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wallcraft · 03-01-2008, 04:01 PM

The Kindle's must be coming in batches, because the delivery time was down to less than 3 weeks a couple of weeks ago.

All three devices use similar components, with the Kindle perhaps being the most complex. So I would expect hardware failure rates to be similar (and they are probably low - although no one ever releases statistics). Where the Kindle shines is in customer support, which is comforting with relatively cutting edge technology.

You would probably be happy with any of the three readers, but the Kindle is certainly the easiest to use from the point of view of format conversion. Almost every e-book published in the US with DRM is already available for purchase from Amazon. Most DRM-free e-books are available in the MOBI format, which works "as is" on the Kindle. Finally, Amazon's mail-in conversion service could not be easier to use.

I have never used a Sony or Cybook, but my impression is that the Kindle's software is the most full featured and polished. Strangely, the area where it falls down a bit is in displaying text. The Kindle has a single font, in six sizes. The size options cover a good range, but the spacing between lines is not adjustable (and is too large). There are (at least) two schools of thought about fonts: one is that a single good font is best for consistency and the other is that a choice of fonts is best. I like to use the same font for everything, but I also like to choose the font that best suits me. The Amazon font is ok, but I prefer a bolder font (or a bold everything option).

I suggest test driving your Kindle, which should arrive soon. I don't think you will be disappointed. If it breaks quickly, then you have the option of returning it and buying one of the others.

03-01-2008, 04:01 PM	#4
wallcraft reader Posts: 6,977 Karma: 5183568 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mississippi, USA Device: Kindle 3, Kobo Glo HD	The Kindle's must be coming in batches, because the delivery time was down to less than 3 weeks a couple of weeks ago. All three devices use similar components, with the Kindle perhaps being the most complex. So I would expect hardware failure rates to be similar (and they are probably low - although no one ever releases statistics). Where the Kindle shines is in customer support, which is comforting with relatively cutting edge technology. You would probably be happy with any of the three readers, but the Kindle is certainly the easiest to use from the point of view of format conversion. Almost every e-book published in the US with DRM is already available for purchase from Amazon. Most DRM-free e-books are available in the MOBI format, which works "as is" on the Kindle. Finally, Amazon's mail-in conversion service could not be easier to use. I have never used a Sony or Cybook, but my impression is that the Kindle's software is the most full featured and polished. Strangely, the area where it falls down a bit is in displaying text. The Kindle has a single font, in six sizes. The size options cover a good range, but the spacing between lines is not adjustable (and is too large). There are (at least) two schools of thought about fonts: one is that a single good font is best for consistency and the other is that a choice of fonts is best. I like to use the same font for everything, but I also like to choose the font that best suits me. The Amazon font is ok, but I prefer a bolder font (or a bold everything option). I suggest test driving your Kindle, which should arrive soon. I don't think you will be disappointed. If it breaks quickly, then you have the option of returning it and buying one of the others.