Sony, Nook, Kindle

[jbcohen]

Anyone with experience using all three of these readers - how do these readers compare to each other? What one do you preferr?

[Hellmark]

Personally, I would go Sony or Nook over Kindle, due to the larger number of places you can buy from with those. With the Kindle, you're a little more limited at where you can buy, due to the proprietary format. I also wouldn't forget the Kobo reader. It is another good ADE based eInk reader (like the original nook and Sony's readers) , and is low priced ($99, but can be found at $79 in some areas).

[jbcohen]

Your Nokia N800, is that a smart phone? If so have you read books on it? Besides the small screen how does it compare with the other three?

[Hellmark]

My N800 is a PDA. I have read ebooks on it, using FBReader, and it is nice, but eInk is much better on the eyes than the backlit LCD. My phone is a HTC Mytouch 3g, which is a smart phone, and I've read ebooks on it as well. With back lit displays, your eyes tend to get tired after a while, since you're basically staring at a low powered flashlight for a long time. I have a Sony PRS505, my girlfriend has a PRS300, my mom has a Nook that I got her, and I've played with Kobos and Kindles, plus a few other ereaders. I prefer devices with Adobe Digital Editions as the renderer, since it supports the most common form of DRM (Adobe Adept), and lets me use libraries for sources for ebooks. I also prefer eInk to backlit displays, for the aforementioned reason, and eInk over reflective LCD tech due to lower power consumption.

[Worldwalker]

This really needs moved to the "Which one should I buy?" forum.

When I bought my Sony PRS-505, the Nook wasn't out yet, nor many of the other new readers, so most of my comparisons were with the Kindle. I had a specific goal in mind: I wanted to read Project Gutenberg in bed. I tried out a borrowed Kindle, and tried a Reader in the store, and decided the latter fit my needs better -- I had no need for a keypad, for instance, and preferred compact size.

That's really what you need to do: try each of the ones you're considering, and see which works best for you. Consider your needs: do you want to buy books from a big bookstore, or from a small one, or not at all? Do you need to search and take notes, or would size be more important? Do you want a display of covers, or would you rather have that real estate for something else? Does it matter if a company can take books off your device if they decide to "un-sell" them, or are you not concerned about that? Those are all questions only you can answer, and that's what you have to figure out when you decide which to buy.

[boswd]

Originally Posted by Hellmark

Personally, I would go Sony or Nook over Kindle, due to the larger number of places you can buy from with those. With the Kindle, you're a little more limited at where you can buy, due to the proprietary format. I also wouldn't forget the Kobo reader. It is another good ADE based eInk reader (like the original nook and Sony's readers) , and is low priced ($99, but can be found at $79 in some areas).

the nook you can shop anywhere that supports ePub as well, same as kobo and Sony, in fact you can shop at both of those ebookstores.

[Zarich]

Having both a nc and a kindle let me say don't let the one reader can buy books anywhere where one can only buy from amazon sway you. First off there are more kindles sold than anything else. So there are more publishers willing to put books in kindle format. Secondly, with the exception of 1 title I have found everything on the kindle. For the nook I HAD to go to different sites to find the books I wanted because B&N didn't have them all. The one I couldn't find on kindle title was a free book and the publishers site had it in kindle format. Next you will find that the kindle versions usually run a bit cheaper though this can vary based on title.

Now the nook and sony can do library books. But let me explain something there. My library has hundreds of ebooks and almost every single one you have to put yourself on a waiting list for. Only a few don't have waiting lists. I also fully expect libraries to eventually adopt the kindle format or a compatible format due to kindles popularity. Project Gutenburg (sp?) has ton's of titles free as well and all are in kindle format also.

Anyway.. not trying to sell the kindle, but the free to purchase anywhere argument doesn't mix well with reality.

That being said the nook normal has a nice background IMHO, the sony has a much better interface, and the nook color has a ton more functionality.

Kindle would be the simple, no frills, no hassles solution.

Nook would be the simple, few frills lcd touchscreen navigation, e-ink reading, want library books solution.

Sony would be the interface frills, e-ink touchscreen, want library books solution.

Nook color would be the tons of frills, LCD based, want library books and color solution.

Pick your poison.

[EowynCarter]

First off there are more kindles sold than anything else. So there are more publishers willing to put books in kindle format. Secondly, with the exception of 1 title I have found everything on the kindle.

Well, if you're in the US.... My sister mentioned some books from the UK publishers being out of access in Switzerland. And personally, I can name lots of book amazon don't have : the books from the French publishers.

[Hoyt Clagwell]

I own all 3. I like the my Sony 650 the best. I really like the touch screen and the way it organizes books. Plus not having a 3G connection or WiFi is a plus for me because I can bring it to work. I work in a secure facility and we are not allowed to bring in any device that can connect to the outside world. The Kindle would be my second favorite. The Nook being last. Recent firmware updates have made it a lot faster but the thing is too heavy.

[jbcohen]

That's why Zarich I always say to Kindle owners - Make sure you try odd ball books, lets face it Amazon has everything and if all you want is mainstream novels save a few dollars and get a Kobo. Doesn't have access to absolutely everything like a Kindle wood but then again doesn't cost what a Kindle does so you get what you pay for.

[boswd]

Originally Posted by Zarich

Having both a nc and a kindle let me say don't let the one reader can buy books anywhere where one can only buy from amazon sway you. First off there are more kindles sold than anything else. So there are more publishers willing to put books in kindle format. Secondly, with the exception of 1 title I have found everything on the kindle. For the nook I HAD to go to different sites to find the books I wanted because B&N didn't have them all. The one I couldn't find on kindle title was a free book and the publishers site had it in kindle format. Next you will find that the kindle versions usually run a bit cheaper though this can vary based on title.

Now the nook and sony can do library books. But let me explain something there. My library has hundreds of ebooks and almost every single one you have to put yourself on a waiting list for. Only a few don't have waiting lists. I also fully expect libraries to eventually adopt the kindle format or a compatible format due to kindles popularity. Project Gutenburg (sp?) has ton's of titles free as well and all are in kindle format also.

Anyway.. not trying to sell the kindle, but the free to purchase anywhere argument doesn't mix well with reality.

That being said the nook normal has a nice background IMHO, the sony has a much better interface, and the nook color has a ton more functionality.

Kindle would be the simple, no frills, no hassles solution.

Nook would be the simple, few frills lcd touchscreen navigation, e-ink reading, want library books solution.

Sony would be the interface frills, e-ink touchscreen, want library books solution.

Nook color would be the tons of frills, LCD based, want library books and color solution.

Pick your poison.

what I think you are failing to understand about the "buy from anywhere" advantage is :

1. You can take advantage of sales promotions, discounted ebook prices, and other such promotionals. I love LOVE being a member of Kobo and getting all their promo's in my email inbox almost every week it seems like. 30% off here 50% when spending over $20 etc .

2. Your ePub books can go where you go. If I decide I want a Sony or a Kobo, my ePub books can transfer right along with me, without any "funny business" going on with the DRM.

and also about your point on the library, well just because you library has slilm selections, or long lines, that doesn't mean they all do. I live in the greater Boston area and our Overdrive uses the Boston Public Library and our selection is quite fantastic. Not to mention anyone can join the philadelhpia Public Library as well, despite location.

So yeah the being able to buy from where ever IS a big deal.

[lor2ie]

hi, I have recently acquired a sony reader ( swapped for my apad, too hard to read in sunlight). But I find the Kindle a better machine. Purchasing books is not a problem. I have purchased 1 or 2 and yes i do resent that I can not "loan" them to a friend. But having said that I discovered this website and purchased a couple of DVDs full of mobi format books that worked perfect on the Kindle. Great collection and great value. http://elecbusiness.com/. Have not purchased a book since and the battery life is way better on the kindle with the added bonus of getting ones emails in a wifi free zone. I'll recommend the Kindle Reader with wifi myself. Plenty of hotspots in hotels and Restaurants now days. No need to get the 3G one, dearer and unpredictable.

[pidgeon92]

I own all three, and I don't think you can go wrong with either a Sony or a Kindle. My poor nook is collecting dust. The basic reading experience is just better on the newer screens, and the nook's small LCD screen user interface still leaves a lot to be desired.

[Hellmark]

Originally Posted by boswd

the nook you can shop anywhere that supports ePub as well, same as kobo and Sony, in fact you can shop at both of those ebookstores.

I never said the nook couldn't. If anything, one could read my post and infer that the nook can do that

Originally Posted by Zarich

Having both a nc and a kindle let me say don't let the one reader can buy books anywhere where one can only buy from amazon sway you. First off there are more kindles sold than anything else. So there are more publishers willing to put books in kindle format. Secondly, with the exception of 1 title I have found everything on the kindle. For the nook I HAD to go to different sites to find the books I wanted because B&N didn't have them all. The one I couldn't find on kindle title was a free book and the publishers site had it in kindle format. Next you will find that the kindle versions usually run a bit cheaper though this can vary based on title.

More in the US, but not everywhere. And even still, that is debatable, because Amazon has never released any sales figures.

When it comes to the books, most of what I buy, Amazon is more expensive, or just doesn't have it.

Originally Posted by Zarich

Now the nook and sony can do library books. But let me explain something there. My library has hundreds of ebooks and almost every single one you have to put yourself on a waiting list for. Only a few don't have waiting lists. I also fully expect libraries to eventually adopt the kindle format or a compatible format due to kindles popularity. Project Gutenburg (sp?) has ton's of titles free as well and all are in kindle format also.

Anyway.. not trying to sell the kindle, but the free to purchase anywhere argument doesn't mix well with reality.

It varies. The library where I just moved to has a nice selection, and most of what I want isn't on backorder. Plus there are some big libraries that allow nonresidents to join in, and don't have much of a wait list for books.

[delphin]

I have close family members with the Sony PRS-650, Nook, and Kindle 3, so I had a chance to see all three close up before making my choice.

When it came time to purchase a reader for myself I picked the PRS-650 hands down. It wasn't even close.

The Nook is larger, heaver, and I found it's split interface with the tiny touch screen awkward and off-putting.

The Kindle is lighter than the Nook, only a few grams more than the Sony, but it's still quite a bit larger than the PRS-650, and I didn't think that it was very well designed, even given it's more limited non-touchscreen keyboard-only approach.

The Kindle's keyboard user interface is not only about 20 years behind the times, it's not even a particularly well designed example of a 20 year out of date design.

Want to select background music song tracks while reading? Sorry, the best Kindle 3 can manage is a kludgey "Alt-F" keyboard sequence to skip forward from the current song to whatever random title the Kindle happens to find loaded next on it's internal drive. Poor, even by 1990's standards.

And where Kindle 3 does have dedicated function keys, instead of using nice large keys grouped together for easy access, on the Kindle 3 you will find important often used control keys like the Font Size AA key are amongst the tiniest keys on the device (as small as regular letters), and they are scattered around the edges of the keyboard in random positions.

Lacking a real pointing device, the Kindle 3 relies on one all-important 5 way controller with 4 directional keys plus a main select key, and guess what? - these keys are EVEN SMALLER!

Aside from public-domain freebies, and some small struggling publishers who sell non-drm titles (which don't count, because they are available for ALL ebook readers), the Kindle 3 locks you into ONE source (Amazon) for ALL mainstream DRM protected books.

Kindle 3 doesn't support the new world standard EPUB format used by virtually EVERYONE ELSE ON THE PLANET.

This means that Kindle 3 doesn't support the current EPUB based checkout of free library titles (and NO I don't "fully expect libraries to eventually adopt the kindle format." My local library, and hundreds of other libraries around the country, have DUMPED what few books they did have in MOBI format, so why in hell would they buy more?).

Nor would I expect Amazon to add Overdrive support, as long as Kindle owners put up with this garbage, while making excuses for them and continuing to shell out 10 to 15 bucks for books that they could be reading for free.

My PRS-650 on the other hand has an elegant touch screen interface that helps get around the otherwise slow navigation inherent in the e-ink technology.

The keys for Home, Font Size, Options, etc are large and grouped together logically right under the screen for easy use.

The Sony readers support the world standard EPUB format, and Sony was even nice enough to offer a free software update so their older readers can support it as well.

My PRS-650 let's me check out free library books, and contrary to what has been said, I have a very nice selection, with lots of popular titles by New York Times best selling authors. There are about 700 titles total, and approximately a hundred to a hundred and fifty books are available for immediate checkout with no wait-listing on an average day.

This has already saved me several hundred dollars that I otherwise would have spent if I had owned a Kindle and been locked into purchasing these titles from Amazon, .