EBook Readers Guide – Kindle 2 And Kindle DX Comparison

Posted by Mario Del Sol on October 24, 2009 under Technology and Gadgets | View Comments

In 2007 Amazon.com came out with an electronic reading device called Kindle. Up to that point very few of us had ever heard of ebook readers. Sony and some other companies had ebook readers on the market at the time but had not made much headway. Kindle however made a splash. But Amazon did not stop there. While other companies were wondering what was going on, Amazon came out with an improved version of their reader called the Kindle 2. Instantly this new Kindle model became an instant success. To top it all off, just seven months after the Kindle 2 unveiling, Amazon came out with yet another improved version, 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 first major difference between the two is the size difference. The Kindle DX is much bigger than the Kindle 2 and for that matter bigger than many of the other available ebook readers on the market. In comparison to the Kindle 2, the Kindle DX measures 10.4″ in height, by 7.2″ in width and by .38″ in thickness. The reason for the increase in size was to accommodate the larger screen display. DX was designed for easier reading of magazines and newspapers, and in the near future, for displaying textbook content. The smaller Kindle 2, which measures 8″ by 5.3″ by .36,” was meant for the reading of smaller formatted books such as novels. However The Kindle 2 is much easier to handle and to carry. It can easily be stowed away in almost any size purse or carrying bag.

Both the Kindle 2 and the Kindle DX display written content in the same way. They both use eInk technology which gives the user the feeling that they are reading from actual paper rather than from a glowing monitor screen. Compared to the Kindle 2’s six inch display screen, the DX’s screen measures 9.7.” Besides its larger screen size, The DX’s display can be rotated from portrait to landscape by simply tilting the device. This can make it a more comfortable reading experience for viewing charts and diagrams.

The Kindle DX has twice the amount of storage space compared to the Kindle 2. The DX has 4GB to 2GB on the Kindle 2. The DX also has built in integrated PDF support which means that PDF files can be downloaded right to the device. Where as on the Kindle 2 PDF files must be converted. For a small fee, one would have to send the files to Amazon support for conversion. By far probably the most important comparable factor of the two Amazon devices is their price. The Kindle 2 is $359 and the Kindle DX goes for $489.

The prices are somewhat on the steep end. There are cheaper models out there. But none have the look and feel of the Kindles, and at present none have the features of the Kindle DX. Prices have started to come down. Sony just brought out three new models cheaper than the Kindle 2. And as mentioned before their are new models coming out almost every week. The models may change and the options will only grow in number but the most important thing to remember is – what ebook reader is right for you.

The prices of electronic reading devices vary. Picking the features that are right for you will decide the price you pay. The eBook Readers Guide will help in making a right ebook reader comaprison. Visit www.guideforebookreaders.com.