E-reader recommendation

[Micah Dawson]

Just looking for some Help and advice<3

So i have never owned an E-reader before. I used to use Amazon Kindle App on my phone(how i used to read books on a 3.5-4 inch device, i have no clue lol)

And then earlier this year, I brought a Surface RT tablet for my primary use as a PC and of course tablet.

I now use Kindle App and Nook App.

With that said, I greatly prefer the Nook app on Windows 8 and i love the fact that it is visually more appealing. With the Amazon App for Windows 8 I only use it if the books I want is not on Nook(usually self-pub or more obscure titles)

Another thing with the Amazon App for Windows 8

1. When Changing pages you have to TAP the screen just right or it won't turn. Or worse if you do tap it it there is a slight delay so you think you tapped it wrong and you wind up changing two pages then having to go back.

The nook app is a simple swipe as if you were flicking your finger or turning a page.

2. I don't like Amazon's way of page number. With the Location 600 of 5340...I want real exact page numbers.

Nook App has page numbers.

With that said I am wondering should I buy myself an E-reader...Part of me wants to buy one of the cool Nook or kindle tablets but

A. I hate android
B. I already have a Surface RT tablet(a windows tablet/pc hybrid)

I wonder is it redundant.

What is the best reader you recommend?
I'm well aware that Amazon usually has cheaper prices which makes shopping at Barnes & Noble harder because why pay more for the same exact book only because I want real page numbers and the Kindle app lags from time to time.

What would you recommend for me to get?

Another downside to reading on my surface is...it is too big lol.

It's a 10.6 inch tablet so reading it Vertically is actually cubersome since it is so big. It is not big to the point of being a bad experience but just imagine laying around reading on a 10 inch tablet for hours.

Plus i wonder is it better to use one of those glow ereaders is that they work well from what i hear when i am laying in my dorm room at night reading.

I am also looking at Kobo as a store to buy books from, it looks like they have cheaper prices than Both Nook and Kindle for their books.

My only concern about Kindle/Amazon is being locked into their services/devices and I kind of hate how Amazon tends to strong arm publishers sometimes as well as technically how you don't own the copy of the book and they can easily just remove things from your device.

[danicca]

You didn't say if you want lcd or eink screen. There are no apps on eink, and I do belive amazon added page numbers.

[Micah Dawson]

Originally Posted by danicca

You didn't say if you want lcd or eink screen. There are no apps on eink, and I do belive amazon added page numbers.

Ah, it doesn't matter. My Surface tablet is LCD so i usually have no issues reading on LCD.

[HarryT]

Yes, the latest Kindle eInk reader (the 2013 model of the Paperwhite) has page numbers.

[Micah Dawson]

Okay thank yoU!

Do you have any knowledge on Devices such as Nooks and Kobo?

My only concern about Kindle/Amazon is being locked into their services/devices and I kind of hate how Amazon tends to strong arm publishers sometimes as well as technically how you don't own the copy of the book and they can easily just remove things from your device.

[HarryT]

You're not "locked into" anything. Where does this strange myth arise? Amazon have the best bookstore around, generally the best prices, and by FAR the best customer service. You don't "own" copies of eBooks from any bookstore - they are all licensed. Amazon are not different to any other store in that respect.

[Micah Dawson]

Originally Posted by HarryT

You're not "locked into" anything. Where does this strange myth arise? Amazon have the best bookstore around, generally the best prices, and by FAR the best customer service. You don't "own" copies of eBooks from any bookstore - they are all licensed. Amazon are not different to any other store in that respect.

Oh okay. I understand. It it is just things I've read/been told about Amazon. I do enjoy the selection of books they have though as they truly do have a vast collection.

Hopefully some Nook/Kobo people will chime in as well.

[danicca]

There are page numbers on epubs, but the books do have drm so you wouldn't be able to read them as is on kindle eink readers. (or vice versa). If they don't have drm, just convert them to desired format. I would say amazon has bigger choice of books, but nothing stops you from buying book whenever you want.

[meeera]

You can remove DRM from books from Amazon or Kobo easily enough, and convert between the formats using Calibre. Once your books are freed and that is out of the way, you can decide what reader you want based on other factors: size, aesthetics of the device, lighting system, display choices (fonts etc), storage/SD card slot, company reputation, whatever else is important to you. If tapping vs swiping is important to you specifically, do check that out before you buy. I know with Kobo eink readers you can choose to do either. I'm not sure about Kindles.

[HarryT]

With a Kindle you can either tap or swipe - both work (the exception being the library page, when you have to swipe to turn the page, because tapping opens the book you tap on.)

[booklover6]

For a smaller, lighter LCD ereader, I recommend the Nook HD. You can even put the Kindle reader app on it.

For an eink device, the Kindle Paperwhite and the Kobo Glo are both awesome lighted readers. The Glo is my personal favorite, as it is smaller, lighter, and managing collections with Calibre is so easy.

[pwnn]

Originally Posted by HarryT

You're not "locked into" anything. Where does this strange myth arise? Amazon have the best bookstore around, generally the best prices, and by FAR the best customer service. You don't "own" copies of eBooks from any bookstore - they are all licensed. Amazon are not different to any other store in that respect.

Kobo with it's on onslaught of coupon codes actually has the best prices for e-books. It's not Fictionwise in it's heyday but currently the next best thing in terms of prices.

Amazon's Kindle is more walled in than other store propitiatory e-readers when it comes to DRM and format. That's not to say others don't have walls but they're certainly shorter. A Nook can read the DRM from Kobo or Sony e-books. (their social DRM also makes them easiest to share with others with Nooks or Nook apps and to store) Kobo and Sony can read each other. They can all read the Adobe DRM from other sellers and libraries (at least in the US) have far more epub books available for loan than mobi/azw/ what ever is Amazon's calling their special snowflake format this year.

Amazon has more independent titles through Kindle exclusives but there's not a shortage of them at the other retailers of Smashwords (which has quite a few independents Amazon doesn't after their content ban).

No matter, as said, do a search on "Apprentice Alf", get the tools, fire up Calibre and then you can choose the best hardware or reading software/app that meets your needs.

[Refugee]

Why buy a dedicated reader? Use a tablet or even smart phone - or even your computer screen (or all three). I have a Nexus 7 tablet, and apps are available for it (or, for that matter, any other tablet) to allow reading Kindle or Nook or any other type of ebook format. In addition it will do lots of other things.

I think the days of the dedicated, branded e-reader are about done. There are too many other options that are equally or more attractive.

[HarryT]

But they aren't "equally attractive" for the dedicated reader. A frontlit eInk device can be read in any lighting conditions, from bright sunshine to complete darkness, and has a battery life that dwarfs that of any tablet.

Don't get me wrong - tablets have their place. They're great for reading PDF's, books with colour images, magazines, etc. but speaking personally, an eInk device is enormously better for reading fiction.

It's not a case of either/or; many of us here have both, and use both, but use the right tool for the right job.

[meeera]

Originally Posted by HarryT

But they aren't "equally attractive" for the dedicated reader. A frontlit eInk device can be read in any lighting conditions, from bright sunshine to complete darkness, and has a battery life that dwarfs that of any tablet.

And are much lighter, which is a huge issue for some of us.