Here’s something unexpected. For some bizarre reason Amazon has started taking orders for the 9.7-inch Kindle DX once again.
You read that right. You can order a Kindle DX from Amazon in new condition for $199 with free shipping. It’s expected to be in stock on September 29th.
The product page for the Kindle DX has a banner at the top saying I last purchased this item on July 1st, 2010.
That goes to show just how old the Kindle DX is. Amazon discontinued it many years ago and never released a replacement, despite the fact that many people would love to have a large-screen Kindle again.
The Kindle DX is so old it doesn’t even have Wi-Fi. But it does have free 3G wireless. It also lacks common features like a touchscreen and a frontlight. And the software is so old it doesn’t support many of the new Kindle software features, like the ability to sideload your own font choices.
So why is Amazon suddenly selling the Kindle DX again? It’s not unusual for them to sell older Kindles occasionally, but selling such an old model new is highly unusual. They haven’t sold the Kindle 3 in many years and it came out after the DX.
They must’ve found a box of old Kindle DX’s laying around somewhere. I’d be concerned about the battery being any good at this point, but you can always return the DX to Amazon if there are any problems.
The Kindle DX originally sold for $479 so $199 is quite the bargain if you don’t mind having a Kindle that’s 10 years old. Even I’m tempted to buy one at that price, but then I realize I already have a better large screen Kindle in the form of the Onyx Note2 with the Kindle app.
via: MobileRead
It’s interesting that Amazon is selling 3G-dependent devices when they know 3G is being phased out.
https://www.phonearena.com/news/when-will-verizon-t-mobile-att-phase-out-3G_id125233
Thank you, very useful comment. I was going to order it but without wifi and having 3g immediately go away it makes the DX dead on arrival. If you didn’t post I would have paid $200.
Is it possible these ones are refurbished units?
It indicates new condition when you place your order. I loved this device but gave it away when the lighted Kindle came out. I have always regretted doing that. I am excited and hopefully it will work well. Like Nathan said, it can always be returned if there are problems. Maybe if they sell out quickly Amazon will realize there is a demand for it and will refresh it.
I feel as though people are going to assume it has certain features at $199 in 2020, and are going to be disappointed!! (I no longer have faith in people reading descriptions or other important materials, even if they are buying something to theoretically read on.) There’s a lot to like about this model, but even the basic Kindle has a light now. . . and is 150 ppi correct?? The Paperwhite costs less for 300 ppi, if I’m reading this correctly. . . very strange!
I really liked this device In Its Day. Battery died …replacing the battery did not work well.
Now with no frontlight, low dpi, 4 gig storage and lacking ability to import fonts…it’s a strong pass for me.
It’s frustrating; I purchased one of these on August 19th 2010!!!
Nothing new in the large e-reader format in TEN YEARS. Ok if EBay or Woot was selling this. Almost shameful. Strike the almost…
I would not buy that clunker and would not even take it for free except to sell it on ebay.
If it is funny I understand that some people want a large screen but I was just looking at the onyx boox poke 2 before reading about this. The poke 2 is like opposite of this device and makes the DX look like an outdated clunker IMHO and of course you can get larger screen Onyx devices too that are of course more expensive but not obsolete.
After reading the article about carriers dropping 3g, I reconsidered my purchase. I cancelled the order and now the DX is showing unavailable and refers you to other sellers. Was this listing a mistake I wonder?
It was unavailable for a while after posting this but now it’s back again. I noticed they dropped the limit to 1 per account, though. Some scalpers were probably trying to buy them all up to sell on eBay.
I bought one of these years ago because my mom couldn’t deal with a touch screen. She kept touching it accidentally. She had, at that time, very early stages of dementia. She wasn’t tech savvy. She could manage this one (usually). I’d set her up with a book. She could use the page-turn buttons. Occasionally I’d have to find her place in the book, but she did pretty well. I found a clear case for it, and the size was good for her. So, if you have an older relative who has some of these issues, this is perfect, It really does work well for the older people who aren’t tech savvy or just need something easy to hold. (holidays are coming…)
That’s a sweet memory of the DX! This is why I like the variety in ereaders, even if it seems like an odd choice from one person’s vantage point. . . this could actually be perfect for a fair number of people like your mom. When it comes to seniors, also, in the US, I think it’s often best to go with a huge ecosystem like Kindle, even if there’s technically a cheaper/more advanced reader from another brand.
I know those no longer get software updates, but, will they be able to register to your account as a new DX? I remember years ago an update was required to keep them connecting to 3G… hope my memory does not fail and that new purchasers enjoy them. A lot of people were looking for them since they had sight problems and with these they could increase font size.
Let me get this straight. No WiFi , 3G only when 3G is phasing out, no light, older software with less features, less Dpi than a basic kindle BUT it has a big screen and a keyboard? most people keep kindles for years and this one is 10 years old already. Go buy a Paperwhite at less money of spend the extra money now for an oasis and consider that extra $100 on an oasis over the DX spread out over the next 5-6 years you will use it. 25 bucks a year is well worth the extra cost of $299 over $199 for the DX.
It’s the 9.7 inch screen that is the draw. No paperwhite or Oasis has that perk.
When DX was around, I did not have a single eReader. Now I have 7 active eReaders and two broken eReaders. I would not even think of getting DX because it is ancient history.
Selling outdated the DX is simply a mad idea and I wonder what they are thinking.
I understand that Amazon exists to sell things for a profit. How does not selling them if they have the stock make any sense?
I purchased this item back in March 2020. It took forever to turn on. I had to return it because it is useless without 3G. And I couldn’t get cell signal where I was living.
You could’ve still sideloaded ebooks using a computer.
This was my favorite ebook reader. Amazon did the best page turn buttons. I used it until it broke and am tempted to buy it again. The only thing preventing me really is the PPI. I used to also have the DPT-S1 which I was also very happy with, but later got used to higher PPI, and then couldn’t go back to the Sony. Still might pull the trigger. Have some old kindles I cant trade in for 20%, assuming trade ins work on this.
It’s not available today.
Tempting, but without the ability to sideload fonts and without the support for AZW3, this makes the device practically useless for me. It doesn’t even have Bookerly pre-installed with such old software. If they would release a software update then I would definitely consider it.
I have no idea how I missed this. I love the DX.
I bought a used on in 2k16. Just wasted $30 on a battery replacement kit – battery, tools, video CD. Made the stupid mistake of resetting it. I wanted to start fresh. Now I can’t even re-register the device. I can look at the book store, but can’t buy anything without it being registered. For as fantastic as the display is, all other Kindles pale in comparison, I wouldn’t recommend anyone to buy it. I’m going to have to see about some hack to network the device through my computer via usb. Register the &^%$#@! thing that way.
Make sure the firmware is up to date!