Kindle DX : Customer Reviews

What Gives?!

I haven’t received my Kindle DX yet, but when I do I will enjoy it for what it is. I keep reading the reviews and what I don’t understand is why some people keep knocking the Kindle DX for what it isn’t. It isn’t a microwave, a television, or anything else that isn’t listed in the description. So, to get on here and complain because it’s not color, the price is too high, or a myriad of other things just blows my mind. Did you not read the description before making your purchase? One thing to keep in mind though if price is a concern; if you are an avid reader (and purchaser of books), then the lower cost of the ebooks will soon pay for the Kindle DX in less than a year…at least in my case it will. Eventually, as technology progresses you will have your color screens, lower prices, and who knows, you may also be able to heat lunch up in it as you read. But for now, all you “glass half empty” people, enjoy your new toy for what it is and be glad you aren’t reading your books on the wall of a cave!!!

BY Rayzer

I’m Very Pleased, Except with the IBD

This morning I’m playing with my new Kindle DX. Overall, I’m very happy. I will have no difficulty reading books on the Kindle DX.

However, I do have one complaint about my subscription to the newspaper Investor’s Business Daily. I bought the Kindle DX specifically for the IBD and reading books is a big bonus for me. However, the IBD subscription is not a complete paper. All the stock quotes are left out and only the written articles are in the Kindle subscription version. I NEED those stock quotes and stock ratings from the IBD.

A paper subscription to the IBD is about $295 a year. I thought I was saving money to buy the Kindle and get a subscription for $5.99 a month. Now, if I have to subscribe anyhow, I’m a couple of hundred in the hole from what I intended to do. I guess I’ll complain to the IBD and Amazon and maybe someone can talk W.J. O’Neil into adding the stocks into the Kindle version of the paper. And, yes I would pay a little more for the subscription if it contained the additional info.

An awesome ebook reader

The Kindle DX is my second ebook reader. The first one was Foxit eSlick. I ordered the eSlick because it supported pdf. I was disappointed by it’s size(as big as Kindle 2) but I decided to keep it… till Kindle DX showed up.

The pdf support is great. I can finally read my Safari bookshelf collection on an ebook reader. The landscape mode is great in that it increases the text size but I think it’s prone to miss a line on some pages. A separate zoom feature is needed and I will expect Amazon to build on the pdf features.

The keyboard is ok, I am not too excited about using the Alt key for numbers all the time but I can live with it.

The screen is superb. I like the Kindle store very much. Everything is nice. I am very excited and happy to have this device.

BY U.Kambli

Kindle DX : The Sync Function Saves Me

I think I expected the Kindle DX to replace the 2, but instead it’s going to complement it. I’ll use the DX at home and the 2 when I go elsewhere. The DX is too big to carry around, since I can’t just tuck it in my purse as I do with the 2. The thing that saves me is the Sync function.

Incidentally, the same USB/power cord works on both the Kindle DX and the 2. I’d bought an extra for the 2, as well as a car charger, and I’m very pleased that these work for the DX as well.

The native PDF function is wonderful. NASA puts out all its technical papers in PDF so I can read them on the Kindle DX. This is helpful as I’m in the process of updating a paper I wrote in the early ’90s to be part of a history series. Using the DX saves switching from window to window as I write. The figures and photos are easy to read, too.

I miss the page controls on the left side, as I like to hold my reading material in my left hand. However, I can turn the Kindle DX upside down, with the display following the rotation, and that puts the page controls under my left thumb, where I like them.

I really wish that Amazon would come out with some way to organize books, such as folders. I’ve got over three hundred titles and it can be a real struggle to find what I’m looking for. There’s a surprising amount of variation in how author names are formatted, so that’s not a fool-proof way of finding things.

If I had to choose between the Kindle DX and the 2 I’d have a really hard time. For just plain text, particularly away from home, the Kindle 2 wins. For figures and PDFs, particularly at home, the Kindle DX wins. I’m just glad I’ve got both of them and don’t have to pick one.

BY Mary Shafer

Kindle DX Pros & Cons

Pros:

1. I am a Biomedical science and Biomathematics enthusiast. I read articles ranging from NEJM to applied mathematics and I find that the Kindle DX lives up to its descriptions. The pdf files come out beautifully and even if one were to not rotate, the two column text are still legible.
2. Textbook viewing: I read Physiology texts as well as heavy equation filled texts as well and find that both are very well displayed on the Kindle DX provided that they are real pdf files. Even if the files are not formatted correctly, the text comes out great when rotated to landscape mode.
3. Size: Despite the other reviewers saying that the Kindle DX is slightly on the heavy side, I believe that the weight distribution is well put together. Also, a little weight makes it feel…more sturdy perhaps.
4. So if you are a science student wanting to spend some money to get the Kindle DX, your investment here will surely benefit you. I have been waiting for such a device to come out for years and finally…a step into the future.

Cons:

1. I have have nothing bad to say thus far, but I do have some things that I thought I should mention.
2. The lack of the ability to store files in folders is a slight problem that can easily be overcome by a little clever naming. (Like how some reviewers proposed) I hope Amazon will provide an update, but I wouldn’t hold my breath.
3. The price is a little steep. It will put a dent in a wallet of a poor college student. But work a few more hours and you will be a part of the Kindle DX hype.

Conclusion:

The Kindle DX is something that I have always wanted. Although, a little pricey, I think it is a good investment if one has the money to put into it. The functions are very close to how they are described by Amazon and all in all it was a great investment. I hope this review helped someone out there who are debating whether the Kindle DX will be useful for a student. Good luck to you all! And have fun with your purchase!

By AK “AK”

Amazon Kindle DX Vs Kindle 2 - Sizing Up the Two Popular Ebook Readers

Ever since the Amazon Kindle DX became available for pre-order in early May, many Kindle users and would-be owners have been wondering how much of a “makeover” the popular device has undergone. If you’re an owner of a Kindle 2 considering an upgrade, or a reading enthusiast undecided on which would be the better fit for your lifestyle, wonder no more.

This comparison is your quick reference guide to what sets the new Kindle DX apart from the previous version.

Display

The Kindle 2’s 6″ diagonal screen is obviously no match for the Kindle DX’s 9.7″ diagonal auto-rotating screen. In addition to being 2.5 times larger than the earlier Kindle’s display, the DX also has an auto-rotate feature that allows you to toggle between a portrait and a landscape mode by simply rotating the reading device. This makes it the more suitable gadget for reading newspapers, image-rich books, or any material that contains maps, charts, and tables.

Size of the Device

The Amazon Kindle DX measures 10.4″ x 7.2″ x 0.38″ in overall size while the Kindle 2 is naturally much smaller at 8″ x 5.3″ x 0.36″. While both devices are about as thin as a typical magazine at 0.3 of an inch deep, the DX tips the scales at 18.9 ounces compared to the Kindle 2’s 10.2 ounces. If you plan on using your ebook reader “on the go” then the Kindle 2 is the more portable device.

Storage Capacity

The storage capacity is also a major factor to consider. The Kindle DX boasts a 4GB internal memory - double the 2GB capacity of the Kindle 2. That’s storage for approximately 3,500 books and 1,500 books for the DX and the Kindle 2 respectively.

Built-in PDF Support

With the Kindle 2, reading PDF files are a bit of a hassle as you have to go through the process of emailing your files to Amazon for file conversion - a service that you need to pay for, albeit with a minimal fee. With the Kindle DX, PDF support is built-in, so you can just download your PDF files directly to your device and read them immediately. If you read a lot of PDFs, then the DX is the better option.

Price

Here’s the real deal maker or breaker between the two Kindles. The Kindle DX costs a steeper $489, while the Kindle 2 is still priced high at $359. Even for the most avid readers, the price of either of these ebook readers leave a big hole in the pocket. However, students eager to leave behind their heavy textbooks and professionals who usually work with PDF files, will find a way to justify the steep price of the Kindle DX.

Amazon Kindle DX vs Kindle 2 - Closing Thoughts

While the Kindle 2 still packs a punch for its price and features, those looking for the ultimate reading pleasure will find the Kindle DX the best choice between the two devices. Like I said, the price is always the deciding factor in the equation so weigh the costs versus your needs and budget before making the ultimate decision.

By Travis Van Slooten

Hands On with the Amazon Kindle DX

Hot on the heels of the super-successful Kindle 2 launch, Amazon announced the Kindle DX ($489 direct), a larger, higher capacity, and more expensive version. I was able to get some hands-on time with the device and found it to be just as advertised: a larger version of the Kindle. That said, that extra screen size and the new partnerships with textbook vendors could help the Kindle DX open markets previously untapped by e-book readers.

The biggest difference between the Kindle DX and the Kindle 2 is the size of the screen, which is 2.5-times larger than the original. Moving from a 6-inch display to a 9.7-inch display makes the reading experience a lot more like reading a standard 8.5-by-11-inch piece of paper. Whereas reading the Kindle 2 is akin to reading a book, the Kindle DX feels more like reading a magazine. Indeed, Jeff Bezos said at today’s announcement that presenting structured, designed content is one of the key reasons for developing the Kindle DX.

The device measures 10.4 by 7.2 by 0.38 inches, and indeed, it feels incredibly thin when you hold it in your hand. It weighs 18.9 ounces and has about the same heft as a spiral bound paper notebook. Two small slits on the left side of the device will be used to attach a protective case, but none were on display today. The back of the Kindle DX features the same brushed metal back as the Kindle 2. Not much to see there.

One upgrade that won’t be immediately obvious is the increased memory. The Kindle DX comes with 4GB of memory and room to store about 3,500 books, compared to the 1,500-book capacity of the Kindle 2. I doubt many Kindle users ever max out their libraries, but since Amazon is increasingly pushing the Kindle as a tool for reading your own documents, the extra capacity could come in handy. There is still no removable memory slot adding memory.

The Kindle DX’s interface hasn’t changed much from Kindle 2. The Home button is still the best way to restart your navigation process and the five-way directional toggle lets you navigate the menus. I still think this process could be smoothed out some, but it isn’t too difficult to move around. Although the Page Forward and Page Back commands are still along the right side of the device, they’ve been removed from the left-hand side.

One key improvement is the addition of an accelerometer. Like the Apple iPhone, the Kindle DX can detect its orientation and rotates the screen accordingly. This lets you view documents, photos, and charts in landscape mode. In fact, the device can even be operated upside down, so that left handers can use the Page Forward/Page Back keys with their left hand if they want. (Typing on the QWERTY keyboard upside down is much, much more difficult.)

The Kindle DX also adds native PDF and RTF file support. Although previous Kindles have been able to display PDFs, this support was experimental and often achieved mixed results. The Kindle DX will ship with native PDF support that uses Adobe Reader Mobile technology. The demos I saw included nautical charts, maps, and legal documents, and the results were very impressive. Of course, I will have to load my own PDFs to really evaluate this feature.

Otherwise, the Kindle DX supports the same assortment of file formats, including Kindle, (AZW) TXT, Audible, HTML, Doc, JPEG, GIF, and PNG. Files can be sideloaded via the microUSB cable or sent through Amazon’s Whispernet service for $.15/MB.

As with the Kindle 2, the Kinlde DX comes with a built-in 1xRTT EVDO modem for wirelessly loading books and other digital content using the companies Whispernet service. Whispernet works seamlessly in the background, but it should be noted the company recently moved to per MB pricing for files that you upload to the service. If users do start uploading lots of their own files to the device, as Amazon seems to want them to, this could end up adding to the price of the device.

Other than the increased size, the biggest improvement in the Kindle ecosystem is the deal with textbook publishers. The textbook market will be key for the DX to succeed. Amazon has already signed up three of the top five textbook publishers (Cengage Learning, Pearson, and Wiley) as well as 27 University Press Publishers. The Kindle DX will be used in trials with at least five universities this fall.

There are lots of unanswered questions about the Kindle DX that I will answer when the device comes into PCMag Labs for testing. That said, given how closely the device builds on the Kindle 2 platform, it seems like a useful addition to the Kindle portfolio. This will be especially true if Amazon can succeed in evolving the device from a pure e-book reader into a device for reading all sorts of digital documents, including textbooks, magazines, blogs, word documents, PDFs, Excel spreadsheets, e-mails, or any other document people currently print out.

Top 5 reasons Kindle DX is good for reading newspapers

The Kindle DX is good for reading newspapers -

1. eInk screen is better for reading. See the Kindle 2 videos. You can get immersed and read for hours without tiring your eyes.
2. Large screen allows for more text and various layouts. Landscape mode is a big plus.
3. WhisperNet means instant updates and instant news.
4. Lower Prices – NYTimes subscription is $13.99, will be $9.99 (trial basis) when DX releases.
5. Convenient to carry and handle, and saves trees.

It is important to look at the Kindle DX as a first stab at a dedicated newspaper reader - it would be unfair to expect it to get everything right on the first try.

Top 5 Reasons Kindle DX is good for newspapers themselves

Newspapers should embrace the DX -

1. Kindle Users are trained to pay for content. 10,000 NY Times subscribers (in Sept 2008) is a good start.
2. Two out of Newspapers’ three revenue streams i.e. subscriptions and advertisements, can still work on the DX.
3. WhisperNet allows for instant updates and instant news - up to the minute news.
4. Much, much lower distribution costs.
5. As opposed to the Internet, here Newspapers are making money (as is Amazon ;) ).

Newspapers have trained online users (not to mention online companies) to expect free content and new distribution channels like Kindle DX and the iPhone are their only hope.

Top Reasons the DX might fail with newspapers

1. Newspapers and Amazon fail to agree on a win-win revenue share.
2. People have been trained to expect news for free.
3. The price of the Kindle DX.
4. The Kindle DX lacks touch, has slightly clunky navigation and switching between articles is not easy.
5. Great Expectations - DX will be hard pressed to meet the lofty expectations some people have.
6. The screen might still not be large enough.
7. A few people are wedded to the notion of color.