[shill]

Does anyone know if the new Kindles are more rugged? My classic Kindle was in a protective cover when it dropped a short distance from a table to a wood floor. The screen did not crack but the e-ink display was permanently frozen.

[DennisP]

I've dropped my paperwhite at least three feet onto concrete, and a shorter distance several times onto tile, no protective cover, no problems so far.

[skriticos2]

I got the standard protective cover which makes the unit about three times as heavy, but I can stuff it in my bag that's choking full at times without issues. Never dropped it though, but I think the thick rubber enclosure should provide some protection against that too. And I like the magnetic on/off switch.