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 larger screen display on the Kindle DX has the same display characteristics as the Kindle 2 in regards to the use of eInk. The displays still have that feel for real paper. The DX screen measures 9.7″ diagonally, while the Kindle 2′s screen is 6.” The one major difference besides the display screen size is that the DX’s display can be rotated from portrait to landscape just by tilting the reader. This can be an advantage for reading reports or diagrams or for just a more comfortable feel of the reading material
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.
The prices on both Kindles are high. One can find cheaper ebook readers. Sony just came out with three new models that under cut Kindle 2′s price. But none can compare to Amazon’s Kindles. There is nothing out on the market today with the features of the Kindle DX. As the ebook reader market grows, there will be new models with more options. And prices will have to come down. No matter what, if you’re looking for a digital reader you will have to decide on which one is the right one for you.
