Yeah, I agree, having to move back pages is a bit slow, but turning forward is quick enough that it becomes transparent after a while. And the slow page turning on the Nook really looks like a buzz-kill to me, which is a shame.
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Getting an eBook Reader... Thinking about the Kindle
- Thread starter Doju
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Yeah, I agree, having to move back pages is a bit slow, but turning forward is quick enough that it becomes transparent after a while. And the slow page turning on the Nook really looks like a buzz-kill to me, which is a shame.
Yeah, the Nook seemed like it would actually be pretty cool, and then I saw David Pogue's review of it. Now granted, Pogue's review included a midget and fake lightning... but still, I was surprised by the extent to which he was not impressed.
I went and played with it for an extended period of time yesterday. I was not impressed with the software although I think the hardware was great. It felt sturdy and it has a lot of potential.
The software is horrendous. Some page turns are 2-3 times slower than the Kindle, and others are 10x as slow (taking 4 seconds to turn a page). This happens randomly. Something as simple as changing the font size takes way too many button presses. Instead of having quick formatting selections you have to click on "font size" then it brings you to your choices. Just not well thought out.
I also tried to download a sample. It said it was downloaded but it didn't show up in the library and it wouldn't work. The touch screen is so unresponsive sometimes that you double click and all of a sudden the processor catches up to you and registers two or three clicks at once and you're in some menu you don't want to be in.
Overall, I think the nook has great hardware but they seriously need to rethink the software. It's horrendous. I honestly think it will be improved and end up being a great device, but as of now, the Kindle 2 is far and away the winner between the two.
There's my mini-review.
Agreed... I got used to it within the couple of hours reading.
On the Nook software, they are working it. We already have version 1.1.1 (two releases already) and I suspect they will be coming weekly for a while until they get it all hammered out.
of course there is and there is a difference between a e-ink screen and a real book. but I don't want to have to carry around a clunky large device that only does one thing that is slow and I can't use it in the dark and I can't carry it with me unless I have something to put it in. it won't fit in my pocket. Plus I can't choose what software it runs and it costs more then my iphone. plus your limited on what format books you can get. I can read any and I can read old ones too.
Trust me, unless you have used one for an extended period of time you don't realize how mush you strain your eyes to read a book on a phone or even a computer. The screen is much easier on your eyes (the reason for not being backlit). It is your choice to use your phone (I'm reading a book on mine right now) but the OP really understands the differences and wants a proper reader.
We can argue this until the cows come home, but you're still going to be wrong. eBook readers mimic books. The Kindle mimics a book better than an iPhone. Simple as that.
I am looking for a replacement for my Sony PRS-500, as it is not compatible with the ePub format and I cannot send it back to update the firmware (I do not live in the US).
In terms of screen quality (i.e. contrast), which device is best?
In terms of screen quality (i.e. contrast), which device is best?
I've had an Astak EZReader Pro for about six weeks now, and I love it. It handles a lot of different formats. (I've heard from someone I know in publishing that it looks like ePub is what they expect to be the standard not too far down the road, for whatever that's worth.) I believe Astak is planning to come out with a wifi version soon, if that's important. And it supports a lot of languages, which was important for me.
Can't compare it to a Kindle, sorry - have never used one. But I'd definitely check out as many options as possible unless you know you're more or less only going to buy from Amazon.
And the forum linked to above is pretty good.
Your opinion on eBook Readers.
Hey all,
I'm pretty interested in getting an eReader; specifically a Kindle 2. I don't care for the Sony eReaders, or the Nook.
With Bing cashback I can get a used (non-international Kindle 2) one for about $200-210 out the door. Do you guys that have them or have owned them in the past found them pretty practical? I'm not a huge reader, but I'd really like to be and I think this could put me in that position. I'm not attached to hard-backs or anything, so the digital transition wouldn't be a problem. Let me know what you guys think of eBook Readers in general.
Thanks!
Hey all,
I'm pretty interested in getting an eReader; specifically a Kindle 2. I don't care for the Sony eReaders, or the Nook.
With Bing cashback I can get a used (non-international Kindle 2) one for about $200-210 out the door. Do you guys that have them or have owned them in the past found them pretty practical? I'm not a huge reader, but I'd really like to be and I think this could put me in that position. I'm not attached to hard-backs or anything, so the digital transition wouldn't be a problem. Let me know what you guys think of eBook Readers in general.
Thanks!
I like eReaders a lot, to be honest. I don't have one, but I know that it's something I'll eventually get.
My only requirement is that it needs to be quite big. I want to read scientific journal papers on it.
I like the Amazon style of including wireless and a service to go with it, so I'd rather stick to something that gave me the full package. In a way, it's similar to how Apple introduced iPhones only with a data plan. They're making the product they want to make for tomorrow, not what the customer is asking for today.
My only requirement is that it needs to be quite big. I want to read scientific journal papers on it.
I like the Amazon style of including wireless and a service to go with it, so I'd rather stick to something that gave me the full package. In a way, it's similar to how Apple introduced iPhones only with a data plan. They're making the product they want to make for tomorrow, not what the customer is asking for today.
I have a Sony, and love it. Got my mother a Kindle for Christmas.
However I am a big reader, on average a couple of books a week. For me it just works out a hell of a lot more convenient to have an ereader rather than carrying round a bunch of books. Likewise my Mother reads a lot, so it will likely work out well for her. In both cases our reasons for wanting an ereader were at least partially based on running out of physical space for actual books. Having multiple books on me is nice - and for vacations, business trips et cetera it saves a whole load of hassle and weight. If neither of these apply I'd question whether you'd get much from one, to be honest.
However I am a big reader, on average a couple of books a week. For me it just works out a hell of a lot more convenient to have an ereader rather than carrying round a bunch of books. Likewise my Mother reads a lot, so it will likely work out well for her. In both cases our reasons for wanting an ereader were at least partially based on running out of physical space for actual books. Having multiple books on me is nice - and for vacations, business trips et cetera it saves a whole load of hassle and weight. If neither of these apply I'd question whether you'd get much from one, to be honest.
Just to note - ePub is easy to convert to other formats with minimal effort. I gave my PRS-500 to my partner, and I loan her books converted from ePub to lrf reasonably often (obviously only old classics of course...
).But I did upgrade from a 500 to a 600 to get ePub support, that was at least partially due to just wanting a new reader though.
I like them. I don't like the prices of E-Books. They sometimes more expensive than the physical book, and that's not an acceptable state of affairs as far as I'm concerned. 1/3rd, maybe 1/2 the price of a physical book, I'd be more onboard - but when E-Books are sometimes MORE than physical books - forget it.
^ My point of view. I'm waiting for the iPod/iTunes revolution of the eBook world where going digital is often cheaper and more convenient. (I'm also waiting for the readers to get really good. Just now too big, too slow, too incompatible and too expensive for me)
If I'm going to pay the cost of a book anyway I'd far rather that physical books came with a digital download bundled (like big blockbuster films do now). I'd pay a few quid more to have a physical and a digital copy.
I think sometimes is the key word here. I've NEVER paid more than the cover price of a dead tree book for an ebook...
For my 2¢, I have had a Sony PRS-550 and now have a Kindle 2. I love them. I find it much easier to handle than dead tree books, especially for travelling. I've read some ebook on phones and computers before, but that seriously strained my eyes; not so with an ereader. A feature of the Kindle that I also use are periodicals. I read the L.A. Times on mine, and it is a surprisingly good way to read a newspaper (and no black fingers!!!).
This is strictly in the US, but my experience is that bestseller fiction hardcovers are frequently heavily discounted around release, to drum up sales. In particular, Amazon and Walmart have been fighting over this market (e.g. the last Harry Potter novel). In that peculiar case, a hardcover book may drop down to $8.99 or less, in spite of it being listed at a much higher MSRP. Kindle books currently on the best-seller list do frequently have a comparable markdown (I don't read that many best-sellers, but one way or another, I've had a good few of the Kindle books I've bought be discounted by about $1.00-1.50).
A used hardcover might be cheaper. And certainly going to the library would be (if I read 100 books a year instead of 20, which my girlfriend probably does, I don't think I would buy them all for Kindle). But all in all, versus buying books, the purchase costs of the books isn't that bad. Now, if one amortizes the device over the books one reads on it... I don't think the Kindle is an economically sensible decision.
But, it's a delicious luxury, and if one reads enough, perhaps also a carbon offset.
