ve not seen that happen lately, now that you mention it 🤔

[BookishChas]

I loved hearing your ebook journey, Johanna. I love my Paperwhite. You can download audiobooks to your Paperwhite - of course it takes up a good chunk of memory - and then you can play it natively while reading I believe. You’d have to use headphones though. It does seem a bit clunky, but I haven’t personally used that feature. The ads don’t bother me either. I hardly notice them.