For those of us who preordered, "Estimated arrival date, June 12, 2009" per email received today.

Yeah, I got that too. :)

I'm surprised that they're planning to ship so soon. I expected something closer to mid-to-late Summer.

First impression
 

Got the new Kindle just right now. While I have not had any prior versions of Kindle to compare, my first impression of is that it is quite heavy. And since I tend to hold it down towards the bottom the unit feels more top-heavy.

Just starting it up now and the screen rotation is pretty smooth.

I like the Kindle DX, but I agree that it's a little heavy (especially with the leather cover).

Is it big hardcover book heavy though or more just like a paperweight?

It seemed to me that the leather cover was nearly as heavy as the Kindle DX but it's only listed at 8 oz. The DX weighs in at 19 oz.

But I don't find the whole apparatus especially heavy. And it's certainly not as heavy as many books I've read.

Overall, thus far, I'm very pleased.

Problems
 

I would buy one of these if not for two problems:

1. You have to remove them from your bag for the security check. I don't want the extra hassle/bin for this.
2. You can't use them in the 20 minutes after you take off or before you land.

If Amazon could broker some deal with the TSA and airlines to "fix" these two issues then this would be perfect.

Dan

The only thing I take out of my bag is my laptop. If they "find" anything else and want to check it out, fine. But I'm not voluntarily taking it out.


True of most electronic devices so this one doesn't bother me much.

Yea, it's not worse then any other electronic device, but it is worse then any other book. When I can't use my electronic devices I'd like to still be able to read.

Dan

FWIW I saw someone the other day on the flight who just kept on using theirs through takeoff with no comment by the passing FA.

of the 26 segments I've flown so far this year (yes, it's a slow year), I've only been told to shut my old-school Kindle once.

I've flown with my K2 a lot, and I've never had to remove it from my bag at the checkpoint.

It's more like 5-10 minutes after you take off, and I don't usually put the Kindle away until the FA's make their final checks. I bring a magazine or two to read during this time of the flight. Two issues of a magazine the size of Time/Entertainment Weekly/Newsweek/whatever still weigh less than a single paperback book.

As others have noted, this is not true.
I frequently use mine inside those windows with no problems. And if asked not to I have a magazine with me or read the one on the plane or close my eyes for a quick nap. Of all the reasons to not have the Kindle, losing a few minutes of reading time every now and then would be very low on my list.

I bought the Kindle 1 a few months after it came out and I bought it for what it is, an e-book reader. I did not buy it for what it is not, which is what alot of people that complain about its lack of features want it to be.

I do not need something to surf the web or watch videos. I have a laptop a take with me for that. So do the majority of other Kindle users that want to do more than read.

The same thing goes for the DX. It is what it is and that's why people like it so much. If the price and lack of features turns you off, do not buy one.

-Pat

Please spare a thought for those of us in the UK who would love to be able to get a hold of any sort of Kindle! Come on Amazon, sort it out.