Comparing The Kindle 2 And The Kindle DX EBook Readers
When The Kindle ebook reader by Amazon came out several years ago, few of us had ever heard of digital book readers. At that time several companies had some kind of electrical reading device out on the market, but because of format or functionality problems they had not made any kind of impact. The Kindle reader was different. It was an instant hit. Amazon was quick to react to the markets needs and quickly responded by releasing an improved versions, the Kindle 2 and seven months later the Kindle DX.
Today’s digital reader market is quickly getting crowded. Just about everyday new readers, with fancy new options, are being unveiled. But everyone is playing catchup with Amazon and their two latest Kindle versions. So if you are thinking of buying a Kindle, which would be the right one for you – the Kindle 2 or the Kindle DX? Here is a quick comparison of the two models to help you get the wheels turning in the right direction.
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.
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.