Quote:
Originally Posted by jodykihara
The reason I started the Canada-specific thread is because I'm not sure if there are issues with buying e-books from outside of Canada? E.g., with iTunes, I can only buy from the iTunes Canada store, NOT the US one (which means I often can't use coupons I receive).
Also, my absolute MUST is that my e-reader will work with Canadian libraries! (My local librarian told me Kindles won't work)
|
Your local librarian was officially, but not technically, correct. If you end up going with a Kindle, PM me and I can help. I should add that I read many of my books on the Kindle from the BC Library download site.
(NOT trying to start a kerfluffle about DRM here, just stating a fact, without interpretation.)
Quote:
So... any fellow Canadians out there who can give me e-reader recommendations? Specs that are important to me:
- Monitor size
- Monitor clarity
- Weight (I want a light one!)
- Battery life
- Ease of ebook purchase/download/sync
- I'd prefer a charger that plugs into the wall rather than my computer, for times I travel without a computer
- and on that note, I guess I need a dual voltage charger? For travel in Europe etc.
|
Your three choices, IMO, are Kobo, Sony and Kindle. You will ALWAYS have to deal with store restrictions, unless you're willing to create a US address for the purposes of book buying. That's a fact of life and actually NOT in the control of Amazon, or Kobo, or any other retailer. It all has to do with how the publishing rights are controlled and contracted, and who has the right to sell a particular eBook in what country/region.
Kobo and Sony are both ePub based, and will work with the library system directly. Both have Pearl eInk screens. The Kobo is a newer model, and to my way of thinking is the easier to buy books with.
Kindle is not ePub based, but Mobi based. This means that using books from the library requires DRM removal and conversion. However, the process is simple and easy to do and doesn't require a technical wizard. The Kindle has absolutely the easiest book buying experience, plus it has a useful browser that makes it easy to buy books from other, non-Amazon, sources. The Kindle is also Pearl eInk, so easy to read and a very long battery life.
Personally, I love my Kindle. I highly recommend it, and it can meet all your requirements. But if you absolutely think you can't remove DRM to read a book (NOT illegal in Canada, by the way), then the Kobo would be my choice.
(note that the number of books in the Kobo store is significantly fewer than in the Amazon store, even when geo-restrictions are taken into account. OTOH, I do buy books from the Kobo store when they aren't available from my US Amazon account, such as this year's Giller prize winner. Then I strip the DRM and convert to Mobi. )