Tell me about your Kindle, Nook or Sony eReader

[DisneyMum4]

I am trying to purchase an ereader for my wife for Christmas. I have read many reviews on the Sony, Kindle, and Nook from Barnes and Noble and remain confused at which one to purchase. I am amazed the prices of the books on the sony are much higher on some of the older books than at Amazon and B& N.

I am anxious to get her the one that she will like best as well asbe able to afford the books that she wants.

Many thanks-
Jeff

 

[KBazzel]

I'm a writer - for Harlequin - and constantly have a book in my hand. I decided to get an ebook reader for myself for Christmas. I was originally going to get the Kindle. My sister has one and I've played with it a couple times. I like it. And then I started reading about the Nook. Unfortunately, the Nook has just been released and just started shipping so I don't know that many people actually have them in hand yet. In fact, the B&N stores were supposed to get some display units (which I was planning on playing with) but those have been delayed because they need them to fill their pre-orders.

The only reason I haven't gotten an ebook reader before now is because of the cost of the unit. However, I decided to treat myself this year. In the end, I'm going with the Nook. It has a few extra features that I like (the 2nd color screen, the wifi capability and the lending feature - although there are some issues with it Kindle doesn't offer the option at all). I've been doing my research and while I'd like to get my hands on one and play before I order...I think I'll like it enough that I'm going ahead and getting it.

Kira

 

[scm200]

I have a kindle 2, love it and the joy of reading very heavy books while on vacation. I have to say its cool to have all the stuff available and like the keyboard on the kindle - the nook does not have the keyboard either.....

 

[Ephany]

Nooks are just starting to appear, but I don't believe that you'll be able to get one by Christmas without paying ebay prices once B&N actually starts shipping to those who pre-ordered last month. I think they're just now appearing in some stores as display models, but I've heard stores aren't going to carry them in stock until next year. If you order today online, it's expected to ship mid-Jan according to B&N's website.

I'm a kindle lover myself, much to my MIL's dismay as she wanted to get me 'real' books for Christmas. No thanks, I'm happy to stick with my 'fake' books!

I've heard that there are some good deals to be found on the sony e-readers, and since they're available in stores (and Costco) you can try them out ahead of time if you're more comfortable with that approach. Amazon does have a 30 day return policy if you decide the kindle fits your wife's needs. You might want to call your local B&N store to see if they've got a working diplay nook so you can try it out in person.

Here's a comparison chart to help. I love that more companies are becoming interested in e-readers in general, hopefully this will spur competition for all types.
http://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/E-book_Reader_Matrix

 

[IDoDis]

The reviews coming out are favoring The Nook vs the Kindle & Sony. Seems to be a better system. Like another PP mentioned, you won't get one for Christmas though as all of the pre-orders are sold out. I'm hoping the new competition will bring on price wars another price drop in the next few months.

 

[allison443]

I am also looking into the e-readers, I want to get my dh one for Christmas.

Here is an article that was in the NY Times a few days ago, they go through all the different e-readers and compare them. There is a chart you can click on on the sidebar.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/03/technology/personaltech/03EBOOK.html?_r=1&bl

Hope this helps!

 

[RitaE]

My Kindle 2 now has 623 books on it. Yikes!

I got to briefly try a nook out last night - in some ways I liked it and in some ways I hated it. The virtual keyboard was much better than I expected but I hated the scrolling through the covers to find the book. They didn't even have very many books loaded on there and it was still a pain. If it had my 623 books or whatever there is no way I'd scroll to find the one I was looking for. The interface seems a little counter-intuitive to me in places but my mind often works backwards. I'd probably get used to it.

The reported screen lags were there although from what I understand B&N is already sending out firmware updates to fix some of the technical problems that people are starting to report. The LendMe feature doesn't seem to be a go yet ... and the girl at the kiosk really couldn't answer questions as to why.

The eBook prices at the Barnes and Noble store are still a deal breaker for me though. I personally wouldn't buy one until they get closer to Amazon on prices.

The Sony bookstore is supposed to release ePub support this week. I wish I could see their Daily Edition reader....maybe next month.

 

[m&m's mom]

I read extensively on Kindleboards.com before deciding on a Kindle.
You might wnat to check them out. I think B&N REALLY missed the ball not getting these out for Christmas.

 

[bumbershoot]

"the wifi capability and the lending feature - although there are some issues with it Kindle doesn't offer the option at all


Although I haven't done it either than browsing amazon, when you're browsing amazon to buy a new book for your Kindle, you're online, and people have said they can check their email in limited capablities.

And you can share a book you buy with up to 6 Kindles...the person takes their Kindle off their account, registers it with yours, downloads the book...can go back to their account later...

 

[allison443]

I read extensively on Kindleboards.com before deciding on a Kindle.
You might wnat to check them out. I think B&N REALLY missed the ball not getting these out for Christmas.

Thank you for posting this! I never heard of kindleboards.com before, I will definitely check it out.
I agree about the nook, I wonder why they didn't get it out in time for the holidays? The ereaders seem to be a popular item this year as people gain familiarity with them.

 

[RitaE]

Thank you for posting this! I never heard of kindleboards.com before, I will definitely check it out.
I agree about the nook, I wonder why they didn't get it out in time for the holidays? The ereaders seem to be a popular item this year as people gain familiarity with them.

Production problems. For one thing these machines all use the exact same eInk screen technology and there are only 2 suppliers of the screens. Amazon already had a lock on much of the production.

When you think of it, Barnes and Noble is a bookseller and not an electronics maker. They rushed like mad to get anything out for the shopping bonanza season and the fact that they are starting to deliver any units l mid-December is fairly impressive. They did manage to generate quite a bit of press for themselves over the nook.

They aren't the only ones who missed the window. iRex, Sony, and Plastic Logic also had holiday season releases of eReaders scheduled and they all missed.

Amazon seems to have cleaned up big for this Christmas season in regards to digital readers. 2010 will probably be a whole new battle.

 

[tanyabanana]

"the wifi capability and the lending feature - although there are some issues with it Kindle doesn't offer the option at all
QUOTE]

I check my yahoo email and facebook on my Kindle all the time. It works fine for most websites that are for 'mobile' units. Kindle has a preset list of websites that you can access easily and it is easy to modify that list, much like a favorites list on the computer.
I also have a catalog of books on my Kindle available from Project Gutenberg--I search for the book or author, click on the link and it downloads the book right away. These are all free classic books and there are literally thousands of them available.
Its true that you can't lend on Kindle, but there are strict lending restrictions on the Nook and I am curious to see how many publishers ok B&N to make this accessible on their books. One of the limited perks on the Kindle is a text-to-speech feature that many books do not offer due to restrictions the publisher puts on their books.
As you can probably tell, I am very partial to the Kindle (which is not perfect) but I am excited to see what new features all the new ebooks are going to offer!

 

[chiefdragon]

I have had a Kindle 2 since April. It has been amazing. I love it so much. I take it everywhere with me. It has already made 3 plane rides, many car trips, and countless sporting events. It has on packing so much. The download is quick and easy.

My DMIL has the sony reader and she has asked DFIN to get her a Kindle for the holiday.

 

[Disneyglobegirl]

I'm not much help with this as I have been trying to decide between the Sony, Nook and Kindle and finally asked hubby to get me the Kindle for Christmas. Everyone I know who has a Kindle loves it so I'm going with that for now. I figured I would wait and see the reviews for the newest Sony 900 and Nook to come out and if I decide to switch to one of those at a later date I can pass my Kindle to my daughter

 

[PADISFAM]

Kindle has a free app for your pc (mac version supposed to be coming soon)

http://www.amazon.com/gp/kindle/pc

I've downloaded the app on 3 of my computers, it took all of about a minute to do and it takes of little space. You can also archive your books if you do start to use up too much space.

I've gotten several books so far, and just bought a netbook for my DS so he could use it as well (vs buying a kindle).

I love it!

 

[luvmy3]

I got myself a Sony, but its only the pocket version. I wanted something very simple and small. I have plans to eventually get a nook but I'll wait at least a year to see how the reviews go.

 

[PatriciaH]

Is the Kindle in B&W all the time or does it have color as well? For Facebook, pictures, etc. for instance?

 

[Desnik]

Anyone here that has an ereader wear glasses? The reason I ask is because I wear glasses and my friend let me borrow her Sony ereader and I kept getting a glare. With our without the light attachment. I am wondering if I would get the same glare on a Kindle or Nook? I really want an ereader because i have too many books and not enough space for them. i just think the ereader is such a great idea and perfect for me but I can't have a glare cause that would drive me crazy!