To Kindle 2 or Not to Kindle 2, That is the Question

For those considering the purchase of Amazon’s new e-reader, here are my observations after 11 days.

Positive:

• Good customer support from Amazon.  I’ve called more than once and haven’t waited more than a minute. The reasons I have called have been my incompetence and the Amazon tech people no doubt tell stories about me during break.
• Easy Reading – In some ways, the Kindle is easier to read than a book.  For instance, when reading in bed, it is easier to simply rest the side of the Kindle on the bed.  If you can’t picture what I mean, or would prefer not to try and picture it, then just take my word for it that it easy to read in bed.  Of course, my wife is willing to go to sleep with a 20,000 candle power light on my nightstand.
• Convenient downloads.  The wireless network works well – – even in rural Illinois
• “Free” book samples are easy to download and review.  Without obligation, one can read a chapter give or take. I don’t like using “free” in this context since nothing about the Kindle is free.  But, you know what I mean.
• Bookmark feature is easy to use.
• Battery life is good provided one turns off the transmitter, which is only needed for downloads.  I have only charged twice in eleven days of ownership.
• Size, appearance, and all of that are as advertised.

Negative:

• The background is darker (more gray) than I expected. The pictures I saw made the contrast look better than reality.  I thought about sending it back.  However, I am getting used to it. It requires more light for me to read with a Kindle than with a normal book.  This is the biggest negative.
• Prices are on the way up.  An increasing number of titles are $14.99 instead of $9.99.  These tend to be the titles one wants.
• I don’t think it will work for theology/reference books where it is necessary to move from one section to another. It is much better for “linear” reading where one reads straight through a book.  For instance, I wouldn’t even consider getting a commentary on my Kindle.
• You can’t transfer books.  See Dr. Vanderlaan’s helpful post here.  This policy on Amazon’s part irritates me.  I understand it.  But, I don’t like it.
• I really didn’t like the “joystick/mouse thingie.” I’m getting better at using it.  Of course, most 90 year olds have better small motor skills than I do.
• 240,000 books aren’t that many.  Several recent books that I would have considered purchasing are not available.
• You can’t load .pdf or Word files.  This also irritates me with Amazon; it is a control thing on their part.  I don’t appreciate it.
• Shadowing. At times, I can make out text previously displayed.  Hopefully, this won’t get worse with time.  I’d hate to think that the Kindle will be the e-reader version of an 8-track tape where you could hear more than one song at once.
• No case included.
• It doesn’t smell like a book. I always smell books.  It is part of my experience of reading.  The Kindle 2 doesn’t have any more fragrance than a nickel, unless you put it in some sort of case.  I have the Amazon issued case.

Bottom line:

I would suggest that, those considering a purchase should focus on two questions.

(1) Do you purchase and read a lot of books?

(2) Do you travel?

A solid “yes” to either question means purchasing a Kindle 2 could well be for you.  If your answer is “yes” to both questions, then I would recommend it, criticisms notwithstanding.