MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - Which one should I buy: Irex DR 800SG vs. Kindle DXi ?

=X= · 05-10-2010, 02:11 PM

PRICE
Tough call here. The DX is $100 more but it is also has a screen size that is 1.5" bigger than the iRex.

PDF Viewing
First of my felling is that if you are buying these devices it's for the larger screen and for reading PDFs. That said, after two years of playing with getting PDF readable on my Sony PRS-505 I've come to the conclusion that I do not want to put any effort in manipulating a PDF just to read it, it was fun at first, now it's something I try to avoid.

With the larger screen of the DX you are going to be able to read most PDF throw your way. Now with 2.5 on its way (zoom) you should be able to read any pdf. On the iRex most books are 9" (including 1" margins) so you should be able to read most PDF on an 8.1" screen.

3G
I just don't understand how some companies advertise 3G as a feature when it is exclusive to their store/online content. Yeah it's is nice go be able to download a book from their store w/o wires but it would not be a purchasing consideration for me. Now Amazon has done this right. It is a free unrestricted 3G access which means I can download books from ANY store, visit Blogs on ANY site, and web sites (though mobile web sites are better suited).

ANNOTATIONS/PEN interface.
This is one area that iRex should have KILLED the DX. The pen screen is a killer input mechanism. However they really crippled the input features to only a menu selection and a virtual keyboard input. There seems to be no way to hand write notes or use a gesture input (ala Windows CE). There seems to be no annotation so you cant use the fine point of the pen to highlight text.

Formats online stores
In theory this sounds great. ePUB with Adobe gives one access to more book stores. The irony is that it gives you access to less books. Amazon to date has the largest selection of books, not including the PD repositories out there, but everyone has access to those books.

Public Library
Hands down iRex beats the Kindle here. For me this is a moot point, my public library does not carry eBooks.

Conclusion
I think the iRex looks much nicer than the Kindle DX, and I like the Pen interface, but unfortunately they did not make full use of this tool. It seems the UI was very sluggish when typing with the UI.

I don't know considering that the DX has a bigger screen, true 3G, and a better input solution. I'd probably go with the DX.

=X=

05-10-2010, 02:11 PM	#3
=X= Wizard Posts: 3,671 Karma: 12205348 Join Date: Mar 2008 Device: Galaxy S, Nook w/CM7	PRICE Tough call here. The DX is $100 more but it is also has a screen size that is 1.5" bigger than the iRex. PDF Viewing First of my felling is that if you are buying these devices it's for the larger screen and for reading PDFs. That said, after two years of playing with getting PDF readable on my Sony PRS-505 I've come to the conclusion that I do not want to put any effort in manipulating a PDF just to read it, it was fun at first, now it's something I try to avoid. With the larger screen of the DX you are going to be able to read most PDF throw your way. Now with 2.5 on its way (zoom) you should be able to read any pdf. On the iRex most books are 9" (including 1" margins) so you should be able to read most PDF on an 8.1" screen. 3G I just don't understand how some companies advertise 3G as a feature when it is exclusive to their store/online content. Yeah it's is nice go be able to download a book from their store w/o wires but it would not be a purchasing consideration for me. Now Amazon has done this right. It is a free unrestricted 3G access which means I can download books from ANY store, visit Blogs on ANY site, and web sites (though mobile web sites are better suited). ANNOTATIONS/PEN interface. This is one area that iRex should have KILLED the DX. The pen screen is a killer input mechanism. However they really crippled the input features to only a menu selection and a virtual keyboard input. There seems to be no way to hand write notes or use a gesture input (ala Windows CE). There seems to be no annotation so you cant use the fine point of the pen to highlight text. Formats online stores In theory this sounds great. ePUB with Adobe gives one access to more book stores. The irony is that it gives you access to less books. Amazon to date has the largest selection of books, not including the PD repositories out there, but everyone has access to those books. Public Library Hands down iRex beats the Kindle here. For me this is a moot point, my public library does not carry eBooks. Conclusion I think the iRex looks much nicer than the Kindle DX, and I like the Pen interface, but unfortunately they did not make full use of this tool. It seems the UI was very sluggish when typing with the UI. I don't know considering that the DX has a bigger screen, true 3G, and a better input solution. I'd probably go with the DX. =X=