I finally purchased a Kindle - See why - May help newcomers

[PaulAuster]

After a lot of research (much more extensive than expected) among the different devices and e-book formats I ended up buying the Kindle Touch. One of my priorities was to have my books in open format, so I could read them in the future as happens with paper books. The inability of Kindle to read EPUB and having books on Amazon in AZW was something that made me go for the Nook and Sony at first.

However, after researching options decided to go for the Kindle. I discovered that my main worry could be surpassed converting AZW files to MOBI (with Calibre). I made my first purchase at Amazon and it went well. Not very easy if you are not comfortable with computers, but it is not my case.

Also, EPUB can be converted to MOBI, so the Kindle could handle all formats at least indirectly. Going for the Nook or Sony would have left me without the content of Amazon, that like it or not it is the biggest book shop on Earth. I also was in doubt of B&N survival in the medium term, so another minus for the Nook. Finally, the Sony just did not like me. It looks to me like a device from the ‘80s (maybe because of the very square form factor and the big buttons).

After a couple of hours using the Kindle I found it nice. Not very responsive and a bit slow but reading was nice. I found it very convenient, very portable. Clearly, it is device to read literature or plain text, it is not for visual content like magazines. Also, I reinforced the idea that an ebook reader is not for textbooks, at least those with charts and graphics like those I use, and clearly not good for hard studying. Going back and forth, seeing the charts and so on while you read is not practical.

So, in the end, the “ecosystem” won. Once again, you can have the best device or format in theory but if you don’t have content is it just a piece of plastic. The same happened to me with the IPhone/Ipad. I never like the idea of being tied to Apple, but application came first to Iphone or Ipad and maybe later for other platforms.

[Synamon]

Originally Posted by PaulAuster

I discovered that my main worry could be surpassed converting AZW files to MOBI (with Calibre).

AZW files are MOBI. When you load AZW files into calibre the format displays as MOBI, no conversion required.

[ApK]

I'm with you.

Two points, though:

Originally Posted by PaulAuster

I discovered that my main worry could be surpassed converting AZW files to MOBI (with Calibre)

What worry did going from AZW to mobi address for you?
For all intents and purposes, non-DRM AZW IS mobi. I'm pretty sure you can open a non-DRM AZW file in any mobi reader without any conversion. And neither is technically 'open' in the pure sense. I can't see any point to converting, unless you're changing covers or making content changes.

Originally Posted by PaulAuster

Also, EPUB can be converted to MOBI, so the Kindle could handle all formats at least indirectly. Going for the Nook or Sony would have left me without the content of Amazon.

It's quite possible to get Amazon content to any of those epub readers, through those indirect means, so not everyone who chooses another reader is left without Amazon content, but I agree that if you like to get content from Amazon primarily, the Kindle ecosystems is seriously valuable convenience.

[PaulAuster]

Thanks all for your replies. Well.. as a matter of fact when I wrote "converting AZW to MOBI" I meant "free DRM MOBI".

[ApK]

Originally Posted by PaulAuster

Thanks all for your replies. Well.. as a matter of fact when I wrote "converting AZW to MOBI" I meant "free DRM MOBI".

If you mean 'freeing your mobi from DRM' it's not really Calibre that does that, it's some independent tools that happen to also be available as plugins for Calibre.
Also, if you know that's posisble, then you know that you can also convert to epub at the same time, so you could have access to Amazon content if you went with Nook or Sony.

But personally, I think you went the right way.

ApK

[LovesMacs]

Originally Posted by PaulAuster

After a couple of hours using the Kindle I found it nice. Not very responsive and a bit slow but reading was nice.

Make sure to update your Kindle to the latest firmware. I think there is a big difference in responsiveness between the Kindle Touch out of the box and the same device with new firmware.

Glad you're enjoying your Kindle.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by LovesMacs

Make sure to update your Kindle to the latest firmware. I think there is a big difference in responsiveness between the Kindle Touch out of the box and the same device with new firmware.

Glad you're enjoying your Kindle.

But what of the bugs and display issues with firmware 5.1 for KF8?

[LovesMacs]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

But what of the bugs and display issues with firmware 5.1 for KF8?

I personally find 5.1 more functional for my purposes (reading novels and non-fiction) than 5.0.0. I have found certain annoyances with 5.1 such as the "go to" menu bringing up a long scrollable list of chapters for things like Bibles, but the latest firmware still feels more stable and responsive than 5.0.0.

Your mileage may vary.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by LovesMacs

I personally find 5.1 more functional for my purposes (reading novels and non-fiction) than 5.0.0. I have found certain annoyances with 5.1 such as the "go to" menu bringing up a long scrollable list of chapters for things like Bibles, but the latest firmware still feels more stable and responsive than 5.0.0.

Your mileage may vary.

What about others saying that the line height is too larger for KF8 eBooks?

[ixtab]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

But what of the bugs and display issues with firmware 5.1 for KF8?

5.1.0 sure has its issues. But since you're trolling around anyway: 5.0.* has even more display issues with KF8 - it doesn't support the format at all.

[hellraiser06]

Don't feed the troll.