Kindle DX Ebook Reader Review – Is The Larger Screen Worth The Extra Cost?
The Kindle is an electronic ebook reader that really hit the market by storm. In essence, this model and other digital book readers are hand held mobile wireless gadgets that allow people to store massive amounts of books and other publications and read them from anywhere they might be. Plus, there are various other uses and features as well. The Kindle is definitely the most popular of all brands of digital book readers.
The Kindle comes in three different models, the Kindle Wifi that retails for $139, Kindle 3G + Wifi that retails for $189 and the Kindle DX that retails for $379. The reason for the significant price increase in the Kindle DX is that it comes with a larger display screen of 9.7″ versus the other two models that have a 6″ screen. Many wonder if the DX is worth the bigger price tag because it is definitely not one of the cheap ebook reader models. Technically it is a larger and more powerful device, but there are other considerations. Please read on to find out if the Kindle DX is worth paying the extra cost and its overall pros and cons.
Key Features
- High contrast e-Ink pearl technology 9.7″ screen display, reads perfectly in bright sun, no glare and reads like real paper
- 10.4 x 7.2 x 0.38 inches in size
- Weighs 18.9 ounces
- Free 3G in 100 countries
- 30 second book downloads from Kindle store
- No compute required, Kindle DX works out of the box
- 2 – 3 weeks battery life with wireless off and 7 day battery life with wireless on
- Store up to 3,500 books
- Built in PDF reader
- Text-to-speech feature where the Kindle reads to you
- Automatic bookmarks
- Hundreds of free books in the Kindle store
- Share books with friends
- and much more
What’s Good ABout The Kindle DX
The bigger display screen means you will get more of the book text on the page which in turn makes it easier to read and much easier on the eyes. This is perfect for those that like to buy and read large print books.
The Kindle DX also delivers much better contrast on the screen than any of the older models and while the cheaper Kindle models may cost less, some are more than happy to pay extra for a device that enhances their reading experience that much more. This makes reading on this Kindle model much more like a real book, in fact many users report that the Kindle actually reads better than paper because there are no grains on the page.
What’s Not So Good
The price is definitely higher than the other models. In fact, the Kindle DX costs around twice as much as the 3G + WiFi model and this does make it beyond the reach of the typical consumer. In reality, the high price tag of the Kindle DX makes it not so much cheaper than the iPad 2 tablet computer, which also serves as a book reader and so much more. The iPad can perform a large array of distinct functions, including, computing, apps and others. But, it is still important to realize that the Kindle’s main function is that of a book reader and because it is built with that function in mind the reading experience is much better, especially because of the screen display, which in contrast to the iPad is not a computer screen that is so harsh on the eyes, but is actually an E-Ink screen that is just like reading real books.
Some additional user complaints include the fact that the buttons and controls on the Kindle DX are believed to be too small for a device that is overall larger in dimensions. This is actually due to the fact that the screen takes most of the area on the device. And, is this really a negative? When you think about it, the whole point of the Kindle DX is to enhance the reading experience with a larger page and print, so unless they would make the Kindle as big as a laptop, it makes sense that they will use as much of the space as possible for the screen.
Another con is the fact that the sacrifice for a larger screen and easier reading is that the device is heavier and less mobile as compared with the other models of the Kindle. This is a sacrifice that individual consumers will have to decide if they are willing to make.
Summary
Basically the Kindle DX has all the same features and functions as the Kindle 3G + Wifi and the main distinction is the larger screen and therefore an enhanced reading experience and especially for those that enjoy large print books. Weather or not you are willing to pay the extra money to get that will be an individual choice, but overall if the larger screen significantly enhances the reading experience that it maybe well worth it.
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