Saturday, August 22, 2009

Amazon Kindle DX Review: Weighing In On Its $489 Price Tag

By Travis Van Slooten

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 price tag is worth it. Splurging almost $500 for a gadget is no simple matter so this Amazon 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 reading device. 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 around $359 right now, making it the more affordable of the two.

The Kindle DX hit the market as a bigger and beefier version of the Kindle 2. It measures a hefty 10.4" x 7.2" x 0.38" and has a much bigger 9.7" diagonal screen. The screen is auto rotating as well, which allows you to switch from landscape to portrait mode just by tilting the Kindle, making it easy to read newspaper publications or books with big pictures. While it is bigger, its portability suffers a bit. At 18.9 ounces, it is significantly heavier than the Kindle 2.

You will get twice the memory at 4 GB, able to store a virtual library at over 3,500 books. You also get the ability to view PDF files, which is a huge bonus considering the Kindle 2 requires a small fee to convert them for you to read. Of course, the price tag matches these features at $489, making it a luxury that, for the most part, only avid readers will consider.

Don't think that just because the Kindle DX is newer and sports bigger numbers that it is the only one you should consider. The Kindle 2 has size to its advantage. While the DX might be great for reading at home, the Kindle 2 is far more portable. It will also save you a big chunk of change. If you are willing to pay for the extra size and features, the DX is a great piece of technology. But the Kindle 2 still has more than enough to offer most people. If you are just looking for a way to replace ratty old books or cut down on how many textbooks you're hauling around, the Kindle 2 has a lot to offer. Whichever one you decide is right for you, you're getting a device that will keep you reading whatever you want whenever you want.

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