Hi from sunny (and cold!) Southern California

stoogeswoman · 02-12-2009, 12:12 PM

Hi everyone -

I'm a total newbie to the world of ebook readers. I just found your site and boy, am I glad!

With electronics, I have an unfortunate tendency to talk myself into buying lousy products that are cheap, and paying for that mistake later.

Right now I'm looking for an ebook reader that is less than $300. I'm going to look in the "ebookwise" forum because that one is (you got it) cheap! But I want to see if it's worth the $$ or if it's just going to be stuffed in a drawer somewhere after a few tries.

So thanks in advance for all the helpful info I hope to get here today!

grooks · 02-12-2009, 12:34 PM

At the < $300 price you mentioned you can also look at the Sony PRS-505. Some store will have them at $299 and some online places have them as low at $268.

I will let others talk about the ebookwise as I've never used one.

pilotbob · 02-12-2009, 12:42 PM

The Sony 505 is the best device, if not the only eInk reader under $300. But, if you are planning on Buy alot of books you might make up the price of the $359 Kindle pretty quickly. If you save a few $s per book.

If you are going mostly public domain / free books and less expensive backcatalog stuff then the Kindle ebook prices won't be an advantage price wise.

BOb

DixieGal · 02-12-2009, 12:43 PM

I loved - emotional attachment - my EBW1150. I finally had to give it up when I could no longer see well enough to read on it. It is inexpensive, very comfortable in the hand, and has a touchscreen and built-in light. Much more comfortable to hold than any other device that I've handled, even if it does weight a few ounces more. It's all in the ergonomic design and nice grip feature.

Here's the lowdown: It uses an obsolete format called IMP. Not a big deal if you download books from here or buy them from eBookwise.com. However, you will have to learn to use some of the conversion software if you want to purchase books in other formats. I am inept and never became proficient in converting other formats or enlarging fonts.

What I've been telling folks is to go to eBookwise.com and browse their collection. If you like what you see, then you can not go wrong with the EBW1150. However, if you are looking for some specific titles and can't find them, then maybe another device and format would be a better fit.

Good Luck with whatever you choose. All of the devices are wonderful, and each has its own set of drawbacks. But no matter what you choose, I am certain you will have many years of happy reading.

Ervserver · 02-12-2009, 12:53 PM

Hello stoogeswoman, I don't have a EBW1150 but its a highly praised device and inexpensive

stoogeswoman · 02-12-2009, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DixieGal

I loved - emotional attachment - my EBW1150. I finally had to give it up when I could no longer see well enough to read on it. It is inexpensive, very comfortable in the hand, and has a touchscreen and built-in light. Much more comfortable to hold than any other device that I've handled, even if it does weight a few ounces more. It's all in the ergonomic design and nice grip feature.

Here's the lowdown: It uses an obsolete format called IMP. Not a big deal if you download books from here or buy them from eBookwise.com. However, you will have to learn to use some of the conversion software if you want to purchase books in other formats. I am inept and never became proficient in converting other formats or enlarging fonts.

What I've been telling folks is to go to eBookwise.com and browse their collection. If you like what you see, then you can not go wrong with the EBW1150. However, if you are looking for some specific titles and can't find them, then maybe another device and format would be a better fit.

Good Luck with whatever you choose. All of the devices are wonderful, and each has its own set of drawbacks. But no matter what you choose, I am certain you will have many years of happy reading.

Hi DixieGal - great and practical advice - thanks!

I am leaning towards the eBookwise primarily because of cost and because I want it now rather than waiting to save up for the Kindle or the Sony! (I'm so impatient!

)

Of course I have to remind myself, it's not the end of the world if I make the "wrong" choice. I have heard tell that there are people in the world who actually buy more than one of these newfangled electronic thingamajigs!

What a concept!

DixieGal · 02-12-2009, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stoogeswoman

Of course I have to remind myself, it's not the end of the world if I make the "wrong" choice. I have heard tell that there are people in the world who actually buy more than one of these newfangled electronic thingamajigs!

What a concept!

I see you've met Nate the Great. His collection is just for bragging rights at this point!

If you like the available books at eBookwise, then I think you are making a great choice. Enjoy!

grooks · 02-12-2009, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pilotbob

The Sony 505 is the best device, if not the only eInk reader under $300. But, if you are planning on Buy alot of books you might make up the price of the $359 Kindle pretty quickly. If you save a few $s per book.

If you are going mostly public domain / free books and less expensive backcatalog stuff then the Kindle ebook prices won't be an advantage price wise.

BOb

Adding to Bob's reply, if you have a local library that lends ebooks, that will also be big savings versus buying books. That savings could be used to offset the purchase of an ideal device.

Libraries lend in pdf and mobi formats.

stoogeswoman · 02-12-2009, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grooks

Adding to Bob's reply, if you have a local library that lends ebooks, that will also be big savings versus buying books. That savings could be used to offset the purchase of an ideal device.

Libraries lend in pdf and mobi formats.

Now see, there's something I learned that I didn't already know!

It's been a while since I've been to the library - I'm a total bibliophile & have tons of books at home, so just haven't felt the need. So thanks

for that - I will definitely check that out (so to speak!

).

Main reason I'm thinking of getting this is, I take the train to work every day and it gets to be a hassle trying to decide which book I should take with me. It'd be great to have several available, all on one little device I could pop into my tote bag.

I'm really leaning heavily towards just going ahead & buying the eBookwise reader today. Unless someone pops in with a horror story to push me in the other direction, which no one seems to have done yet. But the day is young!

grooks · 02-12-2009, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stoogeswoman

I am leaning towards the eBookwise primarily because of cost and because I want it now rather than waiting to save up for the Kindle or the Sony! (I'm so impatient!

)

For instant gratification go to your local Target or Border's Bookstore or Fry's Electronics (not sure if these are in California) and the Sony 505 should be in stock and available for you to demo.

MickeyC · 02-12-2009, 01:32 PM

Hi stoogeswoman and welcome to the Forum. I've had a 505 for a little over a year and like it a lot.

stoogeswoman · 02-12-2009, 02:17 PM

(deep breath) OK, I did it - I ordered one!

The price is right and there are enough books on their site that I want to read, that I know I will get a lot of good use out of it.

And perhaps I'll start putting aside a little extra $$ now so that I can get a Kindle or Sony later on.

to all of you for all the good advice! I feel really good about my purchase and can't wait to get started!

grooks · 02-12-2009, 02:36 PM

Congrats and welcome to the world of ebooks and ebook readers.

lilac_jive · 02-12-2009, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stoogeswoman

(deep breath) OK, I did it - I ordered one!

The price is right and there are enough books on their site that I want to read, that I know I will get a lot of good use out of it.

And perhaps I'll start putting aside a little extra $$ now so that I can get a Kindle or Sony later on.

to all of you for all the good advice! I feel really good about my purchase and can't wait to get started!

Congratulations!!!

stoogeswoman · 02-15-2009, 11:49 AM

I'm really enjoying it - and am pleased that the "learning curve" isn't very steep at all. Took me one day to figure out 80% of the features, and the rest I just haven't had the need to use yet!

I will tell you something funny though - I was showing it to my husband in a restaurant yesterday, and the waiter walking by saw it and said, "Hey, it's a KINDLE!" :-)

Guess "Kindle" is gonna become the generic name for ebook readers to the general public!

02-12-2009, 12:12 PM	#1
stoogeswoman Zealot Posts: 149 Karma: 492 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Reseda, CA Device: eBookwise 1150 and Kindle 1	Hi from sunny (and cold!) Southern California Hi everyone - I'm a total newbie to the world of ebook readers. I just found your site and boy, am I glad! With electronics, I have an unfortunate tendency to talk myself into buying lousy products that are cheap, and paying for that mistake later. Right now I'm looking for an ebook reader that is less than $300. I'm going to look in the "ebookwise" forum because that one is (you got it) cheap! But I want to see if it's worth the $$ or if it's just going to be stuffed in a drawer somewhere after a few tries. So thanks in advance for all the helpful info I hope to get here today!

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02-12-2009, 12:34 PM	#2
grooks Wizard Posts: 1,326 Karma: 30250 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Fort Myers, FL Device: Pocketbook Era, Kobo Forma	At the < $300 price you mentioned you can also look at the Sony PRS-505. Some store will have them at $299 and some online places have them as low at $268. I will let others talk about the ebookwise as I've never used one.

02-12-2009, 12:42 PM	#3
pilotbob Grand Sorcerer Posts: 19,832 Karma: 11844413 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Tampa, FL USA Device: Kindle Touch	The Sony 505 is the best device, if not the only eInk reader under $300. But, if you are planning on Buy alot of books you might make up the price of the $359 Kindle pretty quickly. If you save a few $s per book. If you are going mostly public domain / free books and less expensive backcatalog stuff then the Kindle ebook prices won't be an advantage price wise. BOb

02-12-2009, 12:43 PM	#4
DixieGal Hi There! Posts: 7,473 Karma: 2930523 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ft Lauderdale Device: iPad	I loved - emotional attachment - my EBW1150. I finally had to give it up when I could no longer see well enough to read on it. It is inexpensive, very comfortable in the hand, and has a touchscreen and built-in light. Much more comfortable to hold than any other device that I've handled, even if it does weight a few ounces more. It's all in the ergonomic design and nice grip feature. Here's the lowdown: It uses an obsolete format called IMP. Not a big deal if you download books from here or buy them from eBookwise.com. However, you will have to learn to use some of the conversion software if you want to purchase books in other formats. I am inept and never became proficient in converting other formats or enlarging fonts. What I've been telling folks is to go to eBookwise.com and browse their collection. If you like what you see, then you can not go wrong with the EBW1150. However, if you are looking for some specific titles and can't find them, then maybe another device and format would be a better fit. Good Luck with whatever you choose. All of the devices are wonderful, and each has its own set of drawbacks. But no matter what you choose, I am certain you will have many years of happy reading.

02-12-2009, 12:53 PM	#5
Ervserver Wizard Posts: 2,624 Karma: 1008294 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Iowa, USA Device: Nook Simple Touch	Hello stoogeswoman, I don't have a EBW1150 but its a highly praised device and inexpensive

02-12-2009, 01:32 PM	#11
MickeyC Grand Sorcerer Posts: 16,732 Karma: 12185114 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Florida Device: iPhone 6 plus, Sony T1, iPad 3	Hi stoogeswoman and welcome to the Forum. I've had a 505 for a little over a year and like it a lot.

02-12-2009, 02:17 PM	#12
stoogeswoman Zealot Posts: 149 Karma: 492 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Reseda, CA Device: eBookwise 1150 and Kindle 1	(deep breath) OK, I did it - I ordered one! The price is right and there are enough books on their site that I want to read, that I know I will get a lot of good use out of it. And perhaps I'll start putting aside a little extra $$ now so that I can get a Kindle or Sony later on. to all of you for all the good advice! I feel really good about my purchase and can't wait to get started!

02-12-2009, 02:36 PM	#13
grooks Wizard Posts: 1,326 Karma: 30250 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Fort Myers, FL Device: Pocketbook Era, Kobo Forma	Congrats and welcome to the world of ebooks and ebook readers.

02-15-2009, 11:49 AM	#15
stoogeswoman Zealot Posts: 149 Karma: 492 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Reseda, CA Device: eBookwise 1150 and Kindle 1	I'm really enjoying it - and am pleased that the "learning curve" isn't very steep at all. Took me one day to figure out 80% of the features, and the rest I just haven't had the need to use yet! I will tell you something funny though - I was showing it to my husband in a restaurant yesterday, and the waiter walking by saw it and said, "Hey, it's a KINDLE!" :-) Guess "Kindle" is gonna become the generic name for ebook readers to the general public!

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