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Original poster

e reader

11 replies

puddinmama · 08/01/2010 10:12

I was just hoping to get some advice re e readers, I am hopefully getting one this week, probably a sony one, but I just wanted to ask on here since I noticed that maybe some people have them here, which one you thought was the best, or highly recommend. I don't want to over spend, but I don't want a rubbish one either.

hope you can help

thanks

puddinmama

OP posts:

paranoidmother · 08/01/2010 12:30

I've got a Kindle and absolutely love it.

Plenty of books, you can bookmark, tag, make notes, email pdf's to it very cheaply, and the exchange rate from dollars to pounds mean the books are cheaper than ever.

My DH is in IT and wouldn't recommend the Sony one to anyone but it depends on what type you like. For both some books aren't out yet due to publishers rights etc so beware you won't get all the most popular books at the moment. Saying that more ebooks were bought from Amazon on Christmas day than any normal type of books.

I know for the kindle you can get magazine subs and newspaper subs delivered to it as well as books.

bran · 08/01/2010 12:35

I've had the Sony one for over a year now. I like it a lot but the Kindle is much better for the range of books available. I can only buy from Waterstones for the Sony and the availablity of books is very limited.

If I were buying a reader now it would be the Kindle.

PacificDogwood · 08/01/2010 12:37

Oh, interesting. I was on here before Christmas about this. Did not buy ask Santa for one in the end because I though the Kindle DX would get global coverage soon - and it has! V pricey though...

Paranoid, I take it you find the screen size on your Kindle comfortable enough for reading? And reading lots?
Why do you think your husband would recommend the Sony Reader over the Kindle?

I will follow this thread with interest.

bran · 08/01/2010 12:40

The Kindle doesn't have global coverage. You can check what countries it does cover before you buy it on the Amazon website. You should be fine in most of Europe I think.

CMOTdibbler · 08/01/2010 12:40

I have a Kindle, and love it. No problem to read it for long periods, and as I bought it for travelling, the size is perfect to put in a handbag.

I looked seriously at the Sony, but the screen refresh rate was really annoying - this might be less of an issue for a slower reader, but I read v v fast

bran · 08/01/2010 12:44

CMOT, I'm a very fast reader and I just got used to the way the Sony turns the page. I don't even notice it now, I think I probably press the page button a line before the end of the page without even thinking about it. It's no more intrusive than turning the page on a real book.

What is bloody annoying though is when the kids get hold of it and wildly press all the buttons. It takes the reader up to 2 minutes to work it's way through all the commands.

PacificDogwood · 08/01/2010 12:50

Global Wireless is what I mean, I think...
Yes, coverage is fine for Europe, even for Scotland !!

paranoidmother · 08/01/2010 12:52

The kindle is a perfect size for holding and the screen can be changed depending on how you want to hold it. It has a keyboard at the bottom.

The screen has no glare and you can change font size and type and words per line. most books you can also ask the kindle to read to you. It's easy enough to download audio books and music to as well.

I bought 4 books on christmas day and had read them within the week. found at some points I wanted to try to turn the page manually as if it was a book as I forgot it wasn't a book. (Does that make sense).

It doesn't have a light but you can buy one if you wanted it or there are plenty of book lights on the market.
I will try to remember to ask DH why he prefers the kindle to sony but I know the amount of books available is one of them. He's also looked into it for students to use as he works in a college and the larger size is fab for students and revision documents etc.

It does fit into a handbag easily and I must admit I take it everywhere. Especially if I get 5 minutes before pick up at school!!

Amazon also say that if you contact the publishers of books you want they will work with them to get the e version of books on their site.

If you have a look at Amazon.com/kindle there is a list of books available for each country. Wireless is pretty good reception and you can get them done anywhere.

bran · 08/01/2010 12:54

I think in this instance "Global" means "some countries outside the USA" as I wouldn't be able to buy books when visiting the in-laws in Malaysia, which is not exactly the back of beyond.

paranoidmother · 08/01/2010 12:59

I suppose as with anything e-books like this have only been around a couple of years.

When you think that a lot of publishers and printers are going to think they will be out of jobs with e-books, it is going to take a while for all the books or most of them to become e versions and find a happy balance with normal books.

Although saying that I do like to have a proper book as well and will still want to use our local library. The more interest shown in e books the more it will be updated and improved on.

CMOTdibbler · 08/01/2010 13:03

You can buy books for the Kindle via the internet, and have them delivered to your PC, then transfer via USB.

TBH, I turn my wireless off when travelling so the battery lasts, so have not really mapped reception in reality yet

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