Thread: Day one with my new Kindle
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Old 06-07-2008, 08:18 AM   #4
HaggisMacJedi
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Posts: 130
Karma: 1145527
Join Date: Jun 2008
Device: Kindle Fire HD, Kindle 4, iPhone 4
I just got my Kindle yesterday, and I'll tell you what my thinking was: (By the way, I just cut and pasted this from the NutriSystem forums where I was asked the same question):

Quote:
Originally Posted by lisamill View Post
Hey Haggis... I purchased the Sony e-reader on line and I really like it, but I have not seen a kindle (I'm in Canada) so I don't have a comparison. If you get the e-reader now you can download up to 100 free books (all classics but some great ones).
Yeah, I saw that. In fact, at Walmart.com I saw the Sony 505 for only $268 (and also with the free "classic" book downloads), and it was really tempting. In fact, I had the payment form ready to go, but backed out at the last minute. I looked over the list of "free" books and realized the VAST majority of those were public domain and could already be had for free. Then I looked closer and noticed that really only a couple of them interested me, and even then only marginally.

I went with the Kindle for a few reasons, and some of them are not really good reasons, but added up in the long haul. I'm not against the Sony E-reader, in fact, I think it's probably a better piece of hardware, but here was my thinking in getting the Kindle (FOR NOW):
  • Amazon is offering FREE guaranteed 2 day delivery, with a guarantee that I'll have my Kindle Monday. Since I'm flying out a week from today, that sounded dandy.
  • After adding in appropriate shipping to get the Sony to me by Monday, the cost would have been around $330 anyway, and I thought it was worth another $28 to get the wireless connectivity of the Kindle.
  • Amazon has a 30 day return policy. If I get back from my trip and have buyer's remorse, or if the thing just stinks, I get to return it. The Sony (even at WalMart) didn't have as generous a return policy.
  • Sony is not known for their outstanding content, while Amazon is basically a content company. In the future, Amazon will MOST LIKELY be able to offer me more customer service and products that I want.
  • I didn't find but 2 or 3 books on Sony's site that I was interested in, while I already have a pretty substantial wish list over at Amazon.
  • The Kindle has the free trial subscriptions for the newspaper services, which is pretty cool. Plus, my cousin writes for Slate.com and it will be neat to subscribe to that and then show it to him on the trip.
  • Not that this is a big deal, but I'm a Wikipedia-aholic, and the Kindle gives me free wireless access to Wikipedia. That alone could satisfy me for hours on end.
  • Contrary to what many people say, I like the look of the Kindle. Someone panned its design and said it looked like something out of a late '70s Star Wars film. Are you kidding me? I'm a Star Wars FREAK! That's a bonus for me! I might even slap on a tiny Star Wars sticker above the keyboard for good measure.
  • I've seen mods for the Kindle's cover involving velcro that make it a nifty holder, and bypasses the problem some klutzy people are having with the page turn buttons. I personally really like the page turn button design and wish I had- had it today while I struggled with a paperback copy of Prince Caspian over a messy lunch.
  • I get to download a bagpipe music book that in regular print would cost me about 4 times as much as I'm getting the download for. This will be incredibly more convenient to take to my lessons, and no worries about the wind blowing my pages over while I'm playing!
  • I like the rubber backing on the Kindle, and even though the Sony is metal and looks more substantial, I am VERY careful with my things and have no worries about the fragility of the Kindle.
  • It's just plain kewl.

I'm sure that better and more affordable e-reading devices will come along (or at least they should), but until then I'll stick with the Kindle...unless it sucks, and then I'll return it and get the Sony from Wal Mart. Anywho, it appears that for at least the next couple of years the models that are out are the models we will have, so why not jump in now and go for it? I'm willing to pay a little more to have the luxury now. After all, I'm saving money now by eating less and taking less medication. I say that deserves a reward.

Hey...the Kindle's an NSV reward!
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