Comments on: Preferred eBook Reading Device

By: Rob Philip

Rob Philip — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 14:09:01 +0000

After buying (and returning) a kindle, and buying (and loving) a Droid, I doubt I’d ever buy a dedicated e-book reader. Having a pocket computer (which is what the Droid is) that can also play music, let me read books, send e-mail, browse the web and do any number of other things is a better choice for me.

The quality of the text is a *lot* better than the weak dark gray on light gray of the kindle, and I can listen to music while reading at the gym.

I’d rate a kindle 4.5/10 as an e-book reader and 2/10 for its lame music playback. The Droid hits more like 8/10. The only think the kindle has going for it is the ability to buy books from Amazon.

In my opinion :)

By: Jane

Jane — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 01:46:22 +0000

@Mari When you say it froze, do you mean that you have to unplug or restart the software or something? or that you have to wait before it's completed its task?

By: Mari

Mari — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 00:50:39 +0000

I actually got the sony 505 as a christmas gift. I have been reading so much on it, and it is so realistic that I also have tried to turn the page a few times….So far I’ve only purchased some books from the Sony store, so I really have no experience with any other e-book site.I actually have zero experience with e-books,so I’m kinda learning as I go along…I have to say that I love this thing, but I just wish they gave more tech support—while I was transferring some books from my PC to the Reader, it froze….this has happenned almost every time I do it so I don’t even know if its just me in my ignorance, or just the Reader….but I do love the reader. (If anyone has any tips, they are more than welcome)

By: Anne Douglas

Anne Douglas — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 22:56:52 +0000

Kalen – I’ve been reading exclusively e the last few days (versus one from the library bag – yay for new release royalties so I can do some book shopping heh!) and seriously, I’ve gotten to the point where I’m trying to turn the page :D) Bodes well for readers glomming on to eReaders in general!

By: Kalen Hughes

Kalen Hughes — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 18:10:41 +0000

. . . so tempted that I just got one. I’m loving it so far (though I kind of miss the physical sensation of holding a book and turning pages).

By: Kalen Hughes

Kalen Hughes — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 20:57:14 +0000

I like paper, but I’ll admit to being tempted by the CyBook . . .

By: Jane

Jane — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 18:58:08 +0000

@Anita.R: You would not be able to a) purchase a Kindle or b) purchase any Kindle books without a US CC attached to your account. Also, if you purchased Mobipocket books, you would have to strip them of their DRM (or change the PID code which I don't remember exactly how to do). If you have alot of Mobipocket books and you live outside the US, I think your best bet would be the Cybook by Bookeen. It has the same screen as the Kindle and works with secure Mobipocket format.

By: Sunita

Sunita — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 17:37:43 +0000

Sony Reader then Palm Centro. The Centro screen is small, but I always have my phone with me and it reads DRM ereader and mobi and non-DRM Adobe, plus others.

By: Keishon

Keishon — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 17:30:04 +0000

Sony Reader then iPhone.

By: Anita.R

Anita.R — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 12:45:29 +0000

I really would like an opinion from the ladies (and readers) of DA, on what ereader device I should get.

If I do not live in the US, would a Kindle be worth it? My friend Stateside is recommending it all the time, even knowing that I would not be able to use the Whispernet. I love Mobi format.

I personally read all my books on my 14.1″ trusty old laptop. I tried my mom’s HP 2133 but find the whole thing to be too small for me. I love reading on my laptop, but sometimes it’s just not convenient, and I do feel the strain.

I would not like an iPhone, I think there would be too much hassle involved with trying to carry book in it, especially with the battery. And the iTouch is out too, because I tried it and the sound rendering is terrible even with my Sennheiser headphones, so the multifunction thing is not gonna work. Smartphone/PDA, probably will be a good choice, but at the price of a small laptop? No thank you.

I really would love (quite desperate for it actually) the help on deciding from knowledgeable consumers.

Thank you very any help at all.

By: Jane

Jane — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 17:37:28 +0000

@RLJ: Yes, the reading experience would be the same on the itouch as on the iphone. The difference is that you would only be able to buy books from the iTouch and download them via a wi fi connection.

By: karmelrio

karmelrio — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 17:33:40 +0000

My preferred eBook reading device? None.

I’m with Jane O., preferring to kick it old school reading physical books. I’m not a Luddite by any means – I use a laptop 10 hours a day for my day job in the technology field, and an eeePC for writing my WIP. I just get to the point where my eyes get so bleary I can’t fathom any more screentime. I’m nearsighted enough.

I like the feel of a book, the smell of a book, the sound of the pages turning, the look of the characters marching across the page.

By: RLJ

RLJ — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 17:05:14 +0000

What about using an iTouch – would it be the same as the iPhone. I don’t want an iPhone, but would love an iTouch – especially if I could use it as an ebook.

By: Kerry D.

Kerry D. — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 08:41:02 +0000

I use my Palm T/X with mobipocket for all my ebooks.

Ditto. Love it and the fact I can do more than just read books with it – although I admit that’s what I use if for most.

By: Jessica Kennedy

Jessica Kennedy — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 06:14:57 +0000

I’ve had my Kindle for a year now and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

I own an iPhone and I don’t think I’d be comfortable reading on something so small. Plus, I can prop my Kindle up just about anywhere and read it with no hands and while laying in bed.

By: Tae

Tae — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 05:24:21 +0000

I have an Ebookwise right now. I plan on buying the Sony 505. I have some books on pdf format which Tor was giving away for free and I’d like to be able to carry them around with me.

Also I see that NYPL (New York Public Library) sells library memberships and also carries ebooks in either mobirocket or pdf format. This means I can stretch my money further by borrowing books from them in pdf format.

I’m not living in the US currently and the Kindle doesn’t seem like a good idea.

By: E

Sun, 30 Nov 2008 04:27:55 +0000

I use my Palm T/X with mobipocket for all my ebooks.

By: Terri

Terri — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 02:58:20 +0000

I currently use a Palm for reading. I can’t justify the price of a dedicated reader. My husband gave me the choice of a mini computer or an IPod touch. I’ve chosen the IPod touch. I am concerned about the small screen but I couldn’t see me taking the computer to my childrens’ practices.

By: Jane O

Jane O — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 01:39:13 +0000

All this makes me nervous, and not because I am a Luddite. However, ninety-nine percent of my reading material comes from the library. I can see where it would be infinitely more economical for publishers to put out only e-books, especially for genre fiction. But what then happens to those of us who cannot afford to buy e-readers and e-books? (And not because we are buying sable coats and caviar instead.)

By: Jessica

Jessica — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 23:23:49 +0000

Jane, Not sure if you saw this, but Kindle 1.0 is sold out, not expected back in stock for 11-13 weeks. But, according to this site, Kindle 2.0 is coming early 2009