Seems like only choice is Kindle

[Gregg Bell]

Was at my library today and the librarian showed me a Kindle and Nook Simple touch. The Kindle wasn't charged but the librarian said the text was very similar to the Nook, which I was very impressed by. Then I read about how terrible Nooks were getting, and so I took a look at a Kobo Glo and on Amazon it got more one star than five star reviews. http://www.amazon.com/Kobo-Glo-Eread...DateDescending

I'm not a big fan of Amazon but it seems like it's the winner by default. (Would much prefer something epub indigenous.)

[darryl]

Not true. The Kindles are very good. The Paperwhite is excellent value, and the Voyage more expensive but arguably the best e-reader available. Competing with the Voyage for that honour is the Kobo Aura H2O. Both Amazon and Kobo offer excellent e-ink readers, and it often comes down simply to a matter of personal preference between particular models. The only current Nook e-ink reader is the GlowLight, which I personally don't believe is as good as a Paperwhite, though admit I have only seen it in a store and not personally used one. It is certainly not comparable with high-end models like the Kindle Voyage or the Kobo Aura H2O, but is much better priced.

There are also various other e-readers available, some of which are very good. It depends on your needs.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Gregg Bell

Was at my library today and the librarian showed me a Kindle and Nook Simple touch. The Kindle wasn't charged but the librarian said the text was very similar to the Nook, which I was very impressed by. Then I read about how terrible Nooks were getting, and so I took a look at a Kobo Glo and on Amazon it got more one star than five star reviews. http://www.amazon.com/Kobo-Glo-Eread...DateDescending

I'm not a big fan of Amazon but it seems like it's the winner by default. (Would much prefer something epub indigenous.)

I have the Kobo Aura H2O and I really like it. I like the way I can change the fonts, change the line height and the margins. The patches for it in the Kobo forum give it a great deal of user customization on how to get it to display eBook.

Take a look at the attached screenshot to see just what you can get with it. You can get more line space and more margins and larger font and more choices of fonts. Plus you can change the weight on most fonts so they look better. Also you can set how to timeouts are for sleep mode so you have a timeout that works for you.

I really like to size of the screen. The 6.8" screen does give noticeably more text. It's all a matter of how you want things to look and not how they are forced upon you.

I know you can fix some things on the Kindle by jailbreaking and using one of my modified Charis SIL fonts. But I'd go with the H2O if at all possible.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by darryl

Not true. The Kindles are very good. The Paperwhite is excellent value, and the Voyage more expensive but arguably the best e-reader available. Competing with the Voyage for that honour is the Kobo Aura H2O. Both Amazon and Kobo offer excellent e-ink readers, and it often comes down simply to a matter of personal preference between particular models. The only current Nook e-ink reader is the GlowLight, which I personally don't believe is as good as a Paperwhite, though admit I have only seen it in a store and not personally used one. It is certainly not comparable with high-end models like the Kindle Voyage or the Kobo Aura H2O, but is much better priced.

There are also various other e-readers available, some of which are very good. It depends on your needs.

The nook is not really all that good. The interface is a mess and the 500mb you get after the partitioning for side loaded eBooks is a joke. There is no card slot for expanding the memory for side loaded eBooks.

[darryl]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

The nook is not really all that good. The interface is a mess and the 500mb you get after the partitioning for side loaded eBooks is a joke. There is no card slot for expanding the memory for side loaded eBooks.

A whole 500mb! Very generous. I am very happy with my H2O.

[DuckieTigger]

Originally Posted by Gregg Bell

I'm not a big fan of Amazon but it seems like it's the winner by default. (Would much prefer something epub indigenous.)

I think you are not going to regret getting a Kindle. Just ignore that Amazon made it, if that will make you feel better. Built quality is very good - and the devices are very functional.

You should give it a try with a Kindle. There is little risk if you order from Amazon as you can just send it back within 30 days if you are not happy for some reason.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by DuckieTigger

I think you are not going to regret getting a Kindle. Just ignore that Amazon made it, if that will make you feel better. Built quality is very good - and the devices are very functional.

You should give it a try with a Kindle. There is little risk if you order from Amazon as you can just send it back within 30 days if you are not happy for some reason.

The problem as I see it is that unless you try the other guys (Kobo), you won't know what better is.

[DuckieTigger]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

The problem as I see it is that unless you try the other guys (Kobo), you won't know what better is.

Better to you. It doesn't matter how much better an H2O may or may not be, it is out of budget for Gregg. Plus if you are satisfied why chase better than necessary.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by DuckieTigger

Better to you. It doesn't matter how much better an H2O may or may not be, it is out of budget for Gregg. Plus if you are satisfied why chase better than necessary.

For a smaller budget, I'd recommend the Kobo Aura. It's very similar to the PW/PW2 and it has all the same nice configuration options as the H2O. The Aura can be gotten from Chapters for $99 + shipping (CAD) so the price might be a few dollars less then $99 (US).

[PeterT]

Originally Posted by Gregg Bell

Was at my library today and the librarian showed me a Kindle and Nook Simple touch. The Kindle wasn't charged but the librarian said the text was very similar to the Nook, which I was very impressed by. Then I read about how terrible Nooks were getting, and so I took a look at a Kobo Glo and on Amazon it got more one star than five star reviews. http://www.amazon.com/Kobo-Glo-Eread...DateDescending

I'm not a big fan of Amazon but it seems like it's the winner by default. (Would much prefer something epub indigenous.)

But surely, taking the comments from AMAZON on KOBO devices is the same as going to a FORD dealer and seeing what other customers there say about CHEVROLET?

[meeera]

Originally Posted by Gregg Bell

so I took a look at a Kobo Glo and on Amazon it got more one star than five star reviews.

Read the reviews. A fair few of those are people who broke their devices.

[crich70]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I have the Kobo Aura H2O and I really like it. I like the way I can change the fonts, change the line height and the margins. The patches for it in the Kobo forum give it a great deal of user customization on how to get it to display eBook.

Take a look at the attached screenshot to see just what you can get with it. You can get more line space and more margins and larger font and more choices of fonts. Plus you can change the weight on most fonts so they look better. Also you can set how to timeouts are for sleep mode so you have a timeout that works for you.

I really like to size of the screen. The 6.8" screen does give noticeably more text. It's all a matter of how you want things to look and not how they are forced upon you.

I know you can fix some things on the Kindle by jailbreaking and using one of my modified Charis SIL fonts. But I'd go with the H2O if at all possible.

Interesting. What's the name of the story the screen shot is from JSWolf? Just curious.

[NSILMike]

Originally Posted by Gregg Bell

Was at my library today and the librarian showed me a Kindle and Nook Simple touch. The Kindle wasn't charged but the librarian said the text was very similar to the Nook, which I was very impressed by. Then I read about how terrible Nooks were getting, and so I took a look at a Kobo Glo and on Amazon it got more one star than five star reviews. http://www.amazon.com/Kobo-Glo-Eread...DateDescending

I'm not a big fan of Amazon but it seems like it's the winner by default. (Would much prefer something epub indigenous.)

Remember that Nook is Barnes & Noble, who are not in great fiscal shape...take that into account when considering future firmware updates, etc.
I have a Kindle Keyboard (my original e-book reader) that I got because I travel frequently for business, and I got tired of packing 2 or 3 books for trips. It has the e-ink screen, which is very pleasant for reading, plus the battery charge lasts for weeks... I followed that up with a google nexus 7 tablet, which is excellent (Kindle app for reading.) It's advantage is it is not 'just' an e-book reader- I can do email, browse the web, use tons of unrelated apps, etc. Also, if you have a smartphone, you can download and use the kindle app and/or others of your choice such as Calibre (elsewhere in this forum.)

[Anthem]

Kindles win by default? Hardly. Amazon may have the largest ebook market share (and have had, for quite some time) but they also aggressively develop their hardware and software even when no one is really breathing down their necks.

They are making a great product with great features that people like very much.

My second choice would definitely be Kobo over BN. Definitely.

[larand]

Originally Posted by Gregg Bell

Was at my library today and the librarian showed me a Kindle and Nook Simple touch. The Kindle wasn't charged but the librarian said the text was very similar to the Nook, which I was very impressed by. Then I read about how terrible Nooks were getting, and so I took a look at a Kobo Glo and on Amazon it got more one star than five star reviews. http://www.amazon.com/Kobo-Glo-Eread...DateDescending

I'm not a big fan of Amazon but it seems like it's the winner by default. (Would much prefer something epub indigenous.)

I feel the same way. I'd prefer an epub reader, but I just ordered a Paperwhite because the Kobo store wouldn't accept my repeated efforts to order a Kobo Glo. There are so many nice things about Kobo, but customer service and device availability in the US aren't among them.

When I realized I was facing an uphill battle to get the Kobo, I looked around. The Nook is too hobbled--only 500 MB available for sideloading--and I've never liked the UI when I checked them out at the B&N store locally. That basically leaves Amazon, since Sony is out of the business.

While I prefer for a variety of reasons to buy from someone who isn't Amazon, the hard cold fact is that they are the 800-lb. gorilla of the e-book business in America, and they have the best customer service in my experience (My first e-reader was a first-gen Kindle). Were I in Canada, where Kobo is common, I wouldn't even think twice about Amazon, but here in the States there aren't many good alternatives. I wish Kobo would get their act together in the US, but until they do, my business will be going elsewhere.