First Impressions: K3

[Varin]

Been posting this review everywhere but here, so.... ^_^


Just when you thought it couldn't get better.... it did, August 26, 2010

Having signed up immediately after the Kindle 3 was announced on July 28th, I was expecting my new Kindle tomorrow. Release date delivery.

I got it today, a full day before the official release (I had amazon prime one day shipping). Go Amazon!

So on to the review. I had a k2 and recently got a Graphite Kindle Dx, which resulted in an immediate dislike to my K2... the Pearl e-ink screen on the DX ruined me for all previous generation Vizplex screens. I had always thought my K2 screen as beautiful, with great contrast, but after having the GKDX, my K2 looked hazy, dull grey, and indistinct next to the new screen. It really is the difference between a newspaper and a paperback- the pictures just don't do it justice. You have to see it for yourself. So if you're thinking of upgrading for the better screen, it is definitely worth it, go for it!

So what's new about it? It's smaller and lighter, obviously,and while I don't have my K2 any longer to compare the weight, I can say that it feels very light. Almost ridiculously light. Reading one handed will be no problem, especially with the nice (I wouldn't say rubberized) back that replaced the metal back of the K2. Reading with one hand is also easier because now there are previous and next page buttons on both sides of the device, so whether you're a rightie or a lefty, the K3 will suit just fine.

As to the page buttons, I'm a bit mixed on them. Yes they're a good deal more quiet. They're also a good deal smaller than what I am used to, and it will take me some more time to get used to it... they don't need as much press as the K2's buttons did. When you press on the button, it depresses out, towards the edge, I mean. The k3 doesn't have the need-to press-in-the-center button like the K2 did to correct the K1's too-easy-to-press buttons, but because there is space between the screen and the button, you can rest your thumb in between and change the page with the outer side of your finger, very easy!

Now, onto the 5 way rocker. Do I miss the joystick? Nope. The rocker is all one button and you just use your finger in the direction you want the cursor to go. It has a raised edge which is easy to find with your finger even if you're not looking at the keyboard. While I can see why some early reviewers said that the menu and back buttons are a little close to the rocker directional pad, I haven't actually hit one or the other while trying to navigate. I guess your mileage may vary.

No numerical buttons! Why Amazon, why? There's clearly space for it..... Now if you need to enter in any number you either have to hold ALT and press one of the top keys on the keyboard (Q=1, W=2 E=3 R=4), or use the SYM button. Each has its own advantage. Using the top keys, you can enter as many numbers as you like quickly, but seeing as the number each key correlates too, one might not remember which is which. Unlike the Dx, there really isn't any room on these rounded buttons to print the corresponding number. Maybe above the themselves the numbers could have been printed on the Kindle? Maybe a skin can help out. The numbers are also located in the SYM section, and the sym menu stays open while you make your selections. This makes it preferable to the top-key usage except for the fact that you have to hit SYM to close the window.

Did I mention the k3 is FAST? Fast at everything, turning pages, showing menus, everything. Hopefully software update 3.0 (which is on the k3 and not any other Kindle as of yet) will be coming to the other Kindles. I definitely want the speed (and PDF annotating abilities) for my Graphite KDX.

I don't know what else there is to say. I had thought that the Kindle couldn't get (much) better, and it far exceeded my expectations. It's definitely worth the upgrade. If I have anything else to add over the next few hours (and days) I'll add it in the review here. And if anyone has any questions, leave a comment and I'll be happy to try it out for you.

[Marine Mom]

How does the screen compare to the KDX---would you say it is the same? My KDX has almost a greenish cast to the background, nothing like the pics I've seen of the K3.

[Varin]

How does the screen compare to the KDX---would you say it is the same? My KDX has almost a greenish cast to the background, nothing like the pics I've seen of the K3.

KDX or GKDX.

The GKDX has the Pearl E-ink screen at a contrast ratio of 10:1, while the regular DX has the old Vizplex screen at 6:1 contrast. The K3 like the GKDX has the Pearl e-ink screen. There is a very noticeable difference between the two, and no greenish cast to the backgorund at all.

I have to say, when I got my GKDX, I hadn't thought my k2's screen had a greenish cast... until I compared the two side by side. I saw it then >_<

[Marine Mom]

Oh, sorry I didn't specify: I meant the Graphite DX. Mine doesn't look like the pics. It's lighter than my K2 US, which looks gray next to it, and the KDXG looks greenish.
That's why I was wondering how the K3 compares, since you have both.

That's one downfall to ordering on release day---no reviews or pics to look at. Now it's too late to send it back.

[Varin]

Oh, sorry I didn't specify: I meant the Graphite DX. Mine doesn't look like the pics. It's lighter than my K2 US, which looks gray next to it, and the KDXG looks greenish.
That's why I was wondering how the K3 compares, since you have both.

That's one downfall to ordering on release day---no reviews or pics to look at. Now it's too late to send it back.

The k3 and the GKDX look the same to me. No differences between the two.

[kimbertay]

I am finding that the back of my Kindle 3 graphite shows fingerprints so I think I will be ordering a DecalGirl skin this weekend.

I am really impressed with the new K3 though and am loving it.  The difference in weight and size are great, much more noticeable than I thought they would be.  I think the size is so much closer to the size of a paperback book now (not in thickness, lol).

Love it!

[padman0008]

I just got my new graphite Kindle 3 today.  I haven't had it long enough to compare to my Kindle 2.  I no longer have my Kindle 2.

I am VERY disappointed in the keyboard.  The letters are a light grey on the dark grey (graphite) keyboard.  Even under good light they are virtually unreadable.  (I have new glasses with 20/20 in one eye and 20/30 in the other.)

I'm going to give it a few days, but right now I'm leaning toward to returning it for a white one, or a K2.  At least the keyboard was readable on that model.  And, it had numeric keys.

DOES ANYONE HAVE A WHITE K3 TO COMPARE?

[Cardinal]

Thanks for taking the time to write a review! 

[happyblob]

Thanks, it was a good read. And nice avatar you have!

[khintul]

Great review, thanks!

Now that you've had it for a while, I'd like to know how the battery life is holding up as compared to the estimations given. Have you had any trouble at all with freezing, restarting, etc??

I'm asking because I'm one of the unfortunate people who seemed to get a "clunker", and after talking to CS today, I'm expecting a new K3 tomorrow. I just want to hear some reassurance that the likelihood of getting a good one is there.

The small amount of time my K3 worked, I can tell I'm going to love it if I get a good one.

[Shirls]

     Got the Kindle a few days ago. I entered our 63 character WPA2 password but it would not connect, and with a pw that long, there were 63 possible wrong entries. I tried one more time, couldn't make it happen. Hubby comes home after a nuclear day at work and has to spend a couple hours getting it to work, which meant, changing the pw twice (much to his dismay) and then having to change it on 9 other devices in the house. UGH!!!  Needles to say, the hookup was not a good first impression!    'Turns out the quotation marks are what it didn't like.
      I thought the screen was way too dark and I was discouraged to read on forums that you cannot change the brightness of the screen. I sent feedback to the Kindle team immediately expressing my disappointment. However tonight, I sent them another email saying that I had bitched too soon on the screen darkness and offered my humble apology.  Despite it's apparent low-light-look, it's amazingly clear and is quite visible even in fairly low light, and excellent in the sun.
      I've had it several days now and I'm thrilled. It has a pocket all it's own in the my purse and travels everywhere with me in case I'm early to an appointment or something. I've not played with many of the features yet, but I plan to pour over the manual and start experimenting.  

[Cyanide5000]

Some good accurate reviews here, nice writeups guys... i certainly wish i had of read the reviews before i bought mine, of course im very very happy with it, but it has a few quirky moments that confuse me, where my sony reader didnt

[topuser]

it seems to be almost the same... It works almost perfect... it is a stable version

[JenniferBecton]

Thanks for the reviews. I am still in the Kindle research phase. I am definitely seeing the value in a Kindle, but I admit to being reluctant to let go of the feel of paper. It sounds like I definitely want the pearl screen though.

[wash]

i just got my own kindle 3 and i was looking for a good forum to read about it, and learn some tips and tricks! So far i am amazed with this little piece of technology. Its pretty amazing how much fun it is to read on the kindle.

[luvmykindle3]

I got the Kindle 3, granite a few months ago, when Best Buy first started selling them. I have the Nook, which I thought I loved, until I saw that pearl screen on the Kindle. I love it, and have not picked up my Nook since. I'm planning to sell my Nook : (  I absolutely love my kindle, it is truely a wonderful reading experience. I tried to go bak to my Nook, but I found myself reading more on the Kindle, not to mention, it is so light.

[StephenLivingston]

I'm very happy with my new Kindle

[David5240]

Compared it side by side to my old Kindle - the contrast is better and the ink seems darker.  Not a HUGE difference but certainly noticeable.  Overall very pleased.  The Wi-fi seems a bit weak if that makes sense.  Comparing it to the 3 laptops in my house (they all perform differently as I move room to room) it is on the weak side as far as the range of how far I can pick up the signal.  Great in the sun and good all over with proper lighting.  Overall happy.

[gregoryblackman]

Sold.  Good read .