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hajime

macrumors G3
Original poster
Jul 23, 2007
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Hi, has anybody bought book in Kindle format and converted it to pdf? Does the resulting pdf looks good and have color? Any restriction in converting from Kindle format to pdf for personal viewing? I don't have Kindle device but I want to order a book from the Far East. Either I have to pay for the shipping cost to have it sent to the West or just get the Kindle version and convert it to pdf.
 
I’ve used Calibre for Mac to do various format conversions, worked pretty well. - not the best looking app, but it’s free and decently maintained. With a PDF you lose a few ebook features but it ports over pretty well.
 
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Calibre
the app will want to create a library on your hard drive. Just so you know if your only converting one book the output pdf will be in this library. If you remove the app Calibre also conisder deleting the library directory.

If you want to use the converter, the full fetured Calibre runs on macOS NOT ios.

consider reading your pdf on your iPhone. Use dropBox to move it from macOS -> ios. the iphone has a built in pdf reder. The ios 3rd party app; Marvin will read some none pdf book formats directly. No need to convert. Appears Marvin will NOT read pdf. now you know
 
There's a free Kindle app you can install and use to read on your Mac, your iPad or your iPhone.....have you considered those?
 
I used Calibre forever to convert azw to epub so I could read them on a Sony. Finally I went out and just bought a Kindle since I was buying all my ebooks from Amazon anyway. Go get Calibre. If you go to some e-reader forums there are plenty of ‘things’ you might be interested in with use of Calibre I likely am not allowed to post here. IYKWIM. S
 
Are Kindle version of books colorless?
Only if the publisher deliberately releases them that way.

There is Kindle reader software for many full-color platforms beyond the standalone Kindle-branded hardware: Macs, Windows PCs, iDevices, Android, etc., even Amazon's own Fire Tablet hardware.

I assume Amazon gives Kindle publishers the ability to provide different versions, including versions with low-resolution monochrome images and versions with high-resolution color images.

It doesn't make sense to sell an e-book on oh, let's say Impressionist Art that only provides greyscale images.
 
It depends on the book

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I wouldn't say this particular book is exemplary from an art director's perspective; nevertheless, there are color elements.

The book itself (Spy and the Traitor, by Ben Macintyre) is a compelling read, though it might not amuse fans of the Labour party.
 
I see in your post that you don't have a Kindle device. I did, for many years, but now I just read Kindle books on my phone or iPad. I even got a used iPad mini to have in my purse/backpack, because I didn't want to drag my iPP around.

I know your question has to do with converting - I just thought I'd mention this, since converting can be a hassle.
 
So before buying the Kindle version, I should check with the publisher if it is a color version or not?
 
The kindle app for the mac (or pc, or ios device is free). You can download a sample before buying. Or if you don't want to deal with the minor hassle of registering your app with amazon, and don't need privacy, I suppose you can name the book, and I'll check out a sample for you.

(There are books, particularly books with long introductions, that cut off before the main text. Really quite unwelcome in the case of academic books, but what can you do? Thomas Kuhn's Structure of Scientific Revolutions even includes the advice
"Great books are rare. This is one. Read it and you will see. Skip this introduction. Come back to it if you want to know how the book came into being half a century ago, what its impact was, and the disputes that raged around its theses. Come back if you want one experienced opinion of the status of the book today."

and cuts off three paragraphs into one of the introductions.)
 
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So before buying the Kindle version, I should check with the publisher if it is a color version or not?
You are free to contact the publisher.

In my experience converting Kindle books to iBook-compatible epub files using Calibre, if the hardcopy version has color illustrations, the Kindle e-book will also feature color illustrations on devices that are capable of displaying color.
 
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