I'm Not A Tekkie - Need Recommendation Please - Page 2

sun surfer · 10-26-2010, 01:21 PM

I would have to agree with most that if you're very un-tech-savvy and want the simplest all-around experience possible, I'd recommend the Kindle 3.

The only caveat would be if you want library books and/or to be able to buy outside of Amazon. In that case, I'd recommend Kobo (but I think a new one is coming out soon? so if you go with Kobo I'd recommend waiting for the new one).

I personally have a nook and love it, but it's slightly more complicated than the others (the touch screen). As ProfCrash said, B&N are announcing something today and it may be a new nook. The new nook may be simpler but we don't know just yet (we will in a few hours though).

You did mention arthritis and easy page turns though. With the nook (and I think Sony (?) and a few others), you can turn a page by swiping, meaning you don't have to press a button over and over, which could be a huge plus to you if pressing buttons hurts your arthritis. This could be a very important feature for you depending.

ProfCrash · 10-26-2010, 01:54 PM

If the new nook is a 7 inch android based color touchscreen, it is not likely to be lighter then the Nook or K3.

I would go to a Best Buy and take a look at the e-readers. You can get a good feel for the weight and the buttons before you buy one. That should help you decide which one is ergonomically best for you.

mldavis2 · 10-26-2010, 02:28 PM

Absolutely no problems here with the K3 WiFi. I have no use for a 3G and used the $50 savings to buy the protector with light. The K3 can be 'page turned' using one hand (either hand) while the touch-screen models require either two hands or the use of the thumb rather awkwardly on one hand -- a consideration if you have arthritis. Amazon has a larger selection that some of the others, and conversion from ePub is not a problem with a bit of research if there is something you just 'must' have that isn't available for the K3. Amazon eBook prices tend to be at least as good as B&N if not better. The K3 WiFi is a bargain at $139.

ProfCrash · 10-27-2010, 01:43 PM

Based on the specs for the Nook Color, I would recommend a Kindle. The only reason for getting a Classic Nook is if you see yourself checking out a ton of books.

Beach650 · 10-27-2010, 05:33 PM

BeachMouse - those were all the features I was looking for in an ereader and I went with the Kobo and I've been very pleased. I specifically didn't want the extra bells and doodads on the Kindle (especially the keyboard taking up all that space).

I also really dislike that Kindles only read ebooks from Amazon. Kobo's are more flexible - they don't care where you get your ebooks from.

The new Kobo also matches the Kindle in screen specs, etc. Or, if you don't need the latest and greatest, you can get the original Kobo (no wifi) for $99 right now (that's what I have and I love it).

Good luck!

ProfCrash · 10-27-2010, 05:39 PM

The Kindle reads more then books from Amazon. There are plenty of stores that sell e-books that can be read on the Kindle without conversion.

mldavis2 · 10-27-2010, 05:41 PM

All readers won't read eBooks from 'some' formats no matter which one you have. It all depends on which sources you do want rather than which you do not.

$99 is tough to beat. My K3 was $40 more in WiFi.

Beach Mouse · 10-30-2010, 04:11 AM

I guess I really am a Tekkie Dummy ... I apologize for my lack of knowledge about this e-reader stuff. Thank you all for your patience, I really appreciate all your help. I didn't realize there was so much to know about e-readers.

It seems like the Kindle may be the best one for me but can anyone answer a few (an understatement for sure LOL) questions?

What is epub?
What is 3G?
What is wifi?
What does sideload mean?
Is Nook another brand of ereader?
What's the difference between a Kindle DX and a Kindle 3?
If I get a Kindle does that mean I can only buy books from Amazon?
When buying books for an e-reader (Kindle), do you do this online or do you have to go to a bookstore or can you do either/or?
If you read a lot of books (which I do), if you run out of space on your e-reader can you put some of the books you bought onto a disc or something? What do you do if you run out of room, do you have to delete the books you've bought?
Is Amazon a book store or is it an online place to buy books?
When you buy a book for your e-reader is it a disc or something? Is it easy to get your book onto the e-reader?
With the Kindle can you turn the page with a sweeping motion (like how you scroll when using an Iphone)or do you have to press a button? Which e-readers have the sweeping type of page turning?
With the Kindle having features such as a web browser (Wikipedia, email, etc), do you have to pay any type of fee to use them?
With a Kindle, can you enlarge the font? Can you change the font, i.e. from Time New Roman to Arial for example?

There is so much to learn, my head is spinning. I'd like to know as much as I can before

goes to buy me one for Christmas (he knows even less than I do so I really do need your help folks). Also I would imagine this will be one hot item at Christmas so I really should try to get my head around all this information ... and quickly, right?

Beach Mouse · 10-30-2010, 04:15 AM

Double Post, sorry

ATDrake · 10-30-2010, 04:47 AM

1. ePub is a file format. It's what's available at many e-bookstores (B&N, Sony, Kobo, etc.) and the Overdrive system that libraries also use. The Kindle is not compatible with ePub, although you can easily convert non-DRM-copy-restricted ePubs to the Mobi format that the Kindle can read.

2. 3G is the kind of wireless that cellphone networks use. You can access it anywhere you would have cellphone reception, and it's useful for when you travel and such.

3. WiFi is the kind of wireless that your home network or Starbucks uses. It's harder to set up and you need access to a wireless hotspot (often with a password) before it works.

4. Sideload is when you transfer books to your reader by hooking it up to the computer via the USB cable and moving the files over manually.

5. Yes. The Nook is Barnes & Noble's e-reader, and it is compatible with both B&N's own and also ADE-DRM ePubs (such as the libraries and Sony and Kobo bookstores use). It comes in a cheap Wi-Fi-only model, a slightly more expensive Wi-Fi + 3G model, and a new colour LCD model.

It doesn't have the same features as the Kindle though. However, it has other advantages, such as letting you read practically any book in the B&N catalogue free for one hour at a time if you visit a physical B&N bookstore while you have your Nook with you.

6. The Kindle DX is a larger model (about 9 inches, I think) which makes it easier to read picture-based documents such as PDFs.

7. No, you can buy books from other stores, but you will have to find stores that will sell books in DRM-free Mobipocket or other format that you can convert to Mobi. "Secure" Mobipocket books will not work because even though Amazon bought and owns the format, they don't include compatibility for the old-style copy-protection on the Kindle, nor did they license the new-style method for anyone else.

8. You can buy books direct from within the Kindle, or online from the Amazon website or any other which sells compatible books.

9. Yes. You can move your books back and forth as much as you like. Just transfer them on and off the device. As long as you keep a backup of the files around, you'll be fine, and Amazon backs up your purchases from them at their website so you can redownload at any time.

10. Amazon is an online retailer which sells books (among many other things) on their website.

11. E-books are files that you download, just like mp3 or PDF files.

12. It's button-pressing all the way on the Kindle.

13. No fee for the web browser. However, if you have a 3G model of Kindle and you decide to send your personal documents directly to the Kindle via the wireless function, there's a per-megabyte charge for that. It's easier and free to sideload them anyway.

14. Yes, you can adjust the font up and down through 8 sizes now, I think. And with the Kindle 3 you have the option of switching between a serif and a sans-serif font for almost all your books (excluding Topaz and PDF format books, which cannot be adjusted). Though they are the Kindle's built-in font faces and you cannot add or use your own without hacking it.

Hope this helps, and if you have any more questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

GA Russell · 10-30-2010, 12:47 PM

BM, great questions! ATD, great answers!

BM, I recommend that as a tekkie dummy you not try to get the most out of your device, but rather stick with something simple for the time being. There will be a learning curve no matter what you get. You are not marrying your device. You will be free to get another in the future, and then use them both.

The Kindle is set up to make buying eBooks from Amazon very easy. For your first device, that might be the best way to go.

However, the other devices allow you to borrow books from the public library. The Philadelphia library allows anyone from outside Pennsylvania to borrow their books for $15.00 a year, and they have an excellent selection.

The jetBook Lite was introduced a year ago with the premise that it was the least expensive of all eBook readers. It is still one of the least expensive at $99 (including a leather cover) from newegg.com; and its firmware (the software that operates the device) has been improved so that it competes well with the others. Maybe buying the least expensive would be best for you to start with.

You've started looking at the right time. It is very likely that various models will be on sale Thanksgiving weekend and mid-December. I recommend that you study here as much as your time allows over the next four weeks before you pull the trigger.

Happy hunting!

JSWolf · 10-30-2010, 01:04 PM

My suggestion is to go to the shops and have a look at the Sony Reader PRS-650 and the K3. Then you can make up your mind which one is best for your needs. After having a look at them, feel free to come back to this thread and ask questions about them.

You may find the touch screen of the 650 to be what you want or need. You may find the K3's buttons fit your needs. What fits your needs is a personal choice. So go actually have a look at them and see what you think.

Beach Mouse · 10-30-2010, 09:33 PM

Thank you ATDrake, you've gone to a lot of trouble explaining all this to me. I can't say that I understand a lot of what you said but I'll keep on studying your answer and hopefully it will be clearer. LOL

It's a shame that the Kindle 3 doesn't have touch screen, that would seem to be the easiest I would think. Okay folks, I think now I need to go and physically check these babies out. Do I go to places like a real book store or Future Shop, Radio Shack or other such stores?

Again, thank you all for your assistance.

tubemonkey · 10-30-2010, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beach Mouse

Okay folks, I think now I need to go and physically check these babies out. Do I go to places like a real book store or Future Shop, Radio Shack or other such stores?

Again, thank you all for your assistance.

What country do you live in?

ProfCrash · 10-30-2010, 10:48 PM

If you live in the US check out Best Buy. They sell the Nook, Kindle, and Sony.

10-30-2010, 04:11 AM	#23
Beach Mouse Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: none	I guess I really am a Tekkie Dummy ... I apologize for my lack of knowledge about this e-reader stuff. Thank you all for your patience, I really appreciate all your help. I didn't realize there was so much to know about e-readers. It seems like the Kindle may be the best one for me but can anyone answer a few (an understatement for sure LOL) questions? What is epub? What is 3G? What is wifi? What does sideload mean? Is Nook another brand of ereader? What's the difference between a Kindle DX and a Kindle 3? If I get a Kindle does that mean I can only buy books from Amazon? When buying books for an e-reader (Kindle), do you do this online or do you have to go to a bookstore or can you do either/or? If you read a lot of books (which I do), if you run out of space on your e-reader can you put some of the books you bought onto a disc or something? What do you do if you run out of room, do you have to delete the books you've bought? Is Amazon a book store or is it an online place to buy books? When you buy a book for your e-reader is it a disc or something? Is it easy to get your book onto the e-reader? With the Kindle can you turn the page with a sweeping motion (like how you scroll when using an Iphone)or do you have to press a button? Which e-readers have the sweeping type of page turning? With the Kindle having features such as a web browser (Wikipedia, email, etc), do you have to pay any type of fee to use them? With a Kindle, can you enlarge the font? Can you change the font, i.e. from Time New Roman to Arial for example? There is so much to learn, my head is spinning. I'd like to know as much as I can before goes to buy me one for Christmas (he knows even less than I do so I really do need your help folks). Also I would imagine this will be one hot item at Christmas so I really should try to get my head around all this information ... and quickly, right? Last edited by Beach Mouse; 10-30-2010 at 04:13 AM. Reason: Typo

10-30-2010, 04:15 AM	#24
Beach Mouse Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: none	Double Post, sorry Last edited by Beach Mouse; 10-30-2010 at 09:22 PM. Reason: Double Post ... Technologically Challenged.

10-30-2010, 04:47 AM	#25
ATDrake Wizzard Posts: 11,517 Karma: 33048258 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Roundworld Device: Kindle 2 International, Sony PRS-T1, BlackBerry PlayBook, Acer Iconia	1. ePub is a file format. It's what's available at many e-bookstores (B&N, Sony, Kobo, etc.) and the Overdrive system that libraries also use. The Kindle is not compatible with ePub, although you can easily convert non-DRM-copy-restricted ePubs to the Mobi format that the Kindle can read. 2. 3G is the kind of wireless that cellphone networks use. You can access it anywhere you would have cellphone reception, and it's useful for when you travel and such. 3. WiFi is the kind of wireless that your home network or Starbucks uses. It's harder to set up and you need access to a wireless hotspot (often with a password) before it works. 4. Sideload is when you transfer books to your reader by hooking it up to the computer via the USB cable and moving the files over manually. 5. Yes. The Nook is Barnes & Noble's e-reader, and it is compatible with both B&N's own and also ADE-DRM ePubs (such as the libraries and Sony and Kobo bookstores use). It comes in a cheap Wi-Fi-only model, a slightly more expensive Wi-Fi + 3G model, and a new colour LCD model. It doesn't have the same features as the Kindle though. However, it has other advantages, such as letting you read practically any book in the B&N catalogue free for one hour at a time if you visit a physical B&N bookstore while you have your Nook with you. 6. The Kindle DX is a larger model (about 9 inches, I think) which makes it easier to read picture-based documents such as PDFs. 7. No, you can buy books from other stores, but you will have to find stores that will sell books in DRM-free Mobipocket or other format that you can convert to Mobi. "Secure" Mobipocket books will not work because even though Amazon bought and owns the format, they don't include compatibility for the old-style copy-protection on the Kindle, nor did they license the new-style method for anyone else. 8. You can buy books direct from within the Kindle, or online from the Amazon website or any other which sells compatible books. 9. Yes. You can move your books back and forth as much as you like. Just transfer them on and off the device. As long as you keep a backup of the files around, you'll be fine, and Amazon backs up your purchases from them at their website so you can redownload at any time. 10. Amazon is an online retailer which sells books (among many other things) on their website. 11. E-books are files that you download, just like mp3 or PDF files. 12. It's button-pressing all the way on the Kindle. 13. No fee for the web browser. However, if you have a 3G model of Kindle and you decide to send your personal documents directly to the Kindle via the wireless function, there's a per-megabyte charge for that. It's easier and free to sideload them anyway. 14. Yes, you can adjust the font up and down through 8 sizes now, I think. And with the Kindle 3 you have the option of switching between a serif and a sans-serif font for almost all your books (excluding Topaz and PDF format books, which cannot be adjusted). Though they are the Kindle's built-in font faces and you cannot add or use your own without hacking it. Hope this helps, and if you have any more questions, please don't hesitate to ask. Last edited by ATDrake; 10-30-2010 at 04:57 AM. Reason: Typos, what else?

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10-26-2010, 01:21 PM	#16
sun surfer languorous autodidact ✦ Posts: 4,235 Karma: 44667380 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: smiling with the rising sun Device: onyx boox poke 2 colour, kindle voyage	I would have to agree with most that if you're very un-tech-savvy and want the simplest all-around experience possible, I'd recommend the Kindle 3. The only caveat would be if you want library books and/or to be able to buy outside of Amazon. In that case, I'd recommend Kobo (but I think a new one is coming out soon? so if you go with Kobo I'd recommend waiting for the new one). I personally have a nook and love it, but it's slightly more complicated than the others (the touch screen). As ProfCrash said, B&N are announcing something today and it may be a new nook. The new nook may be simpler but we don't know just yet (we will in a few hours though). You did mention arthritis and easy page turns though. With the nook (and I think Sony (?) and a few others), you can turn a page by swiping, meaning you don't have to press a button over and over, which could be a huge plus to you if pressing buttons hurts your arthritis. This could be a very important feature for you depending.

10-26-2010, 01:54 PM	#17
ProfCrash Tea Enthusiast Posts: 8,554 Karma: 75384937 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Somewhere in the USA Device: Kindle1, Kindle DX Graphite, K3 3G, IPad 3, PW2	If the new nook is a 7 inch android based color touchscreen, it is not likely to be lighter then the Nook or K3. I would go to a Best Buy and take a look at the e-readers. You can get a good feel for the weight and the buttons before you buy one. That should help you decide which one is ergonomically best for you.

10-26-2010, 02:28 PM	#18
mldavis2 Coffee Nut Posts: 410 Karma: 298350 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Missouri Device: Kindle 3; K4PC; Calibre	Absolutely no problems here with the K3 WiFi. I have no use for a 3G and used the $50 savings to buy the protector with light. The K3 can be 'page turned' using one hand (either hand) while the touch-screen models require either two hands or the use of the thumb rather awkwardly on one hand -- a consideration if you have arthritis. Amazon has a larger selection that some of the others, and conversion from ePub is not a problem with a bit of research if there is something you just 'must' have that isn't available for the K3. Amazon eBook prices tend to be at least as good as B&N if not better. The K3 WiFi is a bargain at $139.

10-27-2010, 01:43 PM	#19
ProfCrash Tea Enthusiast Posts: 8,554 Karma: 75384937 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Somewhere in the USA Device: Kindle1, Kindle DX Graphite, K3 3G, IPad 3, PW2	Based on the specs for the Nook Color, I would recommend a Kindle. The only reason for getting a Classic Nook is if you see yourself checking out a ton of books.

10-27-2010, 05:33 PM	#20
Beach650 Member Posts: 17 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2010 Device: Kobo	BeachMouse - those were all the features I was looking for in an ereader and I went with the Kobo and I've been very pleased. I specifically didn't want the extra bells and doodads on the Kindle (especially the keyboard taking up all that space). I also really dislike that Kindles only read ebooks from Amazon. Kobo's are more flexible - they don't care where you get your ebooks from. The new Kobo also matches the Kindle in screen specs, etc. Or, if you don't need the latest and greatest, you can get the original Kobo (no wifi) for $99 right now (that's what I have and I love it). Good luck!

10-27-2010, 05:39 PM	#21
ProfCrash Tea Enthusiast Posts: 8,554 Karma: 75384937 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Somewhere in the USA Device: Kindle1, Kindle DX Graphite, K3 3G, IPad 3, PW2	The Kindle reads more then books from Amazon. There are plenty of stores that sell e-books that can be read on the Kindle without conversion.

10-27-2010, 05:41 PM	#22
mldavis2 Coffee Nut Posts: 410 Karma: 298350 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Missouri Device: Kindle 3; K4PC; Calibre	All readers won't read eBooks from 'some' formats no matter which one you have. It all depends on which sources you do want rather than which you do not. $99 is tough to beat. My K3 was $40 more in WiFi.

10-30-2010, 12:47 PM	#26
GA Russell Ticats win 4th straight Posts: 7,694 Karma: 31487351 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Raleigh, NC Device: Paperwhite, Kindles 10 & 4 and jetBook Lite	BM, great questions! ATD, great answers! BM, I recommend that as a tekkie dummy you not try to get the most out of your device, but rather stick with something simple for the time being. There will be a learning curve no matter what you get. You are not marrying your device. You will be free to get another in the future, and then use them both. The Kindle is set up to make buying eBooks from Amazon very easy. For your first device, that might be the best way to go. However, the other devices allow you to borrow books from the public library. The Philadelphia library allows anyone from outside Pennsylvania to borrow their books for $15.00 a year, and they have an excellent selection. The jetBook Lite was introduced a year ago with the premise that it was the least expensive of all eBook readers. It is still one of the least expensive at $99 (including a leather cover) from newegg.com; and its firmware (the software that operates the device) has been improved so that it competes well with the others. Maybe buying the least expensive would be best for you to start with. You've started looking at the right time. It is very likely that various models will be on sale Thanksgiving weekend and mid-December. I recommend that you study here as much as your time allows over the next four weeks before you pull the trigger. Happy hunting!

10-30-2010, 01:04 PM	#27
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,763 Karma: 145864619 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	My suggestion is to go to the shops and have a look at the Sony Reader PRS-650 and the K3. Then you can make up your mind which one is best for your needs. After having a look at them, feel free to come back to this thread and ask questions about them. You may find the touch screen of the 650 to be what you want or need. You may find the K3's buttons fit your needs. What fits your needs is a personal choice. So go actually have a look at them and see what you think.

10-30-2010, 09:33 PM	#28
Beach Mouse Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: none	Thank you ATDrake, you've gone to a lot of trouble explaining all this to me. I can't say that I understand a lot of what you said but I'll keep on studying your answer and hopefully it will be clearer. LOL It's a shame that the Kindle 3 doesn't have touch screen, that would seem to be the easiest I would think. Okay folks, I think now I need to go and physically check these babies out. Do I go to places like a real book store or Future Shop, Radio Shack or other such stores? Again, thank you all for your assistance.

10-30-2010, 10:48 PM	#30
ProfCrash Tea Enthusiast Posts: 8,554 Karma: 75384937 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Somewhere in the USA Device: Kindle1, Kindle DX Graphite, K3 3G, IPad 3, PW2	If you live in the US check out Best Buy. They sell the Nook, Kindle, and Sony.