The Kindle or any e-reader question

[aprilvaca04]

Is there a preferred brand? Are any truly better than the rest? How important is it to have wifi? Is it worth the price difference? i would appreciate any information that anyone would like to share. TIA

 

[disney_mommy]

It really depends on your personal preferences, as far as brand is concerned. I had a Sony but replaced it with a Kindle2. With a Barnes & Noble nook, you can share books with other nooks (though Amazon says it is coming out with a similar program soon).

WiFi is an internet signal that is available wherever there is a wireless router (your home, if you have one set up, Starbucks, etc.), but 3G is available wherever there is a cell phone signal, so it is in way more places.

 

[Toad_Passenger]

From all of the reviews I've read and gathered (I've been considering an ereader for over a year now) it really seems to come down to the Amazon Kindle or the B&N Nook.

Between those 2, though, it really comes down to what you are looking for.

If you buy a lot of books, then the Kindle will probably more to your liking.
If you are looking for the opportunity to buy and borrow ebooks from your library, then the Nook is your best option.

To me, Wi-Fi is important because I can buy a book while I'm on vacation. Paying extra for 3G, though, wasn't high on my list, since I have not had good experience with 3G devices in the past. Also, the fact that, anymore, you're typically not too far from a Wi-Fi hotspot anyway.

The bottom line, though, is that people who have bought the Kindle love it, and the people who bought the Nook also love it.

 

[Mickey Fliers]

Do a quick search here. There are easily 10 threads in the last few weeks on this subject. Both devices will have Wi-fi. You just need to decide if you will ever need to purchase/borrow a book when you don't have wi-fi access.

In our home, we have 3 kindles. Two with wi-fi and 3G and one with just wi-fi. We love them and regularly share books between us.

I do think the Kindle has a better battery life. I can easily go 3 weeks (wireless turned off) without charging.

 

[Rora]

The way I look at it is:
If you have a friend that has a Nook, and you both enjoy reading the same types of books, get a Nook since you can use the Lend feature.

If you prefer an actual keyboard opposed to a touch screen (Nook), then get the Kindle.

The Kindle has a better battery life than the Nook, but when are you ever going to not be able to charge your device within 3 weeks of time?

Just personal preference. I would get the Nook if it were me.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Consumer Reports recommends, in this order:
Kindle wi-fi + 3G
Nook wi-fi + 3G
Kindle wi-fi (only)
Nook wi-fi (only)
some other stuff

According to what I've read, the 3G is really good if you're in an area with spotty/little/no wi-fi coverage, or if you travel internationally. It's the December issue of CR, if you want to read more.

 

[Kathi OD]

I've been thinking about this for about a week now. I really think that I'm going w/ a Nook. My main reason is that I want to be able to get books from my library, and I can't do that with a Kindle.

As far as Nook's lending feature. It wasn't a deal maker for me. You can only lend the book once, and for a limited time.

 

[bjgrazi]

I have good word that Santa is bringing me the nook color. I borrow a lot of e-books from our library, you're allowed 7 at a time on your list. I also understand that you can buy a years subscription to the Philadelphia library system that give you even greater choices.

 

[aprilvaca04]

Thanks for all the info everyone has shared so far, I really apreciate it. It gives me a head start on the research.