E-Reader Smackdown!

[Ruth (tilltab) Ashworth]

Most people here seem to be talking about either the nook or the kindle. Well, only one of those two available in the uk, so for availability, the kindle wins.

[Stan]

Last post before M.R. revived the thread was in 2010 - so I expect the info on e-reader costs is a little dated. :)

[Chris]

I like the Kindle books because you can read them on your KIndle, Ipod/pad/phone, smart phone and lap top all at the same time.

[Jeff]

I have owned quite a number of eReaders and tablets starting way back to the Rocket ebook reader.

At the end of the day I settled on a tablet. I get access to all the book stores and I didn't need to read outside. Tablets also read PDFs alot better.

My personal tablet choice to read on is the Samsung Galaxy tab 8.9". I've also owned 2 iPads, a Kindle Fire, a Nook Color, an orignal Galaxy tab and a couple no-named Android tablets from china. All gave me the broad selection from multiple stores.

My store of preference turns out to be Amazon, followed by B&N. I like Amazons selection and their reader functions right for me. I also like Amazons support of self published indie authors. B&N comes in second for me, but a close second, I like the support they give their customers and they do a thing called free fridays where they offer a free selection each week.

[Bernardo]

I recently took a hard look at the iPad, Nook, Kindle Touch, and Kindle Fire. I was looking for a good ereader because I have a commute where I can read. And, most of the books I like to read are huge, so something more portable was needed.

The iPad while pretty was just too much money. The Fire was pretty, too. But, I found the touch mechanism not that great. It sometimes was unresponsive. Also, I've read in several places that it is hard to read in sunlight. I spend lots of time waiting in the sun for my ride, so that was a minus. I've never seen the Nook in person. I settled on the Kindle touch primarly because of Amazon's selection. Many of the sci-fi and fantasy books I would like to read are available on the Kindle. In the real world, I'm an engineer. I also like the fact that many of the technical books I need are also available in a Kindle edition. In comparison to the B&N selection of books, the Amazon selection wins hands down.

hth!

[terpkristin]

Well this is funny. I'm actually in the market for a new Kindle after killing mine over Mother's Day. My 2nd gen Kindle is no more. I have an iPad and a Fire, but I'm finding I don't enjoy reading for extended durations on either. So now I'm looking at the new Kindle with buttons or maybe the Keyboard version again.

Any thoughts on any of the new non-Fire Kindles? Is the Touch worth the extra money or should I just go with the regular one-button version since all I do is read?

[Thurman]

I've had many Kindles and a Nook. (The many Kindles were because i kept losing them) I love the Kindle. It has a simple interface and it just works. I never liked the Nook's touch screen and for me it was hard finding things. The reason I didn't just buy a Kindle then was because they were out of stock. When they came back in stock I got rid of the Nook and got another Kindle.

I currently have 3 Kindles. They are all useful in their own way:

1. Kindle with keyboard: Most versatile Kindle. Has text to speech and works great. Also has speakers and a headphone jack. Good audio. I primary use it for text to speech.

2. Kindle 3: NO audio. But its small and can fit in a (med sized) pocket. I use it when I commute.

3. Kindle Fire: Great device. It is not a tablet though. I use it primarily for books in color. Its a little heavy for long term use. Remember that it is an ebook reader not a tablet and you should have a great experience. Has audio but NO text to speech! I don't know why.

If you just want to read get the Kindle 3. For text to speech the Kindle w/keyboard.

@terpkristin: What happened to your Kindle? Amazon has a great policy when it comes to damaged Kindles. If you have the physical Kindle they usually will replace it no questions asked. I've sat on, dropped, etc many times (10 +) my Kindles. (Not sure about water damage though) Amazon was kind enough to give me replacements within a few days. I suggest you call support and tell them the truth about what happened. Keep us updated.

[terpkristin]

Thurman wrote: "@terpkristin: What happened to your Kindle? Amazon has a great policy when it comes to damaged Kindles. If you have the physical Kindle they usually will replace it no questions asked. I've sat on, dropped, etc many times (10 +) my Kindles. (Not sure about water damage though) Amazon was kind enough to give me replacements within a few days. I suggest you call support and tell them the truth about what happened. Keep us updated. "

I'm not exactly sure, to be honest. I took it out on the boat on Mother's Day so I could read a bit while we sailed. I read for a bit and then put it into my bag. I figure I either managed to somehow compress it or otherwise the heat might have damaged it (no water exposure where it was). The screen has a permanent darkening, it keeps images as ghosts on the screen, and about 3/4" on top is all fubar.

This is it when it's awake:


This is it when it's asleep:


I figure this was me doing something silly, so it wasn't even worth trying to call them. Maybe I should? What number do I call?

[Thurman]

terpkristin wrote: "Thurman wrote: "@terpkristin: What happened to your Kindle? Amazon has a great policy when it comes to damaged Kindles. If you have the physical Kindle they usually will replace it no questions ask..."

@terpkristin: Sorry I didn't get the notification of your post :(

I've had this happen before 2. Not sure what causes it. But when it happened amazon replaced it. You have a very old Kindle though. It might be time to upgrade if you can afford it. And if you are only going to use it to read I suggest the newest Kindle 4. The non touch version.

Inside the United States: Direct toll-free number: 1-866-321-8851 http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/custome...

I've been looking at a few reviews:
http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/14/ki...
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/03/am...

[Ruth (tilltab) Ashworth]

My kindle died a few months ago and I decided to replace it with a Kindle Touch. For me, the upgrade made me feel less sore about the old one dying, and the touch works really nicely. Looking up words via the dictionary and wiki works so much better than on the old one, and was useful when reading Hyperion, which had a lot of words and referenced various things/people I was unfamiliar with. I'm normally a bit fan of buttons, but the kindle touch has won me over, so that's my recommendation, though it's more of a personal choice as to whether or not it's worth the money.

[Thurman]

Ruth wrote: "My kindle died a few months ago and I decided to replace it with a Kindle Touch. For me, the upgrade made me feel less sore about the old one dying, and the touch works really nicely. Looking up wo..."

The Kindle 4 is almost the same size as the Kindle touch. I haven't touched it yet but I don't think I like the user interface of the touch. I'll stay with the Kindle 4 :)

[Paul R]

yah- I took a look at kindles the other day - then looked at the price and saw that i was getting :"special offers" unless i ponied up more money

and what's the books? why are e-book the same price or a dollar cheaper than paper backs

don't tell me they have to keep a paperback copy of the book on hand when they sell you one?

or do they just like to keep the price up high

[Thurman]

Thurman wrote: "Ruth wrote: "My kindle died a few months ago and I decided to replace it with a Kindle Touch. For me, the upgrade made me feel less sore about the old one dying, and the touch works really nicely. ..."

I have the Kindle 4 special offers. After a while you don't notice the ads. You only see them on the home screen and when its "sleeping".

Start another thread about ebook prices :( I could rant for hours about that topic. If you want to get some free books try kindlenationdaily.com There are a few free ebooks every day. Also you can find free ebooks by doing a google search. No matter what the cost of ebooks in the long run it will be cheaper than a dead tree book.

[Ruth (tilltab) Ashworth]

Thurman wrote: "The Kindle 4 is almost the same size as the Kindle touch. I haven't touched it yet but I don't think I like the user interface of the touch. I'll stay with the Kindle 4 :)

If by kindle 4, you mean this (see below) then I can see why from a cost point of view, but for me, the lack of 3G was a problem, since I'm currently living in Japan, a country which has a strange dislike for wifi. And as I said, I wasn't a fan of touch screens in general, but this works really nicely. I guess it's all down to personal preference and situation etc. Either way, I do love the kindle. :D

http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-eReader-...

[Thurman]

Ruth wrote: "I do love the kindle. :D"

Lol I can agree with that! You get 3G on the Kindle in Japan? Cool

[Zach]

I prefer kindles because of amazon but the nook with the "glowlight" seems pretty awesome.

[Ruth (tilltab) Ashworth]

Zach wrote: "I prefer kindles because of amazon but the nook with the "glowlight" seems pretty awesome."

Yeah, the idea of an ebook reader with an optional back light is definitely a good one. I bought a case with light for my kindle though, which powers via the kindle, and I'm really impressed by it.

[Thurman]

I want a goodreads like button :)

[Thurman]

Ruth wrote: "Zach wrote: "I prefer kindles because of amazon but the nook with the "glowlight" seems pretty awesome."

Yeah, the idea of an ebook reader with an optional back light is definitely a good one. I b..."

I got this case: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004...

[Ruth (tilltab) Ashworth]

Yes, that's the same one I bought, Thurman. :D I agree with you about the like button, too.

[Thurman]

More free daily ebooks :
http://www.pixelofink.com/

[Dan]

I use a Kindle Fire, because it was a Christmas present, but I don't use Amazon's built-in ebook reader. I installed an Android app called Aldiko. It reads epubs (and pdfs), which is more of an industry standard than the format Amazon uses. I like Aldiko, as an ebook app, way better than the Kindle app. It just feels more natural to me.

[Micah]

Zach wrote: "I prefer kindles because of amazon but the nook with the "glowlight" seems pretty awesome."

I have the nook simple touch without the glow light and love it. When I look at the glow light I think it would be awesome for possible camping or whatnot. But I also think major battery drain.

Does anybody have one of these yet? Does the glowlight drain the battery?

[Ruth (tilltab) Ashworth]

I don't have the nook with glow light, but I'm guessing the case with light I have that powers via my kindle works in a similar way. I thought it would be nice for those times when waiting for a bus after dark, but was worried the battery drain would be far too great to use regularly. Yet I've noticed barely any difference in the battery drain, and use the light far more regularly than I ever imagined, generally turning off the lights before bed and then reading for about 30 minutes to an hour via the light on my kindle. Assuming the nook's light is similar, I'd say there is no need to worry about the battery drain.