digital readers

[3boymthr]

what types of files do the nook and kindle read? i have thought about getting one for reading but would also like to be able to put my notes on it so i can use it to study?i can convert to pdf but does either of them read onenote files from MS Office?

I'm not sure if they do.

But...

Here is a handy dandy matrix that shows and compares all the features of the different e-readers.

http://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/E-book_Reader_Matrix

There are a lot more e-readers on there than I ever considered.

Both the Nook and Kindle will handle PDF files; the Nook handles these files natively but for the Kindle you have to e-mail your pdf files to Amazon to have them converted. Conversion on the Nook is not always perfect, but usually it's pretty good. The Sony also can convert PDF files natively.

The whole file conversion thing is one of the main reasons I went with the Nook. Well, that and the fact that I can add memory to it (means I can keep more books on it and considering how much I read that huge for me) and can store multiple copies of the book on my own multiple redundant backup storage systems.

 

[debbi801]

With the Kindle, you are limited to buying books off of Amazon or PDF. With the Nook, you have a larger variety of file types that it can handle and that gives you the ability to buy from pretty much anywhere (except Amazon) and also borrow ebooks from your public library, if they are available there. Plus, B&N's "More in Store" features are nice.

Neither the Nook or Kindle are going to have the greatest web access. It's pretty clunky. It's a nice perk, but when it comes down to it this is an e-reader not a web browser.

I can't read comfortably on a computer for very long, which is why I went with the Nook over the iPad. But like others have said, an e-reader is exactly like reading a book, you're not going to be able to read in the dark without a book light or lamp of some sort.

If there isn't a B&N near you, you can also check out the Nook at Best Buy. I would definitely go play with all of them in person before buying one, just so that you know you'll be happy with it. Best Buy and B&N have the Nook, Borders has KOBOs version, and Target has the Sony readers and the Kindle. Which ever you decide on, definitely get the extended warranty and a cover. I also have an Oberon Design cover and highly recommend them for beauty and protection.

 

[magik]

I just wanted to add on to what others have said so far. I have a Nook, and I love it. No, it won't be that easy to use for functions other than reading books, but it does have both wifi and 3G, and one of the recent software updates added a web browser, so if you have e-mail that can be gotten through a web browser, you may be able to do it. I tried to check AOL mail on it, and it was just too hard to use, so I gave up. I would imagine that the Kindle will be a similar experience in terms of the browser.

Why I chose the Nook over the Kindle:

• More choice of file formats, including EPUB, which is becoming the industry standard
• Can borrow e-books from my local library. At least at the time, only Sony and Nook were supported...not sure if Kindle support has been added or not
• Can buy books from way more e-book stores than you can for the Kindle - not tied down to B&N the way Kindles are kind of tied to Amazon at this point. Buying from anywhere but B&N requires downloading to your computer and sideloading to the Nook with the USB cord it comes with, but this doesn't bother me.
• I like using the finger swipe on the touch screen to turn pages rather than pressing a button
• Ability to add a memory card expansion (not that I need it yet) and change my own battery when the time comes

The biggest downside I've heard about for the Nook is that its battery life between charges is shorter than the Kindle's. If you are an avid reader, reading more than an hour a day, you will definitely not get the advertised number of days between charges. This doesn't really bother me too much since I just remember to plug it in every few days.

As others have said, there is no backlighting on either the Nook or Kindle. If you want to read in the dark, you need an external book light, just as you'd need for a paper book. Reading outside in the day time works pretty well though - much better than reading on something with a shiny screen like the iPad. So - reading in the dark, iPad is probably easier because it is backlit (but that's also what makes it less than ideal for many people who do a lot of reading...the backlight is what causes some eyestrain and/or headaches). Reading outside during the day, Nook or Kindle definitely a better choice.

From what I've heard from people who are casual readers, they like the iPad for reading just fine. From people I know who are hardcore, avid readers, they like the iPad as a gadget for surfing the web, etc., but do not like it for reading books and prefer e-readers that are designed specifically for reading books (Sony/Kobo/Nook/Kindle).

 

[JB2K]

Oops!

 

[jessandtwo]

They just reduced the price of the Nook. You can get WiFi only for $149 or WiFi + 3G for $199.

 

[tinkabella627]

Also, I wanted to add about the nook that some of the books are lendable. If you look at B&N site if the book is lendable it will say Lend Me next to it or under it (i forget which). It may not seem like a big deal if you don't know anyone with a nook or your reading tastes, which i don't, but if you go on the nookboards there is a thread devoted to lending books to each other. It is really nice

 

[RitaE]

Kindle got a price cut today too

$189 for the Kindle 2.

 

[dex08]

Kindle got a price cut today too

$189 for the Kindle 2.

I figured they'd be dropping the price soon because the new version is being released in the next couple of months.

 

[zumbergc]

I was wondering if you can sort, organize or catagorize your books with either the kindle or the nook?

I did want to mention. If your worried about not having access to books because they aren't in the correct format. You can download calibre its a free pc prog ( i think there is a mac version). With the program you can convert the book into the correct format. kindle/nook

Currently I have the iphone with the kindle and stanza apps. the stanza app like epubs. I like the stanza iphone app better because it lets me lighten or brighten the display, the iphone kindle app doesn't. So the the iphone kindle app causes more eye strain if i'm reading for long periods of time.

 

[DVCLiz]

I was wondering if you can sort, organize or catagorize your books with either the kindle or the nook?

I did want to mention. If your worried about not having access to books because they aren't in the correct format. You can download calibre its a free pc prog ( i think there is a mac version). With the program you can convert the book into the correct format. kindle/nook

Currently I have the iphone with the kindle and stanza apps. the stanza app like epubs. I like the stanza iphone app better because it lets me lighten or brighten the display, the iphone kindle app doesn't. So the the iphone kindle app causes more eye strain if i'm reading for long periods of time.

With the most recent update, Kindle has a new option called Collections. You can make a New Collection, name it, and then put any books in your collection into it.

I have Collections named Samples, Current Fiction, Hobbies, Daughter1 Books, Daughter2 Books, etc. If I have read it and it's my book, it goes into archives. Otherwise it's in a Collection according to the catgories I made up, or it's in a daughter's Collection so I don't have to look at all those vampire titles every time I read! lol