Kindle vs Nook

[abmitch01]

I wouldn't mind if the Nook had no browser capability and was even smaller instead. I like devices that do one thing but do it really well, in as small a package as possible

 

[RitaE]

Okay - my thoughts on the Kindle 3

The Pearl screen alone is worth the price. I can't believe how sharp and clear those fonts are compared to my Kindle 2.

I was a little concerned about the thinner next page buttons but after holding it in my hands I don't even notice a difference. The click sound from the page turn button is gone and the page turn rates are much faster. I hardly even notice that black flash on the Kindle 3. I compared it to both my Kindle 2 and my neighbor's nook and it turns noticeably faster than both of them.

The battery life is amazing even when I'm using the new cover with the integrated light that powers off the Kindle battery. More on the light later.

I like the new button that replaces the 5 way controller.

The WiFi hooked up easily to my home router and it defaults to using that. No problems getting that set-up.

Not having a row of numbers on the keyboard takes a little getting used to. It isn't a huge deal because I don't jump around locations in books much. If I did, I'd probably find it more annoying - or I'd probably memorize which letter corresponds to a number pretty quick. Right now I find it easier to hit the symbol button and select the numbers that way.

Okay the lighted cover. I wasn't sure about that thing and I ordered it thinking I'd give it a try but I'd probably return it. It took just one night reading in bed to convince me. It's convenient and it lights the screen loads better than any other booklight I've tried.

Since most of my books are stored in Calibre, I was pretty used to hooking the Kindle up via USB and sideloading. I've found that as long as my Kindle is connecting vi WiFi I can just email them to my @Kindle.com address and they show up on my Kindle for free --- not with that 15cent Whispernet charge they have for a 3G connection. That's really convenient.

The only thing I really don't like is that it has the same old dead author pictures as screen savers. No offense to Alexandre Dumas and Agatha Christie, I just wish we could get something prettier.

 

[MrsJackSparrow4Life]

Wow, I have a kindle and did not know that. Is there an easy list of sites that you can download other books from. I am headed to smashwords now. Trying to decide if I should buy the k3 for DS or give him my K2 and get the new one for me!

smashwords.com

feedbooks.com (this is the website I use to get public domain books since their formatting is better than Amazon's)

manybooks.com

I'm sure there are more but these are the ones I use the most.

 

[RitaE]

Other places to buy Kindle material

www.baen.com (science fiction)

http://www.mybookstoreandmore.com

http://www.jasminejade.com/default.aspx?skinid=11 (pretty much erotica/romantica and other assorted smut. Hey you're on the Kindle. Nobody will know)

http://www.mobileread.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=132 (volunteers take public domain books and clean up the formatting)

http://www.awriterswork.com/
(I don't think they offer Mobi books but all their books are DRM free and easily convertible. This is a co-op site for authors with backlist titles that have gone out of print and the rights have reverted back to the author. Most of their books are dirt cheap and the author gets almost all of the purchase price.)

 

[MrsJackSparrow4Life]

Other places to buy Kindle material

www.baen.com (science fiction)

http://www.mybookstoreandmore.com

http://www.jasminejade.com/default.aspx?skinid=11 (pretty much erotica/romantica and other assorted smut. Hey you're on the Kindle. Nobody will know)

http://www.mobileread.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=132 (volunteers take public domain books and clean up the formatting)

http://www.awriterswork.com/
(I don't think they offer Mobi books but all their books are DRM free and easily convertible. This is a co-op site for authors with backlist titles that have gone out of print and the rights have reverted back to the author. Most of their books are dirt cheap and the author gets almost all of the purchase price.)

See, I knew there would be more

This is why I always laugh when someone starts spouting off that you can only buy books from Amazon.

 

[grumpy14]

I just got my new Kindle in the mail today. I had ordered it on Aug 5th. This is my first Kindle, so now I have all weekend to figure out how to use it!!

 

[bumbershoot]

Okay the lighted cover. I wasn't sure about that thing and I ordered it thinking I'd give it a try but I'd probably return it. It took just one night reading in bed to convince me. It's convenient and it lights the screen loads better than any other booklight I've tried.

It's pretty awesome, isn't it? I just wish the cover was made of something other than leather.

 

[Dashzap]

We love our iPad as a reader

 

[DMRick]

Okay the lighted cover. I wasn't sure about that thing and I ordered it thinking I'd give it a try but I'd probably return it. It took just one night reading in bed to convince me. It's convenient and it lights the screen loads better than any other booklight I've tried.

Which light did you get? I wonder if they will let me add to my order so I don't have to pay shipping. I bought three for Christmas gifts and they ship the 27th.

 

[Suz725]

I have a package of 4 booklights that I bought at Costco for $12 and a cover that I bought from Ebay that it clips onto for my nook

 

[bumbershoot]

Which light did you get? I wonder if they will let me add to my order so I don't have to pay shipping. I bought three for Christmas gifts and they ship the 27th.

Rita most likely got one of these, though perhaps not in that color. The covers with the light are heavier (b/c they have the electronics for the light in the back part of the cover) but VERY useful.

 

[scbelleatheart]

I'm sold on the Kindle but screen size? and 3G? 6 inches seems small but the price difference is huge. $139, $189 or $349? Help, buying this week but I would love opinions.

 

[MrsJackSparrow4Life]

IMO, the 6" Kindle is the perfect size for carrying the Kindle around everywhere you go (which I do). The screen size reminds me of reading a paperback novel, which is pretty much all I read before getting the kindle, so it doesn't bother me.

Now if you're wanting to read magazines or anything with charts and graphs, then the Dx might be a better choice for you.

As to 3G or no 3G, it just depends on whether or not you are around free wifi hotspots a lot or have wifi set up at home. If so, the 3G may not be as important and you can save yourself $50.

 

[budbeerlady]

I'm sold on the Kindle but screen size? and 3G? 6 inches seems small but the price difference is huge. $139, $189 or $349? Help, buying this week but I would love opinions.

For me I cut a piece of paper to match the size of both devices and went with the smaller 6 inch. I didnt think I would carry the larger one with me as often and once I held my new Kindle my suspicions were confirmed. I take mine with me everywhere, it was just at a horse show this weekend. The screen size is like a paperback book and I dont think its too small, mostly I was reading paperbacks anyway.

I love the 3g, BUT I live in a rural area. Wifi is NOT everywhere, the closest wifi I can come up with at home would be McDonalds 20 minutes away. I have no problems with a 3g signal at home. If you have wifi at home, school or places you dine it wouldnt make much sense to pay more for the 3g.

 

[scbelleatheart]

Thank you both for the quick replies. I guess when you look at it, the size is about equal to a paperback. The only one I have seen was the big 8x11 a friend had so I was going on that. I read a lot so to download books would be great instead of spending $80 at Borders every trip. And to not carry around several books!

 

[Praise2Him]

For me I cut a piece of paper to match the size of both devices and went with the smaller 6 inch.

I did the exact same thing! I'm a visual person so it really helped me to make up my mind (and I also went with the smaller one).

 

[Desnik]

Not sure if this has been mentioned here already and sorry if it has! just wanted to let everyone know that Target and Best Buy will now be selling the Kindle and will have the new ones in this week! I am buying one for my sister and this was great news for me! I don't want to wait to have it shipped!

 

[MsDisney23]

I found this thread very helpful. I ordered my K3 yesterday in white, I also ordered the case with light in steel blue! It should ship on Monday 9/20. It looks like dd may be ordering one as well.

 

[Mckymousefn]

Subbing so i can finish reading the reviews later. I am so confused on which one to get!