Aamas 2004 blog

Posts Tagged ‘island’

I really liked my K1 (which I bought in June ‘08), and wasn’t in a hot hurry to replace it with a Kindle 2. I actually read a ton of the reviews posted here, including the “beware the differences” featured negative review. And although I considered the Kindle 2, I decided to stick with my beloved original version of the Kindle.

But eventually, months after it was out of warranty, my Kindle 1 started to fail (balky roller switch, a component not found on the K2). Amazon gave me the option of buying a refurbished K1 for $99. But I re-read a ton of reviews here, and took the plunge for the Kindle 2. Smartest thing I’ve done lately. (I did pay for an extended warranty for the K2; if Murphy’s Law is in operation, that means the K2 will last 2.5 years before failure, but I’ll be covered if it fails within 2 years.)

I’ve had the K2 for nearly 3 months and like it so much more than the K1. I have, for the record, had NO wireless connection problems, NO functionality problems, NO screen darkness/contrast/display problems. The battery lasts as awesomely as my K1’s battery did, with the wireless mostly turned off. I have read that the K2’s 3G wireless uses more juice when it’s on and constantly searching for a signal. No biggie, I just turn it off until I need or want it on.

I like the controls on the K2 much better than the K1’s. Obviously the designers learned from customer experience in revamping the Kindle for V.2. It’s no longer easy to accidentally page forward or back. And the joystick controller is way easier to use than the old scroll wheel switch. My K2 has traveled with me around town and internationally, just as my K1 did. Nothing against the iPad or any other e-reader, but I’m happy using my Kindle 2, and happy to have the Global version, which makes me feel very much a citizen of the world. Even if my budget doesn’t allow for a lot of international trips.

The only thing that gives me pause about the K2 is that the battery can’t be replaced by the consumer.
History Of The Island