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Specs:

Our Analysis:

How I conducted my analysis of the Amazon Kindle DX:

On July 7^th Amazon released their newest version of the Kindle DX—a model that provides better contrast and all of the other features the old Kindle DX had, at a lower price.

Much like my Kindle 2 review, when I came to check out the Kindle DX, other than reporting only my own impressions, I checked out about 15 different online expert websites (CNET, PC World, TechRadar), blogs, and customer reviews. Again, it seems that my conclusions are mostly the same as the rest of the online community. Hope you enjoy reading.

What I thought of the Amazon Kindle DX:

The first thing I noticed about the Kindle DX was its size. It’s EXACTLY the size I wished it would be. As big as a regular notebook, it managed to fit comfortably in my backpack, and when I read from it I didn’t have to turn the page every other minute. This is the one thing most eBook readers lack—a large screen. It does come with a price, though. The Kindle DX weighs more than smaller eBook readers (18.9 ounces compared to about 10 ounces). But when you put it all together, it’s definitely worth it.

The general design is excellent, very similar to the Kindle 2. The keyboard is a bit smaller, and for some reason there is no “turn page” button on the left side. In my opinion, this is a shame because it means you can’t turn pages easily when holding it with only your left hand. The only option to override this is to hold the Kindle DX completely upside down (the display will rotate accordingly), but then there will be no button on the right side.

The display is crisp and clear. I had an easy time reading from it in bright sunlight as well. It seems to keep up the high visual standards of the Kindle 2 and more. But now came the real test: Is the Kindle DX’s user interface actually better than that of other eBook readers?

The user interface is intuitive and easy to understand. I started off by reading eBooks in AZW format, which is the standard Amazon format for the Kindle readers. Page turns were quick, books loaded quickly, and the text to speech was, well, okay at best. I never really liked that feature. It still sounds too mechanical, in my opinion. One nice feature is the landscape mode, which lets you read the Amazon Kindle DX if you hold it sideways or even upside down. Combine this with the option to enlarge the fonts, and even people with poor eyesight will be able to read easily from it. I tested the landscape mode several times and on different documents and it worked nicely. On rare occasions, I had to “explain” to my Kindle that I actually changed its alignment, but I guess nobody’s perfect.

The one thing that I was really looking forward to was the native PDF reader of the Kindle DX (now also available on the Kindle 2). I must tell you that after reading some reviews online, I was skeptical about it. After trying it out myself, I honestly think this feature is the best addition Amazon made to their eBook reader. It displays PDFs nicely and with amazing detail. It takes longer for a book to load if it’s in PDF format, but page turns and switching from landscape to portrait mode worked as well as on the Amazon formatted eBooks. Note that PDFs don’t have font size, text to speech, notes, or highlighting enabled. However, if you convert a certain PDF to AZW (easily done by mailing the file to your own Kindle email address), those features will be available. I also heard claims that some PDFs wouldn’t rotate to landscape mode. I tested several PDFs on my Kindle DX and did not encounter this problem. Bottom line, the PDF support is a much-welcomed feature.

The wireless feature worked excellently throughout the U.S. but is still clunky overseas. If you aren’t a U.S. resident, I’d advise you to read below what international customers thought of the Kindle DX. But regardless of that, the ability to download books straight to your machine and the ability to browse through the Amazon bookstore no matter where you’re located are what distinguish the Kindle DX from most competitors.

The web browser works poorly unless you are using only Wikipedia, but I’m all too familiar with this from the Kindle 2. Battery life was long and satisfying, navigation through the menus was easy, and the Oxford dictionary add-on, which translates words you highlight, is one of the best features this device has, in my opinion.

To conclude, the Kindle DX, although not a “next generation” eBook reader, is definitely the most advanced eBook reader on the market today. This device is for “heavy” readers, people who read at home a lot, people who read technical manuals, students who want to review their class notes, and for people who don’t travel a lot (due to the Kindle DX’s size and weight I found it tiring to hold it in one hand for very long). The large screen, the smooth interface, and the PDF support combined together make one mean, lean reading machine.

Online experts’ opinions of the Amazon Kindle DX:

For online expert reviews, I checked out CNET, Top Ten Reviews, PC World, ZDNet UK, and TechRadar. The main debate was that, although there is no doubt the Kindle DX is an improved version of the Kindle 2, it comes with a price difference of $190. This price difference isn’t necessarily called for. Some say the Kindle DX is too expensive, while others say that if you take into account the fact that all wireless fees are included, in a little over eight months you get your money’s worth back (considering you don’t need to pay for an Internet provider).

Regarding the use of the Kindle DX as a textbook replacement, it seems that there is still a long way to go. The Daily Princetonian reports that the university’s Kindle eReader pilot program, which began last May, provided 50 students with free Kindle DXs. But after only two weeks, many recipients “were dissatisfied and uncomfortable with the devices,” the college newspaper writes.

However, since the Kindle DX is the third gadget Amazon has ever made, it is an amazing achievement.

What customers who bought the Amazon Kindle DX thought about it:

Customers who were against the Kindle DX claimed that the weak spot of the Kindle family is still its international compatibility. Much like the Kindle 2, the Kindle DX encounters the same problems:

• Additional wireless fees for non-U.S. based users
• Only a U.S. power adaptor is supplied with the product
• There is not a large enough variety of books in the International Amazon bookstores
• There is no support for non-Latin characters

These are all substantial downsides.

On the other hand, customers who loved the Kindle DX brought up what a great reading experience it gave them, especially the fact that the Kindle DX is so reading-oriented in its nature (“bookalicious.net”) and the great easy-on-the-eyes display (James Holder—“Amazon” reviewer). Basically, what customers said is that if you want to read, and to read only, this is the device for you (Jennifer Carter—“Amazon” reviewer).

The Verdict:

With its new display (50% better contrast), free 3G global internet connection, and a much more reasonable price tag ($379), the new Kindle DX makes one mean, lean reading machine. If you want an eBook reader for commuting, the six-inch version will be far more practical. But if, on the other hand, you are here only for the reading experience, this is no doubt the eReader for you. No other eBook reader on the market gives such a complete package of an amazing display, intuitive user interface, unique wireless capabilities, and an enormous selection of titles.

 

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Our Sources:

As part of eReader Central's review process, aside from examining the product ourselves, we review various websites in order to get addiditonal information about this specific eBook reader. For this review we have used information gathered from

and also Stubborn Mule, Bookalicious, Gadgetophilia & Top Tech Reviews.

*Prices are only estimates and may vary from time to time, eReader central does not guarantee the stated prices.