11 Reasons to Avoid a Kindle Paperwhite Today
E-readers promise a distraction-free reading experience in a compact digital form factor, and Amazon‘s Kindle Paperwhite tries to deliver the ultimate refinement of that concept. But before joining the ranks of happy Paperwhite owners, consider these 11 reasons why buying one may not actually improve your reading life right now.
You Probably Already Own a Capable E-Reader
Your trusty smartphone likely already supplies you with ample tools for reading ebooks on the go. Apps like Kindle, Nook, and Apple Books turn your device into a capable e-reader complete with syncing, highlighting, dictionary lookups, and more.
So why buy another gadget to manage when you already have one in your pocket? Smartphone screens and apps have advanced to the point that reading ebooks on them is quite pleasant, especially on larger "phablet" devices. Unless you specifically want something with an E Ink display, you already own a great e-reader.
Buying New Toys Won‘t Make You Read More
An unfortunate truth—when we‘re already struggling to read more, buying a fancy new gadget rarely provides the motivation we expect. Without addressing the underlying reasons you‘ve had difficulty building a reading habit lately, a Kindle Paperwhite will quickly join the rest of your unused stuff collecting dust.
Rather than spend $140 on an unproven solution, carefully examine why you aren‘t reading now. Lack of interest? Too busy? Prefer other activities? Once you discover the root causes, conquering them will be the key to reading more. An e-reader may help some, but don‘t count on it to magically give you a passion for books.
You Aren‘t Utilizing What You Already Own
Take a quick tally—how many unread print books are languishing on your shelves right now? Before dropping cash on digital titles, wouldn‘t it feel great to plow through some of what you already bought?
And if you inherited any older e-readers or tablets, their app stores offer reading apps too. Dust those off instead of acquiring new stuff. You may uncover a perfectly great e-reading experience.
Just Borrow One First
If you lack personal experience using an e-reader, nothing stops you from borrowing a friend‘s to test the waters before you buy. Ask around—there‘s probably someone in your circles willing to loan you their Kindle for a bit.
You might also find lightly used e-readers like the Kindle Paperwhite for sale secondhand if you decide to buy. Between thrift stores, Craigslist, eBay, and the Amazon Renewed store, you can often save 40% or more over new.
Buying new tech should be the last resort after you‘ve sampled the experience and know you‘ll use it. Don‘t pay full retail until you‘re positive it solves an ongoing problem.
Plenty of Alternatives Exist
It‘s easy to forget Amazon isn‘t the only digital bookstore and e-reader provider. Excellent alternatives like Kobo or Barnes & Noble Nook may suit your preferences and budget better. Their hardware integrates well with third-party public libraries too—a service many Kindles struggle with.
Unless you‘re a diehard Amazon user, evaluating other brands often uncovers better specs or prices compared to the Kindle Paperwhite. Don‘t assume Amazon has your ideal device without some comparison shopping first.
Fewer Screens Isn‘t a Bad Thing
We already spend nearly 7 hours daily staring at screens. Our brains desperately need a periodic break from pixels, even E Ink ones. Opting for print books guarantees screen-free reading while giving your eyes a chance to refocus naturally.
And nothing brings more joy than disconnecting from technology completely while lost in the timeless pleasure of words on a printed page. Sometimes avoiding screens to read feels downright therapeutic.
Your Local Library Offers Free Ebooks
Funding your book habit entirely through Amazon gets expensive fast. But joining your local public library nets access to thousands of free ebook checkouts usable on most e-readers.
Making full use of this unlimited free content can satisfy your reading needs without constantly swiping your credit card in Kindle Store—all while supporting an invaluable public institution.
Library Ebook Experience on Kindle Can Be Poor
Unfortunately, Kindles often provide disappointing access to those library ebook collections compared with other e-readers. Unless Amazon negotiates specific access to a local library‘s catalog, Kindles rely on dated workarounds using third-party apps.
Meanwhile, Kobo, Nook, and other brands directly integrate with OverDrive—the network commonly used by libraries to distribute free ebooks across North America. Checking out and reading library ebooks fluently using a Kindle requires extra steps compared to other options.
Physical Books Still Work Great
We often forget just how perfectly portable and convenient print books remain despite their old-school tech. Outside of multiflight trips, is carrying one hardcover really that much more cumbersome than a small e-reader plus cable and charger?
And Unlike a Paperwhite, you can always buy a paperback in a pinch almost anywhere if your current title ends sooner than expected. Bookstores large and small populate nearly every neighborhood if you need a backup.
You Can Actually Own and Keep Print Books
Digital books provide mere access—their publishers can revoke your ability to read them at any time or edit their contents without notice. Ask anyone who lost access after Amazon remotely deleted books from Kindles back in 2009.
Print books offer true ownership of both book and content regardless of external factors. Your library stays yours to keep, lend, gift, and resell. Few readers grow emotionally attached to pixels on a screen either.
The Next Kindle Paperwhite Could Launch Soon
E-readers improve quickly, and Amazon refreshes the Kindle Paperwhite about every three years. 2022 marked the Paperwhite 5‘s debut—placing the Paperwhite 6 due possibly as early as late 2024.
No one enjoys buyer‘s remorse from purchasing an aging gadget right before its successor emerges. If you aren‘t in dire need, stashing away the cash for a Paperwhite upgrade down the road when the time is right avoids feeling left behind by the latest model.
In the end, the Kindle Paperwhite tries valiantly to provide an idealized digital reading experience. But its price tag may not justify itself among the alternatives already surrounding you.
With a bit more thought and creativity, you can likely unearth smarter options for affordably building better reading habits in 2023 without the Kindle Paperwhite‘s limitations.
