e book readers?/kindle

frazzled74 · 2011-01-02T22:00:36+00:00

what is the difference between kindle and other e book readers? where can i buy from and are there any offers? thinking of buying one for dss who loves reading and gadgets.

canyou · 02/01/2011 22:03

I have posted the same question in chat waiting to hear from the experts.
I am thinking of the Sony Ereader for me in pink

AllOverIt · 04/01/2011 08:26

I have a Kindle, my parents both have the Sony.
They both wish they had Kindles now. There's a really good comparison on YouTube where this guy runs through detailed points of comparison.... I'll try and find it...

AllOverIt · 04/01/2011 08:33

It's not on YouTube, it's on Amazon Kindle page. If you scroll down, it's at the bottom near the reviews. It's not produced by Amazon so he does look at the negatives of the Kindle too. It does come out on top though.

Both my parents are now going to get Kindles and Ebay their ereaders....

Original poster

frazzled74 · 04/01/2011 08:53

kindle it is then! thanks

OP posts:

Pinkglow · 04/01/2011 08:56

With kindles you have to buy your e-books from Amazon (like with ipods where you buy your music from itunes)

With the Sony you can buy your e-books from anywhere.

With the kindle you can download books via wireless or 3G and with Sony you have to plug it in to your computor to download books (might want to check this as this might have changed since I looked)

I have a kindle and I chose it because it looks better and had the features I wanted.

AllOverIt · 04/01/2011 14:31

You can download them from anywhere on to your laptop and use a programme like Calibre to convert them into a file that Kindle can read. You can also surf the net on the Kindle and you can lend books to each other. It emails another kindle address, the book comes off your Kindle and transfers onto your friend's Kindle for 14 days then comes back to yours!

Also, Amazon is WAY cheaper to buy Ebooks from than Waterstones...

There are some really good sites where you can download free books from too. I can send links if you need them. Ebay also has people selling thousands of books for a few pounds.

AllOverIt · 04/01/2011 14:33

Good thread on Kindles here

Pinkglow · 04/01/2011 16:27

You can download them from anywhere on to your laptop and use a programme like Calibre to convert them into a file that Kindle can read. You can also surf the net on the Kindle and you can lend books to each other. It emails another kindle address, the book comes off your Kindle and transfers onto your friend's Kindle for 14 days then comes back to yours!

The above is abit of a faff though.

I love my kindle and I am happy to purchase e-books from Amazon as they are cheaper than elsewhere but that tie-in with Amazon is something you have to consider when buying a kindle.

AllOverIt · 04/01/2011 18:12

It really isn't a faff. Have you used Calibre? It's absolutely brilliant! There is a site I use with free books (can PM the link if you want it). I click on the ones I want, it takes roughly 10 secs to download a book. Once I have all the ones I want, I open up Calibre, highlight the files click on the button to convert them and then plug in my Kindle. It does it all automatically. Even finds the front covers of all the books for me. It's so easy compared to something like Itunes for music.

In ell under an an hour I'd downloaded over a thousand books.... should take me through the year!

Calibre's free too.

mspotatochip · 04/01/2011 20:54

I got a sony reader (which I love) because it supports e books from my local library (Kindle doesn't). This was great for a while but the library doesn't seem to be buying any new e books (cutbacks?) and now I wish I bought a kindle as books are cheaper and more available. At present I have to price check WH smith and Waterstones as prices vary widely for same titles.

Its such a pity cos my sony reader is a joy to use. I've never actually seen a kindle in real life. Ideally I think I would have both but DP will kill me

Pinkglow · 05/01/2011 16:09

It really isn't a faff. Have you used Calibre? It's absolutely brilliant! There is a site I use with free books (can PM the link if you want it). I click on the ones I want, it takes roughly 10 secs to download a book. Once I have all the ones I want, I open up Calibre, highlight the files click on the button to convert them and then plug in my Kindle. It does it all automatically. Even finds the front covers of all the books for me. It's so easy compared to something like Itunes for music.

TBH I think the idea of just plugging my kindle into the computer seems like a faff compared to just downloading books on the wireless

I will however download Calibre as it sounds like something I might use in the future so thanks for the tip

maryz · 05/01/2011 16:23

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

AllOverIt · 05/01/2011 16:35

I'll PM you the link maryz....

You can certainly convert EPUB into MOBI, which is a file format that Kindle recognises. There are many file formats that the Kindle recognises, and Calibre converts to lots of these too.

Kindles recognise Microsoft Word (.DOC), Structured HTML (.HTML, .HTM), JPEG (.JPEG, .JPG), GIF (.GIF), PNG (.PNG), BMP (.BMP), Compressed ZIP (.ZIP)

Not sure if your library has some kind of protection on the files so that you can't convert them maryz. If you can get them on your computer, then there might be a way....

My DH is a complete techy nerd so when he gets back from work I'll quiz him...

maryz · 05/01/2011 16:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BuzzLightBeer · 05/01/2011 17:38

I get the .co.uk amazon books in ireland, I just registered it under a new amazon account saying I was in England.

alloverit, can you pm me the link for the site you use, if you don't mind? I have downloaded calibre but haven't used it yet.

mrswarby · 06/01/2011 16:53

I have been given a kindle for Christmas and love it. Will definately look into Calibre. Could you possibly PM me the site you use. Thanks.

Regan · 13/01/2011 11:29

I just got a kindle for my birthday. Alloverit could you please PM the website you use.

Lonnie · 15/01/2011 20:20

Its a shame I only just found this thread as I will give the thumbs up for the Sony ereader and the thumbs down for the kindle. Dh has the kindle (loves it) I have the Sony ereader (adore it) I got mine 3 years ago so before the kindle was available but now dh has the kindle I have not for a moment regretted having the ereader. The kindle feels flimsy in contrast to the solid feel of the ereader (I am worried I will break it when I hold it - though thats better now that he has a cover for it)

There are several reasons why I prefeer the Sony to the kindle but the build factor is a huge issue for me I do not like how "plastic" to me the Kindle feels.

I find the kindle complex to work around where as I had the Sony for 5 mins and had it worked. I dont care for the keyboard set up on it I feel it is in the way.

I do not like the picture the kindle comes up with when it is switched of much prefeer the blank screen on the Sony.
The battery on the Sony lasts much longer than on the Kindle (I am talking 2-3 days longer)

I will give that the kindle is an easier upload plus for the Kindle But I do not find the Sony such a faff to do it takes concentration the first time you do it after that it is fairly easy..

If at all you are able to get a hold in one of each to feel and see how you like them then I would go for your gut instinct after that.

Dh is happy with the kindle likes he can d/l where ever he is. For methat is no biggy I am organised enough to ensure I have a new book loaded to read when I have almost finished the other I dont go into "sudden book panic" if I dont get there but I am aware for some that would be a plus.

Even if offered a swap now I wouldnt do so I just love the Sony ereader for me the feel and hold of it is as important as the feel and hold of a book and I just do not get that cosy up feeling with the kindle