Handheld Ebook Reader

If you’re a big fan of the Kindle and own either of the first and second generation models of it, you’re probably wondering how the just-released Kindle DX differs from what you have now. Another question that’s foremost in people’s minds especially those looking to get a DX is whether the 489-dollar price tag is worth it. Shelling out almost 500 dollars for a gadget is no simple matter so this Kindle DX Review will look at what this latest version has to offer.

The Kindle 2 is the older of the two units and as such, has slightly less to offer in terms of size and capability. It is a smaller device that measures 8″ x 5.3″ x 0.36″ with a 6″ diagonal screen. At only 10.2 ounces, slightly more than half a pound, it is a perfect portable ebook reader. And when you consider that its 2GB hard drive can hold roughly 1,500 books, it’s hard to imagine you would ever find yourself without a good book at your side. The Kindle 2 sells for 259 dollars right now, making it way more affordabe than the Kindle DX.

The new Kindle DX comes onto the market with a bigger is better attitude. The unit itself is 10.4″ x 7.2″ x 0.38″, but it boasts a huge 9.7″ screen with an auto-rotating feature. This means you can switch between landscape and portrait just by turning the device, making it great for newspapers or picture-heavy kid’s books. But this size means it weighs more as well. Nearly twice as much at a hefty 18.9 ounces.

It still isn’t nearly as heavy as the 3,500 books that could fit onto its 4 GB hard drive. In addition, you get a native PDF reader, one of the biggest complaints about the Kindle 2 being that it didn’t have one. But all these upgrades come at a price, meaning the Kindle DX is a 489-dollar ebook reader, which many people may just find to be too much.

Just because the Kindle DX is the newer version doesn’t necessarily mean it is the better one. It may have plenty of features the Kindle 2 doesn’t, but the Kindle 2 has size on its side. The DX works well at home, but the Kindle 2 still wins out in terms of portability. The price difference may be a head-turner as well. While the DX has a lot more to offer, the Kindle 2 is still a great ebook reader and costs quite a bit less. For many people, the Kindle 2 may have all the features they need. It still replaces crumbling old books or the dozen textbooks in your backpack. Whichever one suits you best, you cannot really go wrong with Amazon’s ebook readers.