MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - Why should I get a Kindle over a Sony Reader?

ricou · 12-08-2009, 10:12 AM

Hi,

I purchased a kindle 2 one week ago. Currently I own, an iliad book edition, a cybook gen 3 and used to have a bebook as well.

I dropped the bebook and it broke, which is why I got a Cygen in the first place...
I dropped the cygen and I thought it broke too (eInk stains on the screen, unrecoverable on the bebook, but recoverable on the cygen, since it worked fine two days after) which is the reason why I purchased a Kindle 2.

The Iliad is used solely for pdf and it is comfortable for casual reading as well (assuming you hold it with both hands), otherwise it is too cumbersome.

So my main use for Kindle 2 is reading while commuting (train, bus, tram), where it is often required that you hold to a railing, meaning you only have one hand free.

All my ebook worked like a charm.
I am not worried about any format being supported or not, you have Caliber to deal with those pesky issues.
I do not purchase a lot of ebooks (mostly read those available on the Internet), so the wireless is also not a need to have.
I do not care at all about the touch screen (glare, less contrast + fingerprint stains).

All the 6” ebooks had the same contrast. If I remember correctly, the bebook looked better than the cygen, but this is a matter of personal taste.
All were easily portable. The bebook had well placed buttons on each side that were really useful while holding it with one hand.
The cygen is more difficult to use because of the 5 way controllers located only on the right. In addition, it requires a lot of pressure to activate than the others.

But I can tell you that I prefer the Kindle the most !
It looks more finished (design) and has a better build than its “cheap” plastic looking opponents.
It is faster (page turning) and more reactive.
The wireless is a nice to have, I was bluffed with the fact that it also worked that quickly in my Country.
Now it supports pdf (although I would not need it, as long as I have txt and mobi).
Customer service is flawless (my international order took less than 5 days to proceed from door to door, and I could track the device all the way).
I can leave it turned on. The battery life looks great (that was not the case with my cybook, but the bebook also lasted 2 weeks)
It was cheaper than the alternatives.

On the negative side:
The only thing that really could be a hindrance, is the fact that it does not look easy to sort your book (you have to use the view that amazon made for you, like by author or most recent). But I am reading only two books in the same time, so it does not bother me at all. The bebook was great for that, you could sort by folder (which you cannot do with the cygen by the way).

It is a bit heavier than the other two, but as long as I can hold comfortably with one hand, this is OK (minor)
You should not forget to put it on sleeper mode when you store it, because otherwise you might not pick where you left off (minor)
I purchased the regular protective cover, it is nice, but I am not sure it would protect it efficiently (the other two covers did not really protect the readers either, though).

In the end I guess it will depend on the use you plan to have for it. If like me you only want to read ebook (not ebook) that you purchase or not. This is a great device.

I have no doubt that the sony is a great reader and that the nook will also fit the bill. But right now I think that Kindle two nailed it.

12-08-2009, 10:12 AM	#66
ricou Enthusiast Posts: 31 Karma: 106 Join Date: Sep 2008 Device: bebook	Just add my 2 cents... Hi, I purchased a kindle 2 one week ago. Currently I own, an iliad book edition, a cybook gen 3 and used to have a bebook as well. I dropped the bebook and it broke, which is why I got a Cygen in the first place... I dropped the cygen and I thought it broke too (eInk stains on the screen, unrecoverable on the bebook, but recoverable on the cygen, since it worked fine two days after) which is the reason why I purchased a Kindle 2. The Iliad is used solely for pdf and it is comfortable for casual reading as well (assuming you hold it with both hands), otherwise it is too cumbersome. So my main use for Kindle 2 is reading while commuting (train, bus, tram), where it is often required that you hold to a railing, meaning you only have one hand free. All my ebook worked like a charm. I am not worried about any format being supported or not, you have Caliber to deal with those pesky issues. I do not purchase a lot of ebooks (mostly read those available on the Internet), so the wireless is also not a need to have. I do not care at all about the touch screen (glare, less contrast + fingerprint stains). All the 6” ebooks had the same contrast. If I remember correctly, the bebook looked better than the cygen, but this is a matter of personal taste. All were easily portable. The bebook had well placed buttons on each side that were really useful while holding it with one hand. The cygen is more difficult to use because of the 5 way controllers located only on the right. In addition, it requires a lot of pressure to activate than the others. But I can tell you that I prefer the Kindle the most ! It looks more finished (design) and has a better build than its “cheap” plastic looking opponents. It is faster (page turning) and more reactive. The wireless is a nice to have, I was bluffed with the fact that it also worked that quickly in my Country. Now it supports pdf (although I would not need it, as long as I have txt and mobi). Customer service is flawless (my international order took less than 5 days to proceed from door to door, and I could track the device all the way). I can leave it turned on. The battery life looks great (that was not the case with my cybook, but the bebook also lasted 2 weeks) It was cheaper than the alternatives. On the negative side: The only thing that really could be a hindrance, is the fact that it does not look easy to sort your book (you have to use the view that amazon made for you, like by author or most recent). But I am reading only two books in the same time, so it does not bother me at all. The bebook was great for that, you could sort by folder (which you cannot do with the cygen by the way). It is a bit heavier than the other two, but as long as I can hold comfortably with one hand, this is OK (minor) You should not forget to put it on sleeper mode when you store it, because otherwise you might not pick where you left off (minor) I purchased the regular protective cover, it is nice, but I am not sure it would protect it efficiently (the other two covers did not really protect the readers either, though). In the end I guess it will depend on the use you plan to have for it. If like me you only want to read ebook (not ebook) that you purchase or not. This is a great device. I have no doubt that the sony is a great reader and that the nook will also fit the bill. But right now I think that Kindle two nailed it.