Quote:
Originally Posted by SensualPoet
That's the take-away Apple wants you to remember -- but they don't honour that at the till.
Amazon's Kindle DX is complete at $489 -- including 3G wireless. It has enough memory on board to do what it's designed to do.
Apple's iPad is $499 -- but the 3G model is $629. And that's the 16 GB onboard memory. The keyboard docking station is extra. Want more memory? If you are locally storing video, for example, you'll want the 32 or 64 GB models. Even if you don't want 3G with 64 GB ($829), the 3G itself isn't free. 500 MB costs $15/mth ... hardly enough for a video surfer but maybe enough for e-books; unlimited is $30/mth.
And never mind critical day-to-day issues like 10 hr battery life vs 1 or 2 weeks; or the ability to enjoy the device outdoors in sunlight.
So what Apple claims is a $10 difference ... is at least $140 more for the most basic 3G and nearly $200 more every year for basic wireless. Yes, of course, the device "does more" ... but at a starting price of 50% more in the first year.
It comes down to: Kindle 2 at $259; Kindle DX at $480 or Apple iPad 16 GB/500 MB 3G wireless monthly for $809 in the first year. Not everyone needs a Rolls.
|
The iPad provides a totally different experience than the Kindle. I doubt if those pondering the purchase of an iPad are doing a double-take at the Kindle DX. But I think many considering the Kindle DX (or any other high priced large screen dedicated ebook reader) will take pause to educate themselves on other devices (of similar size) that allow reading pdf files, web browsing, and more. I say this, with the assumption that current prices drop slightly (not markedly) for the Kindles due to the release of the iPad.