EBook Readers Guide – Kindle 2 And Kindle DX Comparison
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.
The use of eInk technology is incorporated in both the Kindle 2 and the Kindle DX. EInk technology was created by the E Ink Corporation for viewing written content from a display screen as if it was actually being read from real paper. Measured diagonally the Kindle DX’s screen is 9.7″ versus the Kindle 2’s 6″ screen. The screen display on the DX rotates from portrait to landscape for a better reading experience. This can come in handy when viewing diagrams, graphs or reports.
The Kindle DX has integrated PDF support built in. Pdf files can be downloaded directly to the reader. This is not the case for the Kindle 2 where PDF files must be converted. To do this the files must be sent to Amazon support via email. They can convert the files for a small fee. Also the DX has about double the storage capability of the Kindle 2. The DX has 4GB to Kindle 2’s 2GB. But the most important determining factor is of course the price. The smaller Kindle 2 goes for $359 while the Kindle DX is $489.
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.