K2: Just as Good as the Original

[Nate the great]

Originally Posted by dahlrunner

This is my first post, so be kind. I'm a long-time reader, but don't get into the fray too much.

I agree with most of what what said, but have two questions about the Kindle 2 (I'm a Kindle 1 owner). I've used the Kindle 1 for both pleasure and work (technical) books. In both cases, some of the books will have maps or diagrams. I have been frustrated by the lack of resolution in the pictures. One example is the maps from Jeff Shaara's The Steel Wave (great book, BTW).

Regarding the technical books, I work in programming and have a few books that I like to search quickly for a topic or keyword and have found this to be a little slow (much slower than having a physical book and looking at the index).

So the two questions:
* How much better is the resolution on the graphics? Any zoom capabilities?
* How much faster are the page renderings subjectively? A lot? Does it seem like searching and going back and forth between pages quickly will still be a somewhat onerous process?

The zoom features on the K2 are the same as on the (updated) original. The recent update added the ability to zoom any image so it occupies the full screen. It's nice.

The important difference between the two Kindles is the increased grayscale resolution on the K2. If you have a lot of graphical diagrams, then it might appeal to you.

I think you should consider getting the K2. It sounds like you would benefit from the faster response time.

P.S. Have you downloaded the 1.2 update yet?

[desertgrandma]

Originally Posted by dahlrunner

This is my first post, so be kind. I'm a long-time reader, but don't get into the fray too much.

I agree with most of what what said, but have two questions about the Kindle 2 (I'm a Kindle 1 owner). I've used the Kindle 1 for both pleasure and work (technical) books. In both cases, some of the books will have maps or diagrams. I have been frustrated by the lack of resolution in the pictures. One example is the maps from Jeff Shaara's The Steel Wave (great book, BTW).

Regarding the technical books, I work in programming and have a few books that I like to search quickly for a topic or keyword and have found this to be a little slow (much slower than having a physical book and looking at the index).

So the two questions:
* How much better is the resolution on the graphics? Any zoom capabilities?
* How much faster are the page renderings subjectively? A lot? Does it seem like searching and going back and forth between pages quickly will still be a somewhat onerous process?

Welcome, Dahlrunner, to MobileRead.

I'm afraid the answers to your question will have to wait until the unit is actually in the hands of someone who can run tests.
It won't be long!

[badgoodDeb]

Originally Posted by Nate the great

The zoom features on the K2 are the same as on the (updated) original. The recent update added the ability to zoom any image so it occupies the full screen. It's nice.

I tried this, on my K1. It's nice to zoom to full screen size, but it would be REALLY nice to be able to zoom larger yet, and scroll across an image. The image I zoomed still wasn't readable. Wonder if they'll ever let us zoom larger yet.

The 16 grayscales will be of some benefit here. But a real semi-infinite zoom, with ability to scroll around, would be ideal.

[shima]

It's too bad my husband wouldn't use my Kindle 1... otherwise I'd have ordered a Kindle 2. I think the improvements outweigh the "cons"

Here's how I justify the con's - I have a 4GB card in my Kindle 1. I barely use 1GB of it, and think I have too many books on it for practicality sakes. so only 1.5GB user storage on a K2 is more than enough at any given time
No cover - I hated the cover the Kindle 1 came with anyway and ended up buying a Medge, so good for Kindle for not including the cheaper cover that most of would end up replacing anyway
The battery issue - I've never had problems with my current battery, I'd hope the Kindle 2 battery is just as good.

I would really like the smaller form factor. The Kindle 1 stays in my purse at all times. You never know when you'll be waiting for someone and have a few minutes by yourself for some quality reading time.

[MattEcho]

Originally Posted by Ervserver

It could be argued Amazon looks at the Kindle II as a throw away device, designed to last perhaps 2 years or so, battery dies, people buy a Kindle III or IV.
A laptop lifespan is surprisingly short and expensive to repair, it often makes sense to just purchase a new one rather than repair. Not just because of hardware failure but also due to the fragility of portable devices.

Exactly. Planned obsolescence. Every couple of years, Amazon will introduce a new Kindle with better features: more storage, better screen, video, who knows what. Should make them a ton of money.

[wallcraft]

Originally Posted by badgoodDeb

But a real semi-infinite zoom, with ability to scroll around, would be ideal.

More magnification would help in some cases, but often maps (for example) are unreadable because they were too small in the first place. Zooming a 150x200 image (say) to 1200x1600 instead of 600x800 isn't going to help much. If the original image had been 450x600 then it might even have been viewable without zooming, although a 2x zoom to 1200x1600 would then be helpful. Don't forget that if an image appears small on the Kindle's screen then it is really tiny, because the Kindle doubles image sizes anyway.

I think something like a fixed 1200x1600 (1600x1200) double zoom, displayed as 4 screens, is more likely to work on Eink than a scrollable generic zoom because of the page refresh time.

[melodyyyyy@aol.c]

I can't decide if I should get the new kindle or stick with my old kindle. I think I will wait to hear more about k2

[dahlrunner]

Thanks to everyone for the responses to my questions. I'll be downloading the 1.2 version today to check out the zooming capabilities, but it sounds very promising!

As far as the faster response time goes, that sounds good to and I'm looking forward to seeing comments in new threads in the future. My guess is that K2 is in my future sometime....

Thanks again!

[Ervserver]

doesn't hurt to wait awhile and see what people think of the Kindle II, also let any "bugs" be worked out

Originally Posted by melodyyyyy@aol.c

I can't decide if I should get the new kindle or stick with my old kindle. I think I will wait to hear more about k2

[bwaldron]

Originally Posted by melodyyyyy@aol.c

I can't decide if I should get the new kindle or stick with my old kindle. I think I will wait to hear more about k2

I think that is a wise decision.

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by shima

It's too bad my husband wouldn't use my Kindle 1... otherwise I'd have ordered a Kindle 2. I think the improvements outweigh the "cons"

The K1's seem to be selling on eBay for about $300. You may want to give that a try... then you can possible justify a new one.

BOb

[bwaldron]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

The K1's seem to be selling on eBay for about $300. You may want to give that a try... then you can possible justify a new one.

Lots of used K1's available at Amazon as well; looks like a lot of users that are "trading up" for the new model

[ProDigit]

About the battery:
I think it's safe to say the battery will last longer then 2 years!
It's not like a cellphone that needs charging every week,or every few days.
Even if the battery loses 30% of it's capacity, because of the low power draw of an electronic reader you wouldn't really notice it much; and the battery will last 2,2 weeks instead of 3; or 1,5 instead of 2 weeks.

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by bwaldron

Lots of used K1's available at Amazon as well; looks like a lot of users that are "trading up" for the new model

Yes... those ones for $500 must be much better than the new one you will get for $360. I've gotta order one of those.

Are people actually paying that much for a used Kindle? I think $300 is the highest I would go... and that's would be for one less than 3 months old.

BOb

[ProDigit]

the blue and pink colors are absolutely disgusting!
I'd probably prefer grey, black or white...