Best e-reader for (young) child - recommendations please

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jonathan18

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#179040 24-Aug-2015 13:12

Hey there,

We're contemplating buying our son an e-reader for his birthday (turning 8), and are currently thinking of getting him a Kobo Touch. The primary reason for this device over a Kindle is due to the ability for him to borrow books from the library (via Overdrive), which we expect to be his main source of content. (I also like the finer control one has over the text presentation on the Kobo.)

I've a Kindle and while I'm technically fine with using Calibre to convert content, it's an extra hassle; I also want him to be able to borrow and transfer books himself, which I think will be too complex if he needs to go through the additional steps of converting formats.

I'd be interested in members' views on which may be the best e-reader for this situation, with price being a strongly influencing factor (ideally looking at a budget around that of the Kobo Touch, eg $140sh).

Thanks in advance.

davidcole

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#1373163 24-Aug-2015 15:32

An android tablet? With an OPDS (calibre catalog) capable reader? Although e-ink is better on battery and no LCD and with a tablet he might be tempted to install other apps.

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Handsomedan

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#1373167 24-Aug-2015 15:39

I'd go with a Kobo Touch - it's first and foremost an e-Reader and secondly can be used as an android tablet, so has dual use.

The only thing with an LCD screened device is eye fatigue. e-Ink is far better on the eyes. Also less temptation to read in the dark if there's no back-light.

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jonathan18

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#1373168 24-Aug-2015 15:39

davidcole: An android tablet? With an OPDS (calibre catalog) capable reader? Although e-ink is better on battery and no LCD and with a tablet he might be tempted to install other apps.

Thanks for the suggestion, but one of the reasons we're keen on getting him a dedicated e-reader is to encourage him to read more. He's a good reader and enjoys it but, like many kids, he'll always choose time on a tablet compared to reading. So if he got a device that can be used for reading or for other purposes like Minecraft - I know to which use it would be put!

davidcole

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#1373171 24-Aug-2015 15:43

jonathan18:
davidcole: An android tablet? With an OPDS (calibre catalog) capable reader? Although e-ink is better on battery and no LCD and with a tablet he might be tempted to install other apps.

Thanks for the suggestion, but one of the reasons we're keen on getting him a dedicated e-reader is to encourage him to read more. He's a good reader and enjoys it but, like many kids, he'll always choose time on a tablet compared to reading. So if he got a device that can be used for reading or for other purposes like Minecraft - I know to which use it would be put!

Unless you lock it down to not be able to load any other apps....for now. You'd be able to use calibre and overdrive. I'm not aware of any other e-readers than can use calibre without email....hmm although I think with Kindle you can use the browser and as long as the book is in the correct format you can download from there.

My 10yo niece got a kindle. And they just bite the bullet and buy books.

You can set up email delivery, and I think you can download via browser. I bet there'd be a way of restricting the page view to only those books in kindle format and you could just make sure you store everything always in kindle format.

jonathan18

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#1373174 24-Aug-2015 15:45

Handsomedan: I'd go with a Kobo Touch - it's first and foremost an e-Reader and secondly can be used as an android tablet, so has dual use.

The only thing with an LCD screened device is eye fatigue. e-Ink is far better on the eyes. Also less temptation to read in the dark if there's no back-light.

I wondered what you meant when you said the Kobo Touch can be used as an Android tablet! A quick Google later and I've got a better idea - I never knew of the ability to load Android on the device. Haven't read much yet, but I'm assuming that the Android Overdrive app allows books to be loaded directly on the device, not requiring it to be mediated through a computer or other device?

(But sticking Android on the device and opening it up to be used for other apps goes against my earlier point re trying to move him away from tablets - but the idea's great!)