Which Kindle? Kindle Buying Guide

Posted on October 1, 2011 by switch11

With Kindle Touch, Kindle Fire, and the new Kindle, Amazon now has a confusing number of Kindles to choose from.

This ‘Which Kindle?’ Kindle Buying Guide will help you pick the right Kindle for your needs.

Which Kindle – The Top 3 Choices

This section is the conclusion of the entire Kindle Buying Guide (so you don’t have to go through the entire Kindle Buying Guide if you don’t want to). The three best Kindles and the ones we recommend are -

  1. Kindle Fire (if you want a Tablet).
  2. Kindle Touch (best Kindle eReader with touch).
  3. Kindle Keyboard (best Kindle eReader with keyboard).

Please Note: Kindle Fire and Kindle Touch are not yet out. So the recommendation is with the Qualifier that these devices might not be as good as expected. With Kindle Touch it’s quite likely (given past Kindles) that it will be a very safe and solid bet. With Kindle Fire, we will only know when it’s actually released.

A little on why these were the winners.

Kindle Fire – A good choice if you are looking for a Tablet

Kindle Fire is a Kindle Tablet. It is optimized for consuming content (movies, books, TV shows, music), for surfing the web (with a fast browser), and for games (thousands of apps and games from Amazon’s Android App Store).

The combination of low price, good features, and multi-purposeness make it a good Tablet. It offers a lot of value for money and lets you both read books and also do lots of other things. It has a good-sized 7″LCD screen with IPS and color and two-finger touch.

Kindle Fire can be used as a reading tablet but does not have the eInk screen that is great for reading and is not focused on reading. It does have a reading light. It will not work in direct sunlight (you won’t be able to read off of it in direct sunlight).

It seems to be a very good choice (once it is out we’ll know for sure). If your budget is higher than $199 (the Kindle Fire’s price) then also consider iPad 2 (around $499) and Nook Color ($249, $170 for refurbished). Nook Color 2 is rumored to launch soon and iPad 3 and a 10″ Kindle Fire are rumored to launch in early 2012.

Touch Kindle – The best eReader choice if you don’t need a physical keyboard

Touch Kindle is just $99 for the version with ads and with WiFi only (ads are not in books, only in screensavers and on home page). It has a 6″ eInk Pearl that is great for reading. There is no color. There is touch. The touch is via IR so there is no layer over the eInk and no glare.

It is the 4th generation Kindle (though there aren’t very many advances over the 3rd generation Kindle) and thus offers the latest features. You get a focus on reading, the great eInk Pearl screen, and the convenience/appeal of touch. There is no backlight so you have to use a reading light. You can read it in sunlight. The eInk screen is great for reading and easy on the eyes.

The Kindle Touch and the Kindle Keyboard (Kindle 3) are the best choices if you are looking for a device for reading.

Kindle 3 aka Kindle Keyboard (WiFi only version)

Amazon has continued the Kindle 3 and it’s a good decision given the benefits of having a physical keyboard and the good, solid design and ease of use of Kindle 3.

Kindle 3 has a 6″ eInk Pearl screen (same as Kindle Touch) but doesn’t have a touch screen. Just like Kindle Touch, the Kindle 3 is great for reading and is readable in sunlight but doesn’t have a backlight for reading at night.

It has a physical keyboard which makes note-taking and highlighting and searching much easier. It also allows for lots of keyboard shortcuts (Alt+B to add a bookmark) and makes things convenient.

Kindle 3 is a good, solid choice.

Which Kindle – the Full List

Let’s look at every Kindle available and at what makes it unique and what situations and uses each is optimal for.

Please Note: There are sections later on that cover ‘Kindle WiFi or 3G’ and ‘Kindle with Ads or Kindle with No Ads’.

$79 New Kindle (Kindle 4 with Ads)

This is a very solid Kindle and incredible value for money. The downside is that there is no keyboard and no touchscreen – which makes things like taking notes very difficult and some other things awkward. There is also no text to speech and no music since it doesn’t have speakers. It has less storage space and less battery life than the $99 Kindles – However, it shouldn’t matter very much as there’s still space for 1,400 books and there is still 3 weeks battery life with WiFi on.

My recommendation: Add on $20 and get Touch Kindle or Kindle 3 Keyboard.

$79 Kindle 4 Review – Kindle 4 Review, Photos.

Thoughts on Ads: Not a problem. You get ads instead of screensavers and ads on the main page. No Ads in Books so it doesn’t hurt the book reading experience.

$109 New Kindle (Kindle 4 with no Ads)

Same as above. Just with no Ads. Don’t really see any reason to buy this instead of the $79 version.

$99 Kindle Touch (with WiFi only, with Ads)

Probably the best Kindle option.

For $99 you get – 6″ eInk Pearl screen that is great for reading, touch screen, ease of use and simplicity, access to Kindle Store (the best ebook store), text to speech, great battery life (2 months with WiFi off – assuming half an hour of reading per day). It is the latest generation Kindle (Kindle 4 Touch) so you get the benefit of all the lessons from the past 3 Kindle generations.

You don’t get – Color, Ability to do things other than read.

My recommendation: Best Kindle available (alongside Kindle Keyboard). If you prefer touch over a physical keyboard then this is the best choice.

$99 Kindle Touch Review – Kindle Touch Review.

Thought on Ads: Same as earlier, or please see Section later on ‘Kindle with Ads or Kindle with No Ads’.

$139 Kindle Touch (with WiFi only, no Ads)

Same Kindle Touch as Above. You pay $40 extra to be freed of ads in your screensaver and on your Home Page.

$139 Kindle Touch 3G (with 3G and WiFi, with Ads)

This is the same as the $99 Kindle Touch except $50 more expensive and with 3G.

WiFi and 3G are types of wireless technology. 3G means you can use AT&T’s cellphone towers and get wireless anywhere there is wireless coverage from AT&T. WiFi means you either have to have your own home wireless network or use a WiFi network at Starbucks or MacDonald’s or a Coffee Shop or at your work. Note: With any Kindle you get free WiFi access to all AT&T WiFi hotspots.

3G is more convenient. With 3G you get free Internet browsing and can browse the Kindle Store and buy and download books. It also extends (provided you are a US Kindle owner) to 100+ countries. You can be in England and still shop the Kindle Store and surf the Internet on your Kindle – as long as there is 3G coverage (from AT&T or a partner).

When do you need Wireless: You only need wireless when buying a book or downloading a book or surfing the Internet. You DO NOT need wireless when reading a book.

My Recommendation: Get this if you travel a lot OR don’t have a home wireless network OR will be reading on your commute or at work and won’t have WiFi access. Do get this is you travel internationally.

Quick Thought: If $50 isn’t a big deal to you, then always get Kindle Touch 3G instead of the WiFi-only Kindle Touch. The convenience more than makes up for it.

Thought on Ads: Same as earlier. Not a big deal.

$189 Kindle Touch 3G (with 3G and WiFi, no Ads)

This is the Kindle Touch 3G with no Ads. Same as above except no Ads.

$99 Kindle Keyboard (Kindle WiFi with WiFi only, Ads)

This is the Kindle 3. This is a really good Kindle and neck to neck with Kindle Touch.

For people who prefer a Keyboard this is the best choice. For people who prefer a touchscreen the Kindle Touch is the best choice.

For your $99 you get – 6″ eInk Pearl Screen, all the improvements learnt from Kindle 1 and Kindle 2, text to speech, very good usability, good operating system that’s easy to use, lots of options for font size, access to Kindle Store (the best ebook prices and the widest range of new ebooks), same 2 month battery life as on the Kindle Touch.

What you don’t get – the latest Kindle, touch screen, color, ability to do more than read.

My Recommendation – If you want a physical keyboard, then the Kindle 3 is the best choice.

Kindle Keyboard Review – Kindle 3 Review.

Quick Thought – A very safe choice. This is the third generation Kindle and third generation devices tend to be very solid.

Ads – Not a big deal. Saves you $40 if you are OK having Ads as screensavers. No ads when reading books.

$139 Kindle Keyboard (Kindle WiFi with WiFi only, no Ads)

Pay $40 extra and get the Kindle 3 without Ads.

$149 Kindle Keyboard 3G (Kindle 3 with WiFi and 3G, Ads).

This is identical to Kindle 3 except that you pay $50 extra to get 3G capability.

The exact same benefits as we discussed with Kindle Touch 3G – free 3G Kindle Store browsing, free 3G Internet, more convenient (works wherever there’s AT&T coverage), get free 3G in 100+ countries.

My Recommendation: If you travel often, or don’t get WiFi at home and work, or don’t want to bother with WiFi, then Kindle 3 with 3G is a great choice.

Convenience vs $50: If $50 isn’t much to you, then always get the 3G.

Wireless only needed for buying and surfing: You can read a book without wireless.

Ads: Not an annoyance.

$189 Kindle Keyboard 3G (Kindle 3 with WiFi and 3G, No Ads)

This is Kindle 3 with 3G and No Ads. Pay $40 extra and get back your screensaver and the bottom 20% of your home screen.

$199 Kindle Fire – The Kindle Tablet

A very good choice if you are looking for a low-priced Tablet that lets you do a lot more than just read.

The Kindle Fire is a 7″ Tablet. It has a color IPS LCD screen which makes it great for photos and movies and TV and games. It’s decent for reading and Amazon is doing some things like adding an anti-glare layer/treatment to make it a good reading tablet.

There is a gorilla glass display to make it tougher.

It’s a steal since the components alone cost $191. Add on manufacturing and software development and marketing and it’s probably costing more than the price Amazon is selling it for – perhaps as much as $50 more. Amazon is subsidizing it against the hope of future content sales.

That means you get a $250 to $300 Tablet for $199.

Kindle Fire vs Nook Color 2: Since Nook Color 2 is not out or announced, we don’t know what it will be. It is, however, a good idea to wait and see. You can still preorder a Kindle Fire to book your place. Then, if you find you like the Nook Color 2 more, just cancel the order.

Kindle Fire vs iPad 2: They are different devices. Can’t really compare a $199 Tablet with a $499 Tablet.

Kindle Fire Review: Not up yet. Here’s a post on Kindle Fire Specifications & Details.

My Recommendation: If you want a device for more than just reading, then Kindle Fire seems promising. Preorder one to book up a spot. If Nook Color 2 ends up being more tempting, you can always switch.

$379 Kindle DX 2 – The large-screen Kindle

Kindle DX 2 is the large screen Kindle. It has a 9.7″ eInk Pearl screen which is great for reading and offers all the benefits the smaller eInk Pearl screen offers – easy on the eyes, optimized for reading, readable in sunlight. It doesn’t have a backlight.

Kindle DX 2 is OK but not great for PDFs. The larger screen size is great and you can use landscape mode to get even better views. However, the PDF support is a bit limited – There is no text to speech for PDFs and highlights don’t always work.

In fact, something like the Kindle Fire or the Nook Color might be a better PDF reader due to color and touch and better PDF software.

Value for Money: When you can get a $79 Kindle 4 and a $99 Kindle Touch, the $379 price of the Kindle DX 2 becomes really unappealing.

My Recommendation: Wait for Kindle DX 3 or buy a Reading Tablet.

Kindle DX 2 Review: Here’s my Kindle DX 2 Review.

Thought on All the Kindle Choices

The introduction of the WiFi or 3G choice with Kindle 3 in 2010 made things confusing.

Now, with Ads or No Ads and 2 new models of Kindles, Amazon has made choosing a Kindle a royal mess. Hopefully this post (including the sections below) clears up the choice for you.

My recommendation would be -

  1. Kindle Tablet (Kindle Fire) – preorder one and then wait to see what Nook Color 2 is like.
  2. Kindle Touch – Best Choice if you’re looking for a touchscreen Kindle and want the latest model.
  3. Kindle 3 – Best Choice if you want a keyboard and the most stable, battle-tested Kindle.

Between Ads and No Ads – The Ads version is OK as Ads are not in the actual books.

Between 3G and no 3G – If you can afford it, or if you travel, or if you don’t have WiFi at places where you will want to buy books or surf the Net, then do get the 3G variant.

Which Kindle – eInk or LCD?

Kindle Fire is the only Kindle with a LCD screen. It is also a Tablet and not an eReader.

Kindle Fire Tablet with LCD screen – 7″ screen, usable for movies and TV shows and color games, two finger touch, IPS panel for great viewing angles, can be used for more than just reading, backlight so readable at night.

Kindle eReader with eInk screen – 6″ screen, eInk (with Touch if you get Kindle Touch), no color, no backlight, readable in sunlight, easier on the eyes, optimized for reading.

They really are two completely different devices.

If you read 2 or more books a month, or would like to read more

Then a Kindle eReader with an eInk screen is the best choice. Even if you get a Kindle Fire you should consider getting a $100 Kindle Touch or Kindle 3 for your reading.

Which Kindle – 3G or WiFi

Firstly, wireless is only needed when buying and downloading a book and when surfing the Internet. You don’t need wireless to read a book that’s already on your Kindle.

Secondly, if you can afford the extra $50 then it’s almost always a great idea to get the 3G version. It’s a lot more convenient, it works in 100+ countries (if you are a US Kindle owner), and it gets you free Internet browsing.

Thirdly, here’s the difference:

WiFi – A wireless technology where a router creates a wireless network in a particular spot (like a cafe or a house or a store). So your Kindle (both WiFi-only model and 3G model) can connect to this network and then connect to the internet through the router.

3G – A wireless technology where cellphone towers create a large wireless network over huge areas (like an entire city, or large areas of a city). So you Kindle (only the 3G model) can connect to this network and then connect to the Internet through the cellphone tower.

They are both ways to connect to a wireless network and then to the Internet. However, the latter (3G) is much more expansive as it works wherever an AT&T cellphone would work. It also works in 100+ countries where there is an AT&T partner 3G network.

WiFi will only work if there is an accessible WiFi network. You might have one at home. There are 10,000 AT&T hotspots in the US that your WiFi-only Kindle can access.

However, WiFi won’t work in a lot of cases like when driving around or when travelling. 3G will work much more often.

My Recommendation: It’s better to get the 3G Kindle but you can get by on the WiFi Kindle if you have WiFi at home or are OK downloading books to your PC and then transferring to Kindle via USB.

Which Kindle – Touch or Keyboard or Neither

This is usually a clear preference – If you like typing notes and prefer a physical keyboard then the Kindle 3 is the clear choice. If you fall into the camp of ‘touch is so cool and I can type faster/as fast on a touch keyboard as on a physical keyboard’ then the Touch Kindle is the clear choice.

Please keep in mind that the Touch Kindle isn’t here yet so we don’t know how well that on-screen keyboard works.

Which Kindle – 6″ eInk screen or 9.7″ eInk screen

At $379 the Kindle DX 2 is too expensive to consider. If Kindle Fire is just $199 and Kindle Touch is just $99 then the Kindle DX 2 at $379 becomes a puzzling choice. Just buy a Kindle Fire and a Kindle Touch instead and still have $80 left over.

Which Kindle – Should You get a Refurbished Kindle? What about a used Kindle?

Not a fan of all the refurbished Kindles and used Kindles.

Kindle Touch is $99. Kindle 4 is $79. Kindle 3 is $99.

There really isn’t a strong argument for buying a refurbished Kindle. The two exceptions would be:

A refurbished Kindle DX 2 if it is significantly cheaper than the $379 price of a new Kindle DX 2. My thought: Yes, as long as you don’t expect it to be a fantastic PDF reader.

A refurbished Kindle 3 with 3G and no Ads if it is in the $100 to $120 range. My thought: Yes, this is a good deal.

In nearly every other case it makes no sense to pick a refurbished Kindle over the latest generation, super-low-priced Kindle 4 and Kindle Touch.

Which Kindle – Reading Experience

One thing worth pointing out, especially if you are looking primarily for a reading device, is the core reading experience. My rough ranking would be:

Please Note: Kindle Fire and Kindle Touch are not out yet.

  1. Tie between Kindle 3 and Kindle Touch.
  2. All variants of Kindle 3 and Kindle Touch.
  3. Kindle 4 and variants. The lack of both keyboard and touch screen takes away from the reading experience.
  4. Kindle DX 2. The large size gets in the way.
  5. Kindle Fire. Equivalent to other reading tablets like Nook Color. Slightly better than general Tablets like iPad 2.

All Kindles have a very good core reading experience. Kindle 3 and Kindle DX 2 and Kindle 4 and Kindle Touch have the same identical eInk Pearl screens with very minor improvements in the latest generation Kindles.

Kindle Fire’s LCD screen is neither optimized for reading (apart from the anti-glare treatment) nor is it easy on the eyes. It will still be fine for reading – just not as good as dedicated reading devices like the eInk Kindles.

Which Kindle – Closing Thoughts

The answer to Which Kindle? is -

  • Kindle Fire (if you want a Tablet that can do more than just read). Do compare with Nook Color 2.
  • Kindle Touch (best Kindle eReader with touch). Can’t go wrong with the $99 WiFi-only model with Ads.
  • Kindle 3 (best Kindle eReader with keyboard). Again, the $99 WiFi-only model with Ads is something you can’t go wrong with.

If you want a device dedicated to reading, you are pretty safe if you go with the Kindle 3 or Kindle Touch. Based on what Kindle 4 is like, and assuming that Kindle Touch will basically be Kindle 4 with a touchscreen, I’m pretty comfortable giving it a strong recommendation in advance of actual release. A touchscreen really would address most of the shortcomings of the Kindle 4 (apart from the lack of a physical keyboard).

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Kindle WiFi or Kindle 3 or Kindle DX 2

Posted on August 7, 2010 by switch11

The arrival of the $189 Kindle 3 and the $139 Kindle WiFi creates an interesting situation. We now have to choose one of three new Kindle models (Kindle WiFi or Kindle 3 or Kindle DX 2) when in many ways they are very similar (Kindle ecosystem, Kindle Store, eInk Pearl screen).

This post will look at Kindle WiFi or Kindle 3 or Kindle DX 2 and compare and contrast them. Please note that it’s based on just an hour with the new Kindle 3 and a month of owning the Kindle DX 2.

Kindle WiFi or Kindle 3 or Kindle DX 2 – Value for Money

Here’s how they stack up -

  1. Kindle WiFi for $139 is incredible value for money. It’s really a steal. You get access to Kindle Store, you get the new eInk Peal screen, you get a month of battery life with wireless off, the memory is double, and there are a lot of other benefits. It’s basically the Kindle 3 without the 3G.
  2. Kindle 3 for $189 is very good value for money. If you don’t need 3G then the WiFi is $50 cheaper and the obvious better option. Note that apart from 3G support and the WiFi being 0.2 ounces lighter there are no differences.
  3. Kindle DX 2 for $379  is a difficult choice. It definitely isn’t anywhere near Kindle WiFi in terms of value for money and it isn’t ‘do more than one thing’  like the iPad WiFi at $499. So it comes down to whether the Kindle DX 2 is a fit for you. The following sections should clear that up.

If your major concern is getting value for money then the Kindle WiFi is it. You aren’t going to be upset with Kindle 3 either. If your inclination is to always want the best value for money and to feel bad if you buy something that isn’t then the Kindle DX 2 is going to make you wonder whether it’s worth 2.7 Kindle WiFis (it’s not).

Kindle DX 2 or Kindle 3 or Kindle WiFi – Large Screen, Readability and PDFs, Newspapers, and Magazines

The reading experience on all 3 devices is very good. They all have the same eInk Pearl screen with excellent contrast.

The Kindle 3 and Kindle WiFi have some additional tweaks which Kindle DX 2 doesn’t. However, the screen contrast on Kindle DX 2 is good enough that an additional 5% or 10% improvement isn’t going to be missed.

Far more important is the Kindle DX 2′s large size screen. The 9.7″ screen is 2.5 times as big as the 6″ Kindle 3 screen and adds in some ways -

  1. The Kindle DX 2 is really good if you like large screens to read on - there are a lot of words per page, you have to turn the page less often.
  2. There are larger font sizes on Kindle DX 2. The largest font size on the Kindle DX 2 is larger than the largest font size on the Kindle 2 and is almost certainly going to be larger than the largest font size on the Kindle 3.
  3. The Kindle DX 2 is also much better for PDFs because it’s closer to the size of an A4 sheet of paper. You can read most PDFs a page at a time though some PDFs need landscape mode or magnification even on the DX 2. Check out this post on Kindle DX 2 PDF support for photos and video.  
  4. The large screen of the Kindle DX 2 also makes it great for newspapers and magazines. Lots of Magazines are available online in PDF format so that’s a factor. For newspapers and magazines in the Kindle Store you can have more of the article on the screen.
  5. If you’re low vision or like the really big font sizes then the Kindle DX 2 allows that and also allows lots of words per screen even with the largest fonts. That’s invaluable.

The large screen is probably the biggest (and only?) advantage of the Kindle DX 2 – 2.5 times the screen size of the 6″ Kindle.

Kindle DX 2 vs iPad

It comes down to what’s important to you -

  1. If you want the best large screen reading device get the Kindle DX 2.
  2. If you want the best device that does more than just read then perhaps the iPad fits the bill.
  3. If you want some ethereal concept of higher value for money even though you want a device primarily for reading then don’t really know what to say. Basically, if you’re looking for a device for reading then it doesn’t make much sense to think – I can also do 50 other things on iPad in addition to reading so even though I want a device that’s great for reading I’ll get one that isn’t great for reading because it does something else.

Kindle DX 2 beats iPad thoroughly on reading and iPad beats Kindle DX 2 thoroughly on the perception of value for money and being able to do more than read.

Kindle WiFi or Kindle 3 or Kindle DX 2 – Portability and Weight

A big disadvantage of the Kindle DX 2 is that it weighs a lot and is quite large. Here are the specifics -

  1. Kindle DX 2 – 18.9 ounces. 10.4″ by 7.2″ by 0.38″.  
  2. Kindle 3 – 8.7 ounces. 7.5″ by 4.8″ by 0.335″.
  3. Kindle WiFi – 8.5 ounces. 7.5″ by 4.8″ by 0.335″.

Since its heavier the Kindle DX 2 is very unsuited to one-handed reading and even holding it with both hands can get tiring after a while. If you have weak hands you will have to read it while resting it on something (there’s a Jacket Case that can be propped up). Even with strong hands you’ll find that you prefer resting DX 2 on a table or on its side.

The larger size means the Kindle DX 2 won’t fit in your jacket pocket (like Kindle 3 will for larger jacket pockets) and it won’t fit in small bugs and purses. Carrying it in your hand is a bit awkward and also a little tiring. DX 2 is just not that portable.

Kindle WiFi or Kindle 3 or Kindle DX 2 – new Kindle 3 features

Since the Kindle 3 is a newer release it has some features the Kindle DX 2 doesn’t.

This post on Kindle 3 improvements has details on which of the Kindle 3 additions are software based and which are hardware based. However, its reference point is Kindle 2.

Here’s how Kindle 3 and Kindle DX 2 stack up -

They both have the new eInk Pearl screen. They both have the new graphite casing.  

Kindle 3 has lots of software improvements Kindle DX 2 doesn’t. DX 2 may get these down the line or it may not.  

  1. 3 Font Choices – Serif (Caecilia), Sans-Serif, and Condensed. 
  2. Support for CJK and Cyrillic fonts.
  3. Improved PDF support with ability to add highlights and notes and support for password protected PDFs.  
  4. WebKit Browser and Article Mode – The Kindle 3′s WebKit browser can support more sites. Kindle DX 2′s browser primarily supports mobile versions of sites. Also WiFi means Kindle 3′s browser can use WiFi which is much faster than 3G.
  5. Voice Guide – Kindle DX 2 doesn’t have the Voice Guide so it isn’t really accessible.

These will, hopefully, all arrive for the Kindle DX 2 – However, at the moment they’re missing.

Kindle 3  has lots of hardware improvements the Kindle DX 2 doesn’t and there’s no way it can get them -

  1. WiFi.
  2. New quieter page turn buttons and re-arranged keys. 
  3. The improved battery life might be hardware based. The improved screen contrast (over DX 2) involves tuning that may be hardware tuning or software tuning. The 20% faster page turns might be hardware based.

On the Kindle 3 product page there’s a chart comparing Kindle 3, Kindle WiFi, and Kindle DX 2 - it’s worth a look.

Kindle WiFi or Kindle 3 or Kindle DX 2 – Conclusion

The Kindle DX 2 is the right choice if you’re looking for a large screen eReader. It’s the best large screen eReader and the only one with the new eInk Pearl screen. If the value for money aspect is a concern then consider getting a $249 refurbished Kindle DX US – they are available sporadically. Keep in mind that you will miss out on the new eInk Pearl screen and on international 3G with the refurbished Kindle DX US.

The Kindle 3 and the Kindle WiFi are much better choices in nearly every other case. Amazon has made a ton of improvements and introduced them at really low prices. Combine that with the portability and light weight and they’re a great choice if you don’t need a large screen.

Kindle WiFi or Kindle 3 or Kindle DX 2 is not really much of a comparison because Kindle DX 2 trails in value for money and it hasn’t yet gotten the software improvements introduced in Kindle 3. Amazon probably needs to sell more DX 2s before it can hit economies of scale and bring the price down to $250.

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Too many Kindles to choose from?

Posted on August 4, 2010 by switch11

Though Amazon’s focus is on Kindle 3 it’s hard not to notice the plethora of options if you’re thinking about getting a Kindle -

  1. Kindle 3 for $189.
  2. Kindle WiFi for $139.
  3. Kindle DX 2 for $379.
  4. Kindle 3 in white.
  5. Kindle 2 International (used or refurbished).
  6. Kindle 2 US (used or sometimes refurbished).
  7. Kindle DX 1 (used or refurbished).
  8. Kindle 1 (used).

You could argue that just the first 4 choices are valid since they are the only new ones and my argument would be that it’s still 2 choices too many.

Kindle 3 or WiFi and Kindle white or graphite are confusing most people

This might seem trivial – However, lots and lots of people are in analysis paralysis about whether to get the white Kindle 3 or the graphite Kindle 3. Even more are trying to decide whether they need 3G or not. To make things worse it isn’t very clear what 3G means, what WiFi means, and the benefits of each. Same with the colors.

Have written about both Kindle 3G or WiFi and Kindle graphite or white. However, this information and much more detailed, conclusive information needs to be on the Amazon site.

The product page should clearly spell out exactly what WiFi means and what it means to not have the 3G capability. It should also illustrate the difference graphite makes so that users who choose white know what they’re missing out on.

An even better solution would be to eliminate the number of options.

Surely, you jest about eliminating the white Kindle 3?

Actually, no. People decide they want to buy the Kindle 3 and then get stuck on the WiFi vs 3G and white vs graphite questions.

It’s hard to eliminate the WiFi or 3G because there’s a big price difference. However, Amazon had the gumption to go with a white only Kindle and now it needs to go with a graphite only Kindle.

Will people complain? Yes. 

Kindle owners have begun to think the white color of the Kindle has magical properties. It doesn’t.

We need to get rid of the refurbished Kindles too

The Kindle WiFi is at $139 and that’s cheap enough – it’s time we retired a few of the older models.

It’s purely a ‘make things easy for the user’ decision. The more options you get the more confused you become and the harder it is to decide. 2-3 options are better than having no choice – However, when there are 7 to 8 options it becomes confusing.

It also causes problems because the refurbished Kindles make users question the value proposition of the new Kindles.

The flip side – Is it an advantage that users are fixated on one Kindle versus another Kindle?

Yes. Every user fixated on Kindle 3G or WiFi is a user not thinking Kindle vs Nook.

However, just the Kindle 3 vs Kindle WiFi decision by itself is enough to eternally confound users. The other decisions should be eliminated.

Even if Amazon stripped things down to graphite Kindle 3, graphite Kindle DX 2, and Kindle WiFi, there would still be 6 possible decision paths for users. With 8 options we get 40,320 combinations.

It becomes a never-ending cycle of wondering whether the $249 Kindle DX 1 (refurbished) is a better option than the $189 Kindle 3 or if the $109 Kindle 2 (US, refurbished) will re-appear or perhaps the Kindle WiFi is best as who knows what 3G is and it’s probably not very useful.

So we arrive at a straightforward recommendation for Amazon. Cut down the options to 3 Kindles – Kindle 3 in 1 color, Kindle WiFi, and Kindle DX 2, and that’s it.

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kindle graphite vs kindle white – which Kindle 3?

Posted on July 30, 2010 by switch11

We have the new Kindle 3 available in two colors – white and graphite. The kindle graphite vs kindle white decision has a few nuances this post will cover.

Note: The Kindle WiFi is only available in graphite. If you are concerned about that – By the end of the post you won’t be.

Kindle graphite vs kindle white – benefits of the white kindle 3 

There are a few potential advantages of the white kindle 3 -

  1. Some people feel it disappears into the background quicker. This is probably true. Reading on the graphite Kindle DX 2 hasn’t been a problem – However, the graphite case is pretty striking and there’s almost a shimmer to it if held at just the right angle to the light. Probably not the best ‘fades in the background’ Kindle if you are noticing the prettiness of it. So, it’s not a big difference – but the difference is there.
  2. Some people have a preference for white. For me the white is a preferred color for the Kindle 3 (though I saw only the graphite kindle 3). For DX the DX 2 appeals more to me than the white dx. Not sure why it’s different. Perhaps an attachment to my Kindle 2.  
  3. If you get little fibers or very light dust particles they blend into the white while on the graphite kindle dx 2 they really stand out. On the flip side, the white does get dirtier quicker (dirt and marks are more visible). 
  4. The alphabets stand out a little bit more.  
  5. White Kindle stands out more - unless you have white bed sheets and are reading in bed.
  6. There must be more – Amazon seems to be using the graphite for the kindle 3 and the kindle dx 2 to highlight the improved contrast (graphite casing really brings it out). There must be a reason Amazon chose to go with white for earlier Kindles and it probably has to do with the Kindle needing to disappear.

To see a little of what the visual difference is like please check out the Kindle DX 2 photo page and the Kindle DX 2 video page. The 4th and 7th videos (DX 2 vs Kindle 2) and the 4th photo onwards (DX 2 vs various eReaders) provide a good approximation of graphite kindle vs white kindle.

Do keep in mind that both kindle graphite and kindle white will have the same, improved eInk Pearl Screen. Also, the Kindle 3 graphite and white will be the same size – a bit smaller than the Kindle 2.

Kindle graphite vs white kindle – the mighty graphite

The graphite kindle 3 has its own advantages including its major advantage of improving/bringing out the 50% better screen contrast -

  1. Graphite kindle’s graphite casing helps bring out the screen contrast more. You can see this in one of the photos on the Kindle DX 2 Photo page where the DX 2 is overlapping the Kindle 2. It seems like both have the graphite casing and the difference in screen contrast suddenly seems less – compare with the photo above it. 
  2. It’s proven now that the eInk Pearl screen really does have 50% better contrast and Amazon has added software tweaks to help the contrast. However, it STILL helps to have the graphite casing on the Kindle 3. If it comes down to your preference for white versus getting the benefit of the graphite case my recommendation would be to err on the side of the slightly better contrast of the graphite kindle 3 (due to the color of the case).
  3. Graphite kindle also has an advantage when it comes to staying clean – A lot of the marks and smudges that really stand out on the white Kindle aren’t even noticeable on the graphite kindle 3. The downside is that dust and white fibers stand out a lot.
  4. The graphite kindle is prettier – The letters aren’t as clear as on the white (a tiny difference) but they have this beautiful color that goes very well with the graphite. There’s something about the graphite kindle’s surface that makes it shimmer if you hold it at the right angle.  
  5. Graphite Kindle will stand out more at a Kindle Owners Convention or if you read a lot in bed with white or light-colored sheets.

Kindle graphite vs white – Which Kindle 3?

My vote would be to go with the Kindle Graphite unless you have a strong preference for white as a color and are sure that the 50% better contrast of the eInk Pearl screen on the white kindle (as compared to kindle 2) is enough for you. If you’re thinking white kindle 3 – my recommendation would be to wait a bit for some kindle graphite vs kindle white videos to show up. 

Before buying a white Kindle 3 please make sure you can do without the non-trivial improvement in contrast the kindle graphite’s casing provides. You can always get a white case if you like white as a color.

What if you choose the wrong Kindle 3 color?

If you change your mind about kindle graphite vs kindle white down the line the Kindle 3 color is easily changed via a skin. Simply get a Kindle 3 skin in white or graphite – whichever color you wish you’d gotten.

Filed under: kindle 3 | Tagged: , | 10 Comments »

Which Kindle is Best for You?

Posted on October 4, 2009 by switch11

Please read the Which Kindle? Kindle Buying Guide post instead (written on October 1st, 2011). It covers all the new Kindles and Kindle Fire.

This post is for people trying to decide between the various Kindle options available. First, let’s look at which kindles are available for you to choose from -

  1. Kindle for iPhone (free if you already have an iPhone). Best for casual readers i.e. 1 book a month.
  2. Refurbished Kindle 1 for $149. Great for people who want an entry level, no frills ereader.
  3. Refurbished Kindle 2 for $169. Great for people who want the Kindle 2 at a lower price point. The best value for money in my opinion.
  4. Refurbished Kindle 2 US version for $139. Great for people who don’t travel outside the US or don’t care about free Whispernet and free Internet outside the US.
  5. Kindle 2 for $189. The best Kindle in my opinion and incredible value for money.
  6. Refurbished Kindle DX US version for $349. Get the 9.7″ screen, PDF capable Kindle at a lower price.
  7. Refurbished Kindle DX International version for $399.
  8. Kindle DX for $489. The high-end textbook and newspaper targeted Kindle. Great if you want to read textbooks and/or newspapers.

Let’s go over the main strengths and weaknesses of each Kindle -

Pros and Cons of Kindle for iPhone

There are some obvious advantages -

  1. You get it for free on the iPhone.
  2. It has backlighting.
  3. You get all the kindle store books.
  4. You get a color screen which Kindles do not have because the screen technology i.e. eInk is not mature yet.
  5. You get some options Kindles do not have i.e. being able to change the text color.

And some obvious disadvantages -

  1. The screen size is small.
  2. The LCD is not suitable for reading for longer than 20-30 minutes at a time.
  3. Some of the reading apps for the iPhone have more options such as Auto Scrolling.
  4. There are lots of distractions i.e. app store games and utilities and other apps.

Kindle for iPhone Reading Score: 7 out of 10 stars.
Best Suited For: People who read 1 book a month or less. People who will mostly be reading in between doing other things and in snippets of free time.

Best Feature of the Kindle for iPhone: Free if you already own an iPhone.

This is a good first option to try out if you already have an iPhone. You can find it at the iTunes App Store.

Refurbished Kindle 1 for $149 – Pros and Cons

Update: As of June 21st, 2010 this is $329 and a definite No. Almost seems to be a price mistake.

The $149 refurbished kindle 1 is currently the lowest priced eReader you can get and here are the advantages -

  1. All the Kindle benefits i.e. Free Whispernet and Free Internet Access. The browser is very basic though.
  2. The Kindle Store.
  3. Extendable memory via an SD card slot.
  4. Replaceable battery.

And some of the disadvantages -

  1. It is refurbished.
  2. Only 4 shades of grayscale.
  3. No Read To Me feature.
  4. It’s not super thin with a shiny metallic back like the Kindle 2.
  5. Page Turns are not as fast.

Score: 7 stars out of 10. It is the original Kindle 1 from 2007, after all.
Best Suited For: People looking for an entry level eReader.

Best Feature of the Refurbished Kindle 1: Incredible Value for Money.

If you want a more in-depth comparison of the Kindle 1 with the Kindle 2 check out my Kindle 1 Vs Kindle 2 video review.

Refurbished Kindle 2 US for $169 – Pros and Cons

Another absolute steal in terms of value for money, the Refurbished Kindle 2 has significant strengths -

  1. All the Kindle features.
  2. Whisper Sync so you can sync it with the iPhone and other devices when they are supported.
  3. Faster page turns and more memory.
  4. Its sleeker than the Kindle 1 and looks more like a 21st century gadget/device.
  5. Much better screen resolution.
  6. The Read To Me feature is great. Its switched off on some books though.

The refurbished kindle 2 also has some disadvantages -

  1. It is refurbished.
  2. Its 6″ screen might not be big enough for you.
  3. There is no memory card slot so you can’t increase capacity.

Score: 8.5 out of 10 stars.
Best Suited For: Regular and Hard Core readers. If you read more than a book a month you’ll love the kindle 2. Also great if you read a lot in general.

Best Feature of the Refurbished Kindle 2: The Screen - much, much better than LCD screens and one of the most readable screens available.

You can check out my detailed kindle 2 review for more on the Kindle 2 including videos.

New Kindle 2 for $189

For $20 more you can get a brand new Kindle 2.

This is a very personal choice – some people will value ‘NEW’ more and some will value the $20 more. My strong recommendation is to get the new Kindle 2.

Perhaps this is a topic for a separate post. The short way to think of it is -

  1. If you can afford it go for the new Kindle 2.
  2. If the $20 price gap seems a lot to you, go for the refurbished kindle 2. You can be pretty confident about the purchase as it comes with a Warranty and it’s been refurbished by Amazon.

The new Kindle 2 is, in my opinion, the best eReader you can buy. You can also get a refurbished version for $169.

Score: 8.5 out of 10 stars.

Best Suited For: People who love to read books and read more than 1-2 books a month.

Best Feature of the Kindle 2: The Screen. Also, its pretty good value for money given the Read To Me feature, the Free Internet Access and the in-built Kindle Store.

Interlude: Kindle 2 Vs Kindle DX

Ever since the Kindle DX was first announced it has seemed to me that the Kindle 2 is a clear winner (unless you really want a larger screen or pdf support or larger font sizes).

The conclusion of my Kindle 2 Vs Kindle DX review was -

  • Kindle 2 for price and portability and especially if you mostly read books.
  • Kindle DX for pdf support and if you need a larger screen or read mostly in large fonts and the kindle 2 font sizes aren’t good enough

Does having the refurbished Kindle DX versions for $349 and $399 change that?

Not Really.

Refurbished Kindle 2 beats Refurbished Kindle DX in most cases. In fact, the $189 Kindle 2 is better value for money in most cases.

If you read newspapers regularly or need a Kindle for textbooks, those are the cases in which the Kindle DX is very compelling.

Refurbished Kindle DX for $399.

At $399 the refurbished Kindle DX has a much more palatable price than a new DX. The benefits of the Kindle DX (new or refurbished) -

  1. All the Kindle staples i.e. Read To Me, WhisperNet, huge range of books.
  2. Portrait and Landscape Mode.
  3. In-built PDF support. Note that this is limited to reading PDFs, using landscape mode, and adding bookmarks. You can NOT add annotations or zoom.
  4. A large 9.7 inch screen which makes it much better suited to newspapers and textbooks.

The larger size and spotty PDF support means the refurbished Kindle DX is far from perfect -

  1. It is refurbished.
  2. PDF support is limited.
  3. The size means its not very portable.
  4. The heavier weight means reading for a while starts hurting your hand. Be particularly careful if you have hand or health problems.

Score: 7.75 stars out of 10.
Best Suited For: Students looking to read textbooks. People looking to read newspapers. People looking for larger font sizes.

Best Feature: The large 9.7 inch screen. If PDF support had been more extensive that might have taken the prize.

Which brings us to the most expensive Kindle you can buy, the Kindle DX.

Kindle DX – Is it the right Kindle for You?

The Kindle DX is $90 more for the new version i.e. $489.

  1. The higher price is a function of the state of eInk technology and prices ought to come down in 6-12 months.
  2. The new Kindle DX is great for businesses and people who read newspapers regularly.
  3. The ongoing trials with university students have been seeing mixed results with students being stumped by the lack of easy note-taking.

Do read my Kindle DX Review and keep in mind the limitations of the DX before buying it. You can also get a refurbished version of the Kindle DX International for $415.

Score: 7.5 stars out of 10. The refurbished Kindle DX gets a better score because its better value for money.
Best Suited For: Newspaper and Textbook readers who want a new, large screen ereader.

Best Feature of the new Kindle DX: The large screen and the fact that its new.

Final Recommendations – Which Kindle is Best for You

Here are my recommendations on which kindle to buy -

  1. Very Casual Reader (less than a book a month) – Kindle for iPhone if you have an iPhone or perhaps refurbished Kindle 2.
  2. Tight Budget – Refurbished Kindle 2, if possible. If $169 is much more doable than $189 for some strange reason, then go for the Refurbished Kindle 2.
  3. Regular or Hardcore Reader (and read mostly books) – Kindle 2. This is absolutely incredible value for money.
  4. Will be reading newspapers and textbooks – refurbished Kindle DX.
  5. Want a textbook and newspaper reader and have the budget – Kindle DX.

Kindles in general are good ereaders as they offer a lot more than just the eInk screen (which is particularly suited for reading). There is always a strong after market for Kindles which shows that the features and included services are pretty compelling.

Leave a comment if you have a question on a specific scenario. Best of luck with your Kindle decision.

Filed under: kindle, review | Tagged: , | 6 Comments »

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