Recommend an ebook reader

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Zippity

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#94115 6-Dec-2011 12:53

Hi.

Christmas is almost upon us and SWMBO is wanting an ebook reader in her Xmas stocking

We have broadband and wifi at home so don't need any fancy 3G stuff.

I am seeking your advice and any recommendations as to which ebook to buy.

There has been no recent mention of Sony in this forum. Are they OK?

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#554442 6-Dec-2011 13:28

Instead of just an eBook reader, have you thought about an Android Tablet? Kindle and Kobo are available on the tablets and if one gets bored with eBook, there is also games, internet, movies, music etc.
The Huawei Mediapad looks ok, sure its about $549 but is more diverse than an e-reader.

crackrdbycracku

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#554462 6-Dec-2011 14:14

I say Kindle.

I think the eReader vs Tablet is Apples vs Oranges.

An eReader will have better battery life than an tablet and be easier to hold with one hand like a book, also significantly cheaper.

I say Kindle because the books are cheap and can be bought easily. Also the Amazon account system means you can read the same book on a smartphone or a tablet if you want one.

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billgates

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#554467 6-Dec-2011 14:26

Kindle. Lightweight, great battery life and the feel of it is very good.

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Zippity

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#554468 6-Dec-2011 14:26

SWMBO doesn't want a tablet - she has a laptop.

She also wants to be able to read in bed, so one with a light attached will fit the bill perfectly.

freitasm

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#554469 6-Dec-2011 14:28

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bmoff

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#554483 6-Dec-2011 14:49

Why anyone would consider anything other than a Kindle beats me!

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lynley5

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#554492 6-Dec-2011 15:05

Depends on whether SWMBO wants to borrow an eBook from a library as the Kindles are not compatible at this stage. You would need another form of eReader e.g. a Kobo, or a Sony.

kyhwana2

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#554546 6-Dec-2011 16:33

Another vote for the Kindle!
I have a Kindle 3, you can get them from dickies locally too.

Elpie

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#554681 6-Dec-2011 20:43

Kindle with the Amazon Kindle cover - the one with the light. You can get clip-on lights and they work well too, but the cover with the light is seriously good.

Kindle reads all Kindle books (of course), plus .mobi and PDF. Any non-DRM .epub can be easily converted to .mobi using free tools such as the open source Calibre.

If you have ready access to Wifi you would never need the 3G option so can go for the less-expensive Wifi-only version.

Nety

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#554699 6-Dec-2011 21:14

lynley5: Depends on whether SWMBO wants to borrow an eBook from a library as the Kindles are not compatible at this stage. You would need another form of eReader e.g. a Kobo, or a Sony.

As you say.. for now. Support has already been released in the US so the expectation is that support will be added worldwide before too long. Nothing the library's themselves have to do it is just a matter of Overdrive and Amazon extending it.
Personally I would not now consider Kobo or Sony. Sure the devices are OK but they just do not have the killer backup of the Amazon ebook shop.

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mattwnz

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#554722 6-Dec-2011 22:02

Nety:
lynley5: Depends on whether SWMBO wants to borrow an eBook from a library as the Kindles are not compatible at this stage. You would need another form of eReader e.g. a Kobo, or a Sony.

As you say.. for now. Support has already been released in the US so the expectation is that support will be added worldwide before too long. Nothing the library's themselves have to do it is just a matter of Overdrive and Amazon extending it.
Personally I would not now consider Kobo or Sony. Sure the devices are OK but they just do not have the killer backup of the Amazon ebook shop.

Personally I have used both, and prefer the sony bacause it can also play audio, and is also touch screen. The actual screen quality of the kindle and sony are the same. Backing up isn't a prob;lem, as it is just part of you normal computer databack process.
But if you want the cheapest option, the kindle is good. The ipad is also a good ebook reader is, colour screen and plays books with video.

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tonyhughes

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#554725 6-Dec-2011 22:11

Kindle. Seriously, there's nothing like it, and the screen is great for reading. No backlight, so you won't get tired, like you do with tablets...

And I recommend you buy directly from Amazon through Geekzones Kindle order page. Usually three to five days delivery. But order fast, because soon it will backlog due to xmas orders...

Incredibly small and light - especially the new Kindle WiFi. I love mine. Smaller and lighter and easier to hold than the Kindle 3 (keyboard model).

Did lots of reading on my tablet - simply awful experience for bookreading compared to a Kindle.

freitasm

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#554732 6-Dec-2011 22:24

The Kindle plays audio as well...

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#554745 6-Dec-2011 22:46

freitasm: The Kindle plays audio as well...

Are you sure the newest one does. I know the old one with the keyboard does have audio, but I had heard that the newest version without the keyboard doesn't have it. eg no audio books or music while reading.

mattwnz

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#554746 6-Dec-2011 22:47

tonyhughes: Kindle. Seriously, there's nothing like it, and the screen is great for reading. No backlight, so you won't get tired, like you do with tablets...

And I recommend you buy directly from Amazon through Geekzones?Kindle order page. Usually three to five days delivery. But order fast, because soon it will backlog due to xmas orders...?

Incredibly small and light - especially the new Kindle WiFi. I love mine. Smaller and lighter and easier to hold than the Kindle 3 (keyboard model).

Did lots of reading on my tablet - simply awful experience for bookreading compared to a Kindle.?

I agreee that reading on the kindle with e ink is so much easier on the eyes with LCDs with backlighting.

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