What E-reader can be best for me? Lives in Israel...

shemsha · 08-28-2010, 06:34 AM

Hi everyone,

I live in Israel and really want to get an E-reader.
In Israel, ebooks in Hebrew are something that is just starting and the E-readers that are sold here (and support Hebrew) are expensive, and, as far as I know, are lame comparing to the Kindle, Nook, Sony etc.

I want an E-reader I can use in Israel (so the Nook for example is not an option). I think a 6 inch screen is great (E-ink of course).
I don't mind that the E-reader will be without Hebrew support, I read in English most of the time.

Now, as far as it seems, the Kindle is the best option. I can use the wifi version and buy books from Israel. Also, it's not expensive and can be shipped to Israel.

My problem with the Kindle is that I can only buy from Amazon and it seems that their ebooks prices are sometimes a bit pricey (at least comparing to Physical books).
Seems a bit funny to me that an ebook addition of a book will cost me more than the physical copy.

Any recommendations?

Many thanks in advance,
Asaf

m-reader · 08-28-2010, 07:34 AM

Hi Asaf

There are ways to get Kindle to read books other than Amazon - Calibre is your friend

A friend of mine bought a Kindle DX (new one). He also has some right-to-left books (Arabic) which are no problem in PDF.
I think at the moment Kindle gives you the best bang for the buck. Unless you want to wait a while and see what Sony comes up with. I have a PRS-900 which is great, but I'd love to see the glare on it go away.

fjtorres · 08-28-2010, 09:24 AM

ebook pricing is dicey all over.
It is the doing of the Big Publishing Houses, not the retailers.
Your first thought should be to what kinds of books you read and where you're going to get them. Then to what formats they are available in.
If you go with Kindle:
Anything in DRM-free Mobipocket format can be read on Kindle without conversion.
Quite a few ebook publishers and retailers sell DRM-free mobi.
Anything in other DRM-free formats can be converted to Mobi format through Calibre and other free tools.
Anything with DRM needs De-DRM'ing first.
If you go with a reader supporting one of the various ePub DRM "flavors", the same applies in reverse; Calibre will convert DRM-free books to ePub and you'll have to DeDRM Amazon-sourced ebooks (if possible).
DRM removable may or not be legal or convenient and is never 100% reliable so it is best to be sure what your needs are before committing to a reader platform.

shemsha · 08-28-2010, 11:18 AM

Thank you both for your responses.
I guess the only places I'll buy books at is either the Sony store or Amazon, I don't know any more options.

If I look at the last few books I read -
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo - available both in Sony and Amazon, Sony is cheaper.
The girl who played with fire - the same.
The Name of the Wind - again Sony's edition is cheaper.
All books in "song of ice and fire" series - again Sony is cheaper.
The Farseer trilogy - the same.
Few books by Neil Gaiman - finally similar price in both stores.

Maybe just a coincidence, but it seems that on every book I look, The Sony ebook is cheaper. That's the only reason why I hesitate and don't purchase the Kindle.

Thanks!

ficbot · 08-28-2010, 11:30 AM

The Sony store is an absolute wasteland if you are not American though

Some of the stuff you may be just browsing now, once you register and try to buy, it won't let you.

I have a Kindle, I know how to de-DRM and I buy whatever I want, from whomever

I mostly buy from Kobo and Smashwords.

shemsha · 08-28-2010, 01:27 PM

Oh... Didn't know that. Seems like it's Kindle for me then...
Thanks!

08-28-2010, 06:34 AM	#1
shemsha Connoisseur Posts: 53 Karma: 6666 Join Date: Aug 2010 Device: none	What E-reader can be best for me? Lives in Israel... Hi everyone, I live in Israel and really want to get an E-reader. In Israel, ebooks in Hebrew are something that is just starting and the E-readers that are sold here (and support Hebrew) are expensive, and, as far as I know, are lame comparing to the Kindle, Nook, Sony etc. I want an E-reader I can use in Israel (so the Nook for example is not an option). I think a 6 inch screen is great (E-ink of course). I don't mind that the E-reader will be without Hebrew support, I read in English most of the time. Now, as far as it seems, the Kindle is the best option. I can use the wifi version and buy books from Israel. Also, it's not expensive and can be shipped to Israel. My problem with the Kindle is that I can only buy from Amazon and it seems that their ebooks prices are sometimes a bit pricey (at least comparing to Physical books). Seems a bit funny to me that an ebook addition of a book will cost me more than the physical copy. Any recommendations? Many thanks in advance, Asaf

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08-28-2010, 07:34 AM	#2
m-reader Guru Posts: 785 Karma: 100000 Join Date: Dec 2007 Device: Sony PRS-300. PRS-650, PRS-900, iPad2, Iconia A500, Irex Iliad (sold)	Hi Asaf There are ways to get Kindle to read books other than Amazon - Calibre is your friend A friend of mine bought a Kindle DX (new one). He also has some right-to-left books (Arabic) which are no problem in PDF. I think at the moment Kindle gives you the best bang for the buck. Unless you want to wait a while and see what Sony comes up with. I have a PRS-900 which is great, but I'd love to see the glare on it go away.

08-28-2010, 09:24 AM	#3
fjtorres Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,732 Karma: 128354696 Join Date: May 2009 Location: 26 kly from Sgr A* Device: T100TA,PW2,PRS-T1,KT,FireHD 8.9,K2, PB360,BeBook One,Axim51v,TC1000	ebook pricing is dicey all over. It is the doing of the Big Publishing Houses, not the retailers. Your first thought should be to what kinds of books you read and where you're going to get them. Then to what formats they are available in. If you go with Kindle: Anything in DRM-free Mobipocket format can be read on Kindle without conversion. Quite a few ebook publishers and retailers sell DRM-free mobi. Anything in other DRM-free formats can be converted to Mobi format through Calibre and other free tools. Anything with DRM needs De-DRM'ing first. If you go with a reader supporting one of the various ePub DRM "flavors", the same applies in reverse; Calibre will convert DRM-free books to ePub and you'll have to DeDRM Amazon-sourced ebooks (if possible). DRM removable may or not be legal or convenient and is never 100% reliable so it is best to be sure what your needs are before committing to a reader platform.

08-28-2010, 11:18 AM	#4
shemsha Connoisseur Posts: 53 Karma: 6666 Join Date: Aug 2010 Device: none	Thank you both for your responses. I guess the only places I'll buy books at is either the Sony store or Amazon, I don't know any more options. If I look at the last few books I read - The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo - available both in Sony and Amazon, Sony is cheaper. The girl who played with fire - the same. The Name of the Wind - again Sony's edition is cheaper. All books in "song of ice and fire" series - again Sony is cheaper. The Farseer trilogy - the same. Few books by Neil Gaiman - finally similar price in both stores. Maybe just a coincidence, but it seems that on every book I look, The Sony ebook is cheaper. That's the only reason why I hesitate and don't purchase the Kindle. Thanks!

08-28-2010, 11:30 AM	#5
ficbot Wizard Posts: 2,409 Karma: 4132096 Join Date: Sep 2008 Device: Kindle Paperwhite/iOS Kindle App	The Sony store is an absolute wasteland if you are not American though Some of the stuff you may be just browsing now, once you register and try to buy, it won't let you. I have a Kindle, I know how to de-DRM and I buy whatever I want, from whomever I mostly buy from Kobo and Smashwords.

08-28-2010, 01:27 PM	#6
shemsha Connoisseur Posts: 53 Karma: 6666 Join Date: Aug 2010 Device: none	Oh... Didn't know that. Seems like it's Kindle for me then... Thanks!

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