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bmatt · 09-14-2010, 08:03 AM

I know there are various threads regarding deciding which device is right, and I've read over many of them, but I am still having trouble deciding on which eReader, if any, I should get.

I got a Palm Pre with Sprint last year and have been using it to read books on, I have read about 8 on it so far, but the screen is a bit small and it can irritate my eyes compared to a book so I have been toying with the idea of dedicated eReader. I am also looking at returning to school and have seen some availability of text books, though I don't know that it s really a feasible option at this point but something that could be interesting.

I have narrowed my search down to Kindle 3, Nook and the new Sony PRS-650. I had all but made my decision up that I would be getting a Sony and was waiting on new devices to be released. However he pricing has been a little bit of a game changer or me, being that the PRS-650 with a lighted cover runs about $299 shipped from Sony. Also the lack of connectivity is a little bit disappointing.

Kindle

I like the eInk pearl display of the Kindle and the price is excellent as all I really need is wfi connectivity, though 3G would be cool I don't see myself using it that often. The concerning part of the Kindle is the format support, and I know you an shift formats with decent results but I don't really want to have to do that. Also checking books in/out of a library would be nice, though my county library doesn't offer the sevice. I have found another one a couple counties away that supports overdrive and I can become a member for $33/year. Other than that, the Kindle seems like a strong competitor, though don't particularly care for the design.

Nook

I have been really eyeballing this one, with a slightly higher price tag than the Kindle and more open format support, and ability to check out books. Problems with this one are, touchscreen is a bit odd and I have heard of glare bothering people, I'd have to check it out myself. The weight and battery life seem to be a bit concerning as well, though a few days of battery is more than sufficient in most cases. The other main concern I have is the older eInk display, with the pearl out now I feel I may be disappointed with the older display at a higher price. Also, barnes and noble's questionable situation is also a bit concerning, though the open format and android should help there.

Sony

All around features sound nice. Touch screen selection of highlighting, dictionary lookup and page turning are all a plus for me coming from reading on a touch screen phone. The size/weight and design are also a plus. Open format and ability to check out from libraries is also good. The new eInk pearl display is god. The negatives are obviously the price and then no connectivity unless I wait for th 950 with wifi and 3g. Problem with the 950 would be possiblythe size and the extra $50, since that'd push it to arond $350 with cover/light. At $350 I am approaching iPad price range, though I wouldn't buy an iPad anyway most likely, have a nice laptop and would like a device to read on comfortably.

So I guess my main concerns are the display and format support. I think I've heard people mention that are a lot of bigger libraries, or some, that offer anyone to become a member and check out eBook for a annual membership fee, which would save a lot of money on books, theoretically. I have one option locally that could be nice. The last thing is connectivity, though I don't know that it is that important since I dont read periodicals or keep up with RSS feeds and stuff. I work on computers all day long, programming, so I have access to articles and small reads most of the time. I am not a big annotation person for books, even school though I do make notes outside of books, so I don't know that it is a huge feature but it definitely wouldn't hurt.

09-14-2010, 08:03 AM	#1
bmatt Enthusiast Posts: 48 Karma: 12 Join Date: Sep 2010 Device: Sony PRS-650	Open format I know there are various threads regarding deciding which device is right, and I've read over many of them, but I am still having trouble deciding on which eReader, if any, I should get. I got a Palm Pre with Sprint last year and have been using it to read books on, I have read about 8 on it so far, but the screen is a bit small and it can irritate my eyes compared to a book so I have been toying with the idea of dedicated eReader. I am also looking at returning to school and have seen some availability of text books, though I don't know that it s really a feasible option at this point but something that could be interesting. I have narrowed my search down to Kindle 3, Nook and the new Sony PRS-650. I had all but made my decision up that I would be getting a Sony and was waiting on new devices to be released. However he pricing has been a little bit of a game changer or me, being that the PRS-650 with a lighted cover runs about $299 shipped from Sony. Also the lack of connectivity is a little bit disappointing. Kindle I like the eInk pearl display of the Kindle and the price is excellent as all I really need is wfi connectivity, though 3G would be cool I don't see myself using it that often. The concerning part of the Kindle is the format support, and I know you an shift formats with decent results but I don't really want to have to do that. Also checking books in/out of a library would be nice, though my county library doesn't offer the sevice. I have found another one a couple counties away that supports overdrive and I can become a member for $33/year. Other than that, the Kindle seems like a strong competitor, though don't particularly care for the design. Nook I have been really eyeballing this one, with a slightly higher price tag than the Kindle and more open format support, and ability to check out books. Problems with this one are, touchscreen is a bit odd and I have heard of glare bothering people, I'd have to check it out myself. The weight and battery life seem to be a bit concerning as well, though a few days of battery is more than sufficient in most cases. The other main concern I have is the older eInk display, with the pearl out now I feel I may be disappointed with the older display at a higher price. Also, barnes and noble's questionable situation is also a bit concerning, though the open format and android should help there. Sony All around features sound nice. Touch screen selection of highlighting, dictionary lookup and page turning are all a plus for me coming from reading on a touch screen phone. The size/weight and design are also a plus. Open format and ability to check out from libraries is also good. The new eInk pearl display is god. The negatives are obviously the price and then no connectivity unless I wait for th 950 with wifi and 3g. Problem with the 950 would be possiblythe size and the extra $50, since that'd push it to arond $350 with cover/light. At $350 I am approaching iPad price range, though I wouldn't buy an iPad anyway most likely, have a nice laptop and would like a device to read on comfortably. So I guess my main concerns are the display and format support. I think I've heard people mention that are a lot of bigger libraries, or some, that offer anyone to become a member and check out eBook for a annual membership fee, which would save a lot of money on books, theoretically. I have one option locally that could be nice. The last thing is connectivity, though I don't know that it is that important since I dont read periodicals or keep up with RSS feeds and stuff. I work on computers all day long, programming, so I have access to articles and small reads most of the time. I am not a big annotation person for books, even school though I do make notes outside of books, so I don't know that it is a huge feature but it definitely wouldn't hurt.