Hi! Totally New To E-Readers/Books

[Sandie C]

Hello everyone, I'm a novice when it comes to EBooks and Readers, I have not a clue what is the best one to purchase. I love to read when I have time,and like nothing better than to curl up with an actual book and read. However, I know it would be more convienent to use an E Reader at the pool or beach, we are at the beach for the summer.
Does anyone have any ideas on what to purchase, I was thinking Kindle, only because I have heard the most about them. All I want is something that I can read books on, it doesnt have to have any other added things, as I am into graphics, and graphic programs, so need an actual PC for that. Also where can I get a "for dummies" explanation on how to even start using one, as I said I'm totally clueless, and will be starting from square "zero" lol. Thanks for any input. Sandie

[Valmore Daniels]

Welcome to the boards

[wallcraft]

The cheapest Kindle, $79 with adverts in the US, may be all you need. The adverts are not there when you are reading, and if you don't like them you can upgrade to the advert free version by paying the difference.

The screen quality is the same as the more expensive Kindles, the differences in the more expensive models are ebook capacity (but the cheapest holds more than a 1,000 ebooks), a touch screen, 3G connectivity and text-to-speech, audiobooks and mp3 support. Battery life is also less, but should still be at least a month.

[dwig]

I agree with wallcraft. A minimal Kindle would be a great way to start. They have as good a display as you can get, the best customer service in the business, an extremely large online store, and are the most flexible in terms of how you can load books.

[BlueSky77]

I'll chime in with both the other posters and agree that you should get a Kindle. My personal preference would be for the Kindle Touch with ads $99.00 from Amazon. You could also get the refurbished Kindle Touch for $79.00. If you are just going to be reading ebooks then you can't go wrong with a Kindle. I absolutely love mine! The text is crisp, clear and adjustable, also you can read outdoors in the sunlight without glare (unlike the Nook Color, Kindle Fire or an android tablet).

As for learning how to use a Kindle... just follow the link below, click on Kindle Help, Video Tutorials and Tools. There's a wealth of information there on using a Kindle.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html

Hope this helps!

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[HarryT]

Agreed - get the Kindle Touch. Excellent reader, and Amazon have the best bookstore and the best customer service in the business.

[Shopaholic]

Or try to find a Kindle 3G (touch) from Walmart in the US for $110.

[jojoba]

One more vote for the Kindle Touch. It's a very nice device.

[Rob Lister]

If you want epub support (the industry standard), nook touch is the way to go. I love my nook but have nothing against kindle other than its lack of epub support. Nook Simple Touch is also $80.

Both are almost identical in terms of usability and readability.

Both come with firmware that tries to bind you into a specific ecosystem. Both are a bit obnoxous with their intrusion into your reading habits.

Amazon (Kindle) has better customer service if that is important to you.

Nook has physical presence (B&N bookstores) which I find attractive.

PCMag does a fair comparison of the two devices.
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2372819,00.asp

There are many other devices also, but I don't know much about them.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Rob Lister

If you want epub support, nook touch is the way to go. I love my nook but have nothing against kindle other than its lack of epub support.

That depends what country the OP is in - and she (?) doesn't say. 95% of people live outside the USA, the only place where the nook is sold.

[Rob Lister]

Originally Posted by HarryT

That depends what country the OP is in - and she (?) doesn't say. 95% of people live outside the USA, the only place where the nook is sold.

So true. Her writing style had that 'merican feel, but she could be from Mars for all I know.

ETA: from a pedantic viewpoint, I doubt there is a 95% chance she is outside the USA if she is posting here. I'd guess something along the lines of 65%. Someone should do some demographics research to nail that down.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Rob Lister

So true. Her writing style had that 'merican feel, but she could be from Mars for all I know.

Very true. Lots of beaches on Mars (well, lots of sand, at least. Not so great when it comes to actual water...).

[faithbw]

Originally Posted by Sandie C

Hello everyone, I'm a novice when it comes to EBooks and Readers, I have not a clue what is the best one to purchase. I love to read when I have time,and like nothing better than to curl up with an actual book and read. However, I know it would be more convienent to use an E Reader at the pool or beach, we are at the beach for the summer.
Does anyone have any ideas on what to purchase, I was thinking Kindle, only because I have heard the most about them. All I want is something that I can read books on, it doesnt have to have any other added things, as I am into graphics, and graphic programs, so need an actual PC for that. Also where can I get a "for dummies" explanation on how to even start using one, as I said I'm totally clueless, and will be starting from square "zero" lol. Thanks for any input. Sandie

Check your local library. I was browsing the new books at my library recently and I saw books on how to use the Nook and the Kindle. In fact, you might be able to look at your library's catalog online and see what books on e-readers they have in their collection.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by faithbw

Check your local library. I was browsing the new books at my library recently and I saw books on how to use the Nook and the Kindle. In fact, you might be able to look at your library's catalog online and see what books on e-readers they have in their collection.

The Kindle User Guide is extremely well-written, and is an excellent introduction to its use. Personally, I really don't think that anything more is required.

[BlueSky77]

Originally Posted by Rob Lister

If you want epub support (the industry standard), nook touch is the way to go. I love my nook but have nothing against kindle other than its lack of epub support. Nook Simple Touch is also $80.
<snip>
Amazon (Kindle) has better customer service if that is important to you.

Nook has physical presence (B&N bookstores) which I find attractive.

As a former Nook Color user (I still own it but don't use the nook functionality), I agree with you 100% regarding Amazon having better customer service. Amazon has MUCH, MUCH, MUCH better customer service and tech support. I spent many long hours on the phone with Barnes & Noble attempting to straighten out issues but they went unresolved due to the incompotent customer service reps that handle Nook tech support.

The epub format may be more widely accepted but that doesn't mean the Kindle or Mobi formats are lacking. Having owned both a Nook and a Kindle device, I've found that both Amazon and Barnes & Noble are pretty much equal when it comes to ebook selection. Concerning public libraries; the library that I belong to offers all of their books in both epub and Kindle formats so there's no lacking in that area either.

____________________
No trees were harmed in the sending of this message;
however, a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.