Comparing The Kindle 2 And The Kindle DX EBook Readers
Kindle was Amazon.com’s first version of an ebook reader. Though Sony and a few other companies had some kind of digital reading device on the market, there was too much confusion about the functionality about these gadgets. The Kindle, however, was an immediate hit. Amazon recognized the issues of the market and responded accordingly by coming out a year later with two new versions of their product. The Kindle 2 and seven months later with the Kindle DX.
There are hundreds of ebook readers out on the market today. Everyday there is a new portable reader coming out offering better options. However Amazon, with its two latest Kindle versions, is by far the leader. If you are researching the electronic book reader market and want to buy one, then the Kindle 2 or the Kindle DX are the ones to be checking out. But which is the right one for you?
The “big” difference between the Kindle 2 and the Kindle DX is the size. The DX version is bigger than the Kindle 2 and any other ebook reader model out there. For comparative sake the Kindle DX measures 10.4 inches in height by 7.2 inches in width and its thickness is a mere .38 inches. The DX has a larger display screen which was designed for the better reading of magazines and newspapers as well as for accommodating the content of textbooks. The smaller Kindle 2 was originally meant for the reading of smaller books and is much easier to handle and store.
Both the Kindle 2 and the Kindle DX display written content in the same way. They both use eInk technology which gives the user the feeling that they are reading from actual paper rather than from a glowing monitor screen. Compared to the Kindle 2’s six inch display screen, the DX’s screen measures 9.7.” Besides its larger screen size, The DX’s display can be rotated from portrait to landscape by simply tilting the device. This can make it a more comfortable reading experience for viewing charts and diagrams.
The most important thing to consider when comparing the two devices is the price. The Kindle 2 costs $359 and the Kindle DX is $489. However you have twice the storage capacity on the Kindle DX with 4GB of storage space versus Kindle 2’s 2GB. It is also worth mentioning that the Kindle DX comes with built in integrated PDF file support, while PDF files on the Kindle 2 have to be converted. This means you would have to go through Amazon support via email. Amazon charges a fee for file conversion.
Yes the prices are somewhat high, but compared to other digital readers nothing comes close to a Kindle. You can find cheaper ebook readers. Sony just unveiled three new readers priced under Kindle 2’s price tag, but none have the features of the Kindle 2 or the the Kindle DX. The ebook reader market is getting crowded with new models coming out all the time. Prices are bound to come down. The choices will become more difficult, but it all boils down to which is the right electronic book reader for you.
