It all started about three years ago when Amazon introduced the Kindle. I had never heard of an eBook reader until then. I was intrigued to say the least but hesitant to buy because of the lack of availability and lack of knowledge on my part.
Life stepped in (multi-state move) and I had to put my plan to buy an eBook reader on hold. Kindle 2 was introduced and once again my interest was sparked. I convinced myself that I needed to own one of these neat gadgets because of my joy of reading. My iPod was an excellent example of technology meeting my desires and I reasoned a Kindle would provide a similar experience. I still could not get over my uncertainty. I didn't know anyone who owned a Kindle so there was no way I could check one out for myself.
A few months ago, while shopping for a new laptop, I saw my first Sony eReader. It was a PRS-300. I liked it. It was compact, easy to read, intuitive. Had it not been for the $1000.00 I was getting ready to spend - I would have bought one.
I started researching eBook readers and learned the Sony products did not have wireless capabilities. Thinking it was a must have - I put my decision on hold once again.
A couple of months ago -
it was introduced. The Kindle killer, the nook, was soon to be released. The more I read about it - the more convinced I was that the eBook reader I had been waiting for had arrived. It looked better that the Kindle, it worked with a wider array of file types, it had Wi-Fi, it was everything I thought I would want in an eBook reader. So I ordered one. B&N put me off not once, but twice before they finally shipped it. (It was only a month late!) In the mean time I thought I'd give the PRS-600 a try. If I didn't like it - I could always return it and fully expected that I would. I was tired of waiting. At this point my journey was fast approaching its third year.
Like my iPod experience - start-up was trouble free. Part of the way through my first book - I started looking for and buying other books. Then my nook arrived. I had been keeping tabs on the other "nookies" at the B&N board. There were a lot of complaints about B&N's Customer Service, quality issues, software issues, the list goes on. Not that unusual being a new product (and probably rushed to market). I debated opening my new toy and risking the 10% restock fee if not satisfied. I realized Wi-Fi and 3G Wireless weren't as important as I thought they would be and other than that couldn't think of a single advantage the nook or Kindle might have over the Sony. So I kept the PRS-600 and sold the nook on eBay.
At this point - no regrets. B&N will probably work their issues out in the future making the nook a fine product. Amazon certainly has an excellent product. So does Sony. Granted - it's my first reader, perhaps my lack of experience may be preventing me from appreciating the features Kindle and nook have.
Then, again...
...ignorance
is bliss.