Kindle 3G Wireless Reading Device, 6″ Display – Latest Generation

10 Comments

1. C. Vincent says:

   August 26, 2010 at 7:55 am

   Rating

   I woke up to a nice surprise this morning: a new kindle as a gift. I have an iPad and a Kindle DX, but I guess someone heard my complaints of them being too heavy and difficult to do extended-reading on. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love my iPad and DX, but this new generation of Kindle is perfect for reading outside and for long periods of time. The iPad gets completely washed out in sunlight and often irritates my eyes staring at it for more than a couple of hours. The DX was my go-to device for those extended/outdoor reading periods, but now I have a new friend for reading novels. Instead of a replacement, this one seems more like a companion to the other devices and is a different class. The iPad works great for web browsing, shopping, productivity, games, etc while the Kindle falls short in those areas. The Kindle works great for reading novels, where the iPad falls short. For those that love to do extended-reading of magazines, newspapers, research articles, etc, I find that the DX is the go-to device.

   Without a doubt, the size and weight of the new kindle is the biggest draw for me. It’s smaller than the last edition by a significant margin. I’ve played around with the Kindle 2 and was impressed, but now looking at the size of the new Kindle, I’m blown away. It’s the absolute perfect size. Smaller would be unmanageable and larger wouldn’t feel nearly as good. This is a device that you can hold up, read, and just forget that it’s there. Compared to other e-readers I’ve tried, it’s much smaller and much lighter.

   One of my biggest complaints about the previous generation Kindles and the DX is the speed. It sometimes takes a while after you push `next page’ for it to actually change. In addition, the web browsing feature was so slow and clunky that it is really unusable in my opinion. Two additions to the new Kindle have helped attenuate these issues. First, the pages do flip quicker (albeit, still slow in my opinion), and the addition of wifi has allowed faster connection for wireless activities (much better than only relying on 3G). I still can’t see myself using the Kindle as an internet browsing tool or really doing much online aside from purchasing reading material, but the faster connection at least opens up the possibility – something that would only frustrate me on previous editions.

   The new Kindle also offers a better contrast than previous editions and it looks fantastic compared to every other e-reader I have seen. I have no trouble seeing the screen in dim light or in bright sunlight – it really opens up the ability to read almost anywhere you are. Of course, you’ll still need a separate light for extremely dark areas.

   Another big addition to the Kindle 3 is that it offers double the storage compared to Kindle 2. I’ve never had a problem with the amount of storage since I can’t possibly see myself filling up that much space (I don’t put mp3′s on it), but perhaps in the future, if certain applications or media files are put on the kindle, it could have been a problem. The additional space in the new model is definitely a welcome addition, but bringing back the memory card slot that was included on Kindle 1 would have been an even more welcome addition in my opinion.

   Among e-readers, I definitely recommend the Kindle 3 if not just because it has a better size/form-factor, contrast, battery life, and speed compared to every other e-reader I have tried. On top of that, you get the wonderful amazon buying experience and selection for all your literature and can keep your kindle library intact between whatever other device you want to download a Kindle application onto.

   The question of whether you need a Kindle vs another type of device for reading becomes a little more tricky and really comes down to what you want to use it for.

   Do you want a device to read novels on, perhaps read outside, and have something very light that you almost forget it’s there? Buy the Kindle.

   Do you want something to lie in bed with for short periods of time while surfing the web? I might suggest going with the iPad, a different tablet, or a netbook.

   Do you already have a Kindle 1 or 2? That’s a tough one…. I don’t think the new edition has enough `new’ to it to warrant the upgrade in my mind, but some might value the new size and wifi capabilities even more-so than I do. For me, the new Kindle was a welcome addition to my family of devices since I didn’t have anything anywhere near its form factor and convenience.

   Should you get 3G + Wifi or just Wifi? I think this question can be answered simply by asking yourself if you travel a lot. Being able to buy books and access wireless content on the road is an indispensable option and well worth the extra money in my mind. Keeping the device mainly at home or near wifi hotspots really negates the need for 3G though.

   Overall, I have to give the Kindle a 5 star rating because it does what it was designed to do very well, and in my opinion better than any of the competition. While the new features and capabilities aren’t game-changing and truly outstanding, it is smaller, more capable, and better than any other e-reader out there. If you want `one device to handle it all’, this isn’t the place to look, but If you want a fantastic device solely for reading books, this is what you want.
   
2. C. Stoneham says:

   August 26, 2010 at 9:21 am

   Rating

   I’ll begin this review with the important caveat that I’ve only had my K3 for a day, so it’s possible in a week, it will explode, leaving scorch marks on my hands and tears in my eyes. That being said, apocalyptic scenarios aside, this thing is amazing!

   The “feature” that will strike you first is how small it is, especially if you’re a K2 user. The width is perfect for a “man’s hands,” being easily held between the thumb and middle finger. This isn’t necessarily the most comfortable way, but it’s a good sign of the size. Even my wife with “woman’s hands” thinks it’s far easier to hold than the K2 (not that the K2 was difficult, mind you). It HAS taken some time figuring out how best to hold it, since some of the K2 real estate is missing, but it’s definitely nice to have something this small.

   The weight is what’ll hit you next. Or rather, it WON’T hit you. In fact, if you looked away, you might wonder if you were actually holding it. The K3 gives new definition to the word “featherweight,” and is a delight to hold for longer reading sessions. The K2 is like a brick compared to this.

   The screen and/or speed are the “last” of the first impressions. From a faster boot up to richer blacks to snappier page turning to faster highlighting, the K3 does not disappoint. Text is sharp and crisp, and the screen refresh when turning a page is EASILY “20% faster” (I’d say twice that). The new fonts are an added benefit.

   After these three “first impressions,” other things strike you at various intervals. The new 5-way navigation device is amazing! It’s not as tactilely “present” as the K2, but defintely responsive and far less likely to break off. The “rubberized” back feels nicer than the K2 metal back and isn’t slick or sticky, just the perfect amount of grip. The power button is larger and easier to slide (though it’s on the bottom, which has resulted in a few “tummy sleeps”) . The Keyboard is easier to “thumb-type” on. The graphite color only serves to further enhance the text. And there’s a “Back” button at the left AND right!!!! PDF reading is much faster now, thought the 6″ screen is still the limiting factor.

   The absence of numbers is a bit of a drawback, and I’m disappointed that Amazon didn’t at least stencil in the numbers above the letters.

   Overall, I’ve VERY impressed by the K3. The loss of the row of number buttons is a bit of a miss, but they’re far less important than the letters and the smaller size. (Sure, you can hold down ALT and press the buttons along the top for numbers, but it can get annoying when you’re counting in to make sure you hit 6, not 7) Amazon really got it right this time, and at a price of $139, I can’t see much reason NOT to spring for this one.

   Happy Kindling!!!!

   EDIT: One VERY important caveat on the Wi-Fi only version: it does NOT handle WPA Enterprise (as noted in Amazon’s product description). For college students, this could be a deal-breaker. I’m lucky that my campus has an unsecured network, but if it didn’t, I’d have no wi-fi options aside from home and the random Starbucks. I’m a bit frustrated by this, and hopefully Amazon will address it with a future software update)
3. Candy Beauchamp says:

   August 27, 2010 at 9:36 am

   Rating

   In my previous Kindle (2nd generation) review, I called it the cheddar cheese on my omelet and the whipped cream on top of my frappuccino. Can’t beat that – or can you? Hmmm… my favorite cold frappe is the caramel kind. If you are very lucky, the barista will drizzle a little extra caramel on top of the whipped cream. Yeah, the 3rd generation is kind of like that caramel. When you see it, you cannot believe your luck and you cannot decide if you should dive right in or take your time and savor it… Amazon has outdone themselves with the new generation. Wow. Wow. Wow. I opted for the wifi only version because I’m rarely without a hotspot and I don’t need to use the browser on the go or download a book in a moving car or anything

   I think you can read the description for yourself so I’ll concentrate on the differences. But, overall, reading on a Kindle is like nothing you imagine it will be. I always said that I would never get one. I wanted to keep my paper books and couldn’t believe someone would want to read on that computer thing. Now I’m one of the biggest “enablers” of the Kindle. This thing gave my mother back the ability to read all books again (her eyesight is not what it used to be and you can adjust the font from tiny to very large – this is also great for me when I read in bed. I don’t have to wear my glasses!). It also allowed me to clean up some of the stuff in my house. I used to hoard books. I still do, but they all fit in one little bitty Kindle now and not on the shelf, under the bed, in drawers, etc etc. But again… the differences, as I see ‘em….

   Changes from the K2 to the K3 include:

   1. Compared with the K2, it feel so tiny and light. The difference is actually small, but it feels so small and light in the hand that I had to lay them side by side to satisfy myself that I didn’t get some super secret new tiny Kindle. Hey, it’s possible that good old Jeff Bezos wanted me to have the K4 here folks!

   2. The next thing I noticed is that I couldn’t figure out how to turn the darn thing on. They moved the slider to the bottom. Okay, not loving that, it feels more awkward, but I’m going with the assumption that I won’t notice after a few days. Also at the bottom, the charger light is brighter, small change.

   3. I thought the text was super crisp on my previous Kindle. Nay. Wow. This is SO MUCH darker. I’m actually shocked at the difference, it’s really very significant. I was hemming and hawing over upgrading but this alone makes it work the price of the upgrade. I’d seen photos online, but you simply cannot understand until you see it. It’s a huge difference. Did I mention you can choose between 3 fonts? Yeah baby!

   4. Gone is the HOME button the right side of the Kindle. FINALLY. I cannot tell you how many times, after 18 months of use, I STILL wanted to use that button to go to the previous page. Bye-bye to my button nemesis! WooHoooooo!! It is replaced with slimmer Next and Previous buttons that are just arrows. I’m still getting used to this as I’m used to pushing slightly inward to change the page, but after several pages, I adapted pretty well.

   5. Gone is the joystick. I should say that I didn’t hate the joystick. I always thought it was fine. A little finicky, but just fine. What they have given us now is a little four way pad with the select in the middle. I thought this would be a little difficult to navigate, but nope, I have yet to have it go where I didn’t want it to go. Fabulous! Along with that the Menu, Back and Home keys are now arranged around the little pad. All very well laid out. It is bit of an adjustment, but just taking the time to get my books settled back in was enough for me to get used to it and I don’t even notice it.

   6. The keyboard thingy… there has been a little bit of tension in the kindle community about this. Some people are pretty peeved that the number keys are gone. Me? I don’t care, you just press the SYM key now to get to them. I don’t use the keyboard very often and the numbers even less often so perhaps that’s why I don’t care. It also leaves a little space between the screen and the keyboard for me to put a little label about what to do if it’s lost, but that’s my own reasons. I don’t see anything wrong with them being gone myself. BUT the keys are GREAT. Pressing them is much easier than on the K2. Oh, you aren’t going to be typing 50 words per minute (or even 20) but it’s a much more pleasurable experience.

   7. The back is … a little more “grippy” now – not like rubberized or anything, but it’s not slick. Gone is the shiny back. I almost missed this because I always read my kindle in a cover/case so I don’t really have an opinion. I guess it’s good if you read your Kindle naked (which makes me quite… uncomfortable)

   Overall this is a GREAT upgrade. I knew I’d like it, but I honestly didn’t think I’d be THIS impressed by it. Seriously, get one. So worth it!
4. S. Gargolinski says:

   August 27, 2010 at 3:53 pm

   Rating

   Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R21YU59NMOGKUR I just received my new Kindle, and my early impressions are very positive – it’s definitely a solid step up from the previous generation Kindle. Check out my video review to see/hear more!

   UPDATE 9/7/2010: Hey guys – based on the comments received there are definitely some questions that people are interested in that I didn’t touch on in my video review – so I wanted to take some time to answer some of those questions here. Hopefully this is helpful!

   Q: Is the Kindle 3 backlit? If not, then how do you see it at night?

   A: The Kindle 3 is not backlit. For the Kindle 2 I used a leather case with a reading light clipped to it. For the Kindle 3 Amazon produced a leather case that has a built-in reading light. I’ve been using it since day 1 and I love it. I made a video review for that also if you want to check it out:

   http://www.amazon.com/review/R27V1SXQSI9M86/

   Q: How well does the new joystick control work?

   A: The new Kindle replaces the old five-way navigation joystick with a center button surrounded by a thin 4-way directional control. After messing around with both of these approaches, I don’t really have a strong personal preference one way or another – they both work fine for me.

   If you have big hands then I can definitely see having a bit of trouble getting used to the new joystick. The directional control is very thin, and if you’re going to have trouble with any button on the Kindle… that’s definitely going to be the one.

   Q: How is viewing PDFs on the Kindle 3? Are they easy to upload onto the Kindle?

   A: Uploading PDFs to the Kindle is very easy. You just connect your Kindle to your computer via USB cable and then drag and drop the PDFs. Totally simple. Viewing them is pretty decent, but the major problem is that most PDFs aren’t designed for a 6 inch screen. You might have to do a lot of zooming and panning to see the content you want. If you plan on viewing a ton of PDFs, then you may want to check out the Kindle DX Wireless Reading Device, Free 3G, 9.7″ Display, Graphite, 3G Works Globally Latest Generation.

   Q: How well does the text-to-speech work?

   A: It’s ok. You definitely won’t mistake it for a professionally produced audiobook, but it doesn’t sound as bad as you may think it will. Also note that text-to-speech is not available for every book. You can see on the product page for each Kindle book if text-to-speech is enabled or not.
5. Patrice Weaver says:

   August 28, 2010 at 3:33 am

   Rating

   I direct my review to those Kindle users who are still hanging on to their first generation Kindles as I have done. Why trade up to a newer Kindle when I was still in love with the first one? My Kindle has traveled all over Europe and out West with me and, although the battery was a replacement and the case had a small crack beginning I never saw the need to upgrade. Until now. At $189.00 I thought, why not? This way I could share my old Kindle with one of my kids. After 24 hours with my new Kindle I can honestly tell you this: Trade up! Trade up now! The print screen is so clear you’d swear you were turning the pages of a book. The time it takes to page through or look up a chapter? Again, like you were paging through a book. I love having the pages forward and back on both sides, the ease of tucking it in my purse or backpack, the lightness of it in my hand and the ability to read landscape or portrait. Very handy for reading yourself to sleep! No more groping in back to switch the Kindle or wireless on and off. In every way I am pleased as punch with my decision to upgrade. I have probably sold a thousand Kindles over the years because everywhere I go people will come up and ask me what I am reading. I have always been a most enthusiastic representative. I won’t need to be now…this new Kindle? It sells itself. I know what everyone in my family will be getting for Christmas this year. At this price, do yourself a favor and upgrade now. You won’t be sorry!
6. Paladin08 says:

   August 28, 2010 at 1:06 pm

   Rating

   Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/ROD4MDMGPBD2B NOTE: Amazon limits the video size and duration, so I targeted what I thought were some key points.
   
   I check comments, so leave one if you have any questions not covered in the video or below and I’ll try and answer.

   First off I love this device!!
   
   Like ipods are the king of MP3 players, this is the king of ebook readers in my opinion.

   I’ve been looking at this thing for at least 7+ hrs today and my eyes don’t feel tired at all.

   If you want. . .
   
   * a low cost eBook reader
   
   * that allows you to read books
   
   * looks great
   
   * easy to setup
   
   * easy to hold/carry
   
   . . . then look no further than this product!

   **Adding updates as I find other feature behaviors**

   - The comic I converted to PDF when emailed to my kindle email address the conversion process didn’t like it too much. Better to not use the conversion process for those types of PDFs. Other PDF’s converted just fine.
   
   - Emailing PDF = the conversion process seems to cut off the cover page each time
   
   - Emailing and having amazon convert is fast. I like it!
   
   - You can plug the kindle into the USB, then “eject” it from the OS. This allows you to continue to charge the kindle and read it at the same time. You could also just plug it into an electrical socket and read from it too.
   
   - If you stop/pause your MP3 music it will start all the way back at track #1. This is not an MP3 player. It also plays the most recently added track first
   
   - 10 minutes it goes into sleep mode, but if you leave Wi-fi on = drains your battery quicker. Better to turn Wi-fi off when not using it
   
   - Buy a case to protect it and get yourself a light for times when you don’t have enough light to read by. This is not a cell-phone screen, meaning you can’t read it in the dark. The screen very much simulates paper in this case.
   
   - Manual even states…you cannot connect the Wi-fi to a corporate wi-fi. Most companies require VPN of some sort, which is not supported here.
   
   - Loaded a 25Mb PDF and when when trying to search I get the following error message, “”your search can not be completed as this item has not been indexed. Please try again later.” Found forum posts that said give the Kindle at least 10 minutes to complete indexing the file. . .longer if file if big. Sure enough, about 30 minutes later I tried again and was able to search this large PDF.

   8/29/10 update:
   
   - Just got back from Starbucks
   
   * Turned wi-fi on
   
   * Menu > Settings > Wifi Settings and selected the attwifi network option
   
   * Home > Menu > Experimental > Launch browser
   
   * zoom in on the terms & agreement checkbox and use the spacebar to check the box
   
   * click continue button and you are on the internet at the coffee shop!!

   9/3/10 update:
   
   - A week later, I haven’t charged the unit nor shut it down, I’ve only put it into sleep mode. Battery indicator is still more than 80% full. Nice!
   
   - Someone pointed me towards “Calibre” a free conversion utility. Totally supports the Kindle 3 and converts to PDF, ePub, Mobi, etc. Works great and you can have the program send the converted document directly to your device via USB or email. The program also acts as your own “backup” by creating a document library on your hard drive that can be sorted, metadata updated, etc. It’s very cool!

   9/5/10 update:
   
   - I kept getting unconverted PDFs (PDFs copied directly to unit via USB vs. sending to email for conversion) would result in the unit restarting when trying to access the PDF. Found forums that said you need to reset the unit. Slide & hold the power button for 15 seconds. Let it take the 20 seconds to reboot. This worked for me.

   9/10/10 update:
   
   Comments discussion & answers on the following:
   
   - Annotating PDFs, then accessing these notes for later review on a laptop/desktop
   
   - Is there an auto-scrolling for PDFs?
   
   - What its like to have the kindle “read” back to you?
   
   - More info on document conversion, including sending emails to the kindle for conversion?
   
   - The ability to access Gmail from the kindle?

   9/19/10 update:
   
   - Check out the comments for my answer to, “Should I buy 3G or is wifi good enough?”

   9/24/10 update:
   
   Comments discussion & answers on the following:
   
   - Exactly how does an Audible audio book work with the Kindle?
   
   - Possible causes for why MP3 music is not recognized by the device?

   10/2/10 update:
   
   Comments discussion & answers on the following:
   
   - Can you play Audible audio books while at the same time reading along?
   
   - How easy is it to register a new/used K3 to a different owner?

   10/23/10 update:
   
   Comments discussion & answers on the following:
   
   - Can you change out the battery yourself?
   
   - Can you share your documents with other kindle users?
7. FantasyReader says:

   August 28, 2010 at 5:02 pm

   Rating

   When I first unboxed the new K3, I was slightly disappointed. The new 5-way appeared to be harder to used than the little joystick of the K2. I have to say, though, two days later, I’m liking it much better. Since I’m getting used to it so quickly, I think in another day I won’t know the difference.

   The size is absolutely perfect. In the Amazon cover, it is exactly like reading from a paperback book. It’s noticeably lighter and easier to hold for reading, even with arthritis in my hands. The page turn buttons are wonderful. Almost no noise, and you don’t have to push them as hard. It should make it much easier for those with weak or disabled hands. I also like have next page and previous buttons on both sides. I didn’t think it would make a difference to me, but it really does.

   I tried a couple of times to connect the WiFi, but didn’t get it to work. Today I had more time so I thought I’d try to puzzle through it. But when I navigated to the wireless menu, it had somehow figured out how to connect on its own. The browser is MUCH faster, and it made buying a book a breeze.

   I haven’t had it long enough to comment on the extended battery life. But I was honestly fine with the more than 10 days I always got with K2.

   And the FONTS! My word what a difference! I can practically read in the dark! I’ve been able to reduce the font size from 4 to 2. Combine sharper contrast with better fonts and it’s an unbeatable combo.

   The ONLY thing I would change if I could is to move the Menu button, and especially the Back button. I’m having a little trouble navigating with the down arrow because I hit Back. But I’m starting to get the hang of it.

   All in all, I think Amazon hit it out of the park with the K3!
8. Ron Cronovich says:

   August 28, 2010 at 5:05 pm

   Rating

   If you’re trying to choose between a nook and a kindle, perhaps I can help. My wife and I bought a nook, a kindle 2, and a kindle DX this summer, just days before the kindle 3 was announced. After using them intensively for a few weeks, we returned them and pre-ordered two kindle 3′s, which we have been enjoying for two months now. We’ve each read a lot of books and newspaper/magazine articles on our kindle 3′s and are very happy with them.

   First, reasons why we prefer the kindle over nook:

   * Page refresh speed
   
   Kindle 2 was twice as fast as nook, Kindle 3 is slightly faster yet. However, I read a whole book on the nook and didn’t find page refresh to be so slow as to be annoying. You get used to it, and automatically develop the habit of pressing the page turn button a second before you need it.

   * Navigation speed
   
   Here is where the kindle has a huge advantage. Moving the cursor around the screen (e.g. to select things) is way, way, way better on kindle than nook. When you use the rocker button (on kindle 3, or the joystick on kindle 2), the cursor moves almost immediately. In contrast, when you use the “virtual rocker button” on nook’s color touch screen, there’s a noticeable lag before the cursor moves. Plus, just to get to the cursor control on the nook, you have to turn on its color touch screen (which is normally off when not in use, to save battery power). This adds to the lag time. [UPDATE: Nook will soon get a software update that supposedly speeds up performance, specifically navigation and page turns. If this were a software issue, why wasn't it fixed a long time ago? No software update can compensate for a slow processor.]

   * Screen contrast
   
   You’ve seen Amazon’s claims that the Kindle 3 e-ink has 50% better contrast. I can tell you, it makes a difference, particularly in low light conditions, when you have to strain a little to make out the not quite as dark characters on Kindle 2 and Nook. When lighting is not ideal, it’s much easier and more pleasant to read on Kindle 3 and Kindle DX than on Nook or Kindle 2.

   * Battery life
   
   The nook’s color LCD touch screen drains its battery quickly – I could never get more than 5 days out of a charge. We got at least 7 days or more on the Kindle 2, and the Kindle 3 uses a battery with more capacity than Kindle 2′s battery. My wife and I each get at least 3 weeks of battery life between charges (we keep wireless off about half the time).

   * Weight
   
   Nook weighs about 3 ounces more than the new Kindle, and you can really feel the difference. Without a case, Nook is still light enough to hold in one hand for long reading sessions without fatigue. But in a case, Nook is a heavy sucker and wears you out after a while. I found myself taking Nook out of its case when I was reading Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest. The new Kindle 3 is so light, even in a case, my wife and I find it comfortable holding in one hand for long reading sessions.

   Reasons some people might prefer the nook:

   * In-store experience
   
   If you need help with your nook, you can take it to any barnes and noble and get a real human to help. You can take your nook into the coffee shop section of your local B&N store and read any book for free for up to one hour per day. When you take your nook to B&N, some in-store special deals and the occasional free book pop up on your screen.

   * User-replaceable battery
   
   After a year or two of moderate use, the battery will start to lose its ability to hold a charge. Nook’s battery is user-replaceable and relatively inexpensive. To replace Kindle’s battery, you must ship your Kindle to Amazon. Amazon’s customer service told me that they ship you back a DIFFERENT kindle (though the same model as yours) with a new battery inside. I really don’t like this, at all.

   * ePub and loaning e-books
   
   Nook uses the ePub format, a widely used open format. Amazon uses a proprietary ebook format. Many libraries will “lend” ebooks in the ePub format, which works with nook but not kindle. Nook owners can “loan” ebooks they purchased to other nook owners for up to two weeks. You can’t do this with kindle.
   
   [UPDATE: Kindle will soon get the same lending feature that Nook has.]

   * Nook’s color LCD touchscreen
   
   This could be a pro or con, depending on your preferences. It makes nook hipper and less drab than kindle. Some people enjoy using the color LCD to view their library or navigate. I did, at first. But after two weeks of use, and comparisons with my wife’s kindle, I found the dedicated buttons of the kindle easier and far quicker to use than the nook’s color touchscreen. I also found the bright light from the color screen distracting when I was trying to read a book or newspaper (though when not in use, it shuts off after a minute or so to conserve battery).

   A few other notes:

   * MP3 player
   
   I’ve used it on the Kindle 3, and it has less features than a first-generation ipod shuffle: no way to select a specific track to hear, let alone see the name of the currently playing track.

   * Web browser
   
   The browser on Kindle 3 is easier to use than Nook’s browser, particularly when navigating. But neither is really very good, most people will probably use their e-reader’s browser only in a pinch.

   * PDF support
   
   Viewing PDFs is better on Kindle 3 than on Kindle 2 or nook, but still not that great. You have to zoom in on part of the page and pan around to read the page, which is slightly cumbersome; this is less an issue on Kindle DX, because of the DX’s much bigger display. Graphics in my PDF documents don’t usually display correctly on Kindle, and sometimes Kindle can’t even open the PDF file if it has certain kinds of graphics. I imagine the only worthwhile use of Kindle’s PDF compatibility would be if you’re trying to read an e-book that comes in PDF format, provided it was pre-formatted for reading on a device with a 6″ display. Of course, you can convert many PDF documents to Kindle’s native format (you do this by attaching the PDF document to an email that you send to a certain address).

   SUMMARY:

   Nook and Kindle each offer their own advantages. We like the nook’s user-replaceable battery, compatibility with ePub format, and in-store experience. But we strongly prefer Kindle 3 because its performance is far zippier, it’s screen is easier to read, and its smaller and lighter so it’s more portable and more comfortable to hold in one hand for long reading sessions.

   *******************************************************************
   
   UPDATE 10/17/2010:
   
   *******************************************************************

   There are 200+ comments here, and many commenters have posted extremely helpful replies. There are a few questions that keep getting asked over and over, which I’ll address here

   So that you don’t have to wade through all the comments, I’ll summarize what I see as the key points from the discussion. Keep in mind that much of the great info that follows comes from other Amazon customers who took the time to contribute.

   1) Kindle’s battery

   a) Thanks to commenters for pointing out that 3rd party internet retailers will sell you a replacement battery and include instructions on how to change it yourself. (Some post a video showing how to do it.) This is not only much cheaper than Amazon’s option, you also keep your own Kindle. Opening the Kindle will void the warranty, but it’s not likely the battery will die before the warranty expires – and if it does, Amazon replaces it at no cost to you.

   b) Other commenters obtained objective information about the life of the battery that comes in the Kindle 3, and after doing some math, calculated that the original battery in the Kindle will live for 3-6 years. I’ll probably upgrade to a newer model before the battery in my Kindle 3 dies, so I’m no longer concerned about this issue.

   c) My wife and I get a LOT of battery life out of our kindles between charges. She uses hers an hour a day, I use mine about 2 hours a week. We each keep the wireless off about 2/3 of the time, and we both get three or more weeks before we have to recharge.

   2) 3G vs. wifi

   3G and wifi are two ways for the kindle to connect to the internet. You don’t need an internet connection to read ebooks and newspapers that are already on your device. You need a connection to download new content to your kindle, and also to use kindle’s browser to surf the internet. Let’s suppose for the moment that you don’t use Kindle’s browser very often.

   If you don’t have wifi at home, you should probably get the 3G model, otherwise you’ll have to take your kindle to a wifi hotspot every time you want to download a book or newspaper.

   If you do have wifi at home, you can probably survive without the 3G version. What about when you’re away from home? If you read ebooks while traveling, just load up your kindle with a few ebooks before leaving home. It becomes an issue if you subscribe to a daily periodical on your Kindle, like the New York Times; then, it’s handy to have 3G so that you continue to get your new issues every day. Yet, wifi hotspots are popping up everywhere – many of them free – so 3G connectivity is less and less a necessity for many of us. And, 3G coverage is not universal – I have two sets of relatives I see regularly who live in areas where 3G coverage is spotty; but in both of those towns, the hotels I stay in have free wifi, so I’m covered.

   If you use Kindle’s web browser frequently, it may be worthwhile to get the 3G model. I don’t really like Kindle’s web browser, and my phone has a good web browser and display, so there’s almost never a need for me to use Kindle’s browser.

   Most of this argues for getting the cheaper wifi version. But there are reasons to consider the 3G version. First, the extra money you pay for the 3G version buys you unlimited lifetime free 3G service; thinking of it this way, the price really doesn’t seem unreasonable. Second, the more you’re away from home, the more likely you’ll find yourself in a situation in which wifi isn’t available but 3G coverage is good; probably not TOO often, but once in a while. Then, it’s nice to have 3G, especially if you get a daily periodical or if you want to download a new ebook.

   3) Amazon’s proprietary format, ePub, Calibre

   It’s true, with a nook, you can “borrow” ebooks from a library, if those ebooks are in the ePub format. Some commenters have said this works well on their nook; other commenters have said the selection of ebooks at some libraries is frustratingly small. Whether you have a Nook or a Kindle, check out the free Calibre software. Calibre works with Kindle, Nook, and most major ereader brands. It allows you to convert ebooks from one format to another (so long as the ebook file is not copy-protected). You can convert ePub files into a format that works well with the Kindle. Calibre is very reputable and reliable. I am just starting to use it, and it works well for me. I no longer feel tied to Amazon’s proprietary format. Though, frankly, I LIKE shopping Amazon’s store from my kindle and buying Amazon kindle books. I will probably continue to get the vast majority of my content from Amazon, so the fact that the kindle uses a proprietary Amazon format isn’t really a problem for me.

   4) PDF files

   Nook does not have native PDF support. When you put a PDF file on your nook, nook converts it into an ebook-like file, then you can adjust the font size and the text and pagination will adjust just like with any ebook. But you cannot see the original PDF file in the format it was created.

   Kindle 3 and Kindle DX have native support for PDF files. You can see PDF files just as they would appear on your computer. You can also convert PDF files to an ebook-like format, and then Kindle handles them just the way the Nook handles them – text and pagination adjust when you change the font size.

   Unfortunately, some symbols, equations, and graphics get lost or mangled in the translation – even when viewing PDF files in their native format on the Kindle.

   Moreover, the small screen size of the Kindle 3 is not great for PDF files, most of which are designed for a larger page size. You can zoom and pan, but this is cumbersome and tiresome. Thanks to commenters who suggested viewing PDF files in landscape mode; this way, you can see the entire top half of the page without panning, and then scroll down to the bottom half. This works a little better.

   *******************************************************************
   
   UPDATE 10/26/2010:
   
   *******************************************************************

   Today, a new color version of the Nook was announced. It is a very different product from the ones I wrote about above. The color nook uses a color LCD display, not the eInk displays found on the Kindle and (original) Nook. This is a huge difference. It means that reading a book on a new color nook will feel like reading it on a computer monitor or an iPad. The color Nook is also heavier – almost twice as heavy as Kindle. It only comes with wifi, not 3G. And its battery is only rated at 8 hours before needing a recharge, whereas the original nook gets a week and the new Kindle gets 2-4 weeks. On the plus side, it has a touch screen and will run a limited selection of apps. If you want a device for reading books, Kindle or the original Nook are much easier on the eyes, and much less expensive. If you want a device with a color touchscreen for consuming all kinds of entertainment, an iPad might be a better choice, but the color Nook is worth checking out if you can’t afford an iPad.
9. MikeCG says:

   August 28, 2010 at 10:38 pm

   Rating

   It’s no longer necessary to write about how desirable the Kindle is (or, for that matter, e-readers generally). Books and text and reading are with us to stay; only paper is becoming unnecessary. What we can discuss is how well a device performs its intended task(s), and how it compares to its competition on an absolute basis and for the price.

   My wife and I share a last gen 6″ Kindle and just received a new 6″ display K3. I know, Amazon doesn’t call it that, but how else can users refer to it? In twenty words or less, it is an improvement over an already excellent product. Smaller, but not too small to be held comfortably. Same size display, but sharper and crisper, better contrast. Easy to use, somewhat smaller keyboard that takes a little, but very little, getting used to. It took me a few hours to stop accidentally pressing some neighboring keys, but now using the keyboard is second nature. And the page turning buttons are silent, but have sufficient tactile feedback, excellent feel.

   I found it very easy to duplicate our library from our older Kindle to our new K3, and to activate our home wifi. I don’t like to say I “transferred” our books because that could be understood to mean they were taken from our old Kindle to our new one. I say “duplicate” because they reside on both Kindles. The instruction manual is detailed and somewhat lengthy, but very understandable. (It’s 200 pages, but don’t let that scare you; it’s easy to find the parts you need, and you will never need more than a few pages at one time.) The manual is published on the device, as in the past, and can also be downloaded to your computer as a pdf file so you can read the instructions from your computer as you apply them to the K3.

   If you have wifi at home, which we do, when you are in range of a wifi that you have activated in your K3, it automatically uses that wifi, instead of connecting to the 3G AT&T network, assuming, of course, you have a 3G+wifi K3. It works faster on my home wifi than on the 3G network, so much so that if I had really thought it through before I bought it, or if I were to buy another, I would probably go wifi only and save $50. The only reasons to get the 3G+wifi model would seem to be if you don’t have reliable access to wifi or if you travel a good deal to places that don’t have a lot of wifi access, but do have AT&T connectivity AND you have need to download books or periodicals on a regular basis or without delay while you are away from home or office. If you can plan ahead and stock up on a few good books, and you have reliable access to wifi, such as at home/office, McDonalds or Starbucks, I suggest you think twice about whether you want the 3G+wifi K3, or the wifi only.

   Each K3 has its own email address and you can send documents to it, including Word and pdf docs, and photos. Of course, the photos are B&W, but very detailed and clear. The K3 permits surfing the web, although I haven’t used it much for that purpose and, other than saying it works, I hesitate to pass judgment on how well I think someone who uses it for web browsing would like it.

   I can’t compare it to other dedicated e-readers because I haven’t used them. People seem to be interested in how I think it compares to the iPad, which I don’t own but have “played with” somewhat extensively at the Apple Store. My assessment is that there is no comparison. The iPad will do much more, but as an e-reader I think the K3 is superior. I don’t need color for reading text, the K3 is a fraction of the cost, and its smaller size makes it much more convenient to tote around. However, what kills the iPad as an e-reader, as far as I am concerned, is its weight. I suspect most of us are the same in this regard, but I tend to read for an hour or two at a stretch. A pound and a half doesn’t sound too heavy, but I held an iPad for five minutes, literally, and my hands ached. It is simply too heavy to use as a book reading device, while the K3 is light as a feather. For reading, a cheaper and significantly lighter K3 as a dedicated e-reader is, IMHO, the way to go (compared to an iPad). BTW, a recent (in Aug. 2010) report from Taiwan said Apple in making a 6″ iPod, which, depending on size and weight, could change the equation. It will be interesting to see how the e-reader market develops. I said I can’t compare the K3 to other competitors, and I won’t, but I can say I am completely satisfied with Amazon as an e-book seller. I’ve only had a few occasions to need support (on my old Kindle), but that has also been entirely satisfactory.

   Bottom line: my wife and I both like the K3 very much and recommend it to anyone considering buying an e-reader. I don’t think you will regret buying one, with or without the free 3G.
10. Mr Goodwrench says:

    September 2, 2010 at 10:36 am

    Rating

    I researched the purchase of a Kindle for a long time. I couldn’t decide whether or not it was worth buying a dedicated e-reader. Boy am I glad I made this purchase. The downside to Amazon’s online selling of Kindle 3 is that the customers don’t get to see it in person. It is much better in person. This may sound stupid, but when I got my new Kindle, I thought there was a stuck-on overlay on the screen containing a diagram of the unit’s buttons, etc. I actually tried to peel it off. Doh! The e-ink on this unit is THAT good. I didn’t realize that I was staring at the actual display. I also didn’t realize that no power is required until the display changes. (thus the great battery life) I do a lot of reading, but was facing the prospect of reading less or buying large type books because of my variable and deteriorating eyesight. The new Kindle has been a godsend. Now, I can decide the size of type I need depending on my level of fatigue among other things. The weight and ergonomics are very good. For someone, like me, with neuropathy in his hands, it is extremely easy to manage and enjoyable to own. To me, it is easier to read than print books. The ease of navigation is great as is the speed. The battery life, so far, has been extraordinary. It easily connected to our home Wi-Fi, which by design does not broadcast an SSID. It downloads books so fast that I almost thought they were not completely received. I did not buy the 3G version because of the price difference and the fact that there is no coverage where I live. If you are not constantly traveling, I don’t see the need to spend the extra bucks, but that is a matter of personal choice. For those who have no Wi-Fi at home, remember that you can always download the material to your computer and transfer it via USB. Just today I was watching an interview with Tony Blair on TV. He was talking about his new book, which sounded interesting. I picked up the Kindle and downloaded a free sample before the interview was over. I have only read the preface so far, but will probably buy the book. Now THAT is a great way to buy a book! I haven’t used online browsing extensively yet, but find it reasonable for what the device is. This is primarily a book reader, not a laptop or notebook. They are great for what they do, but can’t match the e-ink display, or the light weight. For those of you worrying about the wait for the new Kindle, let me end with, “It is worth the wait” This new Kindle is all about the quality of experience. There are many format choices for electronic reading. If you want the best experience, go with the Kindle.