Please help! Kindle or Nook?

[maggiew]

Yes, you can.

Maggie

 

[JaymeC]

I really want a Kindle for Christmas, but I can't quite figure out if I can download the books to my computer and then to the Kindle. We live in the middle of nowhere and don't have wifi and doubtfully have 3G access. Any help would be great!

Yes, you can download to your computer and then through the USB. Some people chose to back up their copies of ebooks on their computer, but you don't need to do this since Amazon backs them up for you and you can redownload whenever you want. You can get books from other sites besides Amazon and upload them as well (though not B&N, or the other big book sellers) or put personal documents on. My husband loves reading his training manuals on his kindle.

 

[Cindy B]

Thanks for all of the great info. My question is about the free library ebooks work. I understand that with the Nook you can download books from the library, but how exactly does that work. We live in a small town. Would I be able to do this from a small-town library. If not, would this feature matter to me? Thanks in advance.

My library participates in Overdrive which is a place where audio books and ebooks are set up in a libarary cooperative all around that state. My local library does have this cooperative set up with all the other towns in my state. I thinks its called something like the Southern NJ Electronic Library Cooperative. My library cooperative does allow for Kindle borrowing. (mobi format)

I need my card info/data and select available ebooks -there are some but not a lot. I pick what I like. I had to set up an Adobe Digital reader account and register the nook/pc as its device. Then I use the USB to transfer books.

Its a multistep process but it is free. We have only get ebooks for 7 or 14 days and then it goes "back".

Its not as seamless at selecting items from the Nook itself. I wish I didn't have to use the USB and it went directly to the nook, but it isn't awful.

 

[phred52]

Can someone explain what wifi and 3g mean exactly? I'm guessing its 'how' the books get onto the nook in the first place?

If it IS internet, could you check your e-mail while traveling instead of finding an email cafe??

 

[tink576]

Good Question...Can you check your email with the Nook?

 

[mapmakerj]

Nook has a very basic browser that you can use to check email or go to some websites, provided you are somewhere that you can receive wifi service (ie. internet cafe or such). With regards to the 3G Nooks, you can only use the 3G service(in limited major cities or areas around major hwys) to connect to Barnes and Noble to buy books , not check email or go online. You can go to AT&T to check their 3G coverage maps to see where 3G is available. FYI I checked and it is available in almost every area of WDW property, so if you have the 3G model, you can download new books on vacation without having to pay Disney's daily internet fee.

 

[tinkerbell615]

Thanks to the OP for posting this thread. I know absolutely nothing about either the Nook or Kindle, but I was wanting to purchase one of the Nooks on BF at BB for my DS's girlfriend who is an avid reader.

Do you guys think it is okay for me to purchase one of these for her without her having the opportunity to decide which one she likes best? I just thought it would be a nice gift. Can you purchase a gift card for the download of books for this also?

 

[phred52]

Nook has a very basic browser that you can use to check email or go to some websites, provided you are somewhere that you can receive wifi service (ie. internet cafe or such). With regards to the 3G Nooks, you can only use the 3G service(in limited major cities or areas around major hwys) to connect to Barnes and Noble to buy books , not check email or go online. You can go to AT&T to check their 3G coverage maps to see where 3G is available. FYI I checked and it is available in almost every area of WDW property, so if you have the 3G model, you can download new books on vacation without having to pay Disney's daily internet fee.

Thanks for clearing that up. I'm thinking no need for me to spend more for
3G since I plan to use the library or free sites for most of the books. If 3G won't let me check email when traveling .... doesn't seem like I need to pay more for the advantage of the 3G feature.

 

[Lisa_M]

Thanks to the OP for posting this thread. I know absolutely nothing about either the Nook or Kindle, but I was wanting to purchase one of the Nooks on BF at BB for my DS's girlfriend who is an avid reader.

Do you guys think it is okay for me to purchase one of these for her without her having the opportunity to decide which one she likes best? I just thought it would be a nice gift. Can you purchase a gift card for the download of books for this also?

Both ereaders would be a great gift! Yes you can purchase a gift card to download books. I would suggest if you aren't sure which one she would like to ask your son if she has mentioned this item at all. Don't break the seal on the item before you give it so she can exchange it for a kindle if that is what she really wants.

I'm not sure where you live, but if you live in PA, your DS's girlfriend can get a Philly library card for free to download ebooks. If you don't, you could buy her a year membership for $15.

 

[tinkerbell615]

Both ereaders would be a great gift! Yes you can purchase a gift card to download books. I would suggest if you aren't sure which one she would like to ask your son if she has mentioned this item at all. Don't break the seal on the item before you give it so she can exchange it for a kindle if that is what she really wants.

I'm not sure where you live, but if you live in PA, your DS's girlfriend can get a Philly library card for free to download ebooks. If you don't, you could buy her a year membership for $15.

Thank You. We don't live in PA. We are OH, but the membership seems like a great idea. She reads a lot, so I thought she would really enjoy this.

 

[scrappinmom]

Just wanted to say Thanks to the OP for posting this! & to everyone for answering!!!! My dd (16) wants the new color nook for Christmas...doubtful there willbe any thing off that $249 pricetag, but that's ok it will be her only gift.

 

[maggiew]

I ended up buying my 2 teen girls the $99 WiFi Nooks from Overstock.com. I also got them skins from Decal girl to decorate them. Plus screen protectors. I got my younger DD a flip case from M-edge (on sale for $20). I still haven't found a case I like for my older DD.

Maggie

 

[mrudman]

I ended up buying my 2 teen girls the $99 WiFi Nooks from Overstock.com. I also got them skins from Decal girl to decorate them. Plus screen protectors. I got my younger DD a flip case from M-edge (on sale for $20). I still haven't found a case I like for my older DD.

Maggie

Are the pre-owned ones from Overstock good enough to give as a gift? Do they come with original box and documentation? Thinking of getting a Nook for my mom and getting it at this price sure would help the budget, Might even be able to squeak in a cover for it then.

 

[maggiew]

This is what they say about it on the website:

How are products refurbished or reconditioned?

•Every product targeted for refurbishing or reconditioning must pass a thorough examination.
•After repairing any defect and sanitizing when necessary, the product is repackaged either by the original manufacturer or a reputable professional outside firm may perform the refurbishing, or reconditioning, returning the products to like-new or almost new condition.



I figure my kids won't care either way. If its not in a nice enough box, I will just give it to them in the case wrapped up.

We are leaving Christmas morning after opening gifts to drive to Florida to see the inlaws. I plan on having the Nook loaded up with books and ready for our trip. So it wouldn't seem extraordinary if the box was opened.

You could do that for your mom too. Download some of the free books and then if the box wasn't satisfactory, your mom wouldn't know because she thought it was from you downloading the books???

Maggie

 

[mrudman]

Yea, I was probably planning on opening it either way and putting a couple of books on there that I think she would like. Just to get her started and so that she could see how it worked right away.

Just worried if it only comes in a cardboard box like some re-furbs do, it really wouldn't be "gift-ok". If it does at least come with original box though, I think I might jump on it.

 

[maggiew]

I will let you know. I should be getting mine within a couple days.

Maggie

 

[mrudman]

I will let you know. I should be getting mine within a couple days.

Maggie

Great! Thanks so much,

 

[Aliceacc]

OK, I've decided on the Kindle for my husband. I figure he'll use it mostly in the yard, but occasionally when on vacation or when not at home.

So which one do I need:
Kindle 3G (Free 3G + Wi-Fi, 6", White or Graphite): $189

or

Kindle (Wi-Fi, 6", Graphite): $139 ?

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong. But I'm under the impression that you only need internet acess to actually download the book; once it's downloaded you can read it even without internet access-- is that right? So it looks to me as though the Kindle without 3G would probably be fine?

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

True. You only need access to download books. Once a book is downloaded onto the unit you do NOT need to be connected. In fact, turning off the wireless extends the battery life (three to four weeks of reading! Woo!)

With the Kindle, you can use the wireless 3G anywhere in the world to browse websites, including sending and receiving mail. You are not limited as to which sites you access. Mobile sites work beautifully. Nice not to have to find a computer or bring one.

OK, I've decided on the Kindle for my husband. I figure he'll use it mostly in the yard, but occasionally when on vacation or when not at home.

So which one do I need:
Kindle 3G (Free 3G + Wi-Fi, 6", White or Graphite): $189

or

Kindle (Wi-Fi, 6", Graphite): $139 ?

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong. But I'm under the impression that you only need internet acess to actually download the book; once it's downloaded you can read it even without internet access-- is that right? So it looks to me as though the Kindle without 3G would probably be fine?

 

[Aliceacc]

True. You only need access to download books. Once a book is downloaded onto the unit you do NOT need to be connected. In fact, turning off the wireless extends the battery life (three to four weeks of reading! Woo!)

With the Kindle, you can use the wireless 3G anywhere in the world to browse websites, including sending and receiving mail. You are not limited as to which sites you access. Mobile sites work beautifully. Nice not to have to find a computer or bring one.

That makes a lot of sense.

But he's a semi-professional photographer (when he's not teaching.) He pretty much ALWAYS travels with a laptop so he can download the pictures. So he already has the internet access. Am I right in understanding that it's incidental to the use of the Kindle-- just an "extra" once the books are downloaded?