Amazon Kindle Dx Review
Before the release of the Kindle DX way back in 2009, features of this latest Kindle was already talked about in tech and gadget blogs, effectively paving the way for one more cool gadget from Amazon. The question foremost on everybody’s mind then was, “Is it worth all the hype?” Now almost a year later and with some improvements made to it, this Amazon Kindle DX review puts the ebook reader under the magnifying glass – although with its size, we wouldn’t really need one.
Note that this Amazon Kindle DX review already takes into account the enhancements made to the DX of late with its new graphite casing and cheaper price.
Basic Features of the Amazon Kindle DX
First, let’s take a look at what the Kindle DX has inherited (or not) from its older siblings:
At 0.38 inch deep, it’s only a bit thicker than the Kindle 2 (0.36 inches) yet is still as thin as any magazine. The Kindle DX also continues to use e-ink technology and 16 shades of gray for words and images which are clear, crisp, and unaffected by any shine from the sun.
What’s New: The Pros and Cons
The most recent Amazon Kindle DX certainly has several features for consumers to enjoy. These are:
50% Better Contrast. With its all-new e-ink screen, the Kindle DX delivers a much improved contrast that presents the text more clearly and thus more friendly on the eyes. And it comes in a sleek graphite shell now to complement the contrasting effect.
Large, 9.7″ Screen. That’s a screen bigger 2.5 times than its older version which makes it an easier read especially when you’re reading PDF files, newspapers, magazines, blogs, and books with images.
Naturally, the bigger display has also made the Kindle DX longer and wider than the past Kindlesolder models. At 18.9 ounces, it’s also more hefty but even that shouldn’t pose too much of a setback. That said though, it’s really not as portable as the Kindle 2.
Auto-Rotating Screen. If you’re one of those who need to study maps, images, tables, and charts, the new auto-rotate screen could be just the feature for you as it enables the user to get a full view of these pages at better angles. Just turn the device around to automatically change from portrait to landscape mode, and vice versa.
PDF Support. The inherent PDF support of the Amazon Kindle DX is another welcome improvement. This sure beats the hassle of having to send your PDF files to Amazon for conversion and at a cost.
Improved Storage Capability. The Kindle DX comes with a storage capacity of 4G, which Amazon says can hold up to 3,500 books already. With its built-in PDF support though, that number could drastically go down if you’re regularly using PDF documents and any other image-rich books and publications.
International Availability. Whether you’re in the US or in the over 100 global locations where the Kindle DX is available, you can download the content you want within 60 seconds with the use of 3G technology.
Improved Battery Life. If the wireless feature is turned off, the Kindle DX allows uninterrupted reading of up to three weeks, and seven days with the wireless enabled.
The Price. The 9.7-inch Kindle was originally a whopping $489 when it was first released. But fortunately for those who still have to get one, the price tag now is down to just $379 for the newest graphite version. Not too costly actually, considering its cool features.
Amazon Kindle DX Review: The Verdict
Amazon is certainly making a lot of headway when it comes to finding all the possible avenues that the ebook reader can go. As I see it, with a more cost-effective tag and better features, there is even more reason for people to get the latest Amazon Kindle DX.