My Kindle 3 in Singapore and Why I’m not getting iPad

By Jiasen Low On January 17, 2011 Under Gadgets

On new year eve, I out of sudden ordered a Kindle 3 from Amazon. 19 days later, I finally received it! Amazon doesn’t ship electronic stuff directly to Singapore. It is weird that Kindle is available for over 100 countries but Singapore and Malaysia isn’t on the list. Therefore alternatively, I know I need a mail forwarder to get this done.

I choose to go with Borderlinx, I have several mail forwarders in my list because I planned to get a Herman Miller chair, but in the end, I changed my mind. Anyway, here some mail forwarders you might want to check out myus.com, comgateway and viaddress. I wouldn’t recommend VPOST after hearing some of its horror stories posted by the users.

One thing about Kindle is you can’t buy your books from Amazon, because it has some regional restriction. Anyway, I already have so many books in my hard drives.

Why am I Getting Kindle instead of iPad?

Amazon launched the Kindle 1 in 2007 with price of USD399 and further dropped to USD259 for Kindle 2. Finally Kindle 3 launched on last August is selling at USD139! Kindle 4 will possibly get even cheaper, but already USD139 is the right retail price for me to get one.

The reason I’m not getting iPad not only the price, but also it is not suitable for reading. iPad is just like my PC, has too many functions that distracted me away from reading. I’ve friends got iPad initially plan was for reading, but many months later, they hardly have time to finish reading a book. They utilize their iPads for gaming, emailing and web surfing, except reading. iPad is just too multi-functional, it is just another desktop!

How much I’ve paid?

• Amazon Kindle = USD139
• The delivery from Amazon is free shipment = USD 0
• Borderlinx Shipment = USD14.21 + USD 1.27(fuel charge) – USD2.13(promo code discount) = USD 13.35
• Total: USD152.35 x 1.3 = SGD198

What other Kindle owners said about it?

HB:

I love my Amazon Kindle for a number of reasons. (1) quite low weight and could easily hold it (2) because of the technology you don’t feel like you are reading from a digital device; it really feels like a real book! (3) the 1-click feature is pretty convenient and you could quickly buy a book and start reading using your Kindle. (4) the power usage is pretty low and you could have your Kindle on for quite a few weeks without the need of recharge. And last but not least the design of the device is absolutely gorgeous and lovely… Give it a try. I am sure you would fell in love as well!

Jeffrey Stanley:

I’d honestly rather read linear (read from page one to the end, one page at a time) fiction from it than a book, because I can’t always get comfortable with a book. Hardcovers are sometimes a bit heavy, and paperbacks don’t always lie open easily. The Kindle is incredibly light and thin. I can hold it in one hand easily. The page turn buttons are conveniently located. Page-turns aren’t instant, but they’re probably quicker than turning a physical page in a printed book (there are just a lot more page-turns unless you choose a small font). The contrast is better than other ereaders I’ve seen. There is zero eye strain in good light.

View Original Review Here.

The travel journey of my Kindle 3

31.12.2010 – Place ordered on new year eve
01.01.2011 – 05.01.2011 – New year holiday and Amazon prepare for shipping.
06.01.2011 – Shipped out from Nevada to Borderlinx at Ohio through UPS at the weight of 1.01lbs (=0.45kg)

12.01.2011 – Borderlinx shipped out the parcel by DHL at the weight of 2lbs (=0.9kg)

17.01.2011 – I finally have my Kindle 3 at my door step.

Small Note:

When your Kindle stuck at the user manual page, just slide the power switch for 15 seconds and release it for system rebooting.

Hope my post serves as an useful resource for you to get your Kindle at USD79. More Kindle3 images can be found at paimia.com: Kindle 3

If any of you have anything you’d like to add, please contribute by commenting below. Thanks!