Being one of the most popular electronic devices in the market, it is obvious that there are many Kindle DX reviews to be found. In this article I have concentrated on the most frequent positive and negative aspects.
Released in July 2010, the new third-generation Kindle DX takes eBook reading to a new level with a suite of features that together make it the best eBook reader. For those hoping to see eBook readers that are better than Amazon’s first or second generation, or any of its competitors, now is the best time to get one, in my opinion.
Sure, there’s Apple’s iPad and Barnes & Noble’s Color Nook and they all have their market. But it’s a fact that those backlit LCD screens can cause unnecessary eye spots and are never really good when reading in broad daylight. The reason this Amazon e-reader created the e-book reading trend was precisely its e-ink screen or electrophoretic e-paper that looks no different than a page in your conventional hardcover novel.
However, like any consumer mobile device, nothing is perfect. There are things consumers want to see that aren’t there, even on the best assistant gadgets like the KindleDX. This is often pointed out in any Kindle DX review. Here are some of them:
Featuring a larger 9.7-inch e-paper display with a 50% better contrast ratio and excellent 840 x 1200 resolution, Kindle DX offers the highest resolution of any e-book on the market when almost all others only have 600 x 800 with a few. like the Sony PRS900 which offers a longer resolution of 600 x 1024. The truth here is the battery life. Unlike the regular 6-inch Kindle3G which allows up to 1 month of use before charging as long as the wireless connectivity feature is turned off, the DX offers only 2 weeks maximum. With the cordless on you get 7 days compared to the smaller one which offers 10 days.
Free 3G wireless connectivity through Whispernet is obviously Amazon’s marketing tool to get people to buy books from its own store. It is a great feature that allows users to shop online anywhere and anytime. You don’t need to do your downloads on PC and get a USB cable to download your favorite books or magazines. It comes with a browser for your online browsing, but don’t expect a full-featured browser as it can only display text-centric websites like Wikipedia and a few others.
At 18.9 ounces or 540g, the DX is the heaviest eBook reader, second only to the older and slightly larger iRex Digital Reader at 700g. This is without a doubt its most discouraging feature, as reading books is often done with one hand. So you can expect your wrist or hand to tire sooner compared to most other e-book readers, like its 10-ounce lighter and equally feature-rich sibling Kindle-3.
Aside from weight, price is another downside that is often mentioned in any Kindle DX review. At $379, it’s among the most expensive, but judging by Amazon’s penchant for cutting prices every 6 months or so, you can expect this to drop, especially with newer models coming online. Launched in October, it could be cheaper for spring break or early summer next year. To speak for myself, I am extremely happy with my DX.
