Amazon’s high-profile e-book reading device called the Kindle has caught the attention of readers. But the cost of the device, which ranges from $350 to $400, gives people pause. This product review will introduce you to the Kindle’s features and my thoughts on its strengths and weaknesses.

What the Kindle can do

 

The Kindle is a paperback-sized electronic book reading device. With a screen that uses e-ink display technology, it allows you to comfortably read digital text in both sunlight and artificial light. The screen refresh rate when turning an eBook page is faster than turning a paper page. Depending on whether you use the Kindle’s internal memory or add memory cards, you can store dozens to hundreds of eBooks and audiobooks.

 

If you like audiobooks, the Kindle is a great device because it has an internal speaker to listen to audiobooks directly. Or, it can be connected to headphones or external speakers, like in your car. Because mp3 files for audio books are larger than eBooks, you’ll need memory cards if you plan to load your device with more than a couple of audio titles.

 

In addition to eBooks and audiobooks, the Kindle can access numerous newspapers, magazine publications, and blogs.

 

A leading Kindle capability is wireless shopping. Right now, you have immediate wireless access to the Amazon store in the United States. You can make purchases and load content on the Kindle without using a computer.

 

The Kindle’s Strengths

 

Overall, the Kindle’s physical features are ergonomically comfortable. The page turn buttons work smoothly and can be easily used by hands of all sizes. The device’s power usage is conservative, and depending on your reading habits, you can easily expect to go a week or two without charging.

 

The great selection of content through Amazon for your device is also a strength. With thousands of eBooks, audiobooks, newspapers, magazines, and blogs available wirelessly to users, you won’t be short of easily accessible media.

 

Also note that wireless service does not have ongoing cell phone charges. Your Kindle operating costs will be determined by the amount of content you purchase for it.

 

The Kindle’s Weaknesses

 

Being a first-generation device, the Kindle isn’t perfect. In my opinion, the user interface was difficult to understand and the menus were cumbersome to use. For example, when browsing the table of contents of an ebook, I found it a bit difficult to align the menu cursor with the titles.

 

I have found that the mechanical parts are comfortable to use, but I have not always agreed with their placement. The right side only has a page down control while the left side has page down or previous page controls. Therefore, to turn a page back, you are forced to use your left hand. I think the page up and page down controls should be on both sides of the device. Adding to my confusion was a control labeled “Back” on the right hand side, which I mistakenly clicked when trying to go back a page. This control actually took me back to a different menu.

 

Another general complaint from many users about the Kindle is Amazon’s proprietary e-book format. The device is intended to guide you to make purchases only on Amazon. This is understandable from a company point of view, but it means that eBooks purchased through Amazon can only be viewed on your device. If you decide in the future to purchase an eBook reading device from another company, then you will not have access on that new non-Kindle device to any eBooks you purchased from Amazon.

 

Although designed to be an Amazon device, the Kindle can be used to read eBooks from other sources. A USB cable will connect the device to your computer where you can upload eBooks in the widely available Mobipocket format (unencrypted files only) or plain text files.

 

Conclusion

 

The Kindle presents you with a quality device for reading e-books along with other media. Although it’s not perfect, especially with a user interface that often left me confused, it still serves its purpose well. A final consideration is the vendor of the device. Amazon is a great company with a great selection of content, and most importantly, an excellent reputation for customer service.