Good, Bad, and Ugly of Kindle DX

GOOD:

-- the larger screen is a definite plus. I use the larger type size on my Kindle 2 (older eyes), and at this type size I get far more text per page on the DX. This makes the whole reading experience more book-like.

-- the screen is also sharper and crisper than my other reading devices: the text is darker, and the contrast is much better, making for better visibility overall.

--  the larger screen also makes it possible to read literture reviews and poetry on the kindle, even at large type sizes. On earlier Kindles it was reported that the smaller screen cut off lines, so that you would lose the sense of when the author ended the line. On the DX, you can see the whole line exactly as the writer meant it. Basically, the cut-off is in the right location.

-- the PDF reader works as advertised, and is extremely convenient. PDF documents appear on the DX exactly as they do on a computer screen. Moreover, you can drag and drop your documents directly to the device using the USB cable (or use the for-a-fee email.) .

-- screen rotation also works as advertised: it operates as a mild zoom on both graphics and text and offsets slightly the downside of not being able to adjust the typesize on PDF documents. The four-way navigation stick introduced  is rotation-sensitive, and will move as expected relative to the screen rotation.

-- more of the device space is devoted to the screen, while the white plastic border around the screen seems to have shrunk, both in general. 

-- storage: I like the increase in storage space,. I can see some people having trouble with this, but only those folks who either
a) must regularly carry around PDF documents totalling more than 3 - 4 GB of space or
b) must have nearly 4000 books regularly at their fingertips.

BAD (i.e. noteworthy):
-  The lack of an external storage card

- You  cannot adjust the type size on imported PDF as you can with native Kindle documents

-- weight: the DX is heavier. This is only an issue if you regularly use the kindle with one hand.

-- keyboard: the keyboard does not have 5 rows, only 4 rows: the top row of numbers from the Kindle 1 and 2 has been merged into the top qwerty row, so that numbers are now only accessible with an alt-key combination. The keys are vertically thinner too, so that the whole keyboard is no more than 1" tall. At the same time, the keys themselves are a bit easier to press, a bit more protruding than on the Kindle 2. For the big finger users, this will be a slightly harder keyboard to use.

UGLY:
-- price: it's expensive, as you can tell pretty quickly. If you value the larger size, and the native PDF reader, these features justify the roughly 30% premium you pay for the DX over the Kindle 2. In truth, the DX must cost more than the Kindle 2, because it has more features and functions.

-- one-sided navigation buttons: all of the buttons are now on the right side, and none are on the left. Lefties have reason to complain in my opinion.

-- One-handed handling: I often read while I walk, with my Kindle in one hand, and something else in my other. Because of the button layout, this will be more difficult on the DX.

-- metal backing: I miss the tacky rubberized backing on my Kindle 1. When I placed my Kindle 1 on an inclined surface, it stayed in place. Not so my Kindle 2 and now my DX. This is not a complaint specific to the DX, but it's still there.


That's all I can see. Overall, the good outweigh the ugly and bad for me, and I'm satisfied with my purchase. I can now think of using my DX for research, theory and practice documents on a regular basis, because of the PDF reader. The screen size and screen rotation make the overall reading experience more like a virtual environment immersion. Please consider the following accessories with your purchase;