[faithbw]

Originally Posted by boswd

as much as I love the hardware of the Sony's, I have a tough time recommending them. Not much in the way of value.

If you don't mind me asking, why do you think there isn't much value in terms of hardware?

2. nooks, like you mentioned have the tie in with Barnes and Nobles store, More InStore, Lend Me, Coupons, Free Friday's, Read any book inStore, Starbuck's Cafe freebies. It makes it more than just an electronic devce, IMO, it's makes it more fun.

I do like this and I admit it is one of the features of Nook that attracts me to it. I haven't been to the bookstore too much lately because there's snow outside and it's cold. However, in the Spring, Summer and Fall I tend to go more often.

Originally Posted by polly

You said that you weren't interested in DRM books, which takes away most of the advantages of having WiFi built in to your reader. There are very few books in the bookstores that don't have DRM, so really, you're talking about library books and books that you've gotten from somewhere else. There are a few booksellers who sell books without DRM, but I don't know if you could access their sites with your reader. Personally, I use Calibre to organize my library and give me tags and metadata. Even if I had a reader with 3G or WiFi, I'd want Calibre to organize my books, so 3G and WiFi have no appeal to me. I've never once thought that I had to have a particular book RIGHT NOW and couldn't wait until I was at my computer and shopping for prices. Plugging a reader into a computer is really painless and my smart phone does a much better job at web browsing and checking email.

This is what I've been thinking as well. I usually have my iPod with me when I'm on the go and if I'm anywhere with wifi, it works just fine for web browsing and e-mail. Unless I forget my iPod, I couldn't really see using the eReader to access the internet or e-mail.

I'd recommend the Sony 5" if you want something small or the 6" if you want something closer to a paperback book size. I really wanted to like the Nook when it came out, but thought that the menus were confusing and poorly organized and that it was designed to support B&N books well and everything else poorly. I don't know if the firmware upgrades have improved it, but it didn't originally have any way to organize your books (folders or collection).

I've read this on other sites as well. I do like the color touchscreen on the bottom of the Nook. The covers are cool but I heard that the covers only appear for books brought at b&n.com. I also read that the organization for non B&N books is difficult.

Any Nook owners encounter this?

Originally Posted by natasha_fawn

(B&N has been a bit stingy with the cafe coupons recently, too, that's what really got us in.)

That's suppose to be one of the best perks (well, it was definitely one of the reasons I was looking at the Nook )!

If you're having a really hard time deciding, I would recommend getting the 350 from a store with a good return policy and using it for a week. See if you miss the wifi. If you do, return it and try the nook or the 950. Or get the nook to try and if you find yourself in B&N reading it all the time, that's probably the one for you.

You will probably be happy with whatever you end up with, they're all good devices and it seems like any one of them would be a decent fit for you.

I never thought about doing that but that is a good idea.

Originally Posted by delphin

I was tempted by the refurbished Nooks at 99 bucks, but I decided to go with the Sony PRS-650, and am very, Very, VERY pleased that I did.

Personally, knowing what I do now, if my budget was more limited, I would have gone with the PRS-350 in preference to the Nook.

I agree with the comments already made that the value of WiFi or 3G on an e-ink reader device is currently fairly limited.

I spend a tiny fraction of 1% of my time loading books onto the device, and much more than 99% percent of the time actually USING it to read books.

Plus, when I am looking for new reading material, I prefer a nice PC or Tablet based Web Browser NOT a tiny e-ink screen.

Also there is the fact that the current WiFi reader devices are set up to only make it convenient to buy from a single source, which in the case of B&N is often NOT the best deal price wise.

What made you choose ultimately made you choose the Sony Reader over the Nook?

Originally Posted by boswd

Its actually a better choice than sonys bookstore. But you aren't limited to only have to buy from bn. It supports epub and you would sideload same as the sony and shop basically wherever you please. With nook wifi its cheaper than than the 350 more screen real estate and you get the option of shopping wireless. Don't discount the overall convience of shopping not only from your device but from your computer when browsing online and not have to hook up your device. To be able to point click and buy and then have it on your device without having to connect and sideload, is beyond convienant.

IMHO the 350 provides 0 incentive. If it was under a $100 sure but at that price there are better options out there. There really are

I have read that Sony's bookstore is rather limited. I have to check it out myself.

The last two posts bring up another issue. How easy is it to sideload books onto both devices? If I borrow library eBooks or buy eBooks from another source besides Sony or B&N, I'll have to sideload. Does anyone find one eReader easier to sideload books onto than the other?