The Kindle DX: Overpriced or worth every penny?
With all the attention on the $259.00 Kindle 2 ($279.00 International Ed), it seems the Kindle DX, with it's $489.00 price tag, has been largely ignored by most reviewers and the media. But hold on, should we have a closer look at the DX and see if it's larger screen and extra features justifies the extra costs?
The Kindle 2 (K2) and Kindle DX are technically identical with the same CPU processor, the same operating system, even the overall look, size and buttons are similar. Both receive 3G wireless signals so wherever there is a mobile phone signal, you can usually be able to receive a Amazon book or newspaper within sixty seconds.You might think that the DX battery might be larger then it's smaller sister but they both last about the same, 8,000 page turns per charge.
Is a 9.7" screen significantly larger than a 6" screen? Yes. In addition to being 2.5 times bigger than the Kindle 2's screen, the DX also has an auto-rotate feature that lets you switch between a landscape and portrait mode by flipping the reading device sideways. Quite helpful when reading newspapers, graphs, maps and artwork that are presented in a landscape mode. If the display gets too jumpy while moving, you can turn the auto-rotate feature off and change it manually as you need it. Oh no, the Kindle 2 does not have landscape display, that's a shame.
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The Kindle 2 (K2) and Kindle DX are technically identical with the same CPU processor, the same operating system, even the overall look, size and buttons are similar. Both receive 3G wireless signals so wherever there is a mobile phone signal, you can usually be able to receive a Amazon book or newspaper within sixty seconds.You might think that the DX battery might be larger then it's smaller sister but they both last about the same, 8,000 page turns per charge.
Is a 9.7" screen significantly larger than a 6" screen? Yes. In addition to being 2.5 times bigger than the Kindle 2's screen, the DX also has an auto-rotate feature that lets you switch between a landscape and portrait mode by flipping the reading device sideways. Quite helpful when reading newspapers, graphs, maps and artwork that are presented in a landscape mode. If the display gets too jumpy while moving, you can turn the auto-rotate feature off and change it manually as you need it. Oh no, the Kindle 2 does not have landscape display, that's a shame.
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The DX has significantly sharper screen resolution so web navigation and pictures look really sharp compared to the K2, the 824 X 1200 px on the 9.7" screen is 164% better then the 600 X 800 px on the 6" screen. The extra screen size is nice to have when reading books—it means you don’t have to scroll down nearly as often. But where the larger screen size really shows it’s worth is when reading magazines, maps, illustrations and newspapers. In the landscape viewing mode a newspaper on the DX looks like, well, a paper newspaper. In comparison, reading a newspaper on the Kindle 2 is a little frustrating.
The Amazon Kindle DX measures 10.4" x 7.2" x 0.38" in overall size while the Kindle 2 is naturally much smaller at 8" x 5.3" x 0.36". While both devices are about as thin as a typical magazine at 0.3 of an inch deep, the DX tips the scales at 18.9 ounces compared to the Kindle 2's 10.2 ounces. You can feel the difference of the additional weight in your hands so if you plan on using your ebook reader "on the go" then the Kindle 2 is the more portable device by far.
Ok the memory of the DX is very impressive compared to other eReaders, about 3,500 ebooks can fit in 4GB but the Kindle 2 can store 1,500 ebooks which is plenty for most people. With numbers this large, I don't think either choice made will run out of memory space any time soon.
Neither device has a really good keyboard but the DX keyboard was made much smaller to make room for the larger screen so the keys are closer together and the number keys have been combined with the top letter keys. Kindle was never meant for heavy keystrokes but most people will have an easier time using the K2's larger buttons.
Kindle 2 Review or finish article below
The Amazon Kindle DX measures 10.4" x 7.2" x 0.38" in overall size while the Kindle 2 is naturally much smaller at 8" x 5.3" x 0.36". While both devices are about as thin as a typical magazine at 0.3 of an inch deep, the DX tips the scales at 18.9 ounces compared to the Kindle 2's 10.2 ounces. You can feel the difference of the additional weight in your hands so if you plan on using your ebook reader "on the go" then the Kindle 2 is the more portable device by far.
Ok the memory of the DX is very impressive compared to other eReaders, about 3,500 ebooks can fit in 4GB but the Kindle 2 can store 1,500 ebooks which is plenty for most people. With numbers this large, I don't think either choice made will run out of memory space any time soon.
Neither device has a really good keyboard but the DX keyboard was made much smaller to make room for the larger screen so the keys are closer together and the number keys have been combined with the top letter keys. Kindle was never meant for heavy keystrokes but most people will have an easier time using the K2's larger buttons.
Kindle 2 Review or finish article below
So the DX wins on the screen size, resolution and general enjoyment of news, magazines, maps, web browsing use, is the Kindle 2 better in any way then the DX?
It depends on how you use it. When you give a Kindle DX to a young child or someone with small hands, the extra size and weight might make reading unpleasant for them. If you want to carry your Kindle on the train or plane or walk around with it, the K2 is much more lighter, portable & requires a smaller bag or carrying case. For most readers, a novel or ordinary book with only text really does not need a large screen, I think the Kindle 2 is better value than the DX
I would recommend spending the additional $230.00 US for readers who really want to have the best experience reading their daily digital newspapers & magazines on the largest affordable screen possible. Just like watching your favorite television shows on a larger TV screen is more enjoyable so too is reading your favorite columns on your DX
It will also be suitable for high school & college students who want to study from their Kindle DX everyday instead of carrying several text books all day long. Instead of carrying three or four text books or changing them at your locker whenever you change classes, you could carry just one DX all day long. Textbooks often have graphs, drawings and formulas which would be more visible on a DX then a K2 plus you can flip them around to view at different angles.
Another group who might prefer a DX are people with poor eyesight, like seniors, who has to read in large fonts sizes. Yes the K2 allows you to increase the fonts to a very large size as well but the DX has the bigger screen so there will less scrolling and page changes regardless of the print size.
Note: After January 1st, 2010, the Kindle DX is now available in over 100 countries just like the Kindle 2 so people who live outside the USA can also have wireless downloaded books on a large screen device like the DX. Previously only the Kindle 2 international could accept wireless downloads outside the USA.
A book lover, student or newspaper subscriber buying the DX can get hundreds of hours of enjoyment for pennies a day and will really enjoy their 9.7" Kindle for years to come. Even with the high price tag, I would recommend the DX so long as it is used on a daily basis and the quality of your reading or studying experience is really important to you.
It depends on how you use it. When you give a Kindle DX to a young child or someone with small hands, the extra size and weight might make reading unpleasant for them. If you want to carry your Kindle on the train or plane or walk around with it, the K2 is much more lighter, portable & requires a smaller bag or carrying case. For most readers, a novel or ordinary book with only text really does not need a large screen, I think the Kindle 2 is better value than the DX
I would recommend spending the additional $230.00 US for readers who really want to have the best experience reading their daily digital newspapers & magazines on the largest affordable screen possible. Just like watching your favorite television shows on a larger TV screen is more enjoyable so too is reading your favorite columns on your DX
It will also be suitable for high school & college students who want to study from their Kindle DX everyday instead of carrying several text books all day long. Instead of carrying three or four text books or changing them at your locker whenever you change classes, you could carry just one DX all day long. Textbooks often have graphs, drawings and formulas which would be more visible on a DX then a K2 plus you can flip them around to view at different angles.
Another group who might prefer a DX are people with poor eyesight, like seniors, who has to read in large fonts sizes. Yes the K2 allows you to increase the fonts to a very large size as well but the DX has the bigger screen so there will less scrolling and page changes regardless of the print size.
Note: After January 1st, 2010, the Kindle DX is now available in over 100 countries just like the Kindle 2 so people who live outside the USA can also have wireless downloaded books on a large screen device like the DX. Previously only the Kindle 2 international could accept wireless downloads outside the USA.
A book lover, student or newspaper subscriber buying the DX can get hundreds of hours of enjoyment for pennies a day and will really enjoy their 9.7" Kindle for years to come. Even with the high price tag, I would recommend the DX so long as it is used on a daily basis and the quality of your reading or studying experience is really important to you.
