Which reader would best fit my demands?

BorderCollie · 12-07-2010, 05:44 PM

So, I have decided to buy an ebook reader.

But, I am not sure which one would best fit my demands.

And what I am looking for is the following:

Cheap. price not more than $150, be it used or new.
Ability to be upload books and other files to it without the need for specialised software - just connect it to a computer, copy, paste and be done with it.
Relatively fast software.
Atleast average with PDF files.
No LCD screens.
Atleast somewhat good build quality - I know that I am not going to get something that was very well built, but I dont want something that feels like it will fall apart when I hold it my hands. I know that this one might be rather silly, but yesterday I went to a store to check out the only reader that they had in, a cheap chinese reader - not a very big choice of ereaders in my country sadly, and it felt rather too flimsy.

That would be it.

Thanks in advance for any help.

boxcorner · 12-08-2010, 10:57 AM

I bought my Sony PRS-650 from Borders.com in the US, when they were doing a special offer. So, they ought be willing to deliver to a country that is a candidate for EU membership and already a member of NATO and the WTO, as they already deliver to the EU.

The 650 is outside your budget, but Borders are selling the 350 for $169.99 if your budget can be stretched that far. The 350 has a 5" screen, whereas the one on the 650 is 6".

http://www.borders.com/online/store/MediaView_ereaders

Sony is renowned for its build-quality and it handles PDF files reasonably well. I use Copy & Paste all the time, with Linux, so you should be able to do the same if you use Windows. Both the 350 and 650 have E Ink Vizplex Pearl screens (ie non-backlit; non-LCD).

Look around for special offers. I expect prices will drop in the New Year. Good luck!

Addendum
eBay lists both new and used e-readers.

speedtouch · 12-08-2010, 12:24 PM

The PocketBook 360 and 301+ would meet your requirements.

SkyDream · 12-08-2010, 01:16 PM

Sony would be fine but expensive. Maybe you can catch a discount or a cheap refurb. Otherwise Kindle 3 may fit. It's cheap and meet your requirements.

ProfCrash · 12-08-2010, 08:38 PM

The Nook, Kobo, and Kindle fit your requirements. Both of them make your life even easier because you can download books using the WiFi or 3G connection

Assuming that there are Best Buys in Fubarstan I would say check out the Sonys, although I think they will be over $150, Nooks, and Kindles.

If you live outside of the US, and it sounds like you do, the Kindle is an international e-reader that allows you to use the 3G option globally.

boxcorner · 12-09-2010, 05:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

... you can download books using the WiFi or 3G connection ... allows you to use the 3G option globally.

If the infrastructure exists to support it. Also, check the cost of using 3G in Croatia.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

... Nooks ...

Last time I checked, Barnes & Noble (ie Nooks) only ships within the USA and a US billing address is required; similarly, Kobo is limited to Canada and USA. There are ways around these restrictions, but then that raises the question of warranty.

https://www.usunlocked.com/blog/?tag...rom-outside-us

ProfCrash · 12-09-2010, 09:46 AM

True but plenty of people have figured out how to get Nooks and Kobos abroad. Each of their forums has topics that tell people how they can buy the devices.

I believe that Amazon only sells the Kindle where whispernet is supported. Since Amazon sells the Kindle to Croatia there is infrastructure to support it .

From Amazon's Web Page

"Croatia
To ship a Kindle to Croatia you must purchase a Kindle from this separate page.

We are excited to now ship Kindle to Croatia. Customers in Croatia will enjoy:
Books in Under 60 Seconds: Think of a book and you could be reading it in under a minute.

Free Wireless: Free 3G wireless lets you download books right from your Kindle. No monthly fees, service plans, or hunting for Wi-Fi hotspots. For non-U.S. customers, there are also no additional charges for wireless delivery in or outside your home country. See Coverage Map. See Wireless Terms and Conditions

Growing Selection: Over 520,000 English-language books to choose from; plus U.S. and international newspapers and magazines are available for your country. Because publishers give us eBook rights on a country by country basis, available titles for your country will vary from our current U.S selection. We are actively working with publishers to get the rights to all titles for every country and adding this selection every day. Check the Kindle Store to see available titles.

Low Book Prices: New York Times® Best Sellers and New Releases are $11.99, unless marked otherwise. You'll also find many books for less - over 150,000 titles are priced under $5.99

Learn more about Kindle features on the Kindle product page"

boxcorner · 12-09-2010, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

... Amazon sells the Kindle to Croatia ...

Good news, if BorderCollie doesn't mind foregoing ePub format and effectively being tied to Amazon.

ProfCrash · 12-09-2010, 01:10 PM

BorderCollie will be as tied to Amazon as Sony users are to the Sony bookstore. There are plenty of stores that sell Mobi books. Not to mention Amazon has the largest selection of books out there.

wvcherrybomb · 12-09-2010, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

BorderCollie will be as tied to Amazon as Sony users are to the Sony bookstore. There are plenty of stores that sell Mobi books. Not to mention Amazon has the largest selection of books out there.

boxcorner · 12-09-2010, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

BorderCollie will be as tied to Amazon as Sony users are to the Sony bookstore. There are plenty of stores that sell Mobi books. Not to mention Amazon has the largest selection of books out there.

"... will be ...", has BorderCollie chosen which e-reader to get, yet? I must have missed that. You also seem to be assuming that BorderCollie is willing to pay for e-books. Not everyone wants to spend more than the difference in price between a Kindle and Sony on e-books. Amazon's humongous selection of e-books might not be very relevant, if BorderCollie is more interested in free e-books. However, assuming they do want to pay for the use of DRM-restricted e-books, if they bought a Sony, then they wouldn't be precluded from buying from either book-store, would they? Sure there are plenty of Mobi e-books available, but IMHO Sony's compatibility with ePub format provides the user with wider freedom-of-choice. We've made our choices; I hope that BorderCollie will be as happy with theirs, as we are with ours.

ProfCrash · 12-09-2010, 03:55 PM

If you go back and review my original post, I didn't push a Kindle. I gave the OP four options. Admittidly, I did miss that they were outside of the US so the Best Buy suggestion was not helpful. Your initial objection to the idea of a Kindle was that it might not be supported in Croatia, it is, and that the 3G might not be free, it is. Then you toss out the tied to Amazon line. It is not.

The Sony is out of the OP price range. The Nook and Kobo are in the OP price range if he/she wants to investigate how to get one shipped to him/her and are in his/her price range.

You can download free books to your Kindle as easily as you can to a Sony or a Nook or a Kobo. There are even sites that are set up to send books to your Kindle using whispernet. I believe Feedbooks is one of those sites.

You have a bias against the Kindle. I get that some folks love EPub and think that it is the best thing since slice bread was invented but the constant repetition of the same silly "You are tied to Amazon's store" is 1) wrong and 2) old. Amazon does have the largest collection of e-books so a reader is likely to find the books they want in Amazons store. Amazons large selection of books might be geo restricted but those restrictions will also impeded him/her from buying those books from Sony or any other legit e-book store. And since Agency Pricing seems to be taking hold across the globe, the price difference from store to store is not likely to exist. So the freedom that comes with an E-Pub reader seems nice on paper but really doesn't mean much in reality.

boxcorner · 12-09-2010, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

... Your initial objection to the idea of a Kindle was that it might not be supported in Croatia, it is, and that the 3G might not be free, it is ...

I didn't suggest that Kindle might not be supported in Croatia. What I wrote was, "If the infrastructure exists to support it". Meaning communications infrastructure (ie WiFi). I guess you assumed I meant sales, after-sales support, warranty, etc.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

... Your initial objection to the idea of a Kindle ... that the 3G might not be free, it is. ...

You're assuming that I object to Kindle, or the 3G version. What I wrote was, "... check the cost of using 3G in Croatia". I have read that there can be hidden costs. Just because Amazon doesn't charge, doesn't mean that BorderCollie's service provider wouldn't. Surely it's better that BorderCollie checks beforehand, rather than get a nasty surprise later.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

... The Sony is out of the OP price range ...

I believe I said as much.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

... You can download free books to your Kindle as easily as you can to a Sony or a Nook or a Kobo. There are even sites that are set up to send books to your Kindle using whispernet. I believe Feedbooks is one of those sites ...

So I gather, but I still prefer having ePub compatibility.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

... You have a bias against the Kindle ...

Can't argue with that, given that I chose a Sony over the Kindle. I realise the latter is more popular, doesn't necessarily make it the best choice for the BorderCollie though. I didn't like the idea of the keyboard, but it might not bother them. They might not like the idea of the Sony's touch-screen.

These things are subjective, not something that's either right or wrong. Your Kindle is right for you; my Sony is right for me. I don't object to the Kindle per se; it's just not right for me. I'm sure we can agree to disagree. You have argued your side well and I expect BorderCollie will appreciate the points that you raised in favour of the Kindle.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

... Agency Pricing seems to be taking hold across the globe, the price difference from store to store is not likely to exist. ...

I'd be surprised if the EU allowed it to go unchallenged.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

... So the freedom that comes with an E-Pub reader seems nice on paper but really doesn't mean much in reality

Time will tell. Meanwhile, it's been fun discussing the pros and cons with you.

erictoma · 12-09-2010, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

If you go back and review my original post, I didn't push a Kindle. I gave the OP four options. Admittidly, I did miss that they were outside of the US so the Best Buy suggestion was not helpful. Your initial objection to the idea of a Kindle was that it might not be supported in Croatia, it is, and that the 3G might not be free, it is. Then you toss out the tied to Amazon line. It is not.

The Sony is out of the OP price range. The Nook and Kobo are in the OP price range if he/she wants to investigate how to get one shipped to him/her and are in his/her price range.

You can download free books to your Kindle as easily as you can to a Sony or a Nook or a Kobo. There are even sites that are set up to send books to your Kindle using whispernet. I believe Feedbooks is one of those sites.

You have a bias against the Kindle. I get that some folks love EPub and think that it is the best thing since slice bread was invented but the constant repetition of the same silly "You are tied to Amazon's store" is 1) wrong and 2) old. Amazon does have the largest collection of e-books so a reader is likely to find the books they want in Amazons store. Amazons large selection of books might be geo restricted but those restrictions will also impeded him/her from buying those books from Sony or any other legit e-book store. And since Agency Pricing seems to be taking hold across the globe, the price difference from store to store is not likely to exist. So the freedom that comes with an E-Pub reader seems nice on paper but really doesn't mean much in reality.

Are you working on behalf of amazon or just a member like others?

ProfCrash · 12-09-2010, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by erictoma

Are you working on behalf of amazon or just a member like others?

LOL

12-07-2010, 05:44 PM	#1
BorderCollie Slightly out of phase. Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Fubarstan City, Croatian Republic of Fubarstan Device: Prestigio PER3362B(gajah Oaxis)	Which reader would best fit my demands? So, I have decided to buy an ebook reader. But, I am not sure which one would best fit my demands. And what I am looking for is the following: Cheap. price not more than $150, be it used or new. Ability to be upload books and other files to it without the need for specialised software - just connect it to a computer, copy, paste and be done with it. Relatively fast software. Atleast average with PDF files. No LCD screens. Atleast somewhat good build quality - I know that I am not going to get something that was very well built, but I dont want something that feels like it will fall apart when I hold it my hands. I know that this one might be rather silly, but yesterday I went to a store to check out the only reader that they had in, a cheap chinese reader - not a very big choice of ereaders in my country sadly, and it felt rather too flimsy. That would be it. Thanks in advance for any help.

12-08-2010, 10:57 AM	#2
boxcorner »(°±°)« Posts: 826 Karma: 775629 Join Date: Oct 2010 Device: divisive reader	I bought my Sony PRS-650 from Borders.com in the US, when they were doing a special offer. So, they ought be willing to deliver to a country that is a candidate for EU membership and already a member of NATO and the WTO, as they already deliver to the EU. The 650 is outside your budget, but Borders are selling the 350 for $169.99 if your budget can be stretched that far. The 350 has a 5" screen, whereas the one on the 650 is 6". http://www.borders.com/online/store/MediaView_ereaders Sony is renowned for its build-quality and it handles PDF files reasonably well. I use Copy & Paste all the time, with Linux, so you should be able to do the same if you use Windows. Both the 350 and 650 have E Ink Vizplex Pearl screens (ie non-backlit; non-LCD). Look around for special offers. I expect prices will drop in the New Year. Good luck! Addendum eBay lists both new and used e-readers. Last edited by boxcorner; 12-08-2010 at 01:35 PM.

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12-08-2010, 12:24 PM	#3
speedtouch eBook Newbie Posts: 373 Karma: 1724 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: Kobo Clara HD	The PocketBook 360 and 301+ would meet your requirements.

12-08-2010, 01:16 PM	#4
SkyDream Wizard Posts: 1,377 Karma: 9400 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Europe Device: PRS-650, iPod touch 4G, iPad 3	Sony would be fine but expensive. Maybe you can catch a discount or a cheap refurb. Otherwise Kindle 3 may fit. It's cheap and meet your requirements.

12-08-2010, 08:38 PM	#5
ProfCrash Tea Enthusiast Posts: 8,554 Karma: 75384937 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Somewhere in the USA Device: Kindle1, Kindle DX Graphite, K3 3G, IPad 3, PW2	The Nook, Kobo, and Kindle fit your requirements. Both of them make your life even easier because you can download books using the WiFi or 3G connection Assuming that there are Best Buys in Fubarstan I would say check out the Sonys, although I think they will be over $150, Nooks, and Kindles. If you live outside of the US, and it sounds like you do, the Kindle is an international e-reader that allows you to use the 3G option globally.

12-09-2010, 09:46 AM	#7
ProfCrash Tea Enthusiast Posts: 8,554 Karma: 75384937 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Somewhere in the USA Device: Kindle1, Kindle DX Graphite, K3 3G, IPad 3, PW2	True but plenty of people have figured out how to get Nooks and Kobos abroad. Each of their forums has topics that tell people how they can buy the devices. I believe that Amazon only sells the Kindle where whispernet is supported. Since Amazon sells the Kindle to Croatia there is infrastructure to support it . From Amazon's Web Page "Croatia To ship a Kindle to Croatia you must purchase a Kindle from this separate page. We are excited to now ship Kindle to Croatia. Customers in Croatia will enjoy: Books in Under 60 Seconds: Think of a book and you could be reading it in under a minute. Free Wireless: Free 3G wireless lets you download books right from your Kindle. No monthly fees, service plans, or hunting for Wi-Fi hotspots. For non-U.S. customers, there are also no additional charges for wireless delivery in or outside your home country. See Coverage Map. See Wireless Terms and Conditions Growing Selection: Over 520,000 English-language books to choose from; plus U.S. and international newspapers and magazines are available for your country. Because publishers give us eBook rights on a country by country basis, available titles for your country will vary from our current U.S selection. We are actively working with publishers to get the rights to all titles for every country and adding this selection every day. Check the Kindle Store to see available titles. Low Book Prices: New York Times® Best Sellers and New Releases are $11.99, unless marked otherwise. You'll also find many books for less - over 150,000 titles are priced under $5.99 Learn more about Kindle features on the Kindle product page"

12-09-2010, 01:10 PM	#9
ProfCrash Tea Enthusiast Posts: 8,554 Karma: 75384937 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Somewhere in the USA Device: Kindle1, Kindle DX Graphite, K3 3G, IPad 3, PW2	BorderCollie will be as tied to Amazon as Sony users are to the Sony bookstore. There are plenty of stores that sell Mobi books. Not to mention Amazon has the largest selection of books out there.

12-09-2010, 03:55 PM	#12
ProfCrash Tea Enthusiast Posts: 8,554 Karma: 75384937 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Somewhere in the USA Device: Kindle1, Kindle DX Graphite, K3 3G, IPad 3, PW2	If you go back and review my original post, I didn't push a Kindle. I gave the OP four options. Admittidly, I did miss that they were outside of the US so the Best Buy suggestion was not helpful. Your initial objection to the idea of a Kindle was that it might not be supported in Croatia, it is, and that the 3G might not be free, it is. Then you toss out the tied to Amazon line. It is not. The Sony is out of the OP price range. The Nook and Kobo are in the OP price range if he/she wants to investigate how to get one shipped to him/her and are in his/her price range. You can download free books to your Kindle as easily as you can to a Sony or a Nook or a Kobo. There are even sites that are set up to send books to your Kindle using whispernet. I believe Feedbooks is one of those sites. You have a bias against the Kindle. I get that some folks love EPub and think that it is the best thing since slice bread was invented but the constant repetition of the same silly "You are tied to Amazon's store" is 1) wrong and 2) old. Amazon does have the largest collection of e-books so a reader is likely to find the books they want in Amazons store. Amazons large selection of books might be geo restricted but those restrictions will also impeded him/her from buying those books from Sony or any other legit e-book store. And since Agency Pricing seems to be taking hold across the globe, the price difference from store to store is not likely to exist. So the freedom that comes with an E-Pub reader seems nice on paper but really doesn't mean much in reality.

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