Are you waiting for the "official mobileread verdict" on the Kindle DX before buying? - Page 6

JSWolf · 06-15-2009, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roy White

I've spent most of the morning reading DX reviews and comments here. It looks as if the "official verdict" is 2 thumbs up? What say everyone?

(we are the Borg!)

The DX gets a thumbs up for the screen and a thumbs down for the PDF support.

daffy4u · 06-15-2009, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roy White

I've spent most of the morning reading DX reviews and comments here. It looks as if the "official verdict" is 2 thumbs up? What say everyone?

(we are the Borg!)

We say that it's only *your* thumbs that count. You have the 30 day return policy if you feel there are more cons than pros.

tompe · 06-15-2009, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tklaus

Given that you can easily convert, why is it important that the device natively support ePub? Or am I wrong about the ease of conversion?

Only if you have the knowledge and are willing to remove the DRM.

poohbear_nc · 06-15-2009, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

The DX gets a thumbs up for the screen and a thumbs down for the PDF support.

I agree - the DX folk are somewhat divided into 2 main camps - those who read mainly books (and for whom PDF issues are not a deal breaker) and are deleriously happy with the screen (esp. those with eye issues) and those who were waiting for native PDF support and are giving mixed reviews - based largely it seems on each individual's cache of PDF they are loading and reading.
For book readers with the cash, it seems a no-brainer.
For PDF readers the questions is whether to put down the cash now for a PDF viewer with limited functionality, or wait for a hypothetical Sony (or other brand) big screen reader to emerge in 2009. The fact that Amazon has already sold out of DX indicates that production of the bigger E-Ink screens is the bottleneck - and if Amazon is snapping them up, other companies may be unable to launch their larger readers in a timely fashion.

sirbruce · 06-15-2009, 04:17 PM

I agree with poohbear / Chicken Little, but personally I feel just the opposite: if you want to read PDFs, then by all means the DX is what you should get, but just be aware of its current limitations. But if you primarily just want to read fiction, then the Kindle 2 is great for that, especially if you're on the go as it's easier to carry around. But on the third hand, some readers are totally enthralled with the big screen of the Kindle DX.

So,

1. If PDF is highly important to you, get the Kindle DX if you're okay with the PDF limitations (you can READ them but pretty much do nothing else with them). If you're looking for the "perfect" PDF reader, then Kindle DX isn't it and you might as well save your money and get the Kindle 2 until a better PDF reader comes along.

2. If a big screen is highly important to you, then get the Kindle DX if you don't care about it being a bit large to carry around with you all the time.

3. Otherwise, get the Kindle 2; it's cheaper, does almost everything the Kindle DX does, and has easier to use keyboard and buttons.

pboss · 06-15-2009, 04:43 PM

Very well put! It should clear some things up for many folks. It certainly helped for me. Thanks guys.

Lbooker · 06-15-2009, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sirbruce

I agree with poohbear / Chicken Little, but personally I feel just the opposite: if you want to read PDFs, then by all means the DX is what you should get, but just be aware of its current limitations. But if you primarily just want to read fiction, then the Kindle 2 is great for that, especially if you're on the go as it's easier to carry around. But on the third hand, some readers are totally enthralled with the big screen of the Kindle DX.

So,

1. If PDF is highly important to you, get the Kindle DX if you're okay with the PDF limitations (you can READ them but pretty much do nothing else with them). If you're looking for the "perfect" PDF reader, then Kindle DX isn't it and you might as well save your money and get the Kindle 2 until a better PDF reader comes along.

2. If a big screen is highly important to you, then get the Kindle DX if you don't care about it being a bit larger to carry around with you all the time.

3. Otherwise, get the Kindle 2; it's cheaper, does almost everything the Kindle DX does, and has easier to use keyboard and buttons.

You managed not to mention the iRex DR1000S.
I think it is the only serious, worthwhile choice for a large screen reader. The DX is a crippled upscale reader. I consider it a failure.
People not willing to save money to buy the iRex should work within the limitations of their favorite 6" reader.

sirbruce · 06-15-2009, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lbooker

You managed not to mention the iRex DR1000S.
I think it is the only serious, worthwhile choice for a large screen reader. The DX is a crippled upscale reader. I consider it a failure.
People not willing to save money to buy the iRex should work within the limitations of their favorite 6" reader.

I started to mention it and then deleted it because this is a Kindle thread.

One presumes that the other advantages of the Kindle (Amazon store, Wireless, etc.) are reasons why someone is considering it. If you are looking for another large-screen PDF reader, the iRex is your only other choice right now!

tklaus · 06-15-2009, 07:41 PM

I'll just add that I bought the DX only for the pdf support, and I'm happy with it. I can finally read my pdfs in their native form, which I was unable to do with my K1 after playing with many third-party converters. I wish it had better navigation features (TOC, links), but I don't consider it a failure without them. Annotations and highlights with a tiny keyboard and tiny joystick don't interest me, I prefer to take notes on paper. I had planned on keeping my K1 for fiction and other pure text, but I've found that I enjoy reading them more on my DX as well.

Lbooker · 06-16-2009, 02:43 AM

The fact is that a tiny company like iRex managed to program a very rich reading environment within their DR1000S (and open and free as in freedom; customers and hackers can modify it freely), and the big company called Amazon offers a very limited (and closed, like a jail) operating system in the DX (and with next to no improvement since their first model, and no willingness to catch up iRex). With their manpower, they should do better than iRex on all fronts. They do not. People should not let them get away with it.

Mac Jones · 06-16-2009, 03:21 AM

Perhaps they are taking Apples iPhone example with the closed system. This way they don't have to trouble shoot hacks.

Makes sense to me. It's sort of like; " If you don't like it don't use it"

"And BTW, 'Free' to complain"

sirbruce · 06-16-2009, 03:43 AM

I do agree that the lack of software upgrades for the Kindle is... odd. If Kindle is such a big deal, surely Amazon could hire some more developers at Lab126? I mean they could bang out folder support in a month. I know they've been busy developing for new hardware like the K2 and KDX, but given that it's unlikely Amazon has another device coming out in 9 months, now is the time they should be rolling out software updates every couple of weeks.

poohbear_nc · 06-16-2009, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sirbruce

I do agree that the lack of software upgrades for the Kindle is... odd. If Kindle is such a big deal, surely Amazon could hire some more developers at Lab126? I mean they could bang out folder support in a month. I know they've been busy developing for new hardware like the K2 and KDX, but given that it's unlikely Amazon has another device coming out in 9 months, now is the time they should be rolling out software updates every couple of weeks.

I too wonder at this lack/reluctance to upgrade the software - with the resources of Amazon/Lab 126. And I chafe at Jeff Bezos apparent reluctance to say anything definite about anything - out loud. Marketing issues and product development confidentiality issues aside, would it really hurt anyone to issue a statement definitely explaining why folders will or won't ever be implemented? And why? Or native PDF support that's real and functional? On K2 or DX? Or even how these decisions are made?

I wonder if Amazon/Bezos are afraid of entering on a software development cycle spiral with their reading software that could emulate what we've seen with Microsoft - where each new release is bloated with features no one wants or knows how to use, and the keystrokes or location of older familiar features are changed or hidden? Just to issue a NEW product to sell it?
Is he keeping the Kindle purposely simple/simplistic to maintain its appeal to non-geeks who love to read (the Baby Boomers who are retiring with time on their hands and not a lot of money to do anything but stay home & read) and porting it to the iPhone (and possibly more platforms in the future) for those who want the bells & whistles of gadgetry? And letting the phone & PDA folk bear the brunt of software upgrades/development?
A bit off topic, but inspired by sirbruce's comments, and those I've been reading throughout these forums.

(I'm getting off my soapbox now)

askenase13 · 06-16-2009, 10:08 AM

I find the larger DX screen a real pleasure to read from. More on the page is just a better reading experience. I set the word count on the middle setting so I get larger side margins and less left to right eye movement. (Use the font screen to set this.) As for the pdf's, they work OK, but at least by turning it to landscape they do get larger and easier to read.

Roy White · 06-16-2009, 07:19 PM

Sirbruce. Nice summary. I fall into the camp of just wanting a bigger screen and not caring a whole lot about reading technical PDF files. I'm interested in the irex but it's twice as much. So its a deal breaker for me. As for amazons closed business practices. It is their product. They can do as they like. And you can either buy it or not. Companies always act in their own best interests. The product is secondary to those interests when it comes to protecting the profit margin so if Amazon thinks that keeping the software closed is in their interests they do so just as Kentucky Fried Chicken keeps their special recipe hidden to protect themselves. Any outrage you feel against Amazon seems a bit misplaced in this instance since they took the risk, spent massive money, marketed Thor own product and so on. I wonder if Amazon could be liable if they released books as text files easily copied and distributed on the Internet. Now I'm just rambling.

The DX is for me I think.

06-15-2009, 04:17 PM	#80
sirbruce Provocateur Posts: 1,859 Karma: 505847 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Columbus, OH Device: Kindle Touch, Kindle 2, Kindle DX, iPhone 3GS	I agree with poohbear / Chicken Little, but personally I feel just the opposite: if you want to read PDFs, then by all means the DX is what you should get, but just be aware of its current limitations. But if you primarily just want to read fiction, then the Kindle 2 is great for that, especially if you're on the go as it's easier to carry around. But on the third hand, some readers are totally enthralled with the big screen of the Kindle DX. So, 1. If PDF is highly important to you, get the Kindle DX if you're okay with the PDF limitations (you can READ them but pretty much do nothing else with them). If you're looking for the "perfect" PDF reader, then Kindle DX isn't it and you might as well save your money and get the Kindle 2 until a better PDF reader comes along. 2. If a big screen is highly important to you, then get the Kindle DX if you don't care about it being a bit large to carry around with you all the time. 3. Otherwise, get the Kindle 2; it's cheaper, does almost everything the Kindle DX does, and has easier to use keyboard and buttons. Last edited by sirbruce; 06-15-2009 at 04:59 PM.

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06-15-2009, 04:43 PM	#81
pboss Evangelist Posts: 408 Karma: 646 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: none	Very well put! It should clear some things up for many folks. It certainly helped for me. Thanks guys.

06-15-2009, 07:41 PM	#84
tklaus Connoisseur Posts: 71 Karma: 131 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: San Jose, CA Device: iPad, Kindle DX	I'll just add that I bought the DX only for the pdf support, and I'm happy with it. I can finally read my pdfs in their native form, which I was unable to do with my K1 after playing with many third-party converters. I wish it had better navigation features (TOC, links), but I don't consider it a failure without them. Annotations and highlights with a tiny keyboard and tiny joystick don't interest me, I prefer to take notes on paper. I had planned on keeping my K1 for fiction and other pure text, but I've found that I enjoy reading them more on my DX as well.

06-16-2009, 02:43 AM	#85
Lbooker Addict Posts: 316 Karma: 1021312 Join Date: Jun 2009 Device: Sony PRS-T1	The fact is that a tiny company like iRex managed to program a very rich reading environment within their DR1000S (and open and free as in freedom; customers and hackers can modify it freely), and the big company called Amazon offers a very limited (and closed, like a jail) operating system in the DX (and with next to no improvement since their first model, and no willingness to catch up iRex). With their manpower, they should do better than iRex on all fronts. They do not. People should not let them get away with it.

06-16-2009, 03:21 AM	#86
Mac Jones Connoisseur Posts: 50 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2009 Device: kindle	Perhaps they are taking Apples iPhone example with the closed system. This way they don't have to trouble shoot hacks. Makes sense to me. It's sort of like; " If you don't like it don't use it" "And BTW, 'Free' to complain"

06-16-2009, 03:43 AM	#87
sirbruce Provocateur Posts: 1,859 Karma: 505847 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Columbus, OH Device: Kindle Touch, Kindle 2, Kindle DX, iPhone 3GS	I do agree that the lack of software upgrades for the Kindle is... odd. If Kindle is such a big deal, surely Amazon could hire some more developers at Lab126? I mean they could bang out folder support in a month. I know they've been busy developing for new hardware like the K2 and KDX, but given that it's unlikely Amazon has another device coming out in 9 months, now is the time they should be rolling out software updates every couple of weeks.

06-16-2009, 10:08 AM	#89
askenase13 Member Posts: 11 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Boston area Device: Kindle DX	I find the larger DX screen a real pleasure to read from. More on the page is just a better reading experience. I set the word count on the middle setting so I get larger side margins and less left to right eye movement. (Use the font screen to set this.) As for the pdf's, they work OK, but at least by turning it to landscape they do get larger and easier to read.

06-16-2009, 07:19 PM	#90
Roy White Evangelist Posts: 482 Karma: 7696 Join Date: May 2007 Location: Turner, Oregon Device: Sony Reader	Sirbruce. Nice summary. I fall into the camp of just wanting a bigger screen and not caring a whole lot about reading technical PDF files. I'm interested in the irex but it's twice as much. So its a deal breaker for me. As for amazons closed business practices. It is their product. They can do as they like. And you can either buy it or not. Companies always act in their own best interests. The product is secondary to those interests when it comes to protecting the profit margin so if Amazon thinks that keeping the software closed is in their interests they do so just as Kentucky Fried Chicken keeps their special recipe hidden to protect themselves. Any outrage you feel against Amazon seems a bit misplaced in this instance since they took the risk, spent massive money, marketed Thor own product and so on. I wonder if Amazon could be liable if they released books as text files easily copied and distributed on the Internet. Now I'm just rambling. The DX is for me I think.

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