Tablet or e-ink reader? What do you use, what do you recommend?

[Tzipora]

Hi all,

I know I'm far from the first person to post this question but I don't know where else to ask for advice on this.

I've been wanting an eReader for awhile. I read eBooks on the iBooks app on my iPhone (so everything I currently have is ePub) and if I could I'd just get an iPad but financially it's not an option.

I've decided to use credit card rewards on an eReader. I have $268 in rewards so all the Amazon and Barnes and Noble options are definitely on the table. I've been leaning a lot towards the Nook Tablet. I like the look of it, the expandable storage, and I have a number of Barnes and Noble gift cards.

But I'm torn on whether or not I want a Tablet eReader at all or not. Both of my computers (both Macs, each at least 5 years old) and phone are all sort of dying in various ways so the added ability to do some degree of web browsing and e-mail checking on a tablet is a nice bonus. I also have a number of chronic illnesses and spend a lot of time in hospitals so toting a tablet along is certainly easier than dragging my laptop and a book around. But I obviously am a big Mac fan and have no experience with Android anyway.

And admittedly the biggest thing I want it for is for reading, though I like I said, the added features of a tablet might be nice. Then again if I just bought a regular eReader then i'd have a lot of money left over to buy eBooks...

I'm extremely conflicted here. There are way too many good options. As far as tablets, I think I prefer the Nook Tablet but if I was going with a regular eReader I'd probably get a Kindle. And everyone I know has a Kindle. So my head has been spinning on options here. I know there are other options beyond Amazon and Barnes and Noble but I'm overwhelmed as it is so I'm trying to keep my decision between those two.

So thoughts? Advice? And are the tablets worth it? If that's the future of eReaders and I obviously have the money I kind of think maybe I might as well spring for the tablet but I just don't know for sure.

[stormhawk]

If all you want to do is read, get an eInk reader. I prefer the Kindle, but I understand you're wanting to preserve your content.

if you want to do the same stuff you do on your phone as on your reader, then go Tablet ... but unless you get an iPad, anything you get is the wrong format.

now, if you would get a Kindle Fire, you could install a reading app that would use epubs, as well as having access to the amazon offerings in kindle format. Best of both worlds, there.