All-round device,or specialized E-book?

[HansTWN]

Originally Posted by Lemurion

I have both. I can read on my Sony, or on my Droid. If I'm out and need to kill some time, I'll read on the Droid. If I know I'm going to be reading, I use the Sony.

That is basically how I do it, though I often carry the Irex with me. My phone can do everything. An iPad is too big and heavy for full mobility and too underpowered to replace my laptop. So I really don't see any need for such a device at this moment. And suitable color readers that can do everything are still 2 years off.

In the end it depends on how much you read -- is a special purpose device worth it?

[Maggie Leung]

Originally Posted by HansTWN

That is basically how I do it, though I often carry the Irex with me. My phone can do everything. An iPad is too big and heavy for full mobility and too underpowered to replace my laptop. So I really don't see any need for such a device at this moment. And suitable color readers that can do everything are still 2 years off.

In the end it depends on how much you read -- is a special purpose device worth it?

Depends what you read, too. I read five to 10 books a week, plus lots of news. I want my news updated asap, especially stock market info. I prefer nonfiction books, which often include images, maps and such. I'm on my third or fourth book this week. I'm in the middle of "The Worst Hard Time," which includes photos. Do I need to see those photos? No. But if I can, I'd rather. With my investment and business books, I need the graphs and such.

For me, dedicated e-readers fall short. I still have my Kindle, but I read it now only when I have to charge my iPad. I would like a tablet with longer battery life.

Many say iPad isn't for real readers. All iPad owners aren't readers, of course. There are a good number of us who are, though. That's why we're here, instead of on YouTube or whatever.

[Jack Tingle]

Originally Posted by dream88

Some people like the device contains all the functions they need,like ipod,make phone calls,messages,games,music and E-reader,but others just like the only function of a device,like a E-book.

So,which one do you like?

Yes.

Regards,
Jack Tingle

[HansTWN]

Originally Posted by Maggie Leung

Depends what you read, too. I read five to 10 books a week, plus lots of news. I want my news updated asap, especially stock market info. I prefer nonfiction books, which often include images, maps and such. I'm on my third or fourth book this week. I'm in the middle of "The Worst Hard Time," which includes photos. Do I need to see those photos? No. But if I can, I'd rather. With my investment and business books, I need the graphs and such.

For me, dedicated e-readers fall short. I still have my Kindle, but I read it now only when I have to charge my iPad. I would like a tablet with longer battery life.

Many say iPad isn't for real readers. All iPad owners aren't readers, of course. There are a good number of us who are, though. That's why we're here, instead of on YouTube or whatever.

I agree that the iPad does have its strong points. And if you "want it now" it is not a bad choice. But for me it is still too far from what I would want in a color reader. I will wait for new screen technologies and a thinner, much lighter device with a very small bezel.

[Maggie Leung]

Originally Posted by HansTWN

I agree that the iPad does have its strong points. And if you "want it now" it is not a bad choice. But for me it is still too far from what I would want in a color reader. I will wait for new screen technologies and a thinner, much lighter device with a very small bezel.

I figure I'll get my money's worth out of iPad and upgrade when something better comes along. Whether or not we buy iPads, we all benefit because it's driving tablet development. I'm looking forward to better devices.

[Tamara]

Originally Posted by Maggie Leung

I'm in the middle of "The Worst Hard Time," which includes photos. Do I need to see those photos? No. But if I can, I'd rather. With my investment and business books, I need the graphs and such.

That was an incredible book.

[Maggie Leung]

Originally Posted by Tamara

That was an incredible book.

Yup, I'm loving it. If you have recommendations for similar books, please let me know.

[astra]

All-round device,or specialized E-book?

Depends on the subject.
I am about to purchase self training kit for windows 7.

[Jellby]

I prefer one-function devices usually. With an all-in-one thingy, you can't take a picture of someone playing with it, you can't read excerpts from a book on the phone, you can let your friend use the music player while you browse the net... I'm not against functions added to a device that already does its main function properly, but I don't want something to do everything.

[Enraptured]

I wouldn't mind extra functions, but I want reading to be the device's primary function. I don't need games, music, a browser, and so on - my Nook has all three of those things, but I hardly ever use them. If I need the internet or want to play a game I'll be much more comfortable sitting at my computer anyway, and if I want to listen to music my MP3 player is less cumbersome. I often read several novels a week; I don't want to do all that reading on a device not designed for it. The extra stuff is nice, but not essential for me, while things like a reflective display, a medium-sized screen (smaller than an iPad, bigger than a phone; I think the 5- and 6-inch readers are ideal), and controls that easily navigate through ebooks are essential.

[L.J. Sellers]

Originally Posted by AlbertaCowboy

I would rather have 5 devices that each do their own job perfectly for my needs than one single device that I'm not fully satisfied with.

I agree. I have a camera because I want better pictures than my phone takes. I also don't enjoy reading books on my phone, so I need an e-reader too. (Being able to access the internet on my G1 is pretty cool though.)
L.J.

[Latinandgreek]

I'm going to have to go with specialized e-book reader. I do read quite a lot, however, and I can see how some people would prefer an all-in-one device, especially if they are not heavy readers.

[dmaul1114]

Yeah, it's just all a matter of what a person needs.

I'm a light reader, so my K1 purchase was kind of silly, and it's not something I'll use once I have a nice tablet device. I don't need e-ink or 2 week battery life to read 30-60 minutes a day 3 or 4 days a week.

I hardly ever take pictures, so I've not bothered replacing my digital camera that broke and just use my cellphone.

Point being, if someone is an enthusiast in a hobby--they're more likely to need/prefer dedicated devices that are designed to do that one task as well as possible. Where as someone who's more casually into a hobby will likely be fine/prefer something that does other tasks they spend more time on as well.

Though their are numerous exceptions of course, as people have posted about reading 5-10 books a week on their iPads etc.

As I've noted before, I'm really into movies, tv, sports, video games, goofing online etc. and all of those I spend a lot more time on than I do reading--if you discount work related reading which I'd never do on an e-ink device due to slow page refresh and crappy annotation ability.

So I'm dying for a nice iPad like tablet with an 11-12" screen that I can do my work reading on, do my reading of novels before sleeping on, read magazines, newspapers and comics (all of which stink on eink devices IMO) and spend most of the time on it goofing online, watching streaming video, playing games etc.

Others are just avid readers and want a device that does nothing but display e-books on a paper-like screen. To each their own.

[Rich_D]

Hmm... I've used my t/x to work spreadsheets and word documents, I watch movies on it while I'm on the treadmill and use it for audiobooks and music on my commute, read books on it whenever I have a free second, it's my gps device when I'm lost and keeps me out of trouble by keeping my appointments and reminding me that my anniversary is coming up! Palm did me a huge disservice by abandoning the pda market!

It does all those things adequately but not perfectly. I prefer reading on my nook instead of the Palm.

[sassanik]

I am a heavy reader so I like having a specific reading device.

I also like having a general one so when I am not going to sit down and read for a few hours, so if its only for a few minutes a general device would be fine.

I think this is why even though we have all in one phones that can double as a mp3 player we still have plain old mp3 players that sell. Same with gaming systems like the PS3, Wii and Xbox.

I think a majority of people will go with a general device, with serious readers and perhaps students would go with dedicated use device.

Amy

Amy