Sony eReader vs. Kindle

[NewWorld Traveler]

My wife has been hinting at an eReader for Christmas so I have been doing some research. The Kindle seems to get great reviews, and I have always been satisfied working with Amazon. However, I understand that Sony eReaders can use ePub formats that can download free non-copyrighted content from the web or checkout from "e"-equipped libraries. This seems to be a much cheaper option than purchasing ebooks from Amazon at $9.99 a piece. Any thoughts on which reader is the better and cheaper choice in the long run?

 

[Deb8821]

Got the Kindle last year and love love love it. Not all books are 9.99, many are cheaper and they often offer freebies. Love the Wispernet download, pick a book and 30 seconds later there it is. Great for travel, but I use it a ton at home.

 

[JamesMom]

Kindle user here. Wanted to make sure you understand that expired copyright material is also available free via Amazon or other websites. Plus, Amazon has some books for free to get you hooked on authors, series or genres. For me the Kindle has almost paid for itself with the 25 books I have read since May. Good luck with your decision.

 

[TinkfromTX]

So you can't download books from the library when they have e-books available if you have the Kindle???

TIA,
Alison

 

[tinkabella627]

ok I have been looking at a kindle also and have a couple questions while this topic is here...

I love to read...is it weird or difficult to read on that as opposed to reading a book? I have tons of books I still need to read but knowing that the kindle editions are around $10 less each, it would eventually pay itself off.

And what exactly does expired copyright material mean?

TIA

 

[dvcgirl]

ok I have been looking at a kindle also and have a couple questions while this topic is here...

I love to read...is it weird or difficult to read on that as opposed to reading a book? I have tons of books I still need to read but knowing that the kindle editions are around $10 less each, it would eventually pay itself off.

And what exactly does expired copyright material mean?

TIA

I recently purchased a Kindle and I just love it. I don't find it difficult to use/read from at all. It's easy on the eyes. You will need a book light though if you read in the dark in bed as I often do. On the flip side, you can easily read it outside in the full sunlight.

The coolest thing about the kindle is being able to order a book and have it in your hands in less than two minutes (really!). I finished a book the other night, and was able to get another in under two minute simply using my Kindle. All of my CC info is on Amazon so it's a couple of clicks away. Very cool.

Just finished the Lost Symbol by Dan Brown.....which was pretty awful, but that's not the Kindle's fault .

 

[tinkabella627]

I recently purchased a Kindle and I just love it. I don't find it difficult to use/read from at all. It's easy on the eyes. You will need a book light though if you read in the dark in bed as I often do. On the flip side, you can easily read it outside in the full sunlight.

The coolest thing about the kindle is being able to order a book and have it in your hands in less than two minutes (really!). I finished a book the other night, and was able to get another in under two minute simply using my Kindle. All of my CC info is on Amazon so it's a couple of clicks away. Very cool.

Just finished the Lost Symbol by Dan Brown.....which was pretty awful, but that's not the Kindle's fault .

i am really considering it. most of the books are 9.99 or less right? because that right there is around a 10-15 dollar savings since I usually end up getting the hardcover books as soon as they come out. I just have so many actual books to read right now that I dont want to get it until I am almost out of books otherwise it will just sit there not being used or those books will never be read.

 

[luvmy3]

I found this when trying to decide which to get. Of course it hasn't helped, i'm still undecided. I did have the sony in my cart today but just couldn't hit that submit order button yet.

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs...0551&langId=-1&cmsId=reader_kindle_comparison

 

[rie'smom]

I have the Sony reader and I love it! You can download books from e equipped public library for free. Most of the books are about 9.99 but there are some less expensive and a few that are more expensive. This is one of the best gifts that my husband has ever given me!!!

 

[mom2brina]

I got the Sony last year for Christmas & while I LOVE it, I do get frustrated when I want a book and it isn't available. Also, I have found that most of the time, the books from Sony are more expensive than the Kindle books. I have not used a Kindle, but I would probably recommend the Kindle over the Sony. If the Kindle is say, $100 more than the Sony (which I'm not sure it even is anymore), then your savings will disappear after about 20 downloads when you pay more for the Sony books. Also, the Kindle wireless/anywhere download function is nice. With the Sony, you have to download them to your computer, then transfer them to the eReader.

All of that said, I can't wait for the Apple tablet to come out next year!!

To the PP who was wondering if it is hard to read .... nope it isn't. It is really easy on the eyes, but it is frustrating that there is no backlight built into the one I have so I have to use a booklight with it in the dark.

 

[tinkabella627]

I got the Sony last year for Christmas & while I LOVE it, I do get frustrated when I want a book and it isn't available. Also, I have found that most of the time, the books from Sony are more expensive than the Kindle books. I have not used a Kindle, but I would probably recommend the Kindle over the Sony. If the Kindle is say, $100 more than the Sony (which I'm not sure it even is anymore), then your savings will disappear after about 20 downloads when you pay more for the Sony books. Also, the Kindle wireless/anywhere download function is nice. With the Sony, you have to download them to your computer, then transfer them to the eReader.

All of that said, I can't wait for the Apple tablet to come out next year!!

To the PP who was wondering if it is hard to read .... nope it isn't. It is really easy on the eyes, but it is frustrating that there is no backlight built into the one I have so I have to use a booklight with it in the dark.

THanks! I am glad people are saying it isn't hard to read. I agree that the books appear to be cheaper for kindle. Most of them are $9.99 while they vary on sony. I am trying to decide if I can give up the brand new books and all that... it's tough because i LOVE my books

 

[rie'smom]

The Sony PRS 700 which I have does have a backlight in 2 strengths. I didn't find the Sony books were anymore expensive than the Kindle books. As I posted previously, you can download all the best sellers FREE from the public library. My SIL does this all the time. It will cost me $30 for the year to get an e library card because I don't live in a parish with an e equipped library. She's read tons of books and has not paid for 1.

 

[luvmy3]

The Sony PRS 700 which I have does have a backlight in 2 strengths. I didn't find the Sony books were anymore expensive than the Kindle books. As I posted previously, you can download all the best sellers FREE from the public library. My SIL does this all the time. It will cost me $30 for the year to get an e library card because I don't live in a parish with an e equipped library. She's read tons of books and has not paid for 1.

So the best sellers that Amazon and Sony sell at $10 you get free from the library? That may just make the decision for me

 

[Ephany]

I'd double check that your libraries are e-equiped before making a decision. I know I've talked to people whose local libraries are rather sparse in this regard, although you may be able to use other library systems.

 

[mommyto2]

We were thinking about getting a Kindle for my MIL for xmas, but she's not very technologically savvy. Are they really easy to use? What about downloading books? Does she have to plug it into her computer to download books?

 

[tinkabella627]

How do I find out if my library has ebooks and how do I get them from them?

 

[brattosa]

I'm in the same boat with the wife wanting an ebook reader for Christmas. I've been comparing the Kindle with the new Sony Touch reader. We've played with the Sony device at a local Best Buy store and two separate Kindle devices that our friends own. Sharing some of the research and comparisons I've done as you can only spend your money once:

Kindle Pros
- Price just dropped from $299 to $249 for the US 6" screen version
- Books seem to average $9.99 each
- New releases can be pre-purchased and will push download to the device so it's ready for reading first thing in the morning
- Wide variety of titles available from Amazon

Kindle Cons
- The device is a little larger than the Sony device
- The toggle mouse can be a little clunky to use
- Web browsing is functional but you need to keep in mind it is an ebook reader and not a laptop
- Device doesn't appear to support borrowed titles from libraries

Sony Touch Pros
- Smaller device (although some may find this as a con)
- Touch screen which provides for finger swipes on the display to turn pages (it has a button to turn pages as well)
- Touch screen functionality comes for only $50 more than the Kindle ($299 compared to the now $249)
- Uses Memory Stick Duo Pro and SD memory cards for extended storage
- Ability to borrow titles from the library (titles expire at the end of their loan)

Sony Touch Cons
- 5" display, 1" smaller than the Kindle
- No wifi / internet connection; titles need to be downloaded to a PC and then sync'ed to the device
- Device requires use of Sony's eBook Store, similar to iTunes
- Titles seem to be less available and a little more expensive on the Sony store than on Amazon

When all said and done, I feel the Kindle wins the match. Although the toggle mouse is a little frustrating to use, the Kindle's ability to search and download titles over the air is a *HUGE* benefit. I've seen press releases on Sony coming out with a internet able device using AT&T within the next few months, but it's MSRP was noted at $499 and it doesn't support web browsing; the internet access only provides access to the Sony eBook Store. The Sprint Whispernet capability of the Kindle provides the most versatility of the device. You can sit in a hammock on the beach at the Poly, download and read a novel, check the weather or read the DIS (albeit a very clunky surf).

 

[rie'smom]

So the best sellers that Amazon and Sony sell at $10 you get free from the library? That may just make the decision for me

That's right.

I'd double check that your libraries are e-equiped before making a decision. I know I've talked to people whose local libraries are rather sparse in this regard, although you may be able to use other library systems.

More and more libraries are becoming e equipped. We live in a small town, so ours isn't but we can get a yearly subscription for $30 from the city library. No big deal because I read anywhere from 5-10 books a week depending upon how busy I am, so $30/yr is a pittance compared to buying the books at the bookstore as I've been doing for years.

 

[luvmy3]

That's right.



More and more libraries are becoming e equipped. We live in a small town, so ours isn't but we can get a yearly subscription for $30 from the city library. No big deal because I read anywhere from 5-10 books a week depending upon how busy I am, so $30/yr is a pittance compared to buying the books at the bookstore as I've been doing for years.

I just checked and my library doesn't offer e-books. However the one where I grew up does so I can get a non-resident card for $25 a year, or I can just make my dad get one in his name and give it to me for free
I think i'll go with the Sony afterall, I really don't need all the bells and whistles of the Kindle.
Thanks for the info.

 

[rie'smom]

I just checked and my library doesn't offer e-books. However the one where I grew up does so I can get a non-resident card for $25 a year, or I can just make my dad get one in his name and give it to me for free
I think i'll go with the Sony afterall, I really don't need all the bells and whistles of the Kindle.
Thanks for the info.

You're welcome!