 | Kindle Wi-Fi: $139 |
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 | Kindle 3G+Wi-Fi: $189 |
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 | Kindle DX: $379 |
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| Amazon offers three eBook readers: the Kindle Wi-Fi, Kindle 3G+Wi-Fi and the Kindle DX. The latter two use AT&T's 3G mobile broadband network and can wirelessly download more than 750,000 books, magazines and newspapers. Additional functions include wireless access to Wikipedia, a built-in dictionary, a QWERTY keyboard for adding notes and annotations, and a text-to-speech feature that reads content out loud. For comparison to other eBook readers, see How Much Does an eBook Reader Cost. | | |
| Typical costs: | - The Kindle Wi-Fi costs $139. It weighs 8.5 ounces, has a six-inch display and its 4GB storage space can store up to 3,500 books. This model is recommended for users who already have a high-speed internet connection and wireless router. The battery will last for up to three weeks of reading time on a single charge, depending on wireless usage.
- The Kindle 3G+Wi-Fi, $189, has all the features of the Kindle Wi-Fi but because it uses the same wireless signals as cell phones does not require wireless set up. It includes wireless coverage in 100 countries and territories.
- The Kindle DX, $379, has a 9.7-inch display, wireless coverage in 100 countries and territories and enough storage for 3,500 books. This model weighs about 19 ounces and the battery offers up to three weeks of reading before it requires recharging. Access to the Kindle Store is achieved via USB connection or wirelessly. Books take about 60 seconds to download.
What should be included: | - U.S. power adapter, USB 2.0 cable and rechargeable battery.
- Amazon offers free software to automatically sync a Kindle with a computer or other mobile device. Kindle's wireless connectivity is included in the cost, so there are no monthly data charges or wireless commitments.
- The Kindle Store offers free downloads for many classic and public domain books.
- All Kindle models can also view a variety of text files, including Word and PDF documents as well as picture and audio files.
- Kindle can also access the one million public domain titles available for free download from Google Books either in PDF format or by converting files from the EPUB format (an extra step in the download process.)
Additional costs: | - The Kindle Store offers a selection of about 400,000 books, magazines and newspapers. The cost of downloading books ranges from free to hundreds or even thousands of dollars, although New York Times Best Sellers and most new releases cost about $10. For example, Stieg Larsson's "The Girl Who Kicked Over The Hornet's Nest" costs $9.99, "The Autobiography of Mark Twain" costs $9.79 and "Tinkers" by Paul Harding costs $5.79. Monthly subscriptions to US or international newspapers cost about $6 to $20; magazine subscriptions cost from$1.25 to $11 per month; popular blogs can be downloaded for about $1 to $2 a month. A monthly subscription to The New York Times, for example, costs $19.99.
- The Kindle offers access to more than 60,000 audio books at Audible.com. Popular titles cost $7.50 to $35.
- Protective skins, sleeves and cases for the Kindle range from $8 to $120; screen protectors cost about $8.
- A clip-on reading light costs about $20; a bookstand for the Kindle costs about $25. Ear buds for the Kindle cost about $5 or noise-canceling headphones cost $20 to $500.
- A two-year extended warranty costs $40 for the Kindle Wi-Fi, $50 for the Kindle 3G+Wi-Fi and $109 for the Kindle DX.
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Shopping for a kindle: | |
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Article updated December 2010 |
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