So the question is, “Do you really need one?” Valid question.  Thanks for asking.  We’ll get right to it and give you the Pros, Cons, executive summary, and of course some quick links to help you make up your mind if you don’t believe us.  Let’s go!

Executive summary

The Kindle is an electronic reader device for e-books that uses a reflective e-paper type technology that basically makes the screen look and act like paper.  Let’s be honest.  Who really likes to read from a computer screen?  I sure don’t and I have one of the nicest brightest screens around (LED backlit) but it still doesn’t compare to the kindle for readability or for power consumption.  Yep, the Kindles battery can last for days!  It can do this because the Kindle only uses power to put the words on the screen and then it turns off the power leaving your words statically in place.  Turn the page, power flashes on, puts the new page up and shuts back off.

So, “great” you say but why buy it?  Especially at just ofver $350.  Thank you.  Another great questions.  Read the “Pros” below and maybe you can answer it for yourself.

Pros:

• Can surf the web from the Kindle for free… Anywhere (that’s right, download Kindles light browser and surf the web from the Kindle!) The internal Antenna connects to a cell network WITHOUT a monthly fee!  3G network!  Free! Very nice.
• Readability!  The screen technology is even better in bright light, just like paper.  So, read away.
• Amazing battery life. Will let you read any of the 90,000+ books available for almost 7 days without recharging.

Cons:

• A bit ugly and only black and white.  The electronic ink technology hasn’t gotten color down, maybe in a few years.
• The price.  $359.00 currently but you do get free access to 3G wireless networks in the USA.  Definitely a perk.
• Can’t flip a page.  It still doesn’t replace a book for sure. Can’t flip ahead to see how many pages till the end of the chapter.

Overall it still doesn’t replace a book but for avid readers and commuters you can’t beat it especially since you can surf the web, check email and read your books all on one device without a monthly fee… I guess you just pay for it up front.

Last Links:

• Amazon’s official page with specs and a video http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00154JDAI/ref=pe_36320_11963560_pe_t3
• A well written review on Squido0 for the Kindle 2  http://www.squidoo.com/AmazonKindleReview
• How the Kindle 2 works. Hey you better be able to tell people how it works when they see you reading this cool device.