Open format

[bmatt]

I know there are various threads regarding deciding which device is right, and I've read over many of them, but I am still having trouble deciding on which eReader, if any, I should get.

I got a Palm Pre with Sprint last year and have been using it to read books on, I have read about 8 on it so far, but the screen is a bit small and it can irritate my eyes compared to a book so I have been toying with the idea of dedicated eReader. I am also looking at returning to school and have seen some availability of text books, though I don't know that it s really a feasible option at this point but something that could be interesting.

I have narrowed my search down to Kindle 3, Nook and the new Sony PRS-650. I had all but made my decision up that I would be getting a Sony and was waiting on new devices to be released. However he pricing has been a little bit of a game changer or me, being that the PRS-650 with a lighted cover runs about $299 shipped from Sony. Also the lack of connectivity is a little bit disappointing.

Kindle

I like the eInk pearl display of the Kindle and the price is excellent as all I really need is wfi connectivity, though 3G would be cool I don't see myself using it that often. The concerning part of the Kindle is the format support, and I know you an shift formats with decent results but I don't really want to have to do that. Also checking books in/out of a library would be nice, though my county library doesn't offer the sevice. I have found another one a couple counties away that supports overdrive and I can become a member for $33/year. Other than that, the Kindle seems like a strong competitor, though don't particularly care for the design.

Nook

I have been really eyeballing this one, with a slightly higher price tag than the Kindle and more open format support, and ability to check out books. Problems with this one are, touchscreen is a bit odd and I have heard of glare bothering people, I'd have to check it out myself. The weight and battery life seem to be a bit concerning as well, though a few days of battery is more than sufficient in most cases. The other main concern I have is the older eInk display, with the pearl out now I feel I may be disappointed with the older display at a higher price. Also, barnes and noble's questionable situation is also a bit concerning, though the open format and android should help there.


Sony

All around features sound nice. Touch screen selection of highlighting, dictionary lookup and page turning are all a plus for me coming from reading on a touch screen phone. The size/weight and design are also a plus. Open format and ability to check out from libraries is also good. The new eInk pearl display is god. The negatives are obviously the price and then no connectivity unless I wait for th 950 with wifi and 3g. Problem with the 950 would be possiblythe size and the extra $50, since that'd push it to arond $350 with cover/light. At $350 I am approaching iPad price range, though I wouldn't buy an iPad anyway most likely, have a nice laptop and would like a device to read on comfortably.

So I guess my main concerns are the display and format support. I think I've heard people mention that are a lot of bigger libraries, or some, that offer anyone to become a member and check out eBook for a annual membership fee, which would save a lot of money on books, theoretically. I have one option locally that could be nice. The last thing is connectivity, though I don't know that it is that important since I dont read periodicals or keep up with RSS feeds and stuff. I work on computers all day long, programming, so I have access to articles and small reads most of the time. I am not a big annotation person for books, even school though I do make notes outside of books, so I don't know that it is a huge feature but it definitely wouldn't hurt.

[ProfCrash]

I have a K1 and a DXG so I can speak to the Kindle.

I have owned a Kindle for 2 years and have only had problems getting two books. One, True Compass, was held back by the publisher to encourage people to buy the hard cover. The other was Changes which was held up by the Penguins fued with Amazon. There were ways I could have bought the book but it just wasn't important enough for me to go that route. I waited for a month and bought it when it was released for the Kindle.

What I am saying is that the lack of EPub is not an issue. Check the Kindle boards, there is someone looking at buying a Kindle because they cannot find the books they want for the Nook and do not want to go the stripping DRM route.

These Kindle strengths are based on reviews I have read from folks with Kindles and Nooks. I don't really know much about the Sony

1) Kindle's dictionary is easier to use
2) It is easier to take notes and highlight on a Kindle then a Nook
3) Kindle's battery life is way better. I flew to Sydney, Australia from Washington DC with my K1 and did not need to recharge the battery. I read for 13 hours on the two flights. I am not sure that the Nook could pull that off without changing batteries. The K3 battery life is way better then the K1.
4) Bookstore. Amazon has the best bookstore.
5) Screen. I doubt that this will last long, Sony has the Pearl screen so I expect that Nook2 will have it.
6) Collections. A tagging system that allows you to sort your books. This is awesome. I am thrilled with collections. They are easy to work with and you get to create your own categories.

There are other areas that might be important to you that are not important to me.

Do you want a touchscreen? Then the Nook if the way to go. I don't like touchscreens so the Nook is not for me. Then again, some folks who ahve owned Nooks have said that the touchscreen is not intuitive. Most have figured it out and are fine with it, some really, really love it. Your call.

Color book covers. If a color thumbprint cover is important to you then go to the Nook. I am fine with looking at the cover in grey scale on my Kindle when I start a book. I don't need the small color cover.

EPub, I still don't think this is a biggie, especially if you live in the US.

Replaceable battery. I know that this is important to Nook owners. I have had my K1 for 2 years and read pretty regularly. I did not need to change batteries. I never used the replaceable battery option.

Memory card slot: Another feature that Nook owners love. I had it on my K1 and never used it. It is even less necesary on the K3. On the K1 you could store 300 books, on the K3 you can store 3,500 books. With collections you can store your books in a way that makes sense to you so memory cards as a way to sort reading material becomes less important.

[bmatt]

Thanks, yea I had narrowed my selection down to Kindle and Sony pretty much, the Nook is still a possibility only due to the ability to seamlessly use ePub docs and be able to check books out from the library without much of a hassle, the library thing is pretty important to me right now as I would like to save as much money as possible after investing in an eReader, and the gas savings as well

Replaceable battery isn't much of a big deal to me and I am technically inclined so converting formats isn't going to be a deal breaker for me necessarily but I'd much prefer simply being able to copy it to my device and be done rather than having to break DRM or convert format every time, minimizing time spent grabbing books. The two main problems I have with the Sony are connectivity and price, though after you buy a K3 and cover you are looking at $200 for wifi or $250 for wifi + 3G so its not a huge difference but having connectivity seems like it could be really convenient. Since I am not reading hundreds of books, though, it may not be a big deal.

I guess I should wait a few weeks until people have their hands on the PRS-650 to see what the impressions are. The touch screen is kind of cool since I could just double tap a word and look it up and highlight/noting/etc are much simplified, though I don't know how much I'd use those functions necessarily. I do know I have been missing out on any illustrations on books I've downloaded to my phone, which is very disappointing, especially reading Under the Dome and then reading peoples thoughts and references to an illustration in the book I never saw.

I have a feeling the Kindle will be sufficient for my needs, but the inability to use a public library seamlessly is my biggest gripe since that could be a serious money saver in the long run. Anyone here with a K3 use a public library regularly that can speak of the time and effort required to keep those up? I'd prefer not to strip the DRM entirely from the file, though I am not opposed to it and then deleting the book when my checkout is through.

[JSWolf]

You left out that the new Sony Readers also use Pearl screens.

[bmatt]

Yes, the pearl eInk is a big deal to me right now. If Nook released a new model with the pearl screen it'd be a contender again aside from the size/weight factor. I dont necessarily care for the small color touch screen, the sony being compact is nice. If the PRS-650 had wifi it'd be a done deal for me, but that is the only thing really holding me back, I think.

[ProfCrash]

I wold not buy an e-reader without 3G or at least WiFi. I have bought many abook in the airport and while lying in bed. It is by far the best feature of the Kindle.

I don't travel with a laptop. I brought my net book (won in a raffle) with me to Australia and New Zealand more to download pictures at the end of the day then for any other reason. We used it to check email every third day or so. This makes buying a book by downloading it to a computer and sideloading it a pain in the wazoo.

With the 3G you can buy a book just about anywhere. With the Sony you need to have a computer near by. It is not that it is difficult to do but slightly more inconvienent (sp).

[susan_cassidy]

Keep in mind that format-shifting any current books involves removing DRM. Don't know if you are wanting to fool with that.

The biggest thing to me is whether the books you want to read are available in for the ereader you are interested in.

[bmatt]

Yea, don't really want to fool with removing/altering DRM, though I am not opposed to it entirely. That's why I have been leaning towards the Sony for a while, the lack of connectivity has really thrown a wrench into my situation,though. However, the more I've been researching and reading I don't think that is going to be a big deal. I like to shop around for deals and I know border's (kobo) has deals often, and I use it on my phone as well right now. So with any reader I'd have to side load since it seems the kindle/nook/reader would all be locked to their respective store front for the most part, if I were to get a 950 on the Sony that is. The open format, smaller/light form factor, higher build quality should be more advantageous to me, I think. Just a matter of pulling the trigger I suppose. The Sony software seems pretty slick so far, I can login to my account on kobo click download ePub and it pops right up into the reader app ready to sync. Now I guess the price would be the final factor holding me back.

Though, I guess, with all that being said I could just go with a kobo brand eReader though the price and lack of features seems a bit over the top for me. I do like the idea of having the dictionary available and just select the word, since the likeliness of me saving the word to lookup later is pretty slim.

[sun surfer]

Hi bmatt!

You say "So I guess my main concerns are the display and format support". If this is true and from reading the rest of your post, then I'd recommend you go with the Sony. It sounds like it's what you really want.

However, if price is also one of your main concerns (or "the" main concern) and if that basically eliminates the Sony for you, then I would recommend the nook. From your list, it sounds like you'd be happier with it than the Kindle.

-The touch screen is different, but I like it. I've gotten very used to cover flow, where it shows in colour the covers of your books, and also page swiping to turn pages instead of pressing a button.

-The weight is slightly heavy, but not bad at all. It depends on how important that is to you.

-The battery is a little shorter than others, but still sufficient. I've had mine some months now, and the battery lasts over a week for me before I recharge it, which is more than enough time for me. Again, depends how important that is to you.

-The e-ink display is not the new Pearl screen, but it's still top-notch. It's the best of the non-Pearl screens, and not that much different than the new screens. Broken record here, but just depends on how important that is to you.

-Of course I don't know the fate of Barnes and Noble, but rumours say they're already working on the nook 2, so they're still in the e-reader race.

I would suggest you go to a Barnes and Noble and play with a nook and talk to a nook representative. And you might already know it, but the nook 2 will apparently come out soon, sometimes between this month and December from what I've heard. It may be what you most want, as it will probably be competitively priced with the Kindle and hopefully will be lighter, have a longer battery and a Pearl screen (all speculation and wishful thinking on my part, but all within reason).

[boswd]

Hi BMatt as an owner of the nook, I can address some of your concerns.

1. Weight - while it may be heavier than the new Kindle or the Sony at 11 oz that doesn't make it heavy. It weighs as much as a 400 page trade paperback. So if that was just fine then so will the Nook.

2. Battery Life - Again I get 5 to 8 days, I find this more than ample spacing between charges.

3. Glare- Well there was a person who would swear this was like looking into the sun but in reality its not. The bezel is a glossy white, white isn't like a glossy black you see on a TV so it isn't bad at all. I and most others have 0 problems with it. But if it is a little annoying you can always put a skin on it or a cover that conceals the bezel. But to be hones it's nothing unless you are really really really sensitive to it.

4. Screen contrast on the Nook before pearl was one of if not the best contrast. While the Pearl screen is better, it's not leaps and bounds better. The Nook screen is still one of the best.


I hope this helps you out concerning the Nook

and also I agree with Prof. get one with wireless either 3g and Wi Fi or at least just Wi Fi, trust me you won't regret it. The Wi Fi only Nook goes for $149 and if at Best Buy you also get a $25 Gift card for Free.

Good Luck

[bmatt]

Yea, if an update Nook is released with pearl and a little more streamlined I would consider it. Price isn't a deal breaker necessarily, I've nearly pulled the trigger on ordering a 650 and a case, but I am just cheap in general. I was interested in the 600 before but realized they'd be releasing something new soon and I've been trying to hold out for a new Nook as I have been hoping for an update to look at it. I think the kindle would probably be ok, but I think I'd be happier with a Sony or Nook. I tried to play with one at Best Buy the other day when I was there, they had a couple on display, but they weren't working for some reason. The B&N read while you are in store is nice, and of course the support in store is a plus, though I don't imagine I'd use it much.

Sony is definitely what I've really wanted, but I am having trouble justifying its cost. Kindle is the cheapest, though once you add the official case the price is the same as Nook with official case (lighted).

Another thing I am curious about, though I have a library a county or two over in my state that I can get a membership for $32/year, is if anyone has had any luck finding a library to lend eBooks from not local to them? I know the one somewhat local to me only charges $1 more for out of state memberships, so I wonder if there are others with good selections available elsewhere, though my local one may be sufficient.

[bmatt]

Originally Posted by boswd

Hi BMatt as an owner of the nook, I can address some of your concerns.

1. Weight - while it may be heavier than the new Kindle or the Sony at 11 oz that doesn't make it heavy. It weighs as much as a 400 page trade paperback. So if that was just fine then so will the Nook.

2. Battery Life - Again I get 5 to 8 days, I find this more than ample spacing between charges.

3. Glare- Well there was a person who would swear this was like looking into the sun but in reality its not. The bezel is a glossy white, white isn't like a glossy black you see on a TV so it isn't bad at all. I and most others have 0 problems with it. But if it is a little annoying you can always put a skin on it or a cover that conceals the bezel. But to be hones it's nothing unless you are really really really sensitive to it.

4. Screen contrast on the Nook before pearl was one of if not the best contrast. While the Pearl screen is better, it's not leaps and bounds better. The Nook screen is still one of the best.


I hope this helps you out concerning the Nook

and also I agree with Prof. get one with wireless either 3g and Wi Fi or at least just Wi Fi, trust me you won't regret it. The Wi Fi only Nook goes for $149 and if at Best Buy you also get a $25 Gift card for Free.

Good Luck

Yea, I definitely need to go play with one again, I haven't had much time and didn't have the concerns when I have looked at them before. The Best Buy deal I have seen people talking about, but it didn't seem to be available any more when I looked the other day?

[Fbone]

Hello and welcome.

You mentioned possibly returning to school. If the textbooks will be in PDF format, none of the readers mentioned will be good for those. And will you have much free time for casual reading?
It may be best to wait until your future plans are firm and decide from there. And there may be sales closer to the holidays and new releases that better suit your needs.

[ProfCrash]

If you are thinking of a PDF then you are going to be better off with one of the larger screen readers like the DX.

I love my DX.

[bmatt]

Not really planning on reading any PDFs, the textbooks I was referring to are the new features on B&N and Amazon where it appears they have "ported" textbooks to a format compatible with the Nook and Kindle, though I don't think it is at a point it could be used for every class necessarily, but an interesting concept that may help nudge me to purchase a reader of some sort.

The DX would be nice, but price and size are two things I don't care for. The reader would primarily used for novels, but if I could swing more functionality out of it, it may help me justify the purchase made.

As far as time for using the reader, I am just going to be taking a class here and there since my employer will now reimburse me for some education fees, why not when it is free!

I believe I am going to try to take a look at the Nook again sometime this week and maybe even the new Sony devices will start showing up at retail.