Brief Summary
Eileen reviews the 2024 Kindle Basic after using it for two months, comparing it to her experiences with the Kindle Paperwhite and other e-readers like the Kobo Libra Color. She highlights its portability, speed, and battery life, while also discussing its drawbacks such as the presence of ads and the lack of a warm light feature. Overall, she finds the Kindle Basic to be a worthwhile device, especially for those who prioritize portability and read primarily during the day.
- The Kindle Basic is praised for its compact size and portability, making it easy to carry around.
- It offers fast performance and a battery life of up to six weeks.
- Drawbacks include the presence of ads and the absence of a warm light feature.
- The device is considered a good option for readers who value portability and read mostly during the day.
Intro
Eileen introduces a review of the 2024 Kindle Basic after using it for two months. She mentions her long history with Kindles, starting in 2018 with the Kindle Paperwhite, and her current use of a Kobo Libra Color. She aims to provide insights as someone who has experience with both the basic and more advanced Kindle models.
Kindle Basic Overview
The Kindle Basic is the entry-level Kindle model, priced at $109, which is less expensive than the Paperwhite at $160. It features a 6-inch screen, up to 6 weeks of battery life, and USB-C charging. Available in matcha and black, it includes most essential e-reader features, except for a couple of omissions.
Portability and Size
Eileen emphasizes the Kindle Basic's exceptional portability due to its small size, allowing it to fit in pockets, bags, and purses. She notes that despite previously using a Kindle Paperwhite, she found herself preferring the Basic for its convenience. The smaller size did not hinder her reading experience, and she appreciated how light it was, even with a case and popsocket.
Speed and Performance
The speed and performance of the Kindle Basic are comparable to newer Paperwhite models, a significant improvement over older Kindles. Eileen expresses satisfaction with the device's responsiveness and quick menu navigation, making it feel like a high-end device.
Battery Life
The Kindle Basic offers up to 6 weeks of battery life, which Eileen found sufficient, charging it only twice in two months. While some competitors like the Paperwhite boast longer battery life (12 weeks), she did not notice a significant difference in her usage.
Cons: Ads and Warm Light
One downside of the Kindle Basic is the presence of ads, which Eileen finds annoying. Removing ads costs an additional $20, making the Paperwhite a potentially more attractive option. Another drawback is the lack of a warm light feature, which adjusts the screen's color temperature for nighttime reading. While she prefers the warm light on her Paperwhite, she found dark mode on the Basic to be an acceptable alternative.
Display and Design
Eileen praises the Kindle Basic's display for its crispness and clarity. The screen is slightly indented, unlike the flush screen of the Paperwhite, but she quickly got used to it. She also appreciates the matcha color of her Kindle, which encourages her to use it more often.
Comparison to Reading on a Phone
While reading on a phone is convenient, Eileen prefers using a dedicated e-reader like the Kindle Basic. She feels that the experience is more book-oriented and less prone to distractions. Additionally, she notes that using a Kindle in public can sometimes feel less socially acceptable than using a phone.
Final Thoughts and Conclusion
Eileen concludes with a highly positive review of the Kindle Basic, emphasizing its portability, speed, and overall functionality. She recommends it, along with the Paperwhite, as good options for e-readers. Despite owning multiple e-readers, she plans to keep the Kindle Basic as her travel device due to its cute design and practicality. She also adds a disclaimer, supporting the idea of buying the cheapest thing and comforting those people who don't want to spend a lot of money on e-readers.
