Is it worth buying a Kindle DX from ebay?

[Rizla]

I'd use an hack existing to use it a secondary monitor. Presumably I could plug it into my laptop via a USB port, so it doesn't matter if the battery dies (I'd just run it off the laptop power). Some of them are advertized as new on ebay. What do you think? Would I get two years usage out of it? Would it work as an e-ink monitor?

[barryem]

I have no idea about using a DX as a monitor. I've read a couple of articles in the past where people have done that with one Kindle or another but I thought it was just to see if they could do it, not because they really wanted to use it. I'm not sure how practical that is but if you have some reason to want it it might be worth trying.

As for lasting a couple of years it's anybody's guess but offhand I don't know of any reason it wouldn't last that long. Having it plugged in all the time probably will shorten it's battery life but if the battery is decent to start with two years shouldn't be an issue. And if it's not a good battery it can be replaced.

I have a couple of old tablets with batteries that won't take a charge anymore. Both still worked okay if they were plugged in. I used the past tense because one developed other problems but the other is still usable plugged in. However, I had another tablet that when the battery finally got too bad simply wouldn't start anymore. It's anybody's guess what the Kindle will do.

I don't normally like to offer guesses as opinions but in this case I'm not sure anyone can give you anything but a guess.

Barry

[susan_cassidy]

I'd be concerned whether it had been reported as lost or stolen, so that it couldn't be registered. I'm not sure how well it would work as a monitor. The refresh rate is very low - it is not designed for use in that way.

[Rizla]

Some are advertized as nrw in the box. I'm surprised there are still new ones out there.

[Anthem]

With a 9.7-inch, 1200x824 (150ppi), low contrast, 16-level grayscale e-ink Pearl display it would make a pretty crappy second display I would think... but heck, what do I know?

[Rizla]

Originally Posted by Anthem

With a 9.7-inch, 1200x824 (150ppi), low contrast, 16-level grayscale e-ink Pearl display it would make a pretty crappy second display I would think... but heck, what do I know?

Fine for text processing, especially if there is a no flash mode. But I think I'll save my money.

[barryem]

For text I'd want higher resolution. I have both full HD tablets and not so full HD tablets and for videos and games the difference is small. For text the full HD screens really shine.

Barry