Do I really want a kindle dx?

[markem]

I'm thinking of getting me a kindle dx for my holiday present to myself. The new, larger, format and improved contrast makes this seem like a good investment to me.

I'm getting a little pushback from the in-laws, who have about every Apple product on the planet. While I am an iPhone 3G junkie, nothing else that Apple has appeals to me and the extra price for an iPad doesn't seem worthwhile if I only plan to use it as an eReader.

Am I nuts in my thinking (on this subject, the rest isn't open for debate - I am!)?

[pnoon]

I'm a huge fan of the Kindle, Mark.

[markem]

I'm a huge fan of the Kindle, Mark.

yeah, but you like Dunhills, Davidoffs and Gerry. sheesh!

[pnoon]

yeah, but you like Dunhills, Davidoffs and Gerry. sheesh!

2 out of 3.
I hate that b!tch :D

[CigarNut]

The e-ink technology on the Kindle is far superior to anything that Apple has today. You cannot read or even see the content of an iPad (or iPhone) screen outside in the sun (I know, it's Oregon -- what sun :)).

The other problem with the iPad screen is that the high-gloss surface seems to be a magnet for finger prints, etc. which make the screen hard to see without having to clean it often.

I am not trying to say that the iPad is bad -- I just don't think it is perfect for every application and the Kindle is s superior device for reading.

[Wolfgang]

Why the DX? you can make ajust the font larger on the small ones. Did they make a new DX or is it the same one thats been out?

[GolfNut]

I read kindle books on my BlackBerry Torch. Don't see the reasoning to buy a kindle. Wife loves kindle on her itouch and iphone.
Posted via Mobile Device

[MedicCook]

Nothing beats a real book.

[markem]

Why the DX? you can make ajust the font larger on the small ones. Did they make a new DX or is it the same one thats been out?

larger fonts on a smaller screen equals more scrolling which means more eye strain, at least in my case.

I spend my days reading PDFs of legal documents. For me, the larger screen is important.

[Wolfgang]

Kindles dont scroll though. :ss

[markem]

Kindles dont scroll though. :ss

paging then. Same blur, same effect, no matter how you try to nonsensically argue it.

[LostAbbott]

If you are reading non color docs and other things you would be reading on a screen otherwise a kindle is the way to go. flipping through stapled pages or dealing with a device not made for reading is not worth the hassle. if you are going to be reading books, magazines, news papers, well then get the real thing and don't waste your money.

[Wolfgang]

Whatever floats your boat. Buy the DX. There isn't anything else out there like it aside from an Ipad which for e-reading is horrible (even with the anti-glare screen protector).
Compare $379 for the DX with Free no contract 3G to the Ipad 16gb with 3G starting at $629. The Amazon store has over 900,000 titles available and ability to open PDF files make it far better then either B&N or Sonys offerings. You can also surf the net on that same 3G network on the DX for full web pages rendered in black and white of course.

Did I miss anything?

[markem]

wow, I bet you even know what "GFTS" means.

[Wolfgang]

Negative, however, I do know the difference and intricate workings of both devices as well as what is out there on the market. I sell these every day at work and Im not seeing why you need to be rude....

[markem]

You are entertaining. You are angry that you weren't recognized as a guru on the subject as you imply that your (possibly) vast sales droid experience makes you. I'm glad that you know the differences between the two. If, for starters, you could communicate in a reasonably intelligent fashion then you might have more opportunities to showcase your fascinating "sales experience".

I am looking for information. I responded to your query about why not a smaller screen. You got smug, I ignored your saint-like smugness and you grabbed the first comparison web page that you could find (or had memorized) to spew your full and complete knowledge.

Since you know "intricate workings of both devices", I have a question for you: what bus type is used by the device and what type of multi-port memory control circuitry is used. Alternately, how are interrupts handled by the core executive and how is the interrupt mask managed?

[Wolfgang]

Judging by your knowledge on the subject already, why ask a forum if you should buy it or not? I know HOW to use both devices. You know, menus, interface, which is better for what, etc.

And there IS a difference between scrolling (up and down, side to side) and completely reloading a page. Seems like you should know this......

Enjoy.

[markem]

And there IS a difference between scrolling (up and down, side to side) and completely reloading a page. Seems like you should know this......


Of course. Scrolling involves moving in new material to the viewing area using a wide variety of techniques depending on the underlying hardware support. Reloading a page means redisplaying the same information without updating the display buffer pointers. Of course, I was really talking about paging as in turning the page of a book, which would move the display pointer to a new location and then cause a refresh of the screen with the current page in the display window, but I digress. Pan and refresh v. jump and refresh are, for the most part, hardware ops handling by as little as one location register and one control bit in many modern systems.

I'm sorry to have agitated you. But I haven't had this much fun in a long, long time. Let's call a truce and I'll buy you a good stick and drink if ever we catch up. Okay?

[Wolfgang]

Fair enough I hate to burn bridges (although I like fire). From my personal experience owning both the DX and smaller kindle there here are my two perspectives.

DX is far better if you are reading at home in a big comfy chair and like you said, want the larger screen.

Kindle 3 far more portable and easier to use on the go in my case between classes and on breaks.

The only think I might add is it doesn't support the epub format that are available through libraries.

[markem]

Fair enough I hate to burn bridges (although I like fire). From my personal experience owning both the DX and smaller kindle there here are my two perspectives.

DX is far better if you are reading at home in a big comfy chair and like you said, want the larger screen.

Kindle 3 far more portable and easier to use on the go in my case between classes and on breaks.

The only think I might add is it doesn't support the epub format that are available through libraries.

Now that is great information. As you suspect, I am more stationary in my reading. I tend to read at the coffee shop and at home (which is also where my office is located).

[Wolfgang]

One other thing, unless you know the exact book or author searching the kindle book store on the device is a pain. Searching on your laptop and buying them there is far more user friendly and the next time you turn your device on your recent purchases are automatically downloaded.

[pnoon]

An even better search engine for Kindle books on Amazon is www.jungle-search.com

[Wolfgang]

Whats the verdict?

[markem]

I got a chance to play with one and have spent a great deal of time looking at the price of eBooks. The convenience factor is high as is the low cost of certain magazines that I like to read but hate to accumulate.

Odds are good that I'll get one at this point.

[Kreth]

"Buy once, read anywhere." Gee, that sounds like a book... :rolleyes:
Posted via Mobile Device

[markem]

Okay, finally decided on this one.

The "geek" factor won out. The convenience of the e-reader combined with wireless delivery of stuff made the DX desirable. The smaller screens on the other readers didn't cut it for us and the iPad is a complete computer, of which we don't need any more (disappointed the in-laws on that one). I like to read a couple magazines that are available in kindle format as well as USA Today. I'm presently working through all the Douglas Adams books (for a grand total of less that $10). I can also put the PDFs that I read for work on it, which is helpful in some situations (not all).

So now we have 2 kindle DX machines and are quite happy.

Mind you, we still have over 3,000 books piled on all the bookshelves and much of the floor space in the spare bedrooms. And those are just the ones we plan to keep.

Vacation in February will be strange because we traditionally bring about 30lbs of books with us. Now we will have less than 2lbs of kindle.

[Comedian]

I'm not sure how you guys can read those Kindle things. To me, a book is more than just about the story. It's the feeling of turning the pages, the smell of a new(or old) book, the weight in your hands, the actual owning of a physical copy of the book that can be saved for generations and passed around to friends and family members.

Reading books on an electronic device really just seems to suck the heart and soul right out of it, IMHO. Just my 2 cents, though.

[Eleven]

I'm not sure how you guys can read those Kindle things. To me, a book is more than just about the story. It's the feeling of turning the pages, the smell of a new(or old) book, the weight in your hands, the actual owning of a physical copy of the book that can be saved for generations and passed around to friends and family members.

Reading books on an electronic device really just seems to suck the heart and soul right out of it, IMHO. Just my 2 cents, though.


I don't have one yet, but I can totally see the reasons to get one. I love to read in bed, but I cannot get comfortable. I could easily read laying prone, but moving my arms to turn the page, as well as positioning the book to be readable is a pain.

Having a Kindle would eliminate both of those problems. I think I just sold myself!

[Comedian]

To each his own, man! Enjoy your Kindle! I certainly wouldn't mind reading SOME books on a Kindle. Lord knows it's a pain in the ass to read a War and Peace hardcover in bed.

[RGD.]

I'm not sure how you guys can read those Kindle things. To me, a book is more than just about the story. It's the feeling of turning the pages, the smell of a new(or old) book, the weight in your hands, the actual owning of a physical copy of the book that can be saved for generations and passed around to friends and family members.

Reading books on an electronic device really just seems to suck the heart and soul right out of it, IMHO. Just my 2 cents, though.

I'm sure you have eaten at a fast food place. Not the same as sitting down at a 5 star restaurant is it? But it does serve a purpose. And there is no law, no rule that says you can't have both. Same deal with the Kindle (or any e-reader).

As a book lover, no, the Kindle will never be the same as touching the beauty of a hardcover - but imagine being able to have over half of your library in your coat pocket just for those fast food times.

Ron

[Wolfgang]

I believe physical books should come with digital downloads :2

[Starscream]

Nothing beats a real book.

:tpd:

I guess it's b/c I'm old school, but I'd rather just buy a book than purchase it on a kindle. If a kindle saved money, I'd probably be all over one, but with all the cheap prices of books on Amazon, I just don't think it's worth the money. Maybe it's b/c I've got a degree in English Lit, but I also prefer the real deal b/c I can mark up all the pages and write notes in the margins.

[Wolfgang]

I also prefer the real deal b/c I can mark up all the pages and write notes in the margins.

You can do that on the kindle too :D no writing but you can make notes.

[CigarNut]

:tpd:

I guess it's b/c I'm old school, but I'd rather just buy a book than purchase it on a kindle. If a kindle saved money, I'd probably be all over one, but with all the cheap prices of books on Amazon, I just don't think it's worth the money. Maybe it's b/c I've got a degree in English Lit, but I also prefer the real deal b/c I can mark up all the pages and write notes in the margins.
The Kindle does save me money in a way -- when I travel I no longer have to bring 30 lbs of books with me. When I am home I still read real books, but when I am traveling or out-and-about nothing beats the Kindle...

[tsolomon]

I'm not sure how you guys can read those Kindle things. To me, a book is more than just about the story. It's the feeling of turning the pages, the smell of a new(or old) book, the weight in your hands, the actual owning of a physical copy of the book that can be saved for generations and passed around to friends and family members.

Reading books on an electronic device really just seems to suck the heart and soul right out of it, IMHO. Just my 2 cents, though.I feel the same way, but after collecting books for 45 years I have to admit I have too many. I have book shelves that are full, books stored in boxes in the attic and basement and more at work where I run a loaner library. I read 1-2 books a week and I finally asked the wife to get me a Kindle for Xmas. :2

[imthegoal]

My mom got me the Nook from B&N and I have absolutley loved it so far. I like the ability to be able to go into a store and get free content with it as well.