Update: At the time I wrote this, the US site was showing a single price (at least in my browser), but it’s now split between a Kindle with special offers ($79) and one without ($109). The $109 model is the only one available for pre-order in the UK, and while £89 is still high as a conversion, it’s not too awful and is still a price-cut over the existing model.

I wrote about the new Kindles earlier. Amazon’s now put up some pricing and, well, it’s interesting. In the US, the cheapest Kindle sets you back $79. I assumed that would translate to 65 quid or so in the UK. Boy, was I wrong! The UK price is £89. That’s pretty outrageous, especially from a company usually intent on aggressive pricing, and it shows Amazon’s either lowballing in the US, to boost sales, or realising the UK can bear a much higher price.

Frankly, I’m shocked and a little disappointed. At £65, I’d have been all over a new Kindle. At £89, I can’t help feeling ripped off.

Note: I’m fully aware that one cannot do direct price conversions, and that’s something I bang on about a lot to other people. US prices lack tax. Also, exchange rates fluctuate. However, even taking the year low of $1.53 and knocking off 10 cents, you end up with 55 quid. Add UK VAT and you get £66. At the moment, Sterling’s trading at about $1.55.