eBook Readers -- I like mine

[chickpea]

So I was really ambivalent about eBook readers for a very long time. I understood the value of eInk (so I thought) and would have readily agreed that it was better to read than an LCD screen, however, I felt that a single purpose device that locks you in to a book store was just kinda crazy. Meanwhile I was going to the library and sometimes I found the books I wanted, other times, I didn't (in fact a lot of times I didn't).

Well, I purchased a nook (barnes and noble) the other day and WOW what a fantastic device. I am now a complete convert. It is a fantastic reading experience (I think it may even be better than real books in certain, but not all, respects).

If you are looking at or thinking of purchasing an eBook reader I highly recommend the nook (no affiliation). Yes the LCD keyboard can be a little cumbersome (so if you need physical keyboards, then the nook is likely not for you).

I also recommend the nook for its adherence to ePUB format which is the global standard for eBooks, which the Amazon Kindle does not adhere to. That way your eBooks can be transferred to a different device in the future if you so choose.

Reading them does not tire your eyes or give you headaches/eye strain like an LCD will. I can read for extended periods of time and still enjoy the reading experience. Although I didn't purchase the nook to save money on books (you would need to read a LOT to make out) but the books are cheaper than dead tree books.

All in all, if you are on the fence, try one out at a B&M. You will likely enjoy the experience.

 

[kwk285]

I have had a Kindle for a little over the years. I like the size, the e-ink, and the ease of loading a book. I am a convert as well. All three of the main e-readers look nice.

I also have a company I-pad. I don't like it as well for reading. The I-pad is a power hog compared to my Kindle. Also, it is heavier, which I don't like either.

 

[hoslerd]

I have had my Nook since the November release last year and I love it. I was skeptical as well until the Nook came out. There are still a few books that I want to have a paper copy of but for most of my reading it works great and saves a lot of shelf space.

I also use my Nook to keep professional documents and publications on in PDF format which also helps keep me form lugging around a lot of heavy manuals and less paper pile up on my desk.

Highly recommend one if you are thinking about making the jump.

 

[chickpea]

I honestly don't consider an iPad an eReader. the iPad is fine for what it is: touchpad display thingy, but it is not for long term book reading (LCD screen or OLED whatever, heavy, glossy).

 

[Robxcarlson]

I'm excited about the prices coming down on the nook and kindle. I'm hoping by Christmas that they'll come down again then maybe I can afford one.

 

[kwk285]

I think with in a year or so the will be under $100.

One piece of advice. Pay the extra money to get a kindle or nook that has the whisper sync. Both now have a wi-fi only option. With the amount of traveling that I do a wi-fi only model would be too limiting.

 

[chickpea]

I think with in a year or so the will be under $100.

One piece of advice. Pay the extra money to get a kindle or nook that has the whisper sync. Both now have a wi-fi only option. With the amount of traveling that I do a wi-fi only model would be too limiting.

Oops, I didn't understand your post at first.

I would take the opposite approach, unless you have a really compelling reason for the 3G version, don't spend the extra money. For the most part, you will always be near free wifi in the major cities, at home, etc. So no need for 3G option and paying extra money.

 

[mouscacha]

I have both the kindle and the ipad. I have to say that I'm using the ipad to read more than my kindle more for comfort. I usually read at night in bed, and I hate holding onto things for long periods of time (hand goes numb). My iPad has a stand, made by incase, which can sit up at different angles. I plop it down with the screen locked in the vertical position and read until one side of my body gets cramped. Just switch sides and continue to read. It's great!

 

[Mazeman]

Thankfully, the iPad is bringing the Kindle's price down closer to what it should be. I own one (Kindle), and it's fine for what it is, but it's still a single-function, black & white device. It should be under $100.

 

[Uncle Erik]

I also have an iPad that I use for reading. I find that it works wonderfully and the Apple case props it up nicely.

As a side benefit, I have the Bluetooth keyboard for the iPad. It's now almost entirely replaced my laptop for travel. It's lighter, lasts longer and the browsing and email are fantastic.

 

[Slartibartfast]

Thanks for this post. I have been contemplating a kindle now that they have announce dthe $139 wifi version coming out soon. The Nook does appeal to me thought due to its native support of epub and pdf though.

 

[mikromicke]

The best thing with the Nook is that it works great for reading B&B

 

[Granaura]

I'm in Canada and I have a Kobo reader (although I hear the kindle is coming to Canada soon).

I normally on vacation can read a book a day and being a history buff most come in hardcover form... Meaning a carry on suitcase for my books.

With the price of air luggage, SWMBO got me one of these.. Came preloaded with 1000 books (from aesop to dickens, bronte, the holmes' mysteries, etc.).

I'm quite impressed and I love it at the cottage on the dock! I love my paper but I definitely see the advantages!

 

[blary54]

Have you guys seen the new Kindles are gonna be $139.00 with WI-FI starting August 27th. I might have to get one at that price.

http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-Wirele...pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1271496582&pf_rd_i=507846

 

[breadstick]

I love my Bebook Neo. It's not terribly expenisve but it has WIFI and it accepts almost all ebook formats, so you don't have to convert your existing ebooks. I love my Neo.

 

[mparker762]

I have thousands of physical books, the house is overrun by bookcases. I would love a nook or kindle and the thought of having them all on one slim device would make my wife a very happy woman, but as far as I've been able to tell their selection is really unacceptably poor. I tried looking up some of my books in their catalogs and gave up after the first 10 or so when neither amazon nor b&n found any electronic version of my paper books. Great if what you want is the latest best-seller, but pretty sucky if what you want is Peter Ellis's Cadfael novel "Summer of the Danes" (though they'll be happy to sell you a paperback version) or Old Oligarch's "Constitution of the Athenians" (but if you want paper they 3 different editions, in both paperback and hardback).

Same story for nearly every book I checked. Now it could be that my tastes are just wierd, but I suspect that lots of people with libraries my size have really eclectic tastes - that's how our libraries get so large in the first place.

 

[breadstick]

They aren't all released on an e-reader format, but a LOT of the classics are released for free download. Look around on this website and you'll probably find a few good ones.

http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Main_Page

 

[mdevine]

I have a Kindle and have found an easy work-around to its non-support of the ePUB format. I use a free program called Calibre. It easily convert e-books between formats.

 

[mparker762]

They aren't all released on an e-reader format, but a LOT of the classics are released for free download. Look around on this website and you'll probably find a few good ones.

They do have a lot of classics, though their selection is also quite spotty and their translations tend to be extremely old (because of copyright issues) and of fairly poor quality. Unfortunately they don't have Old Oligarch's "Constitution of the Athenians" in any form, not even in the original.

 

[Bullwinkle]

I had just received a Kindle from Amazon a few days before they announced the release of the new ones at the ends or Aug so without even opening the box it went back and now I'm in the queue for the wifi only $139 unit. I can buy a bunch of books with the extra savings.