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Originally Posted by Alisa
I wonder if most Sony users buy books from Connect or from other sources. I know most of the folks here don't but I don't know how typical they are. I bring this up because I think one could make a compelling argument that the Kindle + Amazon is likely cheaper in the long run for many people than Sony + Connect. This isn't just because the book prices are a bit lower. Because you get free samples, you rarely end up buying a book you don't like or end up finishing. Sony has excerpts but they seem rather short. Also, because you can get your books almost anywhere in the US regardless of whether you have a computer with you, there is rarely a need to buy more than what you want to read right now. When I bought paper books, I would try to get books for a month at a time. Because of this I have quite a few books I haven't read. I may never read them. My fancy for them passed. With the Kindle, I only buy in advance if I'm leaving the country. Even then, I can read a generous sample at my leisure. When I look at how much money I've wasted in those two ways, I can see that $100-$150 gap closing really quickly. When I add to that the features that Sony lacks, the decision is really easy.
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I have spent alot of time between the Connect store and the Kindle store. ON average the Kindle books are consistently cheaper for Best sellers' at 9.99 most Sony new release titles are in the 11-14 dollar range. Now everyday titles at the Sony store seem to be 7.49 compared to Kindle's 6.49-6.89 price However Sony offers bundles that come in under the Kindle prices if bought individually. Sony also emails out discount coupons that range from mostly 20% up to 50% Keep in mind all of these prices may vary depending on individual books, but title for title this is what I have found. Yes in the long run if you buy individual books from the Connect Store about every 3rd or 4th book would have been able to get you a 5th book at the kindle prices. My only Fear with Sony is that like other products in the Past Sony may decide to cut an run on the Ebook Market. My wife and I just had this discussion yesterday even though I may not like the hardware (Kindle) Amazon knows Books. Sony is a knowledgeable company when it comes to hardware and electronics but what does Sony know about Books. I think it should have been a joint venture Sony supplies the Hardware and Amazon the Content. Who knows it may even go to that in the future with a merge of Technology. Even if you had both Devices not all titles are available between the two, There are alot of incomplete series offered leaving you to still buying print versions. I have found that with the exception of a few Both stores offer the same titles. Sorry for the long Post but this is a favorite topic of mine seeing as how I really want both devices. But in the End I think Content should weigh in more heavily than Hardware. This coming from the guy that has bought more Aesthetically pleasing gadgets to only have them tank a year later because of a lack of support (anyone remember the Sega Dreamcast, Or Phillips CD-i or my personal favorite the DIVX player)
JJ