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11 Reasons to Avoid a Kindle Paperwhite Today

The Kindle Paperwhite: A Beloved Device You May Want to Avoid

Since the first Kindle e-reader was released by Amazon in 2007, the Kindle line has gone on to dominate the e-reader market. Offering easy access to Amazon‘s vast ebook library, Kindles quickly became the most popular choice for anyone wanting to carry an entire library in their pocket.

The Kindle Paperwhite, first introduced in 2012, upped the ante with a higher resolution display, adjustable lighting, and a more premium feel. Touted by Jeff Bezos as "the Kindle we‘ve always wanted to build", the Paperwhite has been a consumer favorite for a decade, receiving updates every few years.

It‘s undeniably a great device for the right user. But before you jump to buy the latest Paperwhite model, consider the following reasons why you may actually want to avoid purchasing one:

  1. You likely already have a phone or tablet that can be used as an e-reader. Modern smartphones have large, high-resolution displays that are great for reading. Simply download the Kindle app or another ebook app and you instantly have access to millions of books without needing to buy and carry a separate device. A phone or tablet you already own is also more versatile, allowing you to read in more situations when a dedicated e-reader may be too limited.

  2. Buying a new gadget will not suddenly turn you into a avid reader if you don‘t already have a regular reading habit. It‘s a common mistake to think a shiny new device will provide enough motivation to change your behavior. But the initial novelty wears off quickly. Without an existing book reading routine in your life, a Kindle Paperwhite will likely just end up collecting dust after a few weeks. It‘s better to start building a reading habit using books you already own or can easily borrow first.

  3. Take a look at your existing book shelves at home – you likely already have unread gems sitting there that cost you nothing to pick up and start enjoying immediately. Clear out that backlog first before spending money on new ways to acquire even more books! You may rediscover an interest in reading without forking over cash for an e-reader and ebooks.

  4. Think back a few years… did you already buy into the e-reader craze? Dig through your closets and drawers, as there‘s a good chance you already have an older model Kindle, Nook or Kobo that still works fine for reading ebooks. The e-ink displays on even decade-old e-readers are still great and battery life is long on models that have been in storage. Save money and reduce clutter and e-waste by using what you already have.

  5. Expand your consideration beyond just the Kindle Paperwhite to the wide world of e-readers out there. Kobo devices offer great hardware and a more open ebook ecosystem not locked to Amazon‘s store. Kobo‘s offerings like the Clara HD and Libra 2 match or exceed the Paperwhite line in terms of specs and features. The Nook Glowlight devices from Barnes & Noble are also solid Kindle alternatives. These non-Amazon options can side-load books from more sources and have better support for borrowing ebooks from public libraries.

  6. For many people, the appeal of reading printed books is to escape the ever-present screens that dominate our lives. With phones, tablets, computers, smartwatches and TV always shining pixels into our eyes all day and night, there is something liberating about technology-free time spent with a physical book. Using an e-reader like the Paperwhite means more time staring at yet another screen. If you‘re trying to balance or limit your daily exposure to glowing displays, opting for old-fashioned print books makes sense.

  7. A huge benefit of regular books is the ability to borrow them from public libraries for free. Get a library card and you can continuously borrow free reading material in a way that directly supports and gives back to your local community. Many people don‘t realize how huge the selection of books is at most libraries now with inter-library loan systems in place. Save a lot of money on books and e-reader hardware by using the free resources your taxes already pay for!

  8. If your goal is to read ebooks borrowed from the library on an e-reader device, Kindles are actually one of the worst options due to their incompatibility with the ebook systems most libraries use. To borrow library ebooks on a Kindle requires extra steps and technical workarounds that don‘t always work smoothly. The process is much more seamless on Kobo, Nook and other e-readers not made by Amazon. For library power users, avoiding Kindles is best.

  9. A common reason people give for wanting an e-reader is the ability to carry many books at once when traveling or commuting. But let‘s be realistic – how often are you actually juggling multiple books in a single reading session? For most people, one book at a time is plenty. And a single paperback or small hardcover book is often not much larger or heavier than a Kindle Paperwhite when you factor in the case or sleeve most people use to protect the e-reader. Fitting one book in your luggage, backpack or purse is just as easy as packing a Kindle in most situations.

  10. When you buy ebooks, you don‘t truly own them in the same way you own a physical copy of a book. Ebooks are licensed, not sold, and that license can be revoked by the retailer with little recourse. Your access to ebooks is dependent on the continued existence of the retailer and your ability to access your online account with them. You also can‘t easily lend, give away, donate or resell ebooks like you can with physical books. For those who value actually owning the media they purchase, ebooks have major drawbacks.

  11. If you have your heart set on a Kindle Paperwhite, consider waiting to see if an updated model is released soon. Historically, new Paperwhite models have been released every 2-3 years, with the most recent 11th generation model coming out in 2021. Buying the current Paperwhite now means you may miss out on an improved version in the near future. Waiting also means eventual discounts on the current model when a new one launches if you don‘t need the latest and greatest.

All those potential downsides doesn‘t mean Kindle Paperwhites aren‘t great for certain users. If you‘ve had Kindles before, are all-in on the Amazon ebook ecosystem, and know it‘s a device you‘ll use heavily, by all means get the new Paperwhite and enjoy it!

But for many people, the Kindle Paperwhite is far from an essential gadget. Think carefully about how it will fit into your reading life before taking the plunge. You very likely already own tech that can serve your ebook needs in the phone or tablet you already carry every day.

Consider starting your reading journey with the physical books you already own or can borrow for free from the library. If you have an e-reader already, put it to use before buying a new one. And when you are ready for a new e-reader, remember that Kindles aren‘t the only game in town, with Kobo, Nook and other brands offering compelling Kindle alternatives.

Reading more is a great goal, but one that is not achieved through new hardware alone. Build your reading habit first, then select the reading formats and gadgets that best fit your life and budget. For many people, that doesn‘t necessarily include a new Kindle Paperwhite.