The new entry-level Kindle has officially converted me to e-readers

Amazon Kindle (11th generation)

professionals and cons

Professionals

• Tremendous light-weight and moveable
• Most of the similar options as dearer Kindle fashions
• Darkish mode
• Reasonably priced

Cons

• Net browser performance could possibly be higher
• No heat mild possibility
• Nonetheless not waterproof

extra shopping for selections

The Kindle first got here out in 2007, however in 2022, this cussed author had but to learn a ebook on any e-reader — till now. I used to be all the time a physical-book-in-my-hand sort of reader. 

To me, paperback and hardcover books are particular: The scent of their pages, the sound of flipping by them, and the load of a extremely large ebook in your fingers. 

However within the curiosity of tech (and my job), I made a decision to offer the brand new Kindle a shot. I am pleased to report that I am a completely transformed Kindle reader. 

The brand new 2022 entry-level Kindle comes with plenty of upgrades, making it a bit extra aggressive with dearer fashions just like the Kindle Paperwhite and the Kindle Oasis e-readers. However as somebody who’s by no means used a Kindle, this mannequin’s simplicity impressed me and made studying new and thrilling once more. 

Additionally: The best way to get (nice) free books on Kindle

A lot-needed upgrades from the earlier era 

Amazon hasn’t up to date its fundamental Kindle mannequin since 2019, and you may see the upgrades within the new eleventh era. These embrace 16GB of storage as a substitute of 8GB, 300 ppi as a substitute of 167 ppi, six weeks of battery life in comparison with 4 weeks, and charging through USB-C as a substitute of a micro-USB. All these new updates solely elevate the worth by $10, making the brand new Kindle $99.99.

Whereas I can not communicate to the earlier era Kindle, I used to be impressed with this Kindle’s show. Its 300 ppi is identical show because the Paperwhite and the Oasis. The anti-glare show additionally makes it simple to learn in any mild, and darkish mode is a heat welcome to my eyes when attempting to learn at night time with out letting the blue mild of a display interrupt my sleep cycle. 

This new Kindle can be probably the most light-weight Kindle out of any of the fashions. The earlier era clocked in at 6.1 ounces, however this new one is simply 5.56 ounces, and it’s drastically simpler to hold and maintain than an precise ebook. For reference, the Paperwhite is 7.23 ounces, and the Oasis is 6.6 ounces.

Additionally: The best way to flip your previous gadgets into Amazon reward playing cards

The Kindle’s physique is made from 30% and 75% recycled plastics, and 90% recycled magnesium supplies, and is available in black and a brand new denim blue shade. 

Setup course of

As somebody who has by no means even held a Kindle earlier than, I discovered the setup course of tougher than I anticipated. It took me longer than I might prefer to admit to determine the right way to get to the house display. However as soon as I had it discovered, all of it turned second nature to me. 

To get to the house display (the place you may see your library and entry the Kindle retailer), merely faucet the highest center of your Kindle. 

To get to the settings (the place you may regulate brightness, activate darkish mode, and activate airplane mode), swipe down from the highest of your Kindle. 

As with every Kindle, you get three months freed from Kindle Limitless (after that, it is $10 a month). 

Establishing my Kindle Limitless account was way more self-explanatory than the gadget itself, and discovering books and switching between them is simple. The Kindle Limitless Retailer could be a little harmful, since it is simple to get tempted so as to add greatest sellers, curated suggestions, and new releases to your library earlier than ending the ebook you are at the moment studying. 

Nonetheless, I really like the variability the shop has: It has each newer page-turners and picks from indie and self-published writers (which I learn plenty of). 

Additionally: The best way to purchase books on Kindle

Studying expertise 

I discovered myself studying extra with the Kindle than with a bodily ebook. Since it is so light-weight, it is simpler to convey it in my purse and take it out whereas ready for a health care provider’s appointment or getting my oil modified, as a substitute of aimlessly scrolling my telephone.

I really like you can customise the web page format, the textual content measurement, what you see on every web page, and the way your Kindle appears to be like when turned off. I additionally like that the Kindle learns your studying velocity and may present you ways lengthy you have got left within the chapter, which is useful when deciding, “Ought to I cease right here or end the chapter?”

Studying the Kindle made me need to learn extra usually, maybe due to its newness or as a result of the ebook I’m studying is de facto good, however I additionally seen I’m not as distracted studying with a Kindle as I’m with an everyday ebook. There’s one thing about having a single web page on the display to deal with, as a substitute of two pages of a ebook that I get tempted to look at for spoilers.

The pages load shortly and simply, the backlight is phenomenal, and the battery life continues to be at about 70% after one week of frequent use.

One factor this Kindle may use is a few enchancment on its net shopping expertise. I do know this isn’t a pill, however I did use the net browser a couple of times when attempting to search for the place a particular mountain vary was within the ebook I used to be studying. The expertise was sluggish and clunky, and never all web sites work on the Kindle’s format, however once more, that is an e-reader, not a pill, so I will not knock off too many factors for that. 

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Backside line 

I really like this Kindle. It is simple on the eyes while you’re studying each in daylight and at nighttime, it is so light-weight and moveable, and I’ve a whole library in my purse now. The Kindle made me excited to learn once more, one thing even a model new hardcover ebook hasn’t been in a position to do in years. 

One thing to bear in mind is that this Kindle solely has 4 entrance LEDs in comparison with the Paperwhite’s and Oasis’ 17 entrance LEDs, and it is also not waterproof, so you will must be additional cautious when you plan to learn poolside. Nonetheless, since that is the primary Kindle I’ve ever dabbled with, I can not say if it is higher than the opposite extra expensive and feature-rich fashions, however this Kindle skeptic is proud of what the brand new entry-level Kindle affords. 

Alternate options to think about 

In fact, when you’ve been a Kindle reader for some time now, I do not blame you for wanting one thing extra superior and feature-rich. The Kindle Paperwhite and the Kindle Oasis are apparent upgrades to the entry-level Kindle. And, when you actually need to department out, the brand new Kindle Scribe is a component pill, half e-reader.