I Have a Mac - which should I buy??

jacsiegel · 07-11-2008, 03:35 PM

Hi -

I want an ebook reader for reading books when I travel, and I don't care about storing photos or even listening to MP3, as I travel with a Nano. So my issues are Mac compatibility and access to good, reasonably-priced libraries. WiFi isn't an issue, as I spend a lot of time in Alaska, where the Kindle system is not available. I've been looking at a number of ebook readers and like the Cybook Gen3 for a number of reasons - design, screen size, device size. Unfortunately, I can't tell whether there are compatibility issues with Mac (MobiPocket desktop application doesn't work with Mac). I think I must choose between the Kindle and the Jetbook, and I don't like the Jetbook as the screen is small and the available libraries are limited. As for the Kindle, I don't like the physical design, I've heard the support staff is inadequate and most of the available books are not much cheaper than paper books. However, I suspect the Kindle may be my best choice. I haven't ordered it yet, as I just found this forum and was hoping for advice. Any other Mac people out there?

pilotbob · 07-11-2008, 03:46 PM

You can use the Kindle, Sony PRS-505, iLiad and CyBook all with a Mac.

You can NOT buy books from the Sony store with a Mac... (unless you have a Windows VM).

You can NOT buy .LIT books with a Mac that you can convert to Sony/.LRF... (once again unless you have a Windows VM.)

The Jetbooks supports no DRMed formats. It also has a smaller screen and less battery life than the eInk devices.

So, assuming you want to be able to buy copyrighted books your choices are Kindle, iLiad or CyBook. If you don't want to buy copyrighted books you can add Jetbook and Sony to your list.

HTH,
BOb

jacsiegel · 07-11-2008, 03:56 PM

Are there any sources of books for Cybook other than MobiPocket? I need access to a good library, not just a few bestseller list titles. Nothing technical, but I read a lot of different types of books. Mobi is the only source shown on the Bookeen web site. Thanks!

pilotbob · 07-11-2008, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacsiegel

Are there any sources of books for Cybook other than MobiPocket? I need access to a good library, not just a few bestseller list titles. Nothing technical, but I read a lot of different types of books. Mobi is the only source shown on the Bookeen web site. Thanks!

Mobipocket is a file format. There are many places you can get books in the format. There are stores like fictionwise.com, booksonbord.com, etc.

You can also get alot of public domain books from manybooks.net, feedbooks.com and also right here in the eBook forums. Just select Mobi as the file type. Also, many public lending libraries use the Mobi format and DRM.

There are also places like baen if you like Sci-Fi they have tons of stuff, free and for purchase... just get the DRM free Mobipocket format which will work on both CyBook and Kindle.

Even if you get a Kindle, you can read any non-DRMed book that is in the Mobipocket format... also .txt and .html.

Go browse fictionwise.com and see if they have what you like.

BOb

daffy4u · 07-11-2008, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacsiegel

As for the Kindle, I don't like the physical design, I've heard the support staff is inadequate and most of the available books are not much cheaper than paper books. However, I suspect the Kindle may be my best choice. I haven't ordered it yet, as I just found this forum and was hoping for advice. Any other Mac people out there?

Can't help you on the physical design of the Kindle. If you don't like it, you don't like it. I love it for it's inner beauty!

Customer Service for the Kindle has been very good. I don't always get what I ask for but they've been courteous and quick with their responses.

On pricing, anytime I can buy a new release that sells for $24.99 in hard cover for $9.99, I'm having a pretty good day. In fact, I'll take my 25 dollars, but 2 new releases and have change left over.

Good luck with whatever you choose to purchase! eBook Readers for everyone!

jacsiegel · 07-11-2008, 05:12 PM

I am confused about the Mobipocket software - is there some way I can get it to work with a Mac (other than running Windows on the Mac)? I tried the free download just for kicks, and, as I suspected, my Mac doesn't support it. Or maybe I downloaded the wrong software? Sorry to be so technically dumb, but this is my first exposure to the world of ebook readers and there's all kinds of terms and concepts that are new to me (like what's DRM).

pilotbob · 07-11-2008, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacsiegel

I am confused about the Mobipocket software - is there some way I can get it to work with a Mac (other than running Windows on the Mac)? I tried the free download just for kicks, and, as I suspected, my Mac doesn't support it. Or maybe I downloaded the wrong software? Sorry to be so technically dumb, but this is my first exposure to the world of ebook readers and there's all kinds of terms and concepts that are new to me (like what's DRM).

That is a limitation of deciding to go with a device that uses the Mobipocket format when you you have a Mac. There is no reader software that you can run on your Mac for DRMed files. You can read non-DRMed files with Stanza.

DRM is "digital rights managment". It is encryption used to only allow the book to be read on a device which has been authorized to read it. The way mobi's DRM works is that each device has a "PID" (personal id number). You must provide this PID to the stores where you buy a mobipocket book from. The book will be encrypted with the PID you provide and that device will be able to read the book. Most mobipocket stores allow for up to 4 PIDs, so you can have 4 devices read that same file.

Kindle uses "similar" DRM to Mobipocket but the PID is not visible. You register 1-6 Kindles to your Amazon account and any Kindle book files you download from that Amazon account will work on those (up to) 6 Kindles. There is also no software AT ALL, PC or Mac that allows you to read your Kindle books... you can only read them on the Kindle.

BOb

JSWolf · 07-11-2008, 05:21 PM

Tobe totally honest, the best thing you can do is dual-boot with Windows and then you can get any of the 6" eink devices without a hassle. Without Windows there is a hassle involved for any of them.

Shenzhov · 07-11-2008, 05:40 PM

I have a Mac and a Vista machine. I bought the Sony 505 and had it for about 3 months before the Kindle came out. I found the Sony store software slow and buggy and finally gave up on it.
When the Kindle was finally back in stock I ordered one and have not picked my Sony up since. I love how you can wire connect it to the Mac and it pops up on the desktop like a drive so you can move books over to it.
The whispernet is very nice when you want to order from Amazon and the selection there is much better than the Sony store.

I'd say just download and install stuff on your Mac to the Kindle by wire, and download from Whispernet at times when you are in areas where you can do that.

Jack B Nimble · 07-11-2008, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Tobe totally honest, the best thing you can do is dual-boot with Windows and then you can get any of the 6" eink devices without a hassle. Without Windows there is a hassle involved for any of them.

Well, since the Kindle is designed to connect without a computer, it does not really matter for that one if you have a PC or not. Also, looking at the Kindle FAQ about using it with a computer, macs are discussed and supported. Files can be transferred via USB.

Also, Cybook would seem to be fairly painless. You do not need the desktop software to buy or download the books. The Bookeen site has this to say:

Quote:

You want to add new files to your Cybook? Connect the Cybook with the USB cable to any host computer and drag and drop your files. That's it, your new content is in the Cybook, ready to be displayed.
No software installation, no synchronization process, no file conversion and most of all the Cybook is compatible with any kind of host computer (Windows®, Linux, Mac®). You can also copy your data in a SD card and plug it in the Cybook SD slot, the stored content will automatically appear.

Good luck with your selection. Let us know how it works for you.

Jack

P.S. Forgot to add that both units can read unprotected Mobipocket files, which you can create on a mac using Stanza.

wallcraft · 07-11-2008, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacsiegel

I am confused about the Mobipocket software - is there some way I can get it to work with a Mac (other than running Windows on the Mac)?

The Windows Desktop MobiPocket Reader is used for two things: a) reading MOBI ebooks on a PC, and b) managing MOBI books for handheld devices. On a Mac there isn't a good way to do (a), and the important thing to know about (b) is that it is completely optional. Even on a Windows PC, it is possible to manage MOBI ebooks for handheld devices without using this software. In the case of the iLiad or the Gen3 (or the Kindle for DRM-free MOBIs), all you need to do is attach the device via USB and then copy your ebooks into the right place on the device (which looks like a USB drive at this point). On a Kindle, ebooks from Amazon can be downloaded automatically via Whispernet directly to the Kindle or they can be copied to your Desktop machine and manually loaded via USB.

JSWolf · 07-11-2008, 06:00 PM

Jack, while I do agree with what you've said, if the OP wants to do more such as convert content, then Windows is what is best for that. So until we know what the OP wants to do overall, we are just guessing as far as what might be best.

pilotbob · 07-11-2008, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Jack, while I do agree with what you've said, if the OP wants to do more such as convert content, then Windows is what is best for that. So until we know what the OP wants to do overall, we are just guessing as far as what might be best.

That's not true. The two apps that I do 100% of my conversions with, calibre and mobiperl run on both my Windows machine and my Mac. Then there is Mobipocket software for Windows and Stanza for Mac if you want a GUI type stuff.

BOb

Jack B Nimble · 07-11-2008, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Jack, while I do agree with what you've said, if the OP wants to do more such as convert content, then Windows is what is best for that. So until we know what the OP wants to do overall, we are just guessing as far as what might be best.

True, they would have a better selection of tools available in windows -- no question. However, while jacsiegel did not mention if they will need to do conversions (though I did mention the possibility of using Stanza for conversions), they also did not mention if they are using an Intel mac, so they may not even have the option of running windows.

More to the point, they only requested two things: "my issues are Mac compatibility and access to good, reasonably-priced libraries." If someone specifically requests a mac-compatible solution, or linux-compatible for that matter, why ignore them to suggest windows?

Jack

JSWolf · 07-11-2008, 07:15 PM

'm not ignoring. I'm just finding that a lot of the time people forget to mention that they also want to do more then they specify. Thus, Windows turns out to be fairly well needed.

But I do think this is all moot till the OP responds and tells us if he wants to do more and just what that is.

07-11-2008, 03:35 PM	#1
jacsiegel Junior Member Posts: 8 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2008 Device: none	I Have a Mac - which should I buy?? Hi - I want an ebook reader for reading books when I travel, and I don't care about storing photos or even listening to MP3, as I travel with a Nano. So my issues are Mac compatibility and access to good, reasonably-priced libraries. WiFi isn't an issue, as I spend a lot of time in Alaska, where the Kindle system is not available. I've been looking at a number of ebook readers and like the Cybook Gen3 for a number of reasons - design, screen size, device size. Unfortunately, I can't tell whether there are compatibility issues with Mac (MobiPocket desktop application doesn't work with Mac). I think I must choose between the Kindle and the Jetbook, and I don't like the Jetbook as the screen is small and the available libraries are limited. As for the Kindle, I don't like the physical design, I've heard the support staff is inadequate and most of the available books are not much cheaper than paper books. However, I suspect the Kindle may be my best choice. I haven't ordered it yet, as I just found this forum and was hoping for advice. Any other Mac people out there?

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07-11-2008, 03:46 PM	#2
pilotbob Grand Sorcerer Posts: 19,832 Karma: 11844413 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Tampa, FL USA Device: Kindle Touch	You can use the Kindle, Sony PRS-505, iLiad and CyBook all with a Mac. You can NOT buy books from the Sony store with a Mac... (unless you have a Windows VM). You can NOT buy .LIT books with a Mac that you can convert to Sony/.LRF... (once again unless you have a Windows VM.) The Jetbooks supports no DRMed formats. It also has a smaller screen and less battery life than the eInk devices. So, assuming you want to be able to buy copyrighted books your choices are Kindle, iLiad or CyBook. If you don't want to buy copyrighted books you can add Jetbook and Sony to your list. HTH, BOb

07-11-2008, 03:56 PM	#3
jacsiegel Junior Member Posts: 8 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2008 Device: none	Are there any sources of books for Cybook other than MobiPocket? I need access to a good library, not just a few bestseller list titles. Nothing technical, but I read a lot of different types of books. Mobi is the only source shown on the Bookeen web site. Thanks!

07-11-2008, 05:12 PM	#6
jacsiegel Junior Member Posts: 8 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2008 Device: none	I am confused about the Mobipocket software - is there some way I can get it to work with a Mac (other than running Windows on the Mac)? I tried the free download just for kicks, and, as I suspected, my Mac doesn't support it. Or maybe I downloaded the wrong software? Sorry to be so technically dumb, but this is my first exposure to the world of ebook readers and there's all kinds of terms and concepts that are new to me (like what's DRM).

07-11-2008, 05:21 PM	#8
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,179 Karma: 144286760 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Tobe totally honest, the best thing you can do is dual-boot with Windows and then you can get any of the 6" eink devices without a hassle. Without Windows there is a hassle involved for any of them.

07-11-2008, 05:40 PM	#9
Shenzhov Enthusiast Posts: 27 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Southern California Device: Kindle 2	I have a Mac and a Vista machine. I bought the Sony 505 and had it for about 3 months before the Kindle came out. I found the Sony store software slow and buggy and finally gave up on it. When the Kindle was finally back in stock I ordered one and have not picked my Sony up since. I love how you can wire connect it to the Mac and it pops up on the desktop like a drive so you can move books over to it. The whispernet is very nice when you want to order from Amazon and the selection there is much better than the Sony store. I'd say just download and install stuff on your Mac to the Kindle by wire, and download from Whispernet at times when you are in areas where you can do that.

07-11-2008, 06:00 PM	#12
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,179 Karma: 144286760 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Jack, while I do agree with what you've said, if the OP wants to do more such as convert content, then Windows is what is best for that. So until we know what the OP wants to do overall, we are just guessing as far as what might be best.

07-11-2008, 07:15 PM	#15
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,179 Karma: 144286760 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	'm not ignoring. I'm just finding that a lot of the time people forget to mention that they also want to do more then they specify. Thus, Windows turns out to be fairly well needed. But I do think this is all moot till the OP responds and tells us if he wants to do more and just what that is.

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