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Worldwalker · 07-04-2010, 04:00 AM

The iPad is not an ebook reader. It's a general-purpose ... thingie ... kind of an iPod on sterioids ... what can read ebooks, among other things. It's sort of the electronic equivalent of a spork. Unless he also wants to use the device as a Web browser, game platform, MP3 player, and some random number of other purposes, he'll probably be better served by an actual ebook reader.

Something important to consider: do you want to buy DRM-restricted ebooks? If so, you need to take the various readers' seller lock-ins into consideration.

I've got a Sony 505 and I love it. It's reliable, it's exactly the right size, it's got all the features I want (and not the ones I don't want, like a touch screen; I hate touch screens), the controls are laid out very well ... what's not to like? Well, except for the fact that Sony discontinued it; if you want a 505 like mine, eBay is going to be your best bet.

I came very close to buying a Kindle, and I'm glad I didn't. The deciding factor was actually how it felt in my hand -- frankly, it felt like a cheap plastic toy, while the 505 felt solid. There was also the fact that at the time, you had to pay Amazon to transfer your own files to the Kindle. And, of course, later on we all found out that Amazon can just come into your house and pull books back off your shelves if they feel like it ... or, at least, do the equivalent with your Kindle. That right there is a deal killer for me, and I'll believe "sorry, we won't do it again" about the same time I believe a politician's promises. That's just too Big Brother for me.

I don't buy DRM-restricted ebooks. I get my books from DRM-free stores, and a lot (aka "the classics") from public domain sources like Project Gutenberg, and right here on MR. My to-be-read list is growing faster than I can read.

So if you don't want platform lock-in, DRM restrictions, and ebooks that cost more than hardcovers, that's the way to go.

What you really need to do, though, is look through some of the discussions here where we partisans extoll the virtues of our reading devices of choice, and talk to your dad and find out what features he needs. There's also really no substitute for actually holding and using the thing. You don't want to find out the button locations make your hand cramp up after you've already bought it.

Also, it seems like several manufacturers are coming out with new models soon, so in your place I wouldn't rush to make a decision; give it a month or two and see what hits the market.

07-04-2010, 04:00 AM	#5
Worldwalker Curmudgeon Posts: 3,085 Karma: 722357 Join Date: Feb 2010 Device: PRS-505	The iPad is not an ebook reader. It's a general-purpose ... thingie ... kind of an iPod on sterioids ... what can read ebooks, among other things. It's sort of the electronic equivalent of a spork. Unless he also wants to use the device as a Web browser, game platform, MP3 player, and some random number of other purposes, he'll probably be better served by an actual ebook reader. Something important to consider: do you want to buy DRM-restricted ebooks? If so, you need to take the various readers' seller lock-ins into consideration. I've got a Sony 505 and I love it. It's reliable, it's exactly the right size, it's got all the features I want (and not the ones I don't want, like a touch screen; I hate touch screens), the controls are laid out very well ... what's not to like? Well, except for the fact that Sony discontinued it; if you want a 505 like mine, eBay is going to be your best bet. I came very close to buying a Kindle, and I'm glad I didn't. The deciding factor was actually how it felt in my hand -- frankly, it felt like a cheap plastic toy, while the 505 felt solid. There was also the fact that at the time, you had to pay Amazon to transfer your own files to the Kindle. And, of course, later on we all found out that Amazon can just come into your house and pull books back off your shelves if they feel like it ... or, at least, do the equivalent with your Kindle. That right there is a deal killer for me, and I'll believe "sorry, we won't do it again" about the same time I believe a politician's promises. That's just too Big Brother for me. I don't buy DRM-restricted ebooks. I get my books from DRM-free stores, and a lot (aka "the classics") from public domain sources like Project Gutenberg, and right here on MR. My to-be-read list is growing faster than I can read. So if you don't want platform lock-in, DRM restrictions, and ebooks that cost more than hardcovers, that's the way to go. What you really need to do, though, is look through some of the discussions here where we partisans extoll the virtues of our reading devices of choice, and talk to your dad and find out what features he needs. There's also really no substitute for actually holding and using the thing. You don't want to find out the button locations make your hand cramp up after you've already bought it. Also, it seems like several manufacturers are coming out with new models soon, so in your place I wouldn't rush to make a decision; give it a month or two and see what hits the market.