Kindle DX Wireless Reading Device, Free 3G, 9.7″ Display, White, 3G Works Globally – 2nd Generation

10 Comments

1. David Edmiston says:

   June 10, 2009 at 11:18 pm

   Rating

   Reading on the Kindle DX is such a joy. I’ve been so happy with my first generation Kindle 1, but the DX takes Kindle reading to the next level. The amount of content that fits onto the screen is a vast improvement to the experience. And even better than the *quantity* of content is the *quality* of the content. The display on the DX is truly phenomenal.

   I write technical documents for a living. The product documentation that I write is full of images, diagrams, and rich formatting. I’ve tried loading my PDF documents onto my Kindle 1, but they won’t display. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I loaded my PDFs onto the Kindle DX. The formatting of the page displayed perfectly!!! Zooming and rotating was simple.

   I read a lot of technical documents too. I’ve always been sorry that I couldn’t read good technical books on my Kindle 1 (the latest Photoshop books, etc.) They look great on the DX though. With the DX, you can carry your whole reference library with you: dictionaries, reference manuals, the Bible, … I even have PDF versions of the shop manuals for our dirt bikes. I haven’t loaded them onto the DX, but it sure would be easier to have them on one compact device than having five big fat books for the bikes.

   The Kindle DX isn’t cheap, but I imagine the price will come down eventually like it did with earlier Kindle versions. It is an astounding device though–truly a game changing piece of equipment. Think of how your TV viewing changed when you got your first TiVo, how driving changed when you got a GPS, how your phone changed when you got voicemail and caller ID. That’s how your reading will change when you get your fist Kindle.
2. Mahlers2nd says:

   June 11, 2009 at 1:55 am

   Rating

   July 5 update: I’ve apparently been living under an e-reader rock because today is the first day I hear of the new dark gray DX. If you are contemplating the whether to go with the white or gray DX — DON’T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT!! Get the gray!! The one thing I learned with my Sony Readers is that the darker the bezel — the more contrast between the screen and the easier it is to read. So even if the screen and nothing in the e-ink display has changed and everything else is the same except for the color of the bezel — the darker bezel will make for an easier more constrasty reading experience. FINALLY, Amazon gets a clue and realizes that the darker bezel will make for better reading though it may not look as “nice” as the white!

   FIRMWARE UPDATE as of 11.30.2009:

   I have now M-Edge Platform Jacket for Kindle DX (Genuine Leather–Pebbled Navy)–Back to School Sale!! because you can set the Kindle up to stand by itself on the table next to you or a lap desk. This makes it easier to to view music, knitting patterns, or just plain books (addressing some users complaints about it being “too heavy” to hold comfortably).

   I had been disappointed that the Kindle automatically goes to sleep after 5 minutes because if you are using the Kindle for reading patterns or music, it times out on you while you are still “working” on a page. However, Amazon come out with a new firmware release… the Kindle DX now stays on for 20 minutes before going into screen saver mode which is a big improvement.

   In addition, with the new firmware, you have the option of converting your PDFs to Kindle format — which should address the lack of “zoom” and “annotation” features — at least there is a workaround for now.

   UPDATE as of 06.16.2009: The Kindle may have just literally saved my career and saved my “backend”. I had an interview yesterday and thought I knew where I was going. I’m one of the last dinosaurs not to have a Garmin and got lost. After circling around for awhile and getting more and more uptight about missing my interview, I remembered the Browser on the Kindle.

   On the K2, the browser was basically unusable because of the size. However, with the DX, I was able to go to Google Maps, look up the address and had my directions in just a couple of seconds. The map was rendered beautifully and the turn-by-turn directions could be bookmarked and even if my DX fell asleep, it awoke still displaying the directions. THANK YOU KINDLE!!!

   ———————————————

   The UPS truck arrived a couple of hours ago. I feel like a kid on Christmas Day and I got (just about) everything I wanted!

   My Sony PRS-505 has finally and officially become my “Emergency Backup Reader”

   My romance with ebook readers got off to a bumpy start when I got my first eInk device — the Cybook Bookeen. Firmware issues and awkward buttons made it rather disappointing.

   Then I found true love with the Sony PRS-505. I loved the metal case. I loved the “Collections” (essentially folders features). I loved the looks and loved the display.

   However, the Kindle 2 woo’ed me with the size of its content collection. However, for reading I still ultimately preferred my Sony.

   Now, with the larger Kindle DX, I’ve set my Sony aside and there is a new love in my life. Let me count the ways:

   1. SCREEN SIZE: Reading on the Kindle DX vs 6″ readers is like the difference between sleeping in a King sized bed vs a Twin Bed or riding in the backseat of a 2-door 1981 Honda Accord vs bucket seats in a Honda Odyssey. You feel like you have room to breath. The larger screen allows you to maximize the use of the real estate — taking advantage of larger fonts and more white space. This makes text much easier to read — even if you are just reading regular books.

   2. KEYBOARD: I also love that they have compacted the keyboard so that it doesn’t dominate the overall appearance of the device. The smaller keyboard in no way compromises the ability to type. However, it improves the look by making the proportions more appealing and it means the device isn’t horrifically larger than the 6″ device.

   3. PDF + BIG SCREEN = LOTS MORE USES: I can transfer my knitting patterns (complete with knitting graphs and diagrams) and cello music to my e-reader.

   Using the Kindle for knitting — I can highlight my place in the knitting pattern making it easier to work more complicated stitch patterns.

   I play cello and many of my music books are available in PDF format — again the Kindle is wonderful for carrying all my music with me at one time. Turning pages is faster and easier than with a physical book. The kindle sits well on the music stand (though you want to make sure the tray of the music stand is taller than the Kindle or the Kindle will be “top heavy” making the bottom slide forward and potentially falling off the stand.

   4. SCREEN ROTATION — You can rotate the screen in any direction and the page quickly re-orients itself. You can keep rotating 360 degrees and the screen follows you. The buttons remain the same but the thumb stick also reorients so that if you push right relative to the current orientation, that always means “page forward” no matter what direction you are in.

   If you are left handed and really bothered by having the buttons only on the right side, you can turn the device upside down and voila — now your buttons are on the left side.

   5. BUTTON CONFIGURATION — I actually PREFER having the next page and back page on the same side and in a contiguous location (as opposed to opposite sides of the device like the Kindle 2). It makes one-handed reading easier without having to reach over to the other side of the device to flip back and forth.

   6. SOLID feeling — I like the heavier feel — it is comparable to the heft of a hardbound book.

   7. READING While charging — this sounds like a little thing but with the Sony, if you have the device plugged in for charging, you can’t read on the device at the same time.

   There are a two things I still think the Sony does better:

   1. COLLECTIONS: It would be nice to have folders so that music could be separated from technical books which is also separated from knitting patterns etc. The absence of folders is even MORE annoying on the DX because you are likely to have a much more diverse collection of books/documents on there.

   2. EPUB SUPPORT: ePUB would allow users to acquire content from public libraries and virtually any other online ebookseller. But that is basically why Amazon isn’t doing that… they WANT you to only get your content from them. Frankly, the ability to view PDFs without having to do a bunch of emailing back in forth is a huge leap forward so I guess it is sort of a “baby steps” thing.

   Sony has just really dropped the ball by not bringing out a larger format. You wouldn’t think that a couple of extra inches on the screen would make that much of a difference in terms of your reading enjoyment. But then again, going from a 17″ monitor to a 19″ monitor is a huge difference in terms of usability of a computer screen.

   All in all — Amazon really made a brilliant move with the DX. It is clear that they have really thought through the little things this time around and even the DX is a substantial improvement over the K2. I’m very very happy!

   [NCJAR]
3. Alexander Scherr says:

   June 11, 2009 at 7:57 pm

   Rating

   I have owned both Kindle 1 and Kindle 2, so I’m already committed to the basic idea: e-ink reading in a slim form factor with excellent connectivity to a large selection of books and subscriptions. I have come to rely on my Kindle experience, and it has seriously enhanced my reading.

   The DX was not an obvious upgrade for me, but two features put me over the edge: the larger screen, and the native PDF reader. I now have the DX in my hands, and can report PROS, CONS, and NEUTRALS:

   PROS:

   – the larger screen is a definite plus. I use the larger type size on my Kindle 2 (older eyes), and at this type size I get far more text per page on the DX. This makes the whole reading experience more book-like (and should be a boon to people who buy large-print books.)

   – the screen is also sharper and crisper than my Kindle 2 in a side-by-side comparison: the text is darker, and the contrast is much better, making for better visibility overall.

   – on a side note, the larger screen also makes it possible to read poetry on the kindle, even at large type sizes. On earlier Kindles, the smaller screen cut off lines, so that you would lose the sense of when the poet ended the line. On the DX, you can see the whole line exactly as the poet meant it, with the cut-off in the right spot.

   – the PDF reader works as advertised, and is extremely convenient. PDF documents appear on the DX exactly as they do on a computer screen. Moreover, you can drag and drop your documents directly to the device using the USB cable (or use the for-a-fee email if you absolutely must.) The only downside: at least for the documents that I’ve used so far, I cannot adjust the type size as I can with native Kindle documents.

   – screen rotation also works as advertised: it operates as a mild zoom on both graphics and text and offsets slightly the downside of not being able to adjust the typesize on PDF documents. One nice design touch: the four-way navigation stick introduced on the Kindle 2 is rotation-sensitive, and will move as expected relative to the screen rotation.

   – more of the device space is devoted to the screen, while the white plastic border around the screen seems to have shrunk, both in general and compared to the proportion of screen to plastic on the Kindle 2. I like this (but see below about the keyboard).

   – storage: I like the increase in storage space, and don’t mind the lack of an external storage card. I can see some people having trouble with this, but only those folks who either a) must regularly carry around PDF documents totalling more than 3.5 GB of space or b) must have nearly 3500 books regularly at their fingertips. I fall in neither category.

   CONS:

   – price: it’s expensive, as you can tell pretty quickly. If you value the larger size, and the native PDF reader, these features may justify the roughly 30% premium you pay for the DX over the Kindle 2. In truth, the DX SHOULD cost more than the Kindle 2, and a 30% premium isn’t unreasonable. But, for my money, Amazon should drop the price on the Kindle 2 to $300 or so, and charge $400 or a little less for the DX. Still, I bought it, and will keep it at this price.

   – one-sided navigation buttons: all of the buttons are now on the right side, and none are on the left. I’m a righty, so I shouldn’t complain, but I found myself using both sides on the Kindle 2. Lefties have reason to complain, I think.

   – One-handed handling: I often read while I walk, with my Kindle in one hand, and something else in my other. Because of the button layout, this will be more difficult on the DX.

   – metal backing: I miss the tacky rubberized backing on my Kindle 1. When I placed my Kindle 1 on an inclined surface, it stayed in place. Not so my Kindle 2 and now my DX. This is not a complaint specific to the DX, but it’s still there.

   NEUTRALS (i.e. things worth noting):

   – weight: the DX is heavier, noticeably so. This is only an issue if, like me, you regularly use the kindle with one hand . . . and even so, it’s still doable.

   – keyboard: the keyboard has 4 rows, and not 5: the top row of numbers from the Kindle 1 and 2 has been merged into the top qwerty row, so that numbers are now only accessible with an alt-key combination. The keys are vertically thinner too, so that the whole keyboard is no more than 1″ tall (compared to over an 1.5″ on the Kindle 2). At the same time, the keys themselves are a bit easier to press, a bit more protruding than on the Kindle 2. For someone with big fingers (like me), this will be a slightly harder keyboard to use, but only slightly.

   That’s all I can see. Overall, the pluses outweigh the minuses for me, and I’m satisfied with my purchase. I can now think of using my DX for work documents on a regular basis, because of the PDF reader. The screen size and screen rotation make the overall reading experience more immersive.

   Overall, the DX feels more like text and less like device and comes closer to the stated goal of the Kindle: for the device to disappear, leaving only the joy of reading.
4. New England Book Reviewer says:

   June 11, 2009 at 8:43 pm

   Rating

   Here are my first impressions of the Kindle DX which I received earlier today. I’ve been using the Kindle 2 for the past three months and have loved it. It has improved the way I read by making it easy to download and try books before purchasing them, and allowing me to carry a variety of reading material with me. I was disappointed with the way it handled PDF’s, which is important to me, so I sold the Kindle 2 and bought the DX.

   - The DX works like the Kindle 2 in terms of keys, navigation, joystick etc., except all the navigation keys are on the right.
   
   - Was concerned about lack of navigation on the left, but if you flip it 180 degrees, the display auto rotates and you can use your left hand. Very slick.
   
   – The DX is heavier, but is still comfortable to hold and read.
   
   - The overall size of the DX is not as big as I expected from the pictures on the web.
   
   - The digital ink looks similar on both, but a little sharper on the DX.
   
   - The DX works much better for PDF’s overall. The bigger screen really helps here.
   
   - A complex powerpoint I converted to pdf looks just like it does on my pc except in b&w.
   
   - PDF’s with columns work fine. I couldn’t read them on the Kindle 2.
   
   - If you have a PDF with multiple columns, the print may appear small on the DX, and you can’t adjust fonts in PDFs.
   
   - Newspapers are easier to read on the DX, especially pics and tables.
   
   - I downloaded a sample chapter of a textbook. I can see this working well for students.
   
   - The rotate feature is excellent on the DX; works as advertised.
   
   - The Kindle 2 weighs less and is more portable. If reading only books, I’d probably prefer the Kindle 2, given the lower price and size, and nav keys on both sides.

   Regarding the price, while I’d love Kindles to cost less, I think the price is reasonable. Here’s how I justified it. I assumed I could resell the DX in 2 years for 50% of its purchase price, or $245. (50% seems reasonable based on the experience of Kindle 1). So my net cost is $245. The differentiating feature of the Kindle is the built in wireless capability. Not only is it elegant and integrated, it is also included in the purchase price. If unlimited wireless were priced separately, a reasonable price would be around $10/month. So effectively my out of pocket cost using the DX for 2 years is roughly equivalent to what the wireless would cost me if it was priced separately.

   Both the DX and Kindle 2 are good values. If you only read books, the Kindle 2 is probably better. If you already own a Kindle 2, and don’t read PDF’s, I recommend keeping your Kindle 2. If you read a lot of pdf’s or newspapers, or you like to read with large fonts, you’ll be happier with the DX. For my needs, I like the DX more.
   
5. R. Layne says:

   June 13, 2009 at 3:13 am

   Rating

   I could write about the feel of the keyboard, or the weight, the size, and the speed of the screen refresh, but others have done this. These are very subjective and generally a matter of taste. Thanks to all of those who pushed and prodded, lifted, and cuddled (their words not mine) these devices. For the most part you’ve done a great job with the periphery. I read these while waiting for my DX to arrive. Thanks for giving me the tactile experience. I, however, take a slightly different view: Does the Kindle DX meet the design aesthetic of the creator?

   I am an Electrical/Software Engineer, an avid reader, and write as a hobby. I have an interest in all aspects of the Kindle. I purchased the original Kindle about a year ago and still today consider it one of the best purchases I’ve made. The primary reason I purchased the original kindle was for an improved experience when reading. I wasn’t sure that was possible. Most people who love to read do so because of the nearly magical feature of the brain to take dead lifeless symbols printed on paper and reconstitute the original intent and image of the writer’s story; taking the reader into places never seen and even to the point of feeling things never felt. People who love to read will often “see” the story and no longer “see” the book. This is the pinnacle of the reading experience and paper books truly become the transport they are intended to be. So the question is…

   Does the Kindle DX meet and/or exceed the ability of a paper book to transport the reader to the place the writer wished to go to a point where it “disappears” or “fades away” when used?

   From my own experience I can say, yes it does. Both my original Kindle (coined Kindle 1 by many people) and my Kindle DX have proven this. Does my Kindle DX do this as well as my Kindle 1? Yes. Does the Kindle DX improve the reading experience over the Kindle 1? Yes, I dare say it does.

   How could the Kindle DX improve on the reading experience of the Kindle 1? While I love the Kindle 1 and have tried over the last year to wear the buttons out on it, I was impressed by one of the features of the huge DX. The pan and scan of the eyes is greatly increased. In fact I sat my Kindle 1 on the Kindle DX and the screen of the Kindle DX is larger than the entire Kindle 1. The size of the screen allows my eyes to have a more natural pan of the text that allows more information to be processed before jumping to the next line. Therefore there are fewer “breaks” in the reading allowing for more immersion into the story. The larger pages allow more time and information to be read before the even larger page turn breaks. Therefore the I have noticed the Kindle DX fades away even quicker than the Kindle 1.

   Another unexpected advantage I noticed has to do with the physical dimensions and monotonic concepts. The Kindle DX is quite large and when place in the reader’s line of sight cuts-off much more field of view which really limits distractions. The white chassis does not pull the readers eye and nearly creates a movie screen for the “movie” to play on.

   The conscious choices made to limit other perceived needs I think are very good choices. It’s very rare anymore for a product developer to stay true to the intent and purpose of a device. They want to add gimmicky and slick additions that may not benefit and even detract from the pure purpose of the device just to add marketing value. I like the design of the Kindle. It has a number of things that more conventional devices have (like laptops), but each item the Kindle sports is not intended to do anything more than improve the reading experience.

   So what about the extras you get with the Kindle? The Blogs, Magazines, News Papers, Personal Documents etc. These are value added components. The primary focus of the Kindle is to read books and make the experience equal to that of a paper book. These other items appear to confuse people as to the real purpose of the Kindles. These are great features and I like them a lot. But when I read these, my purpose is different. I have shifted my focus from entertainment and experience, to information. I read a completely different way and I do not expect to be “transported” as I am with a book. But these are valuable additions to the many features of the Kindle and I believe improve the overall product.

   I also understand that some magazines are literary magazines and have the same intent as a book. The Kindles do a great job with these also due to its design. For, in this respect, the magazine has the same intent as the book.

   Now that I’ve stated my case for the Kindle DX I would like to make a point about the price.

   A number of people seem concerned with the price. Is this device worth $489? My answer is a strong yes, although I would not go any higher. Here is my reasoning. First, the enjoyment I get from the Kindle is greater than the price I paid. But on the economy of the thing: Many if not all people have hobbies or interests. Consider the costs of your hobby or interest. Some of these are incredibly expensive. Let’s consider a few (there are millions but this is for demonstration).

   Gardening: How much does it cost to garden? How much does it cost plants, fertilizers, landscaping materials, equipment, etc. per year?

   Motorcycle: How much does it cost to purchase a motorcycle, insurance, fuel, and maintenance?

   Boat: How much does a motor boat, sail boat, personal water craft, etc. cost?

   Cable: How much do you spend a year on cable?

   Hunting: How much does it cost to hunt? I know people who have purchased property just to have a place to hunt.

   Piloting: How much is the airplane, fuel, license, insurance, etc.?

   Movies: How much do tickets and a snack cost for 1 1/2 hours?

   Take the amount spent on the hobby and then divide that price by the hours of use. Then take the Kindle and the price of the books and do the same thing. I think you’ll find the Kindle is one of the cheapest if not the cheapest.

   One thing to consider is the cover for the device. I chose the keep the original cover with my Kindle 1. The Kindle 1 in its cover is about the size of a paperback book. But with the Kindle DX, I chose the M-Edge Platform Cover that allows it to stand up like an easel. It has proven itself to me to be a good choice due to the Kindle DX’s larger width. I will be writing a review for that cover also.

   Platform Jacket for Kindle DX (Genuine Leather–Smooth Mocha Brown)

   I gave the Kindle DX 5 stars because it does exactly what they said it will do and then some more and it met all my expectations. I review on the “what is” and not the “what if”. In my opinion there is no other digital reader that comes close to the Kindle when you look at the whole package including the Amazon service.
6. Cannon says:

   June 18, 2009 at 3:05 pm

   Rating

   EDIT: 1/16/2010(Please see end of review for most recent update)

   Q. Why did you purchase a Kindle DX?

   A. I love to read, and I read daily. Accordingly, the Kindle DX, while expensive, is likely to “pay” for itself in a relatively short time, for anyone who likes to read New Releases. Yes, you can check things out from the library, but for avid readers who like to plow through New Releases, the Kindle is a nice luxury that supports the healthy habit of reading.

   Q. Yeah, but that thing is expensive. Why not the Kindle 2?

   A. Who said anything about the Kindle 2? Buy the Kindle 2.

   Q. Ok, but why did YOU buy the DX and not the 2?

   A. Oh, well that’s because of a couple of features that were important to me. First, the screen is larger, and that is helpful to me. Second, I like the pdf capability and use it.

   Q. And that was worth the extra $100+ dollars?

   A. For me, yes. Maybe not for you…and in that instance, buy the 2.

   Q. Ok, so what is the first book that you downloaded?

   A. Scratch Beginnings by Adam Shephard.

   Q. Does it come with a case or a light?

   A. No and no… and this is one bone to pick with Amazon. At that price, a protective case, even a cheap one, should be included. I would like to point out for those that bash this “no backlight” thing that just about every paper book I’ve ever purchased did not come with a “backlight” front light, side light, or any other kind of light. I tend to read near a lamp, and so that works. And I have a reading light that I can use in bed or in a car, and whaddya know, that works too.

   Q. No color? How come no color?

   A. What’s the last paper book you read that was written in color?

   Q. Ok, fair point, but what about with periodicals and such?

   A. I suspect that eventually we will see color Kindles. I am not sure the technology is available yet at this price point. I, for one, am pleased with the readability of a Kindle DX in black and white.

   Q. Ok, so is it easy to use?

   A. Oh, I think so. For anyone remotely tech savvy, you can figure out the Kindle DX on the fly…. but the user manual that is loaded onto the Kindle is helpful, and there are lots of online sources for information if you’re really stuck.

   Q. Is the bigger screen really a plus?

   A. For me, it really is. Sometimes, I need to increase the font size for reading comfort and the larger screen really makes it still feel like I’m reading a book and accomplishing something with each turn of the page.

   Q. Is the screen really “better” or “improved?”

   A. While I do not own a Kindle 1 or 2, I have read from both. In my opinion the DX is crisper and blacker, and in that sense, for me, yes, it is better.

   Q. What’s with the screen shift?

   A. Ah, you mean where you can turn it sideways and the screen shifts so that you can read, panoramic style. That feature has it’s advantages as well. First, you might find it a more comfortable way to read. Second, with PDF documents, sometimes, it’s the view you need.

   Q. How’s the battery life?

   A. Oh it’s great. So far, I’m still working off the first charge. Look, I think all of these readers have better than decent battery life. One keye is to remember to turn the wireless mode off if you want to extend the battery life. If you are a subscriber to blogs, etc…..you’ll need the wireless on for the downloads, but otherwise, keep it off. I imagine 2 weeks of reading with no wireless on is actually very achieveable. Now, not reading around the clock for two weeks, but with moderate usage, it lasts and lasts. This is NOT like some Walkman that burns double A’s in 3 hours.

   Q. How is the download time?

   A. I received Scratch Beginnings in under 18 seconds. I couldn’t have walked to the kitchen to get me keys to drive to the bookstore in 18 seconds. I also couldn’t have fired up my computer to purchase the book online in under 18 seconds.

   Q. What about the range?

   A. I’m in a metropolitan area. I have no problems. I’ve taken it to the mountains of North Carolina already, again, no problems.

   Q. What about out of the country?

   A. We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it. Honestly, I plan to download a few books before I go…..

   Q. What about people who complain that it isn’t green?

   A. Oh for the love of humanity. You can’t please all the people all the time. Look, I’m an avid reader. I don’t need or want to own hundreds of books that OH BY THE WAY were printed on paper from trees. I don’t want to store them, put them in landfills, or whatever. This works for me. I hope it works for you.

   Q. Yeah, but there are toxins in th…..

   A. There are toxins in ice cream. I’m not going to stop eating that either.

   Q. Didn’t you see that 20/20Frontline/48 Hours/iTeam investigation/New Magazine/Blah boo Blah show that talks about all the lead and mercury and hazardous stuff that children in Third World Nations are exposed to because you bought a Kindle.

   A. Yes……no, wait……that wasn’t the story! Look, I love the environment and please know I try to do my part to protect same. I promise I won’t put my Kindle in the landfill, nor will I have it shipped to Naperstania where young children will be exposed to the evils of whatever might be in my Kindle. I expect to own the Kindle far longer than most books that I have owned in the past. I’m not trying to put magazines out of business, but really, I don’t need the mail, and the wasted paper and the ink and everything else. You give and you get, you know?

   Q. Isn’t this just a fad?

   A. I don’t think so. I think the DX could be the solution to college student spending hundreds of dollars per semester on text books and then having to lug them around for classes and trying to get rid of them when the semester is over. The uses of the DX in the education environment are all plusses. I believe the Kindle line and copies will be around for a long, long time. And if I’m wrong, I’ll come back and edit the review and admit I was wrong.

   Q. Is it durable?

   A. I haven’t dropped it and don’t want to….but I believe that it is durable. The screen is not like a laptop screen…. it’s more durable, in my view. I recommend getting a case or at least a protective cover. One does want to avoid scratches and unnecessary bumps with ANY electronic device. Again, Amazon should include a cover. Are you listening Amazon?

   UPDATE: I dropped it. About 3.5 feet. It hit carpet. It’s fine. Not a scratch on it. Works just like it did before I dropped it. I did utter something that’s not PG when I dropped it….and I’m sorry for that now.

   Q. Is it heavy?

   A. It’s not heavy. It’s heavier than the Kindle 1 and 2. It’s got some heft to it. But it’s not unwieldy as larger books can be. And you don’t get that horrible thumb fatigue from holding the book upon with your thumb wedged in the bottom in the middle. I don’t find holding the Kindle DX awkward at all. I will say this though… I’m a rightie, and the buttons are all on the right. Perhaps some lefties will not appreciate that fact, but it’s not difficult to navigate at all. Reading with one hand and mashing buttons is a bit more clumsy than with the 1 or 2, but it’s fine.

   Q. How’s the keyboard?

   A. I think it works just fine. But lookie here…. I have an LG ENV mobile phone, in part, because it has a QWERTY keyboard with raised buttons. My big ol fingers and thumbs work better on little raised surfaces. So, the Kindle QWERTY is just my style. I’m not a touch screen sort of person. In fact, I have been known to become angry with various touch screen Kiosks – for example – at IKEA. But that is a story for another day. UPDATE – I now have a Motorola Droid (with slide out keybard, on which the buttons are not raised enough. Touch screen technology is vastly improved – and I suspect the new Apple tablets will have high quality touch screen function).

   Q. What happens if I spill something on it.

   A. Don’t.

   Q. How’s that little “mouse” button?

   A. Easy to use. At first, I was concerned, because I sort of have fat thumbs. And, I was afraid that with overuse, it might get sticky or something. But, it’s easy to use. I don’t make mistakes with it, despite it’s small size.

   Q. Will the Kindle DX make me cool?

   A. No. The Kindle DX IS cool, but it will not make YOU cool, if you are not already cool. I am not particularly cool, and I also tend to think that trying to be cool because you have gadgetry is sort of pathetic.

   Q. Is the Kindle a good conversation starter?

   A. Why, yes it is…. and usually the conversation starts with, “Oh, is that one of those Kenny thingies?”

   Q. What else can the Kindle DX do?

   A. Scramble eggs and secure the perimeter. I don’t know, why are you asking this?

   Q. Well, I’m trying to decide if it’s worth it…

   A. If you aren’t an avid reader, NO, it’s not worth it. Look, for someone who always has a nose in a book, reads more than one at a time, reads alot, or quickly, OR for someone who wants to get the latest George Will columns, or magazine, etc…..the Kindle is a great little tool. It’s worth it. If you don’t read that much… stick to the old way.

   Q. Do you do all of your reviews this way?

   A. No.

   Q. Why did you Q & A this one?

   A. Because it seemed like more fun than just writing it out in long paragraphs.

   The Kindle DX is an excellent device.

   UPDATE 6/22/2009

   The ease with which one can search for and download a book is just wonderful. I realize this works with all Kindles, but folks, let me tell you…. with your Kindle Account, you can search for a book, order it with one click and, I KID YOU NOT, have the entire book on the Kindle in about 10 seconds. Now, does it MATTER whether it’s 10 seconds or 50 seconds or 78 seconds? No.

   Of course not.

   But I am one to marvel at the speed of things. And this downloading service is really great.

   I also want to address one of the more common comments that I get in public when someone sees the Kindle and starts asking questions and then decides to soapbox for a bit.

   I’m often asked: “Don’t you like to hold a real book? I LOVE to hold a real book! I think I’d miss the holding of a real book. Sometimes, you just want to hold a real book.”

   MY ANSWER: Yes, sometimes you want to hold a real book. Maybe you like the cover art. Maybe you have a unique edition. Maybe you like the smell of the paper. Maybe you feel more bookish with a real book. That’s you. There’s nothing wrong with you. You’re a lovely human being. More power to you. Buy or borrow all the real books you want and read, read, read.

   I have no reason to hold a real book in my hands. I don’t love the smell of an old book. Cover art doesn’t usually light my fire. I don’t feel more bookish with a real book. I just want to read a good book, and the Kindle makes it easy to obtain and then read what I want to read.

   Another thing. I tend to have my nose in more than one book at a time. Sometimes, I’m not in the mood for the biography I’m reading, and a little golf humor makes my day. I don’t have to bring 2-3 books long with me and wait for the mood to strike. The Kindle has them all right there. Nice and easy.

   Believe me… I’m as uptight and traditional as the next person, but again, for me, the Kindle makes sense. So, there’s really nothing to “defend” so to speak. I would never, in a million years, put down someone who just likes to feel the paper. Accordingly, please grant me the pleasure of swooning over the feel of the smooth, white plastic.

   Another question I get is this: Why does it only come in white?

   A. I have no idea. Would I enjoy an apple green Kindle? I suppose. Hey, there’s a million dollar idea. Fashion skins for your Kindle. Someone get on that, would you?

   UPDATE #2 – I figured there were already fashion skins for the DX available, and what do you know, there are. See comment section below for one place (I know nothing about the site, just pointing out that these, apparently, do exist).

   UPDATE #3 – I want to address a couple of other points raised by other reviewers and even commenters to ths review:

   a) Auto Wireless/off/on mode – For those that don’t know what’s being referenced here, when you turn you Kindle on it’s in Wireless ON mode….this is what allows you to reach into cyberspace and grab the book, periodical, newspaper of your choice. The battery lasts longer when the wireless mode is OFF. Some users would like a setting that automatically turns ON the wireless mode when they download something and then shuts it off when the download is complete. I agree, that would be handy and worry free.

   b) Organizational folders: again, agree…the ability to create folders to organize materials would be mighty nice.

   c) various pdf improvements: I think this is on the way. With PDF, a zoom mode would help, but alot of how much you like the PDF capabilities is directly related to how you use it.

   EDIT: July 22, 2009

   I want to address the recent hubbub over the removal of two books from the Kindle, surreptitiously, by Amazon from owners’ Kindles. According to published news reports (as opposed to message board accusations, some of which have made this issue into something it is not….) upon discovery that a publisher did not actually have the rights to sell the book in electronic format, a decision was made to withdraw the books from Kindle’s circulation (i.e. remove them from availability to purchase) and then to remove them, via Whispernet, from Kindle owners’ devices – without previously informing the owners it was going to happen. Amazon, according to published reports, did refund the purchase price of the books to each Kindle owner. (I am aware that some owners may not have immediately noticed the refunds OR if they changed account data, may not have actually received the refund because Amazon did not have an electronic means to complete the refund).

   My view is simply this: If a publisher doesn’t have legal rights to sell a book via Kindle, then it should be stopped AND it makes sense that the version of the books that people purchased should be returned. Obviously, Amazon should refund the purchase in any such situation. But this type of transaction should ONLY be completed with the ADVANCED knowledge of the Kindle owners. I think that Amazon has even admitted, in published reports, that this was not handled correctly and would not happen in the future. In other words, I think they learned their lesson, from a customer service standpoint.

   In this situation, I believe that Amazon could, and might still, make an additional concession to those affected (A book credit for their trouble).

   I do NOT think this is “Big Brother” reincarnate (although the books at issue were Animal Farm and 1984).

   I am not sure a review of the device is the proper place to have a debate over “ownership” of the material on your Kindle. THAT debate has raged for some time, and you need only search message boards here or plug a few search terms into your favorite search engine to read all about it (although I must tell you 98% of the info is all on one side of this debate). This is a PERFECT example, though, of how technology provides remedies that are unavailable to print media. Had this occurred with an actual book, no one could have taken the book out of your home. But in a legal sense, the technology allows Amazon, the conduit here, to avoid massive liability or damages in a civil context by being able to show that the books are no longer “out there” and available for purchase.

   I still believe the Kindle DX is a wise investment for the avid reader, and I stil recommend it to you. My goal in this update was to provide helpful information about the recent issue concerning two books and provide my assessment of Amazon’s handling of the matter. I believe that in the future, Amazon is likely to do a far better job of providing information to owners, before the fact.

   UPDATE: 08/11/2009

   I was recently lectured on the use of Public Libraries and how the Kindle line and Sony line of electronic readers are going to lead to the downfall of the Public Library Systems in America.

   HOGWASH.

   I still use my public library. I’m just not restricted to waiting 6 months for a best seller to go through the 9 people ahead of me on the wait list.

   Also, what about support for the authors in this world? When 1000 people check out the same book at the library, the author and publishing house have sold a grand total of 1 book.

   There aren’t enough Kindle users in the world to drive libraries out of business. PLUS, there is something to be said for being able to borrow a book, for free. We do it all the time. By the bagloads.

   I strongly support Public Libraries and I urge you to do the same. Donate your time and/or money and/or all your used books once you purchase a Kindle.

   1/16/2010

   I’ve read no less than 4 “lists” that discuss items that you should not buy – on each list ELECTRONIC READERS. One list said they are bad for the environment and then completely ignored the entire paper angle of books. The other 3 lists indicated that these readers really are in their infancy in terms of capability and function.

   Here’s the deal. They’re right. We haven’t really scratched the surface of tablet style smart pads yet. Believe me, the market will be full of them over the next 5 years. Think iPhone, Droid function. At some point, I won’t be surprised if Google gets involved. The iPad, which has an Amazon Kindle App, makes sense for lots of people.

   But here’s the other deal…. We are 10 years away from a competatively priced smart pad ($300 or less) that represents the vast improvement that will make “replacing” your Kindle or Sony worthwhile. iPads and their ilk have infinitely more options through Apps and “cloud computing” that your Kindle does not have. But this doesn’t mean you need to replace the Kindle or that it is obsolete.

   I cannot stress this point enough. Electronic readers are NOT for everyone. If you’re a casual reader and don’t buy many books, this is an overpriced gadget that will eventually just collect dust. But for avid readers who invest considerable time to page turning….and are prone to buying a great many books…..Kindles – and frankly any electronic book reader – is likely something you’ll grow to love.

   I also want to add this: The continued debate over the pricing of electronic books does not appear to yield warning signs that the electronic reading array is going to significantly decrease. I would think the opposite. There were be more and more titles. I ultimately believe that authors and publishing houses will begin to incorporate (they really already do) the electronic title price into the publishing contract. Think about it…what’s the real overhead here? Instead of printing the books on paper and having to ship them all over kingdom come, there’s no print – just electronic delivery. What we MAY see is the price of actual books go down.

   I’ll give you an example. If I want Journey’s Greatest Hits, I can buy the entire album on iTunes for 9.99. Three years ago, that title was $13.99 – $15.99 at Best Buy. Today, it’s $9.99, and it comes in a paper package – this is for the actual CD, mind you. So what to buy? Well, I have to tell you, in the case of the CD, I might PREFER to own the CD at the same exact price because I’m not restricted to iTunes and I can share the CD with my family if I prefer – in the same way that I can loan an actual book to someone else (instead of having to loan them my reader). But so long as the CD is priced at $15.99, I have to decide whether the extra $6 is worth it for the actual CD. In the case of book titles, why pay $25.99 for the newest book when I can pay $9.99 for the electronic version? And unless I’m willing to loan my reader to someone else, they’ll have to buy the electronic version on their own for $9.99. Seems to me that there’s room in the electronic market to be competative price-wise in the face of readability restriction. Electronic readers are here to stay. And my guess is the market will meet the demand, sooner than later. So, the point of all this in the review is that I like the Kindle, and for avid readers, you’ll likely enjoy it too – and get great useage out of it.

   BTW – COST OF BOOKS HAD I BOUGHT THEM IN THE STORE – including paperbacks – SINCE PURCHASING THE KINDLE – $527.98

   COST OF THOSE BOOKS IN ELECTRONIC FORMAT (Many were free) – Approx. $140.

   Almost $390 in “savings” in less than one year.
7. Kaye A. Thomas says:

   June 26, 2009 at 12:49 am

   Rating

   I had the luck, good or bad, to buy the Kindle 2 just days before Amazon announced the DX. As a result, I used the K2 briefly, then returned it and bought the DX.

   My first reaction to the K2 (before the DX was announced) was that it would be a great product if the screen were bigger. For comfortable reading I had to go to a font one size bigger than standard, and the amount of text on the K2 screen at this size seemed to be about half a normal paperback page. When reading a book, you read two pages before turning a page, so I was turning pages on the Kindle four times as often as I would when reading a book. I found that this interfered with the reading experience.

   The DX solves that problem with the larger screen. I increased the font size and also increased the margin to get a comfortable line length. I’ve read two books and part of another and now find the experience excellent.

   The added weight is a trade-off, but for me an acceptable one. The K2 weighs as much as a small paperback, while the DX weighs as much as a medium-sized paperback (say, 6 x 9, 350 pages). It’s a bit less comfortable to hold than a paperback, though, because it feels top-heavy. Yet I was able to read it without discomfort throughout a two-hour flight despite having mild arthritis in my wrists. (It attracted a fair amount of attention on the flight, and my wife kidded me about the DX being a chick magnet.)

   Apart from the larger screen, the other big deal for me is the PDF reader. Reading business documents on a plane has always been a problem — laptops are awkward and uncomfortable for extended reading, and paper shuffling is a hassle. Nowadays just about anyone can create a PDF from most types of documents. To get them on your DX, all you have to do is connect the included cable to your computer. The DX opens as if it were a flash drive, so you can drag and drop your PDF files and you’re ready to go. This is a huge plus for business users, and many road warriors will find that this feature alone justifies the price of the DX.

   People with younger eyes will probably be comfortable with the smaller font and may prefer the K2 for its handier size and lighter weight. For me, the DX is well worth the added price.

   Finally, here’s a practical tip. I didn’t want to buy a case until there were more choices, but I needed to protect the DX in my carry-on bag. It turns out that a #2 bubble mailer (8-1/2 x 12) fits like a glove. I can certainly afford a more elegant case but I may stick with this solution because it offers adequate protection and convenience, and adds nothing to the weight.
8. R. P. Davis says:

   August 14, 2009 at 9:21 am

   Rating

   There have been many reviews on the DX here and elsewhere, and many of you reading this may be trying to decide if this is the ebook reader for you. I hope my comments might be helpful to those on the fence. As in any user review, the pros and cons listed here are specific to my own preferences and usage. What may seem a minor feature to me might be of much more significance to someone else, so I will try to explain why I like or dislike a particular feature so that the context of my critique might be better understood.

   As a preface, I will mention that I am a former Kindle 2 owner. The Kindle 2 will definitely be the answer for some, but the small screen and the lower contrast were enough for me to send the Kindle 2 back to Amazon and spend the extra money for the DX. I’ll touch more on this a bit later in the review.

   I’ve organized the review into things I don’t like about the DX followed by the critical points brought up by others that do not bother me much, and I end with an overview of the Kindle’s strengths.

   Let’s start with the faults:

   1.) KEYBOARD: Yes, as mentioned by others, the keyboard design leaves much to be desired. The keys are widely spaced and small, and the feedback when pressing a key is variable. There are times when I thought I’d depressed the key fully only to see no letter on the screen. The keys are elevated nicely, however, which allows for some degree of touch typing, but I liked the keyboard on the Kindle 2 better (despite the small, almost flush buttons). I do not take many notes when I read and I’m not using the Kindle as a web browser often, so the keyboard shortcomings aren’t a deal-breaker for me. Given that the Kindle is marketed towards students and other groups likely to annotate their content, the strange keyboard design is somewhat puzzling.

   2.) SLOW REFRESH: I almost hesitate to consider the somewhat sedate screen refresh a fault as it is present in every E-ink display, but it is indeed noticeable, and many people are quite bothered by it. I believe there are two components to the screen refresh: the first is the processing time required to render the page, and the second is the actual refresh of the screen. According to information on E-ink’s product pages, the refresh time of the DX’s screen is 740ms in 4-bit mode (16 shades of gray) and 260ms when it is in 1-bit mode (black and white). I don’t think the DX is ever in 1-bit mode; on text-only pages, the lighter shades appear to be used for the status bar, the progress bar, and to provide antialiasing for the fonts. On the other hand, the processing time seems to vary and is pretty quick for text or simple graphics. More involved graphics in pdf files can take a few seconds to load.

   3.) CONTENT ORGANIZATION: This is one area where the Kindle feels unfinished. With the breadth of content that can be stored on the Kindle, the lack of the ability to create folders makes the content seem haphazard and disorganized. I’m hoping this fault will be remedied with a firmware update.

   4.) IT IS NOT A PHYSICAL BOOK: This may seem a laughable and somewhat obvious statement, but it holds merit. There are things you can do with a book that you can’t do with the Kindle. One of the major issues I’ve encountered is the lack of an ability to flip quickly through the book to find a specific part that you may want to reference or reread. Yes, you can use the search function to find something if you know the exact word or phrase, or you can jump to a “location” within the text, but if you just have a vague idea of something you want to locate, it is sometimes difficult to find on the Kindle. Also, with a physical book, you can loan or sell your copy when you are done if you so choose. Kindle books are non-transferable (to other people, at least).

   Critiques by others that don’t bother me that much:

   1.) AMAZON AS BIG BROTHER: Yes, the Orwell debacle was a huge misstep for Amazon, but I give them kudos for admitting they were wrong and promising not to do it again. With such public assurance that this behavior will not be repeated, you can bet Amazon will not be deleting content from Kindle owners without their knowledge or consent. To do otherwise after their public statement would open them up to a huge amount of civil liability.

   2.) NO COLOR: I understand the frustration at the lack of color, but color electrophoretic displays aren’t available yet. It is a technology still in development, so I don’t understand why people give the DX one star ratings for this reason. Yes LCD displays are in color, but they require a power-hungry backlight and have annoying issues with eyestrain, poor outdoor readability, and limited off-axis viewing. One of the Kindle’s greatest strengths is its E-ink display.

   3.) EXPENSIVE: Yes, the DX is quite expensive, and I wish it was a bit cheaper. My guess is that it is a supply issue (note the recent 4 week stint where Amazon had no stock). With inexpensive Sony readers on the horizon and the upcoming touch-screen Plastic Logic device, prices are certain to come down.

   4.) NO TOUCH SCREEN: I think this feature was not omitted without reason by Amazon. While a touch screen would theoretically allow for a superior user interface, a reduced footprint (by eliminating the physical keyboard), and better/easier annotation ability, it also has the potential to reduce contrast, increase glare, and raise the price of the device. Also, given the slow refresh of e-ink displays, a touch screen might feel somewhat awkward. That being said, I do hope the technology improves to the point where this feature might become a viable addition to the next generation of Kindle…

   5.) WEIGHT/TOP HEAVY: The DX is a bit over a pound in weight. Some reviews have criticized the DX for its weight and for feeling top heavy. The Kindle is almost the exact same weight as the hardcover version of the book Freakonomics (a moderate sized hardback book of 320 pages). It is slightly more with the Amazon-designed leather case, but it is definitely lighter than larger hardcover books. It is also slightly BOTTOM heavy, not top heavy. You can confirm this fact by making a small tripod out of your thumb, index, and middle fingers – balance the DX on this “tripod” and you will get a rough estimate of its center of gravity. On my DX, the balance point is slightly toward the keyboard side of center, meaning more of the weight of the device is concentrated in the bottom portion. The feeling of heaviness comes from the fact that the Kindle is much denser than your average book. It therefore feels heavier when you hold it, but it is easy to transport and feels light when traveling. One-handed reading is possible, but it definitely feels more comfortable to hold in both hands. If you are a one-handed reader, the Kindle 2 may be better for you (it feels great as a one handed reading device). One other suggestion – I find my tendency is to hold the DX so that my thumb is over the next page button. This button is towards the bottom of the device, so when holding the Kindle upright, it feels “heavy.” If you turn the DX upside down, and hold it with your left hand, the next page button will be further towards the top and your natural hand position will shift upwards, better balancing the weight of the device. I’ve found this position much more comfortable for one-handed reading.

   Strengths:

   1.) THE SCREEN: I liked the Kindle 2 as it is incredibly light and portable, but it was hard for me to get used to reading on the small screen. You don’t realize how small a six inch screen is until you use one. I just measured one of my smaller paperback books, and the diagonal page size is a bit over 7.5 inches. The DX screen area is more akin to the page-area of a larger hardcover book. For some reason, the Kindle 2 also seems to have lower contrast; the text was more of a dark gray instead of the crisp black of the DX. I read this critique before I bought the Kindle 2, and based on videos and pictures I saw online, I didn’t think it would be a big deal, but in the brief time when I had both devices, the difference was not subtle. The difference is more pronounced with smaller font sizes (which I preferred on the Kindle 2 in order to maximize the amount of content per page). Although the DX has a higher resolution screen when compared to the Kindle 2, the Kindle 2 has a higher pixel density (166 ppi versus the DX’s 150). I figured the added ppi would make text and graphics sharper, but in fact, the DX looks to have crisper text with higher contrast. I have no explanation for this difference.

   2.) THIN/LIGHT: The DX, despite its larger size when compared to the Kindle 2, is still extremely portable. It makes traveling and doctor’s office waiting enjoyable as you can have an entire library of content available to you in a reasonable form factor. It fits in a briefcase or laptop bag with ease and is not cumbersome to carry around.

   3.) WHISPERNET/WEB ACCESS: The free, lifetime Whispernet service is wonderful. Being able to access online news, weather, Wikipedia, and the like in any location with Sprint service is very welcome, as is the ability to purchase or sample content at a whim. The web browser on the DX is significantly faster than the Kindle 2 and the larger screen feels more natural for web content. One important caveat: The Kindle’s web browser is basic. It will not display complex content or video. While Javascript is supported, Flash is not. No Hulu or Youtube on the Kindle (yet…)!

   4.) THE KINDLE STORE: The breadth of content available for the Kindle is wonderful. I have found some books that I theoretically want that are not in the Kindle Store, but almost everything I’ve searched for has been available. I hope the library continues to improve.

   5.) DICTIONARY: If you do not own a Kindle, you may not realize how useful this feature is. I cannot count the number of times I have used this feature, and it is one of my favorite attributes of this device. By displaying definitions in the bottom margin, the feature is useful while remaining unobtrusive.

   6.) BATTERY LIFE: Not much to say here – the battery life is amazing. Unless you leave wireless on all the time, you can easily get several days of heavy reading on a full charge.

   7.) YOU FORGET YOU ARE USING A DIGITAL DEVICE: So many people have made this comment, it almost seems trite, but it is a genuine selling point. Once you get over the giddiness at having the Kindle and stop playing with it as a fancy gadget, it really becomes all about the content. Reading is fun, and the dictionary and search functionality enhance the experience even further. This is a device for people who love to read, and it makes reading easy.

   My long-winded review is nearing its end. Needless to say, I love the Kindle DX, and for me it is a 4.5-star device. I’m not sure my rating would be so high if I was a college student or had hundreds upon hundreds of digital books, as the keyboard design and lack of organizational capacity do hinder the design somewhat. Others will also like the portability of the Kindle 2 better and won’t care as much about the smaller screen size and lighter text. To each his/her own.

   As much as I enjoy my DX, I do hope Amazon is hard at work for Generation 2 of this device. The upcoming Plastic Logic device looks to have a promising UI and touch-screen capabilities, although the demo video I saw online made it seem like it was going to be very slow (it made the Kindle look like a speed demon). The demo unit was an early prototype, however, and the final product will likely be much faster.

   Similarly, the Pixel Qi screen seems a thing of sheer beauty, although I’m not sure what battery life would be like in a Kindle-sized device. If Apple were to incorporate this screen in their upcoming tablet, they would have a thin, potentially DX-sized device with a screen that has a refresh rate 1-2 orders of magnitudes faster than the DX with color, a touch-screen, excellent indoor/outdoor/darkened-room ability and Apple’s excellent user interface and application/content store. Even at its rumored $700-900 price range, it would be a force to be reckoned with due to its vastly superior web and multimedia abilities.

   That’s the future, though. I will argue that for right now, the Kindle DX is as full-featured a device as current technology allows, with a beautiful screen, lifetime wireless service via Whispernet, and a unrivaled content store. While a bit much for the casual reader, it is a godsend for the reading enthusiast, and for me, it was well worth the money.
   
9. Sloop John B says:

   September 19, 2009 at 1:33 am

   Rating

   This review is written from the perspective of someone entirely new to e-books. Other than the Kindle, I have nothing to compare. In fact, up until just recently, I hadn’t paid much attention to the existence of these kinds of devices. However, both my wife and I have been avid readers for some 50 years.

   AFTER TWO WEEKS, I SEE A DEFINITE TREND OF READING MORE BOOKS CONCURRENTLY. For instance, right now I switch off dipping into an historical novel, a political book, and a thriller. I have NEVER done that before. It simply is too easy to not do it.

   At first, the main catalyst for plunking down the coins for this device was my wife’s limitations on reading venues. But, as you’ll read later on, I quickly became hooked on this device and got impatient waiting my turn to use it. So, I bought one for me.

   My wife is on disability with back issues and over the years has evolved to where she can read only by laying flat in bed with books propped up high on pillows. The advertised weight of less than a pound for the Kindle 2 or 18 ounces for the DX had caught my attention and was high on the list of desired features. We finally decided on the DX because it most resembled the page size of a normal hardcover book. The ability to rotate into a landscape view is of minor benefit at this time.

   I must say that I can think of just a few features that I would want that aren’t already resident on the Kindle DX. And, the ability to navigate the various menus is done with complete ease.

   95% of our utilization with the Kindle will be for reading novels or non-fiction books. The other 5% will mostly be taken up by subscriptions to a few blogs, and perhaps a newspaper. The use of the PDF reader is not of much interest to me since we both are retired. Perhaps I will use PDF down the road in some of my retirement activities such as the various Homeowners committees I serve on, or yacht club board of directors – but right now, the Kindle will primarily be for reading books. As such, I don’t ever foresee the need for color ink or anything else that might become available on the next generation. I am glad I didn’t get the bug to purchase the first generation Kindle as the second generations of anything are always of significant improvement.

   Soon after using the DX, my wife asked me to purchase the hinged leather cover (see my review of that) to make it easier for her to hold the “book”. While the weight of the DX plus the cover approximates the weight of a regular size hardcover book, she finds the Kindle is much easier to hold than a regular book. She also really likes the texture feel of the pigskin leather over the super smooth feel on the backside of the Kindle.

   Prior to this purchase, we would average purchasing about 3 books a month – usually from wholesale clubs like BJs or Amazon.com., at an average cost of around $16-17. At that rate, the Kindle will pay for itself in about 2 years. We don’t buy very many paperbacks as we have been totally current with our favorite authors for many years and simply do not have the patience to wait a year or two more for paperback versions.

   We’ve had our Kindle for only a few days but I can list Pros and Cons.

   Pros (benefits of the Kindle vs. a book which is the only thing I can compare to at this stage)
   
   1. Easier to hold than a book.
   
   2. Reduces eyestrain compared to reading a book.
   
   3. Ability to change font size and line spacing, etc., is fantastic.
   
   4. The fact that I cannot think of ANYTHING to improve the device.
   
   5. Simply put, this thing is FUN! And isn’t that what life should be about anyway?

   Cons
   
   1. I guess the price – I mean everyone else complains about it, so I might as well too. However, price was of minimal concern to me, as I already stated my main purpose in purchasing.
   
   2. After much reading of reviews, I have come to understand this device is quite fragile — so it will require intense “focus” to ensure it will not get damaged. Much of this concern involves the use of the hinged leather cover (again, read my review of that). I’m not really complaining – but I do mention it so the reader will be aware of it. Therefore, I list it as a CON.

   If you are on the fence contemplating buying a Kindle – my advice to you would be to take the plunge — come on in, the water is fine!

   Update — approximately two week later

   The news hit everywhere on Sept. 24 of the marriage between I-Rex and Best Buy. Lots of hype, and I can see where a new buyer in the market for an e-reader is going to be very much swayed by the I-Rex and Sony devices when shown hands-on in stores like Best Buy. Amazon has a real challenge confronting this ever-widening battle, and they’d better start thinking “out of the box”, or they are going to find themselves playing 2nd fiddle in short order. However, they still can lay claim to the Cadillac of e-readers, so all is not lost, but they’d better figure a way to get the Kindles out to the public.

   Here is the only feature comparison I could find of the major players in the e-reader market: Kindle (both K2 and DX), Sony, and I-Rex.

   [...]

   When all is said and done – the Kindle DX wins hands down (IMHO) for the following reasons:

   1. 4 gb of internal memory (the I-Rex has zero and the Sony only half
   
   2. Largest screen size
   
   3. Web browser – the Sony and I-Rex have none
   
   4. And last but certainly not least is the Amazon Bookstore. Do NOT be deceived by the claim of 750,000 books at Barnes and Noble. I read somewhere that the majority of that number were actually the “public domain” books from Google. Now, I am sure that B&N will someday rival Amazon for e-books, but they have a long way to go. I’ve also read numerous accounts of where the Sony bookstore is atrocious, simply awful.

   The supporting bookstore is clearly HALF of the operation you are purchasing. So do not forget that aspect when you make you decision.

   I had been shut out totally by my wife in getting to sit down and really enjoy “our” Kindle DX – so, being the impatient person that I am, I ordered my 2nd DX. In addition to the points I listed above, another clear winner in why I am buying another Amazon product is that 3/4 of the books entering my home are read by both my wife and I. So, it only makes sense to eliminate that extra cost. My daughter (42) is also an avid reader and is quite interested in the Kindle. I think I will encourage her to buy one under my account, so that she too can share the same books. Whatever she orders can be reconciled on a monthly basis.
10. fairbrooks says:

    July 10, 2010 at 1:26 pm

    Rating

    I’ve had my new DX for one day, but I cannot imagine going back to the Kindle 2 at this point. The difference in contrast between the two is dramatic – literally, as the title says: night and day.

    I have owned a Kindle since November of 2007, and loved my original Kindle. The Kindle 2 was never quite right for me; I felt the contrast was much too light, but I liked so many of the other features that I kept it and have read on it for the past year and a half. After one day with the new Graphite DX, I don’t know how I managed! The text is so clear and crisp and dark and the background so light that my daughter’s first comment on seeing the new screen was that it appeared backlit! I love having more text on the page, meaning fewer page clicks, though the buttons on the DX are totally silent when pushed. They have a great response and the perfect resistance as well. The graphite is quite handsome, though I always liked the white just fine. I know many people have written that the darker bezel may aid in the improved screen appearance, but to my eyes, the screen is just that much better on its own. I even covered the graphite bezel with the white bezel of my old Kindle to check and it really is a dramatic improvement over my K2(US version).

    I am getting used to the larger size and weight faster than I thought I would. Though I thought I would originally read the DX sans cover because of its size, I have already ordered and received the red Amazon cover and prefer reading the DX that way. It just feels safer and more secure to me, and I don’t worry about getting my fingers all over that vast screen surface while carrying it. I have also discovered through trial and error that I like the fewest words per line option, giving a nice margin to the page. With the text so clear and dark, I’m able to read at a smaller font in low light, so even with the fewest words chosen, I still get plenty of text on every page.

    I do miss the next page button on the left hand side, but as I use the DX more, I’m sure I’ll reach for it less and less. I’m not sure why Amazon chose not to give us that option on the DX; I know some have suggested it might have been to keep the weight down. Whatever the reason, I do miss it. Another small quibble is the fact that you are not able to change the line spacing on a page of text as you can on the Kindle 2. With experimentation, I found that choosing fewer words per line gave me almost the same effect, but it would be nice to have that choice as well. These are minor complaints, and far, far outweighed by the superior reading experience.

    The unit I have has a solid, quality, and well-built feel. The buttons are quiet, the keyboard responsive. Page turns are fast, especially considering the much larger amount of text per page compared to the K2. Overall, I am thrilled with this purchase.

    If you are on the fence, wondering if the Graphite DX really is that much better, I have to say, unequivocally, it is.