Will the aluminum back be cold?

cmumford · 02-09-2009, 11:58 PM

As a PRS-500 owner before the Kindle and the one thing I noticed when reading in bed at night was how *cold* the reader became with it's metal case. That was a huge improvement when I switched to the Kindle 1. I'm wondering if the aluminum back of the Kindle 2 will be cold. What do you think?

StanDaMan · 02-10-2009, 01:00 AM

If it was cold before, chances are you'll find it cold again.

Ervserver · 02-10-2009, 01:15 AM

you can always buy a case or skin for it

S.Canton · 02-10-2009, 01:39 AM

I imagine it will probably be cool to the touch. As was mentioned a new skin or case would fix that right up, and it's a good way to customize the look of the Kindle anyway.

TadW · 02-10-2009, 05:17 AM

If it is anything like the iPhone with its aluminum back, my guess is that it will be cold to touch in the beginning, but quickly absorb the heat from your hands. I personally don't mind the touch of aluminum compared to the touch of plastic.

TallMomof2 · 02-10-2009, 08:33 AM

I ordered a gel skin for my K2 because of the back plus I would probably read with it in the case most of the time.

I strongly dislike holding metal objects for long periods because of the temperature difference, winter too cold, summer too hot but of all the metals aluminum is probably the least objectionable to me.

Plus metal is slippery and with my arthritic hands that means disaster.

HarryT · 02-10-2009, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmumford

As a PRS-500 owner before the Kindle and the one thing I noticed when reading in bed at night was how *cold* the reader became with it's metal case. That was a huge improvement when I switched to the Kindle 1. I'm wondering if the aluminum back of the Kindle 2 will be cold. What do you think?

There is no difference in the temperature of the device, whether made of metal or plastic. The only difference is that a metal device has a higher thermal conductivity and hence, if it is at a lower temperature than your body, will extract more heat from your fingers. It is not the machine that gets "cold", but your fingers. The actual machine will end up warmer as a result, because you're heating it up!

TwiSteDCBloSsoM · 02-10-2009, 02:26 PM

When you first pick up the device it will more than likely be a bit cold. It's just like an ipod with the metal back and all.
The sony 505 also is made of metal so the device is a bit cold but after handling it for a while it's nice and warm.

JSWolf · 02-10-2009, 02:28 PM

If you get a case for the K2, then when reading from the K2, you'll be feeling the case and not the metal on the back. So it won't really matter much how cold it gets because it won't get cold enough to feel the cold through the case especially if the case folds back.

Fledchen · 02-10-2009, 05:20 PM

I'm more concerned with slipperiness than with temperature. How much texture/grip do the third-party skins have?

europas_ice · 02-10-2009, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

There is no difference in the temperature of the device, whether made of metal or plastic. The only difference is that a metal device has a higher thermal conductivity and hence, if it is at a lower temperature than your body, will extract more heat from your fingers. It is not the machine that gets "cold", but your fingers. The actual machine will end up warmer as a result, because you're heating it up!

LOL, that sounds like a physicist talking! I suppose it takes one to know one. As you well know, you are of course right, but the poor people who think it's cold aren't going to find your correctness comforting.

badgoodDeb · 02-10-2009, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by europas_ice

LOL, that sounds like a physicist talking! I suppose it takes one to know one. As you well know, you are of course right, but the poor people who think it's cold aren't going to find your correctness comforting.

Maybe not, but this OTHER science type (me) just gave him karma cause I liked the explanation. So there's something for all of us.

fugazied · 02-10-2009, 06:20 PM

Perhaps a little skivvy/jumpa/turtleneck for the Kindle is required. Know anyone who knits? Could look kind of cute

lilac_jive · 02-10-2009, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fugazied

Perhaps a little skivvy/jumpa/turtleneck for the Kindle is required. Know anyone who knits? Could look kind of cute

I do. You aren't the first person to mention this. Hrmm...

ahintz · 02-10-2009, 06:23 PM

If it is anything like my aluminum MacBook Pro, then it will definitely feel cool - at least initially. When I first turn on my MBP and sit it on my lap in the morning, it feels pretty cool to the touch. Of course, as it is a computer, it warms up pretty quickly when on. I would guess just holding onto the Kindle 2 for a few minutes should be enough to equalize the temps between your hands and the Kindle back

02-09-2009, 11:58 PM	#1
cmumford Connoisseur Posts: 69 Karma: 34 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Dallas, TX Device: PRS-500	Will the aluminum back be cold? As a PRS-500 owner before the Kindle and the one thing I noticed when reading in bed at night was how cold the reader became with it's metal case. That was a huge improvement when I switched to the Kindle 1. I'm wondering if the aluminum back of the Kindle 2 will be cold. What do you think?

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Hello from a cold and foggy UK	Chris P Bacon	Introduce Yourself	10	01-11-2009 01:02 PM
Mystery and Crime Kendrick, Baynard: The Aluminum Turtle. v1. 24 Dec 08	Dr. Drib	BBeB/LRF Books (offline)	0	12-24-2008 04:40 PM
Greetings from the Cold	Lady L	Introduce Yourself	5	03-01-2008 03:07 PM
aluminum case?	coleman	Sony Reader	15	08-20-2007 02:26 PM

02-10-2009, 01:00 AM	#2
StanDaMan Connoisseur Posts: 79 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: kindle	If it was cold before, chances are you'll find it cold again.

02-10-2009, 01:15 AM	#3
Ervserver Wizard Posts: 2,624 Karma: 1008294 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Iowa, USA Device: Nook Simple Touch	you can always buy a case or skin for it

02-10-2009, 01:39 AM	#4
S.Canton Groupie Posts: 174 Karma: 12 Join Date: Jan 2009 Device: Kindle 2	I imagine it will probably be cool to the touch. As was mentioned a new skin or case would fix that right up, and it's a good way to customize the look of the Kindle anyway.

02-10-2009, 05:17 AM	#5
TadW Uebermensch Posts: 2,583 Karma: 1094606 Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Italy Device: Kindle	If it is anything like the iPhone with its aluminum back, my guess is that it will be cold to touch in the beginning, but quickly absorb the heat from your hands. I personally don't mind the touch of aluminum compared to the touch of plastic.

02-10-2009, 08:33 AM	#6
TallMomof2 Kindlephilia Posts: 2,017 Karma: 1139255 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Snowpacolypse 2010 Device: Too many to count	I ordered a gel skin for my K2 because of the back plus I would probably read with it in the case most of the time. I strongly dislike holding metal objects for long periods because of the temperature difference, winter too cold, summer too hot but of all the metals aluminum is probably the least objectionable to me. Plus metal is slippery and with my arthritic hands that means disaster.

02-10-2009, 02:26 PM	#8
TwiSteDCBloSsoM Enthusiast Posts: 41 Karma: 142 Join Date: Dec 2008 Device: Sony Reader PRS-505	When you first pick up the device it will more than likely be a bit cold. It's just like an ipod with the metal back and all. The sony 505 also is made of metal so the device is a bit cold but after handling it for a while it's nice and warm.

02-10-2009, 02:28 PM	#9
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 74,304 Karma: 129333566 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	If you get a case for the K2, then when reading from the K2, you'll be feeling the case and not the metal on the back. So it won't really matter much how cold it gets because it won't get cold enough to feel the cold through the case especially if the case folds back.

02-10-2009, 05:20 PM	#10
Fledchen Guru Posts: 663 Karma: 84658 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Minnesota, USA Device: PB360+, Sony950, VR Stream, iPod Touch, iPad	I'm more concerned with slipperiness than with temperature. How much texture/grip do the third-party skins have?

02-10-2009, 06:20 PM	#13
fugazied Wizard Posts: 1,305 Karma: 1958 Join Date: Jan 2009 Device: iPod Touch	Perhaps a little skivvy/jumpa/turtleneck for the Kindle is required. Know anyone who knits? Could look kind of cute

02-10-2009, 06:23 PM	#15
ahintz Zealot Posts: 107 Karma: 322 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Sacramento, CA Device: Kindle PW/iPhone5/iPad (3)/Nook ST	If it is anything like my aluminum MacBook Pro, then it will definitely feel cool - at least initially. When I first turn on my MBP and sit it on my lap in the morning, it feels pretty cool to the touch. Of course, as it is a computer, it warms up pretty quickly when on. I would guess just holding onto the Kindle 2 for a few minutes should be enough to equalize the temps between your hands and the Kindle back

Advert

Advert