Thinking positive i.e. I think I want a Kindle

[Plutes]

I got my Kindle 2 back in March and I love, love, LOVE it!!

I was very hesitant about getting one for the same reasons mentioned here - I like to hold a book in my hand. I also FINALLY started using my public library, as I was spending a fortune on books. So, now I would not only be losing the 'feel' of a real book, but I'd go back to spending money for them???

Well, now that I have one (thanks to hubby's convincing), I couldn't live without it. I get Amazon.com gift certificates for birthdays, anniversary, etc. to support my addiction! BUT, I also still buy books and go to the library. I switch off. For example, books by my favorite authors I still purchase. And, when I just HAVE to hold a book in my hand, I'll run to the library.

My favorite part of the Kindle is using it when we travel. I always sit in the airport, choose what book I want and download it just before boarding - it's become a sort of tradition already! For whatever reason, as big a reader as I am, I was never able to concentrate on a book while on a plane. But, when I travel with my kindle, I can't seem to put it down. I couldn't tell you why - doesn't make much sense, I guess. But, the bottom line is - go for it - you'll love it!!


****one other thing - I just saw that they lowered the price to $299! I don't know when that happened, but I think we paid $359 for mine!

 

[Bewitch324]

Go for it. I'm a book lover too...My friends hate going in bookstores with me because I have to touch and pickup so many books...

I thought I would really not like not holding the book, but that the convenience would win me over...In reality, I am finding I actually prefer holding my kindle to a book...and it's so nice to pick up right where I left off when I put it down without flipping pages, etc...

Yesterday I had a few minutes to read and I picked up a regular book that I'd bought because it wasn't available on Kindle...and i have to admit...It kind of annoyed me...I've gotten so spoiled. It was one of those paperback that's bound really tight, and kind of hard to keep open to read? Anyways...can't wait to finish it and get back to my kindle....

Let me also add, I checked out the Oberon site after hearing Kevin talk about it, and should have my new Kindle cover in a few days...I never knew the dis could be so dangerous I am so excited to get it--the one I ordered is gorgeous but there were about 4 other ones I wanted. Maybe my kindle will have to change it's wardrobe seasonally....hmmm....

Good luck with your appointment--I say reward yourself either way, but hopefully it will be a victory!

Brooke

 

[mshoo1]

I highly recommend the Kindle. I bought my wife one as a birthday gift and then bought myself one two weeks later. My wife was complaining that I was "stealing" her birthday gift. I've only had it a little more than a month, and I already dread the thought of reading a regular book. The Kindle fits in your hand very well and it's so easy to use.

I've found that I'm reading far more than I did before purchasing the Kindle. I have probably read as many books in the last month and a half as I did during the previous 12 months.

My mother-in-law--one of the most anti-technology people on the face of the planet--purchased her own Kindle after using mine and she loves it.

If you read bestsellers, the Kindle will actually save you money over time. A $9.99 download beats the heck out of a $24.99 hardcover.

 

[tlcoke]

Last Night, I bought my first Kindle book for use with the Iphone/Ipod Touch Kindle App. I find it very easy to read while doing other things.

 

[FireDancer]

Wow! It can do that??

Most to all of my university reading is on a PDF, so to be able to read it on the go without dragging half a rainforest with me would be great! Plus you can highlight text etc.

Can you add notes onto the PDF or word documents? because if you can I would definitely get this when it comes out in the UK! My boyfriends uncle has one, and is thinking about selling them, I might see if I can borrow it....

The definitive answer would be...it depends.

The K1 and K2 will not support PDFs natively. You would have to take the PDF and convert it to txt or MOBI and then transfer them to the Kindle. This can be done by uploading the file to Amazon and paying something like ten cents (not sure how many pents that is) to have the document sent to the Kindle through Whispernet. I am also not 100% sure how the wireless works in the UK. You can also send the file to the Kindle for free via the USB interface.

If you get the DX it will support PDFs as they are. There are some issues with this though. PDF is not only a text specification but also a page layout spec. Because of this, the Kindle can't parse the file itself and has to rely on the pre-formatting PDF. In some situations the PDF may not be set up to optimize the Kindle's display. An example of this would be multi column PDFs. You have to read to the bottom of the page and then scroll back to the top. Inline images also don't get handled very well.

The DX form factor is probably better for technical documents and text books but it is not perfect. Right now the text books aren't available en mass but it isn't uncommon for publishers to lag behind technology. This started with Gutenberg and hasn't really changed since unfortunately.

And congratulations on another year Kim.

 

[aprince&princess]

The price drop had to be really recent because I ordered one on June 25th and paid $359.00 So far I have finished one book and just started a second. I love the fact that I can add a new book at any moment. We are going to Disney next week (Yeah!) and I usually take a few books with me, now if I finish what I am reading I can just download another book. It does still seem a little strange to know I am reading a novel and not holding a book, but I am getting used to it very quickly.

 

[mshoo1]

For those of you that purchased the Kindle within 30 days of the price drop, Amazon will provide you with a $60 refund. My mother-in-law contacted customer support and they processed her refund that day.

 

[Boardwalker]

I hesitated on buying a kindle until I realized that if there was a book I truly loved, I could buy a copy of it with the money I am saving on the downloads.
I got my kindle2 for mother's day, and 13 books later, still haven't bought a copy just for the shelf. I do miss passing along my books to my sister, but am not going back. I love it.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I got a Kindle for my birthday yesterday!!

I'm really liking it so far.