Amazon has just introduced new Kindle DX 2 for $379 and also cut the price of the existing Kindle DX. There are now two Kindle DX versions -
- Kindle DX 2 in graphite. This is going to be released on July 7th, 2010 though you can preorder now. It’s being referred to as Kindle DX latest generation though you’d think Kindle DX 2 would be a more accurate title.
- Kindle DX 1 in white. This is in stock and shipping now and being referred to as Kindle DX 2nd generation.
The Kindle DX 2 is $379 – a lot cheaper than the Kindle DX 1′s $489 price. To match the lower price of the Kindle DX 2 the price of the existing Kindle DX has also been cut to $379.
Kindle DX 2 is basically Kindle DX with better screen contrast and a $110 lower price
Looking through the specifications and there isn’t very much that’s different -
- The price is $110 cheaper than the Kindle DX’s $489 which is a welcome change. Of course Kindle DX 1 has also been reduced in price.
- The color is graphite. You have to imagine this is going to help readability as text will stand out more due to the graphite border around the screen.
- There are claims by users at the official Kindle Forum that the screen is clearer - This seems to be validated by Amazon writing that there is a new 10:1 contrast ratio and advertising 50% better screen contrast.
- Instead of Previous Page and Next Page text there are ‘<’ and ‘>’ arrows on the buttons. Note that this is clear from images on the product page for the graphite Kindle DX 2.
The other features are pretty much the same – 9.7″ display, 18.9 ounces weight, 10.4″ by 7.2″ by 0.38″ dimensions, 4 GB memory, 2 weeks battery life without wireless on and 1 week with wireless on.
Amazon add on all the new Kindle 2.5 features on the Kindle DX 2 page and list them as ‘New Features’ though they are also available on the Kindle DX and on the Kindle DX US.
Kindle DX 2 at $379 - Is it worth buying?
The only actual physical difference of note between Kindle DX 2 and the earlier Kindle DX is the new 10:1 contrast ratio. Amazon claims it’s 50% better contrast and that’s certainly worth something. The real star is the $110 price cut.
If you own a Kindle DX there isn’t really enough here to warrant buying a new Kindle DX 2.
If you don’t own a Kindle DX and had been thinking about it then the new Kindle DX 2 is quite compelling - it’s $110 cheaper, the graphite case will help the text stand out more, the new 10:1 screen contrast ratio is supposedly 50% better contrast, and there is the fact that usually ‘Version 2 of a product has most of the bugs worked out’.
At $379 and with its new improved screen contrast the Kindle DX 2 is much more appealing than the earlier Kindle DX.
Filed under: kindle dx 2 Tagged: | amazon kindle dx 2, kindle dx 2
Is this the rumored ‘kindle 3′ or still a kindle 3 coming?
Update: This is indeed the Kindle DX 2.
No. I got this wrong – it just seems to be a cheaper Kindle DX, and not a Kindle DX 2. There are no differences other than a new 10:1 screen contrast ratio and a $110 lower price.
Blast and damnation. I just bought a DX two months ago (so I can’t return it to Amazon.)
Should have foreseen the price drop.
Too bad there’s no trade-in option.