Decisions, decisions

quintanion · 11-29-2009, 03:35 PM

Yep, it's another newbie asking for help. I'm looking at getting an ereader for Christmas this year, and could use some input on which one would be best for my situation. I live in the US and am looking for one that sells for $300 or less. I'll use it primarily for reading novels, with the occasional scientific journal article. PDF support is a must, and I'd really prefer one that supports epub and library books. Based on that, I'm currently leaning towards the Sony 300. However, I do have a few questions:

First of all, I know that the Sony 300 has less memory than some of the others. Is it easy to remove/switch books, or are you stuck with the first 350 that are loaded onto the reader? If I have it for several years and amass a large library (especially with those free classics!), is it possible to maintain a larger collection on a computer and swap out books on the device as needed?

I also read a lot of sci-fi/fantasy - is there a good selection on the Sony store or other supported bookstores? I suspect this is one area where the Kindle has an edge.

Can anyone with a newer Kindle 2 tell me about the native PDF support? Does it completely bypass the $0.10 fee and conversion to DRM format? How does it handle PDFs in general?

Lastly, I haven't done as much research on the Nook or any of the other ereaders out there - are there any others that you would suggest based on my specifications?

Thanks for the input!

rwizard · 11-29-2009, 03:54 PM

Ideally, for PDF's you would want a reader with an 8"+ screen; however, since you will be primarily reading novels this may not be as necessary. (Especially if the scientific journals are primarilly text with few images. Although depending how they have been formatted, your milage on a smaller device may vary.) I personally like the looks of the nook and would recommend checking one out in the store (once the stores have demo units in) before buying something else (this is what I am doing).

That being said, there are allot of books available in epub from a wide variety of sources, most using Adobe's DRM. (The exception being Barnes and Noble but thier DRM is getting added to the Adobe software so as long as device manufactures include the newer version of Adobe's software in a later firmware update the Barnes and Noble ebook store will be another resource for all readers using Adobe's software). Because of this, any reader that supports Adobe DRM'ed epub books (which Sony does) will have a substantial selection to choose from (you may have to look around for the book you want a little more than the Kindle with Amazon though).

basschick · 11-29-2009, 08:35 PM

it's very easy with any ebook reader to move the ebooks from your reader to your computer and back again.

the 6" astak ez reader and 5" ez reader pocket pro both support DRM'ed pdfs, so they should work with library books, but check your library to see what formats they offer. both ez readers also read epub, mobi, txt and other formats. both astak units are under $300 and they have a rep - RobertB - who is active on mobileread. there's also an astak forum here, so you can see what the advantages and problems are with their readers.

Katti's Cat · 11-29-2009, 09:23 PM

I have the Sony 600 and have no problems so far reading pdf. I bought it because it has the ability to use extra memory cards. Having said that - you can easily remove / add new books / files to the readers.

Regarding the purchasing of books - you didn't say where you are . Geographical restrictions on purchasing eBooks might make it just a little bit more difficult for you to buy the books you want.

basschick · 11-30-2009, 12:30 AM

so the sony reads drm'ed pdf's?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Katti's Cat

I have the Sony 600 and have no problems so far reading pdf. I bought it because it has the ability to use extra memory cards. Having said that - you can easily remove / add new books / files to the readers.

Regarding the purchasing of books - you didn't say where you are . Geographical restrictions on purchasing eBooks might make it just a little bit more difficult for you to buy the books you want.

Katti's Cat · 11-30-2009, 03:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by basschick

so the sony reads drm'ed pdf's?

Uh - got me there. I wouldn't have the foggiest tbh.

So far I have only downloaded a few free pdfs to test them as well as loaded my own pdf files (manuals) on the reader.

nick101 · 11-30-2009, 05:21 AM

If you're into Sci-fi/fantasy, you might like to know that Baen (www.baen.com) via Webscription (www.webscription.net) have a very good selection of free ebooks, as well as well-price pay-to-buy books.

I find the selection on offer at the mainstream online sellers to be very patchy, but it's still early days.

11-29-2009, 03:35 PM	#1
quintanion Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2009 Device: none	Decisions, decisions Yep, it's another newbie asking for help. I'm looking at getting an ereader for Christmas this year, and could use some input on which one would be best for my situation. I live in the US and am looking for one that sells for $300 or less. I'll use it primarily for reading novels, with the occasional scientific journal article. PDF support is a must, and I'd really prefer one that supports epub and library books. Based on that, I'm currently leaning towards the Sony 300. However, I do have a few questions: First of all, I know that the Sony 300 has less memory than some of the others. Is it easy to remove/switch books, or are you stuck with the first 350 that are loaded onto the reader? If I have it for several years and amass a large library (especially with those free classics!), is it possible to maintain a larger collection on a computer and swap out books on the device as needed? I also read a lot of sci-fi/fantasy - is there a good selection on the Sony store or other supported bookstores? I suspect this is one area where the Kindle has an edge. Can anyone with a newer Kindle 2 tell me about the native PDF support? Does it completely bypass the $0.10 fee and conversion to DRM format? How does it handle PDFs in general? Lastly, I haven't done as much research on the Nook or any of the other ereaders out there - are there any others that you would suggest based on my specifications? Thanks for the input!

11-29-2009, 03:54 PM	#2
rwizard Connoisseur Posts: 63 Karma: 366 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Utah Device: iPhone, waiting for reviews on the Notionink Adam	Ideally, for PDF's you would want a reader with an 8"+ screen; however, since you will be primarily reading novels this may not be as necessary. (Especially if the scientific journals are primarilly text with few images. Although depending how they have been formatted, your milage on a smaller device may vary.) I personally like the looks of the nook and would recommend checking one out in the store (once the stores have demo units in) before buying something else (this is what I am doing). That being said, there are allot of books available in epub from a wide variety of sources, most using Adobe's DRM. (The exception being Barnes and Noble but thier DRM is getting added to the Adobe software so as long as device manufactures include the newer version of Adobe's software in a later firmware update the Barnes and Noble ebook store will be another resource for all readers using Adobe's software). Because of this, any reader that supports Adobe DRM'ed epub books (which Sony does) will have a substantial selection to choose from (you may have to look around for the book you want a little more than the Kindle with Amazon though). Last edited by rwizard; 11-29-2009 at 03:57 PM.

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11-29-2009, 08:35 PM	#3
basschick Wizard Posts: 1,096 Karma: 4695691 Join Date: May 2008 Device: Kindle Paperwhite	it's very easy with any ebook reader to move the ebooks from your reader to your computer and back again. the 6" astak ez reader and 5" ez reader pocket pro both support DRM'ed pdfs, so they should work with library books, but check your library to see what formats they offer. both ez readers also read epub, mobi, txt and other formats. both astak units are under $300 and they have a rep - RobertB - who is active on mobileread. there's also an astak forum here, so you can see what the advantages and problems are with their readers.

11-29-2009, 09:23 PM	#4
Katti's Cat Wizard Posts: 2,259 Karma: 175640 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane Australia Device: Sony PRS-600	I have the Sony 600 and have no problems so far reading pdf. I bought it because it has the ability to use extra memory cards. Having said that - you can easily remove / add new books / files to the readers. Regarding the purchasing of books - you didn't say where you are . Geographical restrictions on purchasing eBooks might make it just a little bit more difficult for you to buy the books you want.

11-30-2009, 05:21 AM	#7
nick101 Groupie Posts: 190 Karma: 1248 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Milton Keynes UK Device: Sony PRS-600 Touch, iPhone	If you're into Sci-fi/fantasy, you might like to know that Baen (www.baen.com) via Webscription (www.webscription.net) have a very good selection of free ebooks, as well as well-price pay-to-buy books. I find the selection on offer at the mainstream online sellers to be very patchy, but it's still early days.

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