Kindle DX Debate: Is Bigger Really Better?

Kindle DX has started shipping, and many have already ordered their units, many of them who are Kindle 2.0 owners as well. There are not any major difference between Kindle 2.0 and Kindle DX, except maybe a few software and hardware changes. The biggest change of them all is the 9.7″ screen that you get with Kindle DX. It’s significantly larger than that of Kindle 2.0 and is designed to make reading ebooks and e-newspapers easier, but does it?

I was personally expecting more from Kindle DX. It’s not a cheap gadget by any means, which means if you are upgrading from Kindle 2.0 or Kindle 1.0 for that matter, you better have a real need for it. The larger screen does make a difference. It makes it easier to read e-books as you don’t have to push the next button all the time. In addition, magazines and college text books are easier to follow on a DX than the smaller Kindles. I have also found that a lot of ebooks end up looking much better on the DX than K2 (formatting wise).

But you can’t have it all with Kindle DX. The device is large. It’s not as portable as K2 and a bit of a hassle to carry around. Don’t get me wrong. It’s not heavy or bulky. It just doesn’t fit easily into any small bag. So it’s not exactly made for people who are constantly on the go and don’t want to keep carrying everything in their hands. And let’s not forget that everything about Kindle DX costs a bit more money. You want to buy a simple case? You got to part ways with $50 to get a decent one. The warranty costs more as well. So Kindle DX is not for those who are not serious about reading.

If you read a lot of books and want to get a more convenient experience with your e-books, Kindle DX comes in handy. But if you are just a casual user who is in love with every new gadget on the market, you may want to take a pass. Kindle DX is a wonderful gadget, but it’s too expensive to sit your desk gathering dust. Besides, if you are not going to use your DX a whole lot, you are not going to need that large screen anyway.

Your take: is bigger really better when it comes to Kindle DX?