Why Would I Want to Switch from Kindle 1 to the Latest "All-New" Kindle?

[Zorrosuncle]

Greetings -- I have an original Kindle 1 and am very happy with it; I use the Whispernet for downloading my books, which I purchase over my computer on the internet, at the Amazon site.

I have never had a problem with the device.  I travel outside the country (U.S) but am mostly on a cruiseship and usually preload my device with books before I leave.  I don't subscribe to any periodicals, yet.

Occasionally I am so far north, as I will be in July 2011 in a part of  Spitzbergen, that I am far north of the last satellite which rotates the earth at 57 degrees latitude,  I will be at approximately 78 degree latitude. Satellite probably will not work there , leaving the ship without their wi-fi  (for a fee) internet,  since the only satellite is over the horizon; don't know about 3G in Spitzbergen which has a sparse population (probably no cell phones), but as I wrote, I usually preload via computer download what I want to bring.

Aside from all of that, why in my everyday use at home would I want to switch to the latest Kindle (the ads say "all-new Kindle")?  What compelling reason is there for me? Where can I nget some specifications on this? Short of my Kindle dying on me, I am presently inclined to stay with what I have.

ZU

[jmiked]

The deciding factor for me was the improved display. Yes, it was that much better for my poor old eyes.

Mike

[lindnet]

I have a K1 that I've been very happy with as well.  I did order the K3 and took it on a cruise with me a couple of weeks ago.  Other than the clearer display (not by a lot, but it is a bit easier to read) and the smaller form factor, I've really been wondering if I should keep it. 

I really only use the Kindle to read books, and I only turn on the Whispernet to download them.  The K1 does everything I need quite well.  And now that I'm having the slow page turns in the sun on the K3, I'm leaning more towards returning it and just getting a new battery for the K1.

[kim]

There is no reason you need to get the K3.  Many people (like lindnet) are very happy with their K1's.

I'm getting a K3 because
1) I would like the improved screen and fonts
2) I like the idea of it being a little smaller since I carry it with me everywhere in my purse

I had a K1 and loved it (sold it when the K2 came out).  I have a K2 and love it (sold it this week).  I'll be getting a K3 and I'm sure I'll love it.

[CoolMom1960]

If I hadn't fried mine I would still be using my K1.  Like you I generally have quite the queue of books on my kindle and only used the whispernet to download.  As was mentioned earlier the better screen contrast and lighter form factor are great.  But that being said I would have waited until I could no longer buy a new battery or the thing died before I bought a new one.

[Linjeakel]

As the others have said it's entirely a matter of personal preference. If you're happy with your K1 there's really no need to change it while it still works. If you're still curious though, why not try out the K3 for 30 days and see for yourself? Only you can decide if upgrading is right for you.

[yogini2]

I was going to never upgrade my K1 until it died and then it did.  A collision course with the floor that hit at the exact wrong spot.  Now I have K3 and love it.  The K2 never appealed to me.  1)The best thing about the K3 is that it is so light weight it almost floats. 2) Then there is the extended battery life (one month).  My K1 was needing recharging more often, even with the new battery.  3)It is so cute you want to pinch its little cheeks, (if it had cheeks) and read it only nekkid. 4) Its smaller and fits anywhere.  5)The pictures, when they exist, are much more distinct.  6)The larger variety of font sizes is terrific.  Since I work with stroke patients and they sometimes want to return to reading, this has GIANT font sizes and also has the option of fewer words on a page for those with visual field difficulties 7)I like the page turn buttons better, and the turn back page turner is on both sides 8)The ability to re-download an archived item at any time from the Kindle (WiFi vs 3G, notwithstanding).  Don't have to keep a lot of stuff right on the device unless you like it that way.  K2 has that feature but not the K1. 8)Everything is faster.

Things I miss about the K1: 1) its simpler and therefore required no knowledge to use it.  I had to take a little time to learn a few things with the K3. 2)I like the access to dictionary and location and finding books in the store better with the K1.  Still perfecting the K3 procedure.  More steps, not as intuitive because its not as simplistic.  3)Skinning the K1 was fun as well as the Oberon Cover, nothing coming between me and my K3.
Kathy

[shalym]

I was very happy with my K1, even though whispernet doesn't work at my house.  I would buy books and send them to my computer to load them on, and it wasn't that big of a deal.  When I saw the ad for the K3 with wi-fi, I thought, "that would be cool--at last I would be able to buy a book from bed"  I don't think that would have been enough for me to buy a new one before my first one died, though, it got me thinking about it.

What pushed me over the edge was the lighted cover.  I do a lot of my reading in bed, and I don't have a bedside light.  When I read DTB, I use a flashlight, and when I read on my K1, I used a mighty bright light clipped onto the cover.  The mighty bright was a pain to bring with me when I travelled--I had to take the batteries out before I packed it, because if I didn't, it would turn on in my bag.  I also tend to fall asleep while reading, and would waste the batteries in my Mighty Bright.  The lighted cover runs off of the Kindle battery, and shuts off when the Kindle goes to sleep.  I don't ever have to worry about packing it, because it's built into the cover, which is always on the Kindle.  It can't turn on accidentally, because it's folded into the cover when not in use.

Of course, the lowered price was a big incentive, too.

I'm now lending my K1 to family members, and if they decide that they like it, they'll be getting Kindles for Christmas.

Shari

[KayakerNC]

I have a K1, didn't upgrade to a K2, but...
The new screen is a super improvement.
Collections allow me to organize my books.
The Wi-Fi is very much faster than the 3G network. (I have a Wi-Fi router for my home computers)
Much more storage, without going to the SD card which has some drawbacks.
T to S is a bonus.
All in all, the K3 was enough steps forward to convince me it was worthwhile.
YMMV, but it works for me.

[Wannabe]

I've been using (and loving) my K1 since October of 2008. I ordered the K3 within hours of the preorder opening. I switched to the K3 for many of the same reasons the others have given. The main selling point for me is the ease and speed of looking up words. With the K3, you can navigate directly to the word you want to look up and the definition instantly appears at the top or bottom of your screen. Since I look up words very often, this is probably the biggest difference I notice and appreciate between the K1 and K3. Also, as was already mentioned, I love the optional lighted case. I often read in bed and the convenience of having the built in light that runs on the K3's battery was another big selling point for me. However, I never would have ordered the K3 (WiFi only) if the price wouldn't have been so attractive.

[teralpar]

What pushed me over the edge was the lighted cover.  I do a lot of my reading in bed, and I don't have a bedside light.  When I read DTB, I use a flashlight, and when I read on my K1, I used a mighty bright light clipped onto the cover.  The mighty bright was a pain to bring with me when I travelled--I had to take the batteries out before I packed it, because if I didn't, it would turn on in my bag.  I also tend to fall asleep while reading, and would waste the batteries in my Mighty Bright.  The lighted cover runs off of the Kindle battery, and shuts off when the Kindle goes to sleep.  I don't ever have to worry about packing it, because it's built into the cover, which is always on the Kindle.  It can't turn on accidentally, because it's folded into the cover when not in use.

I'm perfectly happy with my K2, but along with the better contrast on the K3, a big selling point for me also is the lighted cover. I love the concept since I like to read in bed and tend to fall asleep while reading, so most mornings I end up waking to a bright reading lamp shining in my face. I'm torn between holding on to my K2, or breaking down and buying the K3. But my best bet for now (and a relief for my wallet) is to keep my K2 until it dies on me.  

[Indy]

I work with a dude who just bought his wife a refurb K1.  She is totally in love.  If it works and you're still enjoying it, maybe you don't have to change.  There is no rule that says you have to upgrade.

[roa71]

1.  the display.  the difference is truly dramatic when compared side by side.
2.  the speed.  much faster page turns.
3.  the case.  the lighted case is well made and nicely complements the device.  the light powered by the kindle is very cool.

i loved my K1, but it does not hold a candle to the new version.  imo..

rick..

[sciencewhiz]

Using the wireless coverage map, there is no coverage in Spitsbergen.

[calikindle]

I loved the K1, disliked the K2, and really love my K3.

I preferred using a K1 over a K2, but the K3 beats them both in my opinion:

*much improved screen that's easier on the eyes
*integrated light in the cover
*great page-turn button design (I liked the K1 design, hated the K2 design).
*smaller and lighter than K2

[scott h]

Love the K3 so far.  No experience with the k1.  But if you are happy with it, I would stay with it as long as you can.  Who knows, maybe the k4 will be out by the time you NEED to upgrade.  Even if its not, the prices will still come down, so stay with it as long as you are happy.

[Xopher]

I keep going back and forth about replacing my K1. I replaced the battery this summer and it is running like a champ again. The 4GB SD card keeps my library full enough to read for quite a long time. I have an M-Edge cover with M-Edge reading light that folds down into the spine, so I always have a reading light if needed (that uses replaceable/rechargeable AAA batteries). I don't have the radio on that often, so the charge lasts a pretty good amount of time.

The things that do attract me to the K3 (we just got one for our daughter), are wifi, the nicer screen, smaller. tinner, lighter, and longer battery life. I like the way it can do searches, and dictionary lookups. The fact that you can move to a specific word in the text (which you could also do with the K2) rather than selecting things by line, is a nice feature.

I do tend to highlight certain quotes and such while I read. I like the way the K3 highlights things (you can start at the beginning of a sentence, instead of the beginning of a line of text). I also use the dictionary now and then. Plus I have a French/English dictionary loaded for when I am readying French texts, which I can easily switch to on the K1. I haven't played with my daughter's K3 to see if I can switch as easily between dictionaries, but I would think it would be similar.

If I was planning on using the wifi/3G connection more, use apps (like the games that recently came out), maybe take advantage of the webkit browser, or be away from the ability to charge for longer periods of time, I could easily see switching to the K3. Even using features like highlighting, word lookup, and maybe even better note taking, the K3 might make these easier. If all I am doing is reading ebooks that I have already loaded onto my Kindle, it would be hard to justify switching for a completely working device just to have the newest model.

Hence my own dilemma.

[Seamonkey]

You may not want to switch..

Having had a K1 and K2 and DX and now K3.

Size, weight, cuteness factor, graphite option, but more important the screen display is stunning, battery life is longer.

But again, if you are happy and have no reason to switch.. wait.. prices may drop agaiin and/or newer better features may be added.

[Caissa]

I'm just like you. I have a K1 and love it. No problems whatsoever. I read lots of books and only use the whispernet for downloading items. I have a memory card big enough to store basically everything. I decided to buy the K3 mostly for fun and because I wanted the collections feature (the ability to create folders to organize my books.) Now that I have my K3 I love it, but I don't really love it any more than my K1. The battery life is longer and the device is a little sexier. I was considering selling my K1, but now I'm going to keep it. I use that python script to convert library books, so I can read them on my kindle and apparently it doesn't work with the K3. (Or if does I haven't figured it out.) I say if you're perfectly happy there's really no reason to switch. Although I have to admit I kind of like having two kindles....

[Violet]

The K2 and K3 firmware supports "collections" you name yourself and you can put books in more than one collection.  Does the K1 support that?

The K3 adds higher contrast, 1-month battery life with wireless off, a couple of font style choices including a sans-serif font, line spacing.

I have a K2 and I'm getting a 3G K3. Having a spare Kindle will make it easy for me to loan books to family members.

[Annalog]

As long as you are happy with your K1, keep it. Others have mentioned most of the reasons for upgrading. If you use the number keys frequently, that might be a reason to wait to see if a future Kindle version brings them back. Since my eyes do not need the better contrast screen and I use the number keys frequently, I plan on postponing upgrade as long as possible.

[PraiseGod13]

I have a K1, didn't upgrade to a K2, but...
The new screen is a super improvement.
Collections allow me to organize my books.
The Wi-Fi is very much faster than the 3G network. (I have a Wi-Fi router for my home computers)
Much more storage, without going to the SD card which has some drawbacks.
T to S is a bonus.
All in all, the K3 was enough steps forward to convince me it was worthwhile.
YMMV, but it works for me.

This is exactly my experience.... LOVE my K3 and am so happy I upgraded at this point!

[patrisha w.]

The deciding factor for me was the improved display. Yes, it was that much better for my poor old eyes.

Mike

{Nodding} yes, this is true for me, too.

[Kindlechick]

Good question!  I'm really bad.  I had just gotten my K2 at Christmas, and bought the K3 primarily because of the improved screen contrast (although the K2 was ok, but I am getting to THAT age where the print is becoming increasingly difficult to focus on for long periods of time).  I justified it by giving my DH my K2.  You know, "I did for YOU honey!"   He wasn't buying the excuse, but he was sufficiently happy with his re-gifted K2. 

Since getting the K3, I have some surprise reasons why I love my K3 even more.

1. It fits in my purse, and it is lighter.
2. The improved contrast is the bomb!!
3. I LOVE the ability to have the lighted K3 case.  I never expected to love the case as much as I do!  With the other little book lights, my kids were always stealing them away from me, and I could never find one when I needed it.  Now, my light is with me wherever I go!

Were any of these reasons important enough for me to spend the additional money on a new one...probably not (but I'm glad I did).  I will not be upgrading again for a long, long time.

[Neekeebee]

A few weeks ago, I was planning to stick with my well-loved K1, but then Hubby went ahead and ordered the K3 for me.  After a few days with it, I have to say I love it, but not that much more than my K1, which still works very well (following a recent fix I found here). 

What I like: It's faster.  Searches are easier.  Highlighting is exact.  I never subscribed to blogs/newspapers before, but am looking into it now because downloads are faster.  I love the lighted cover.

Stuff I'm undecided about: I've always read my K1 in its Amazon cover, and plan to read my K3 in its Amazon cover, so I don't really notice the size difference so much.  I think I like collections, but there is room for improvement.

What I miss about my K1: the numbers buttons and the scroll wheel, which I prefer over the 5-way, at least for up/down.  Of course, Hubby, who always insisted that he liked using the Kindle App on the iTouch just fine, has now become attached to my K1, so I know it is in good hands.

I'd say if you're happy with your K1, keep reading on it.  Who knows...maybe in a few months they will make more improvements and the price will come down.

N