Purchased a Paperwhite, now what?

[Badamon]

We purchased a Kindle Paperwhite (with ads) for our son (14 yrs) for Christmas. Additionally, purchased a case and travel chargers. What else will he need to "plug and play" on Christmas Day? Really would like him to be able to use it right away (we'll charge it up before wrapping). How do you download titles? Should we set up an account for him on Amazon prior so he can buy books? I have no idea and it's all foreign to me! Not a big techie (as you can tell!)
Thanks for your help!

 

[usnuzuloose]

You can certainly set up an account for him from Amazon for purchasing books.

 

[luvmy3]

We purchased a Kindle Paperwhite (with ads) for our son (14 yrs) for Christmas. Additionally, purchased a case and travel chargers. What else will he need to "plug and play" on Christmas Day? Really would like him to be able to use it right away (we'll charge it up before wrapping). How do you download titles? Should we set up an account for him on Amazon prior so he can buy books? I have no idea and it's all foreign to me! Not a big techie (as you can tell!)
Thanks for your help!

He will need an Amazon acct and if you don't want your credit card tied to his account, I would get him an Amazon GC to fund his account. Other than that, you really don't need anything, he'll be able to download books right away.

Also, you could get him a library card. I know its not the coolest thing but if your library loans ebooks he'll be able to borrow and download them right to his Kindle. That has been a lifesaver for my dd, she is a voracious reader and for her its an expensive habit so having the library card helps us afford it

 

[msmama]

Definitely check out your library. My library gives out brochures with step by step instructions on how to use the library services with your kindle (you do have to do it through a computer).

If you don't want him to have his own account then you could link it to yours. I'm fairly certain it comes with instructions on how to link it to an amazon account. It's very easy. Though I would second the amazon GC with his own account if he's trustworthy.

Also, the battery life on a kindle paperwhite is AMAZING!!! Like, I can go at least 2+ weeks without even thinking about charging it. So it'd probably work fine right out of the box (I think mine had about a half a charge when I got it) if you don't get to charging it.

 

[scard192]

I have an on line account with my library system so only needed set up the option to borrow the Kindle books. Mine has an option to filter by books that are available and its really cool the first time you get a book immediately.

My niece (9) has a Kindle and my sister set it up as her Kindle because in order to borrow books you need to log into an Amazon account which could give someone the ability to buy things. Perhaps get your son an Amazon gift card to load on to his Amazon account to buy books.

as others have said, the battery charge on Kindles lasts a long time but only if the wifi is turned off. I only turn mine on to get books.

Pixel of Ink has free or low cost books, their e-mail comes out every afternoon.

I have a Kindle and a Kindle Fire and prefer to read books on the Kindle, its thinner and weighs less.

 

[Jess30]

The paperwhite's battery is definitely longer with the wi-fi turned off, but I usually leave mine on out of laziness. I still get a week or so out of it with pretty heavy use.

Check out the kindle daily deals for cheaper books also. Many of them are not very good books, but I've gotten some really good books for cheap as well. I check every day and buy them when I see something I like, even if I'm not wanting to read it right at that time. I have quite a library built up this way. I very rarely buy a book at full price.

 

[Badamon]

He will need an Amazon acct and if you don't want your credit card tied to his account, I would get him an Amazon GC to fund his account. Other than that, you really don't need anything, he'll be able to download books right away.

Also, you could get him a library card. I know its not the coolest thing but if your library loans ebooks he'll be able to borrow and download them right to his Kindle. That has been a lifesaver for my dd, she is a voracious reader and for her its an expensive habit so having the library card helps us afford it

I do believe that my DS and your DS are twins, separated at birth!
Both boys (14 & almost 17) had their library cards at a very young age and love, love, love to read. I agree, it's a huge $$ saver and I know with the gift of the Kindle he'll love the convenience!
Thanks for your help & happy holidays!

 

[Badamon]

Thank you all! The information you shared is really helpful, reassures me that it's really not a big deal to get the thing up and running. I'm sure he'll be able to do all this with his eyes closed! We'll set up his own account on Amazon and get him a GC to get started. He's super responsible, so no worries about buying things that are not "authorized"
Enjoy your holidays!