Why I didn’t upgrade to the Kindle 2

Amazon’s Kindle 2 debuted last month and readers and gadget lovers alike are snapping it up. This includes many owners of the original Kindle, some of which are starting to regret that decision. Here’s why I am holding on to my Kindle 1!

Price

It’s selling for $359. In this economy, that’s a lot of money! Since I just got my Kindle 1 in November, and it does everything I need/want it to beautifully, upgrading now is totally unnecessary. On top of that, the case and skin I bought for it would be useless with Kindle 2, meaning I’d have to lay out even more cash for new ones.

Battery Issue

Unlike the Kindle 1, Kindle 2′s battery is not user replaceable. If it dies it has to be sent back to Amazon, meaning you’ll be without it for roughly a week. If it dies within the warranty period, it’s free, otherwise it’ll cost a hefty $60. A replacement battery for Kindle 1 can be found for a mere $19.

Early Adoption is Risky

Being the first on the block to own a new gadget is fun, but it comes with risks as you’re buying an untested device. It’s much smarter to sit back and wait for the reviews to start coming in. Many Kindle 2 owners are complaining that the contrast is poor, and others say the text literally fades away in direct sunlight – things it is good to know about before laying out your hard earned cash.

That said, both the Kindle 2 and the original Kindle have their strong points and it is really a matter of personal taste. If you like the Kindle 2’s text to speech feature (which has generated quite a bit of controversy!) and good image quality is important to you, go for it. Otherwise, stick to your original Kindle if you own one or pick up one for around $200 on Ebay and Amazon’s Marketplace. You won’t be missing anything. One thing is certain – if you love reading, you’ll love the Kindle. Other e-readers are simply no match.