Favourite e-reader and why?

sherrymac · 11-18-2009, 09:34 AM

Now that the Kindle is finally available here in Canada I`m ready to make a purcahse. But, first, thought I`d check with everyone to see what device is a favourite. Kindle or Sony reader 505. Who has the best selection of books?
Can a kindle be used to download a book from another site, besides Amazon?.
I believe that the Sony can be used for everything - is that correct?

Thanks for any and all help.

HarryT · 11-18-2009, 09:45 AM

If you do not live in the US, the Kindle has an extremely poor range of books available. Try to buy a book by pretty much any popular author you may care to name, and you get "not available outside the USA".

Now, if US regional restrictions do not apply to Canada, that may not apply to you, of course. You will know if that is true better than I do.

Jack Tingle · 11-18-2009, 09:51 AM

Windows Mobile 5.0-6.5 PDA w/ 3.2" screen or larger. It actually can do everything[1] (except bright sunlight). Since they have replacable batteries, you have effectively unlimited operating time. Mine's a Dell X51 (3.5" screen), with two batteries.

[everything = everything a small computer can do, not just read books]

Regards,
Jack Tingle

bcgirl · 11-18-2009, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sherrymac

Now that the Kindle is finally available here in Canada I`m ready to make a purcahse. But, first, thought I`d check with everyone to see what device is a favourite. Kindle or Sony reader 505. Who has the best selection of books?
Can a kindle be used to download a book from another site, besides Amazon?.
I believe that the Sony can be used for everything - is that correct?

Thanks for any and all help.

I posted a similar question too, had the Sony 505 in my mind and yesterday I was thrown off because of the Kindle in Canada. I will follow the topic here with you. Have one question though; does it matter if you have Mac? Does that make a difference if you want a Kindle or Sony?

HarryT · 11-18-2009, 12:46 PM

No - both the Kindle and the Mac can be used equally well with Mac and Windows.

Sweetpea · 11-18-2009, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack Tingle

Windows Mobile 5.0-6.5 PDA w/ 3.2" screen or larger. It actually can do everything[1] (except bright sunlight). Since they have replacable batteries, you have effectively unlimited operating time. Mine's a Dell X51 (3.5" screen), with two batteries.

[everything = everything a small computer can do, not just read books]

Regards,
Jack Tingle

I'd say you've the wrong PDA if it can't handle bright sunlight... Mine does, perfectly. The only problem with mine is, that it is Windows Mobile 2003 SE, which means it will lose everything when the battery is dead...

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

No - both the Kindle and the Mac can be used equally well with Mac and Windows.

The Mac can be used equally well with Mac and Windows????

Jack Tingle · 11-18-2009, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

I'd say you've the wrong PDA if it can't handle bright sunlight... Mine does, perfectly. The only problem with mine is, that it is Windows Mobile 2003 SE, which means it will lose everything when the battery is dead...

I can turn the backlight up to 11 and read for a very short time in bright sunlight. That way lies madness.

I bought a jetBook for that, instead.

I actually have an old HP iPAQ1945 that runs 2003, and in some ways it's a better device than the WM5 X51 (for example, Bluetooth). In others (for example, durability), the X51 is superior. Same sized screen on both. The 1945's keys are worn down to nubs, and the X51 has a spiky digitizer and poor D-pad reliability. The 1945 also uses battery power at about twice the rate the X51 does. I tend to wear PDAs out. I work in a century old factory, and I use them continuously during the day for many tasks. Not exactly their design duty cycle.

In truth, if it hadn't worn out and gone completely obsolete, I'd still be using my Compaq Aero 1550 Pocket PC, which was easily readable in sunlight, without the backlight on. That's one reason the jetBook was attractive; I knew the screen would work for me, since it's the same kind of technology.

For the moment, I'm using a Samsung SCH-i760 smartphone. Time will tell if that's a good choice for me.

Regards,
Jack Tingle

grooks · 11-18-2009, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

The Mac can be used equally well with Mac and Windows????

Think he meant the Sony can be used equally well with Mac and Windows.

animedude01 · 11-18-2009, 04:30 PM

I really like my DR1000S. It's great for reading PDFs and even for regular ebooks as you get a lot more text per page. I've put my Iliad in the closet and just use the DR. Of course I do almost all my reading at home so the large size isn't a huge issue. I also liked my Iliad, but I'm not using it much any more. I also love the fact that they're open and not tied to a specific vendor like the Kindle is.

Just my $0.02

astra · 11-19-2009, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sherrymac

Now that the Kindle is finally available here in Canada I`m ready to make a purcahse. But, first, thought I`d check with everyone to see what device is a favourite. Kindle or Sony reader 505. Who has the best selection of books?
Can a kindle be used to download a book from another site, besides Amazon?.
I believe that the Sony can be used for everything - is that correct?

Thanks for any and all help.

Go for Sony.
Very pleasant reading experience. Feels very nice in your hands. No awkward hardware keyboard to remind you all the time that you don't read a book but holding a gadget etc. No wireless, no access to the Internet = no distractions plus no unexpected/unwanted intrusions into your reader from Amazon, you are in control, you decide whether you want the latest firmware upgrade or not, whether you want to have a particular ebook on your reader or not.
Maybe you want to consider 600 over 505. I don't know. Depends on your taste and needs. I prefer 505.

Sweetpea · 11-19-2009, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack Tingle

I can turn the backlight up to 11 and read for a very short time in bright sunlight. That way lies madness.

I bought a jetBook for that, instead.

And that, my friends, is the difference between a good backlit screen and a decent backlit screen

I was thinking about buying a new PDA (as Fujitsu Siemens doesn't make them anymore, I was looking at a HP), with a transflective screen (= backlit, easily readable in sunlight with the light turned off), but decided against it, as my Loox is still working perfectly... (640x480, colour, transflective screen, awesome quality, though only 3.4"!)

Quote:

Originally Posted by grooks

Think he meant the Sony can be used equally well with Mac and Windows.

I know, but I still found it funny

Ea · 11-19-2009, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

If you do not live in the US, the Kindle has an extremely poor range of books available. Try to buy a book by pretty much any popular author you may care to name, and you get "not available outside the USA".

Now, if US regional restrictions do not apply to Canada, that may not apply to you, of course. You will know if that is true better than I do.

Have you tried searching recently? Recently, almost all books I've looked for, that existed in a Kindle edition, I could get. The range of books are far from 'extremely poor' in my estimation.

Greg Anos · 11-19-2009, 08:59 AM

I prefer my Hanlin V3 (Bebook, Astak) running open inkpot. But I'm an old crank who doesn't want wireless.....

HarryT · 11-19-2009, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ea

Have you tried searching recently? Recently, almost all books I've looked for, that existed in a Kindle edition, I could get. The range of books are far from 'extremely poor' in my estimation.

I guess I must have been unlucky, then. Terry Pratchett, Stephen King, Dan Brown - none of them available, to name but three authors I've tried.

astra · 11-19-2009, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

I guess I must have been unlucky, then. Terry Pratchett, Stephen King, Dan Brown - none of them available, to name but three authors I've tried.

I think it is the first time I hear frustration from you, HarryT. You actually have feelings similar to an average Joe ebook reader

You always sound like: Why do you care? There are so many free classics out there. Why don't you read them instead of hunting for books you cannot buy? etc. You never really worded it like that but that was my impression of reading between lines of your posts.
Please, don't get me wrong, I am not gloating or anything, but I am surprised.

11-18-2009, 09:34 AM	#1
sherrymac Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: something that will work in Canada!	Favourite e-reader and why? Now that the Kindle is finally available here in Canada I`m ready to make a purcahse. But, first, thought I`d check with everyone to see what device is a favourite. Kindle or Sony reader 505. Who has the best selection of books? Can a kindle be used to download a book from another site, besides Amazon?. I believe that the Sony can be used for everything - is that correct? Thanks for any and all help.

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11-18-2009, 09:45 AM	#2
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,560 Karma: 93980341 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	If you do not live in the US, the Kindle has an extremely poor range of books available. Try to buy a book by pretty much any popular author you may care to name, and you get "not available outside the USA". Now, if US regional restrictions do not apply to Canada, that may not apply to you, of course. You will know if that is true better than I do.

11-18-2009, 09:51 AM	#3
Jack Tingle Punctuation Fetishist Posts: 557 Karma: 1070000 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: The Bluest Commonwealth In East America Device: Kindle PW, Nexus 7 (2013), Galaxy S5 phone, Galaxy Tab 4 8.0	Windows Mobile 5.0-6.5 PDA w/ 3.2" screen or larger. It actually can do everything[1] (except bright sunlight). Since they have replacable batteries, you have effectively unlimited operating time. Mine's a Dell X51 (3.5" screen), with two batteries. [everything = everything a small computer can do, not just read books] Regards, Jack Tingle

11-18-2009, 12:46 PM	#5
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,560 Karma: 93980341 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	No - both the Kindle and the Mac can be used equally well with Mac and Windows.

11-18-2009, 04:30 PM	#9
animedude01 Addict Posts: 254 Karma: 1200 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Los Angeles Device: DR1000S, ILIAD2, Nokia n900, Kindle for PC, Astak EZReader Pro	I really like my DR1000S. It's great for reading PDFs and even for regular ebooks as you get a lot more text per page. I've put my Iliad in the closet and just use the DR. Of course I do almost all my reading at home so the large size isn't a huge issue. I also liked my Iliad, but I'm not using it much any more. I also love the fact that they're open and not tied to a specific vendor like the Kindle is. Just my $0.02

11-19-2009, 08:59 AM	#13
Greg Anos Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,546 Karma: 37057604 Join Date: Jan 2008 Device: Pocketbook	I prefer my Hanlin V3 (Bebook, Astak) running open inkpot. But I'm an old crank who doesn't want wireless.....