eReader Leader

As you've undoubtedly guessed, the Kindle 2 is the second edition of the original Amazon Kindle (aka Kindle 1).  While both devices are capable eReaders, the Kindle 2's sleeker form factor and advanced options give it a certain leg up on its older brother in most ways.  Yet, if you are interested in nothing more than the ability to read eBooks, the Kindle 1 might well be a viable (and cheaper) option.

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Amazon Kindle 1st Generation Wireless Reading Device D00111 US $41.00 12 Bids

Amazon Kindle 6 E Ink Display 2GB Wi Fi 6in Silver Gently Used US $55.00 1 Bid

Key Differences

• Display: Both devices have a 6-inch e-ink display, but the Kindle 2's display offers 16 shades of gray instead of just 4 shades of gray like its older brother.  For basic reading, the shades of gray will be almost unnoticeable.  But particularly when viewing pictures -- within a downloaded blog or newspaper, for example -- the image will appear significantly sharper on the Kindle 2 than on the original Kindle 1.
• Web browser: One of those advanced goodies that first appear in the Kindle 2 is a web browser.  User of the Kindle 2 can use the device's basic but functional internet browser to check email, post tweets and even visit favorite website for free wherever they have Sprint or AT&T (depending on Kindle 2 version) 3G service.  The Kindle 1 is not equipped with a web browser.
  
• Wireless: Both devices have 3G radio connectivity, and can download content wherever they are in an area with 3G service (provided by either Sprint or AT&T).  The Kindle 1, however, has exclusively Sprint 3G --meaning it can only download content within the United States.  The second version of the Amazon Kindle 2, however, has AT&T 3G and can download content when traveling abroad in certain countries (the first version of the Kindle 2 only has Sprint 3G just like the Kindle 1).
• Expandable memory: Right out of the box, the Kindle 1 has 256Mb of available storage space for books and music, while the Kindle has nearly 5 time as much space with 1.4GB of available memory.  Despite the Kindle 2's advantage out the gate,  the Kindle 1 can accept a microSD card, making it capable of storing dramatically more content than the Kindle 2.
• Battery life: While both devices boast undeniably impressive battery life, the Amazon Kindle 2 has nearly twice the battery life of the original Kindle 1.  With wireless off, the Kindle 1 can keep you reading for up to 1 week, but the Kindle 2 can keep on keeping on for up to two weeks.

Comparison Chart: Amazon Kindle 2 vs. Kindle 1

	Amazon Kindle 2	Amazon Kindle 1 (1st gen.)
Resources
Review	Not yet available	Not yet available
Device
Dimensions	8" x 5.3" x .36"	7.5" x 5.3" x .7"
Weight	10.2 oz.	10.3 oz.
Screen(s)	6" e-ink display; 16 shades of gray; 600 x 800 pixels	6" e-ink display; 4 shades of gray; 600 x 800 pixels
Battery life	Up to 4 days (wireless on); up to 2 weeks (wireless off)	Up to 2 days (wireless on); up to 1 week (wireless off)
Input	Physical keyboard, buttons, joystick	Physical keyboard, buttons, scroll/click wheel
Memory	2GB (1.4GB available)	256MB
Expandable memory	No	SD Card (up to 4GB)
Books & Content
Available sources	Amazon Kindle Store (400,000+ books, newspapers, magazines, and blogs available)	Amazon Kindle Store (400,000+ books, newspapers, magazines, and blogs available)
Connectivity
3G	Yes (Latest edition AT&T 3G w/ international roaming; previous edition Sprint 3G); Free	Yes (Sprint 3G); Free
WiFi	No	No
USB	Yes	Yes
Features
Built-in dictionary	Yes	Yes
Web browser	Yes	No
Audio player	Yes	Yes
Other highlights	Text-to-speech capabilities; built-in speaker	-
Supported Formats
ePub open format	No	No
Adobe PDF	Yes (conversion to Kindle format required)	Yes (conversion to Kindle format required)
Microsoft DOC	Yes (conversion to Kindle format required)	Yes (conversion to Kindle format required)
Other	Proprietary Kindle format (AZW)	Proprietary Kindle format (AZW)

Related posts:

1. Amazon Kindle 2 vs. Kindle DX
2. Borders Kobo vs. Amazon Kindle 2
3. Amazon Kindle 2 vs. Apple iPad
4. Amazon Kindle vs. B&N Nook

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