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Amazon Kindle DX Review
Readers should understand that there is a new model of the Kindle DX on the market now. It is called the Second Generation, and can be quickly identified by its graphite color, which is different than the off-white color of the original Kindle DX. The second generation model also offers global 3G access in over 100 countries. An availability map is provided online.
For both generations of the Kindle DX, the main attraction has always been its huge display screen. The DX comes in with a whopping 9.7 inch diagonal e-Ink screen that mimics and reads just like real paper. With 16 grey levels of grey, the text is both clear and sharp, making for easy reading, even for extended periods of time.
Most other e-readers have a 6 inch screen, which is fine, but when compared to this larger screen, the difference in clarity is obvious. Because of its larger screen size, the font sizing for the Kindle DX is very impressive.
For navigation, the device uses a 5-Way Controller that is easy to use and understand.
The Kindle DX features an Auto-Rotating Screen. When the device is held up and rotated, the auto-rotate feature kicks in, changing the display from portrait to landscape. This is a nice feature if you have to work with tables, graphs, or maps.
As for size, the Kindle DX is larger, of course, but the device is only about one-third of an inch thick and weighs a little over 17 ounces.
Because it is 3G enabled, users will be able to download content straight from and into the Kindle DX device. Gone is the need to download into a PC and then transfer. For its 3G coverage, there are no monthly fees and no annual contracts. On average, books can be downloaded in less than one minute using the 3G system.
One of the major benefits to owning any model of the Kindle e-reader family is the huge selection of material that is available to these devices. As of this writing, there are more than 630,000 books available, including best sellers. Users can also choose to download various newspapers and magazines, both US-based and international.
In addition, there are nearly 2 million out-of-copyright books available. Many of these e-books are classics.
Purchasing content is easy with the Kindle DX. Its 3G access makes downloading super-fast, and with the new global access 3G, users can download from within over 100 countries.
The Kindle DX also includes a handy built-in PDF reader. The PDF reader includes a zoom feature that many will find very useful.
Another outstanding feature that many people will find very useful is the Personal Document Service. Every Kindle DX comes with a customizable e-mail address. Using this unique e-mail address, you can send Word, PDF's, and photos to your Kindle via Whispernet for a small fee. Kindle DX supports wireless delivery of unprotected Microsoft Word (DOC, DOCX), PDF, HTML, TXT, RTF, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP, PRC and MOBI files.
In addition, users can transfer personal documents to their Kindle DX via USB for free at any time.
One feature many will enjoy is the text-to-speech feature. The Kindle DX text-to-speech can read virtually any content out loud to you. Some content, however, may be blocked by the copyright owner.
When it comes to memory, the Kindle DX can easily hold up to 3,500 books, periodicals, and documents. The Kindle DX also includes an Automatic Library Backup feature that allows you to re-download any book you have purchased from the Kindle Store.
The battery life of the Kindle DX is good, as well. With wireless ON the users can read for about one week before a new charge is needed. With wireless OFF, users can read for about two weeks before a charge is needed.
Users can charge via USB. The device comes with a U.S. power adapter and a micro-USB cable for charging the unit from a computer USB port. The U.S. power adapter supports voltages 100V-240V.
In addition to all of these features, the Kindle DX also includes a basic Internet browser. This web browser is designed to handle to basic text pages such as you find on Google. The speed at which web pages will download and display on the device is dependent on the 3G access strength of where you are at the time. While 3G access is expanding globally, there are still spots where 3G is not available or is weak. The device is not Wi-Fi enabled at all, so all data must come and go via the 3G system.
A new feature, and one that many people will love, is the password protection feature. This allows you to "lock" your Kindle DX when you are not using it thus preventing unauthorized access to your content or data.
The Kindle includes (in the box): Kindle DX wireless reader, U.S. power adapter (supports 100V-240V), and USB 2.0 cable (for connection to the Kindle DX power adapter or to connect to a computer).