Kindle DX V Kindle 2 - Which Is Right For You?
The latest in Amazon’s Kindle ebook reader family – the DX was announced in early May, just a few weeks after the launch of the Kindle 2 in February. Ever since then Kindle owners and prospective owners have been speculating about just how big the changes and enhancements in the DX in comparison with the Kindle 2 actually were. If you’re an existing Kindle owner or if you’re an avid reader wondering which of the two devices would be the best for your needs, then check out the comparison below:
Display
The Kindle DX has a 9.7" screen (measured from corner to corner) - which is two and a half times bigger than the Kindle 2's 6" screen. Aside from the obvious size difference, the DX screen has an auto-rotate feature which allows you to change from the standard portrait mode to landscape mode just by rotating the device. This makes the DX better suited for reading newspapers, magazines and other publications which contains graphics.
Overall Device SizeThe DX has overall dimensions of 10.4″ X 7.2″ X 0.38" and tips the scales at 18.9 ounces. The Kindle 2 has external dimensions of 8" X 5.3″ X 0.36″ and a weight of 10.2 ounces. So, whilst the Kindle DX isn't too large or heavy to carry around, the Kindle 2 is the more portable of the two devices.
On Board Memory Storage Capacity
The DX has 4 GB of internal memory – which equates to storage for approximately 3,500 books. The Kindle 2 has 2GB of memory, enough for approximately 1,500 books - not bad, and more than enough to keep most people supplied with reading material for a good length of time, but still quite a bit lower of the DX.
PDF Support
The Kindle 2 can read pdf files – but only after you e-mailed them to Amazon for conversion. There is a fee associated - although this is really quite small - for the conversion. A bit of a hassle really. The DX on the other hand has native pdf support inbuilt so you can just load up your pdf files and view them with no fee, no conversion and no fuss.
Price
The Kindle 2 is currently available for $359. When the DX ships on June 10th it will cost you $489. It's unsurprising that the price is somewhat higher than the Kindle 2, the larger screen is one of the costliest items in the reader so a higher price point is to be expected. If you look at the DX's $489 ticket price in comparison with the $859 for the iRex Illiad - a broadly comparable 10" ebook reader device - the DX doesn't appear quite so pricey anymore.
Final Analysis
Although the Kindle 2 is relatively new, and was itself a big step forward in comparison with the original Kindle, the DX offers significant further enhancements. The larger display and the facility to handle pdf files is probably enough to justify you spending a little more - especially when you consider the price of other similarly sized ebook readers on the market. Unless Amazon drop the price of the Kindle 2 following the launch of the DX, go for the DX option.
