Customer Reviews

MoleskineŽ Kindle DX Cover with Reporter-Style Notebook (Fits 9.7" Display, Latest and 2nd Generation Kindles) Black

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Don't get me wrong - I love moleskine notebooks...love them. When I saw this product, I was excited. To have a notebook with my Kindle made it easy for me to just toss one thing in my bag and head out without having to look for separate things. When I ordered it, I knew it was going to be bulky, but didn't think it would be quite this bulky...but it works. When I opened the box, I was very happy with the look of the product - love the leather - and was excited to use this. So, why only 3 stars? Now that I have been using it for a while, there are a couple issues:

1. It is heavier than I thought it would be and I find myself keeping my Kindle out, separate, unless I am taking it someplace. It was just too heavy to hold and sit on the couch reading.

2. The spine of this product is not well made. Mine makes crackling noises, like there is a light plastic or something in there. I thought it would stop after it broke in, but it is still doing it and it is loud.

3. There really needs to be a slot or something on the spine to put a pen. There is no way to attach a pen - which kinda defeats the purpose of the pairing with a notebook.

4. The spine feels flimsy and when you close the covers, the front cover sags a little and does not line up with the back. The only way to keep it together is to use the back strap to close the binder. I expected it to be a little more sturdy than this.

5. Amazon does not sell the refills for it. Seriously? they don't carry the 5.25x8.25 soft cover reporter notebooks? I would love to have one with lines, instead of the plain ones - but none of them are available here. You can get them at Borders if you need to, or on [...] - but if you are going to have a product like this, you should sell the refills.

6. It would have been nice if they had made these so you can switch the location of the Kindle and the pad. For a right handed person, you have to slide the notebook back and forth to alternate between reading and writing...it is a pain if you are doing any kind of research. I end up taking the notebook out and having it on the table, if I am at a table, but I could just bring a notebook with me and loose some of the bulk. Forget trying to use it as a laptop desk. I end up hitting buttons and changing pages trying to reach across to take notes.

Just received this with my soon-to-be returned Kindle DX. Overall, nice product - it is Moleskine, but ...

1) the notepad is on the LEFT side? What? Don't they realize most people are RIGHT handed (and, no you can NOT flip the cover 180 degrees because the insertion slot for the notebook's back flap is left-hand only).

2) the elastic retainers are decent; however, the upper right one obstructs the volume key/button.

3) This cover made the DX feel like an encyclopaedia volume, not the sleek magazine-like device they picture!

The only product out there to take notes with (why? I don't know), so if you can deal with left-handed note taking and the feel of a large book - go for it.

This is the kindle dx cover I have been wanting forever....since I use my kindle dx to read lots of tech manuals that often require lots of note taking, this is the absolute perfect cover. And for once, the notebook is on the left side (unless you're a lefty, you have no idea what a struggle it can be to write in a notebook that is on the 'wrong' side of your desk.) I may just buy two!

Awesome cover for the Kindle. I'll try to touch on some things that I don't think were covered specifically in other people's reviews.

First some background, I bought the Kindle DX for school (and have also found that it's launched me back in leisure reading). I won't go into the Kindle DX review details but in case you are wondering: http://www.amazon.com/review/R3TKVK4UTW1FU6/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm. :)

OK, so I'm not exactly sure what part of this cover is supposed to give me cancer (according to some California law) but I wasn't super worried about that with all the lead paint in my old house and asbestos flying around old buildings, I figured the Kindle case is the last thing that might cause me cancer...but I digress.

1. Cover can fold completely over for Kindle-dedicated reading
2. The handy-dandy elastic band can wrap over the reporter pad to keep it from flopping around while reading the Kindle
3. Provides a serious amount of hardcover protection and I'm not afraid to throw it into my backpack or purse
4. Makes the Kindle feel more like a book, somewhat easier to hold and I actually think it contributes to "losing myself" while reading content on the Kindle
5. Quality you can feel - from the leather hard cover (yet soft to the touch) outside to the suede inside. Well worth the $$.
6. Contrary to other reviews, Amazon does sell refill notepads for this case (I always want to jot down tasks or thoughts and find that it works well to have the notebook accessible)
7. I'm right handed and I don't actually mind the pad on the left hand side. It forces me to think and jot down something meaningful rather than just copy (my mind is default: lazy so must force it to work)
8. No pen loop (bummer) but more than enough room on the spine to clip a pen on the inside and not have it scrape the Kindle
9. Elastic corner holders are great, very snug fit but if they weren't I'd be concerned

Hope this helps others who are interested in this case!
Happy Kindle-ing!

I love moleskine products, so I may be slightly biased, but...

I used my Kindle for reading academic papers (PDF) and pleasure books. This cover seemed to offer the perfect option, as I need to take notes while I read.

It is true, the pocket for the notepad is poorly designed, and the notepad will flop over. It is also true that the design is for a lefty, which is really silly and inconvenient... BUT:

I took an exacto knife and cut a slit through the bottom of the pocket, just above the stiching, just slightly longer than the width of the notepad. I then lined the edges of the cut with a tiny bit of masking tape (just to keep it from ripping). I then flipped the DX over, and voila, a righty notepad, and the notepad doesn't flop over.

Should I have to do this? No. However, I found it worth the price for a very classy feeling, functional product that will protect my Kindle without damaging it (as some of the Amazon products are purported to do).

Cheers.

The case comes designed to put the Kindle DX into the right-hand side and a reporter-bound Volant on the left. I'd consider knocking half a star right there, since a right-handed reader would more likely prefer the notebook on the right.

But by far the biggest problem is that the pocket cut for the notebook is 1 3/4" shorter than the Volant itself! Since the Volants do not have stiff backs, the notebook flops out like a fishing pole when the case is not lying flat. It's just ridiculous design, not at all what one expects from Moleskine.

The case works acceptably with a 5 x 8 1/4" Moleskine reporter. If you want to use a Volant, you're going to have to devise a stiffening shim out of plastic or cardboard that extends from the pocket lip to near the binding. Better yet, just pass on this product until they revise the design.

I drooled over this notebook for months before I finally went through with its purchase. Frankly, there simply aren't a whole lot of covers to choose from when it comes to the DX version. Overall, I really am happy with my purchase.
-Pros
- Wonderful packaging. It comes nicely wrapped in the box, and makes you really feel like you just bought a luxury product
- Cover Quality. The quality of the leather cover is great, for the price.
- Overall luxurious feel. This is the greatest selling point for me. I was a (fairly) late adopter of the Kindle because of my love of books, especially the old leather bound type. This helps to satisfy that need. Sure, it adds some weight and bulk to the Kindle, but its not obnoxious or excessive. The feel and smell of the leather, combined with the weight of the product makes your Kindle feel like a million bucks.
- Security of Device. The basic purpose of a cover is to add protection and keep your product secure. This cover does a great job, using tight elastic bands at each of the four corners to keep your Kindle snugly in place
- The Notebook. I love the idea of being able to jot down notes or quotes as the mood strikes. I am right handed, and I know a lot of people have commented on the notebook being cumbersome to use if you are not left handed, but I personally have no problems with this layout. It feel natural. During normal use, the notebook is tucked out of the way

-Cons
- Admittedly, the notebook can be cumbersome. I use the elastic that is meant to hold the cover shut and wrap it around the notebook when using the Kindle, so that the cover is completely open and the notebook is essentially "back to back" with the Kindle. This works fine, but if you dont use the elastic to keep the notebook portion shut, it will be open and flapping around.

Overall Impression
Worth it. Especially good for those who like to take notes, love the Moleskine line of products, or have a secret guilt about giving up those marvelous old leather bound books.

Pros: Excellent quality, notepad for taking notes, price (vs Amazon covers)

Cons: No pen holder, no Kindle side-clips, costly notepad refills, left-handed

Anyone who has ever used a Moleskine product will testify to their impeccable quality and this Kindle DX cover is no exception - great quality material and stitching, plush suede lining, signature notepad paper.

Where this case lacks, however, is functionality - it does not utilize the Kindle patent-pending side-clips, opting instead for sturdy yet bulky rubber-band corners, one of which almost completely conceals the volume control buttons on the top right of the device. Another, in my opinion, tremendous shortcoming is the fact that this cover seems to be designed exclusively for the left-handed use. The notepad holder is non-reversible, forcing it to be on the left side of your Kindle, so you end up hitting it with your elbow while writing. For some reason Moleskine decided that your Kindle in this case will be a side-accessory to their tiny notepad.

This case comes with two notepads, however they are only a few dozen pages thick, so you run out pretty fast and each refill notepad will set you back about $10 with shipping. It would be hard to find a generic replacement pad, due to specific size and thickness needed to use with this case.

It functions like you would expect. Holds the Kindle firmly and isn't terribly unwieldy. But mine smelled like industrial solvent and was sticky to the touch. The odor (and invisible oil/gunk/film) would attach itself everything it came into contact with. Emailed Moleskine for advice and their response: "We will get back to you in the month of September."

Like others have said it is pretty bulky. Also, I had to cut a slit in it to make it useful for a right-hand writer.

This cover is really worth it. A lot of people seemed miffed by the notebook being on the left, but it's really not that big a deal. One thing I liked about it is that it fleshed out the Kindle and made it feel like a real book, which addresses a common problem I hear from people who are skeptical of e-readers.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE make this available again! Mine was stolen earlier week and I'm pissed that I can't get this again. Any other Kindle cover is going to pale in comparison. If any of the people who wrote dissatisfied reviews really don't like it, I'll be more than willing to buy it off of you.