Best ereader for a heavy library user?

[bill_mchale]

Originally Posted by blogbook

There is an issue that borrowed epubs and pdfs can not be read at the same time on the same (Sony) reader. I don't know whether this problem still occurs with the new devices.

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=78529

Oh that.... yeah, that is true, but since PDFs suck as an ebook format, I wouldn't see that as a reason to pick up a PRS-300 cheap to use with library books... after all pretty much all the books I read are ePubs, or Public Domain works that can easily be turned into ePub or LRFs.

--
Bill

[SeaBookGuy]

Originally Posted by bill_mchale

Ummm, what format conflict? The 505 (post firmware update), the 300 and 500 all support Adobe Digital Editions and therefore, should work just fine with most libraries.

--
Bill

You cannot have both Epub and PDF format books on your reader at the same time -- one or the other, like kosher meat vs. dairy. This was resolved with the 900, but Sony did not update the 300 etc. to correct that.

My library has enough PDF books to make that an issue. Moreover, the 350/650 has a cropping feature that helps, too.

[Ken Irving]

Originally Posted by domromer

Lately I've been thinking more and more about getting an ereader. The problem is that I almost never buy books. So I'd need something that can work well with libraries that rent ebooks. From what little research I've done it seems the kindle would not be a good fit, where it seems sony's models would work better.

I'm not real concerned about wifi and I'd like to spend close to $100.
I'd be very appreciative yo hear some other model recommendations.
There are so many models to choose from and it would be nice to hear from people whom actually own them.

Before looking at specific devices, you need to find answers for these two questions:

1. Do libraries I have access to lend books this way? [Mine is he NYC public library, which oddly enough isn't so well stocked in this area, though I think they're acquiring more. I've noticed some other library systems are getting into this in a big way, so it does pay to check.]
2 If so, in what formats? [Quite a few libraries offer only PDF "ebooks" which frankly can be impossible to read on a small device.]
3. What devices are compatible with Adobe DRM? [See: http://overdrive.com/resources/drc/c...okdevices.aspx for an answer on this.]

That pretty much leaves you with Nook, the Sony line, Kobo, and Pandigital, and leaves Kindle out in the cold. Your best bet might be to shorten the list to things you can try and perhaps buy locally. When I decided to buy, I didn't find recommendations from others very useful because the reasons they gave were usually not pertinent to my needs and interests, and comments about reliability, customer service, etc., were often either dated or ignored the existence of similar problems on the device they ended up buying. Depending on where you live, you might be able to do hands-on tests of at least two out of the three in the "library friendly" list.

[J. Strnad]

I definitely agree with Ken Irving: Go where you can handle the merchandise first! There is a big difference in how the nook and Kobo feel, for instance.

The good news is that most people are delighted with their ereader, whatever brand they choose.

[MR. Pockets]

Check out the Aluratek Libre and Ectaco jetBook/jetBook Lite (all have 5" screens). All of them support DRM Epub, and are close to $100 (Libre is $99 at Borders, jetBook Lite is $99 at Newegg with a free case). Both use a reflective TFT screen, so it is faster than E-Ink but has a little worse contrast than E-Ink Pearl (I'm not sure about older E-Ink). A lot of people, including myself, like it better than E-Ink.

Not everyone likes these readers but you should check them out. And, as an added benefit, they don't have a clock, so library books don't expire on them (if you don't hook it back up to ADE, IIRC), so you can take all the time you need reading the books.

[tomereader]

even though the overdrive list of audio devices supported (http://www.overdrive.com/resources/d...ledevices.aspx) does not include the jetBook and the Aluratek Libre Pro they both play mp3 files (not the DRM protected WMA files) and both have Sd slots to hold the large file that an audio book consists of.. (I played a library overdrive mp3 file on a friends player which did not SAY it played audiobooks) so the jetbook (or Libre)
might handle TWO library formats

from the overdrive audio devices supported page:
OverDrive MP3 titles…
* OverDrive MP3 titles are compatible with most MP3 players, including Apple devices.
* Apple devices support OverDrive MP3 titles.
* Microsoft® Zune® devices support OverDrive WMA and MP3 Audiobooks only.
* Your library or retail site may not presently carry all formats.

Also, besides just your local library check to see if there is a state branch or county/province branch I belong to my cities, county, and state libraries (not counting the ones for blind users) and this gives me a little flexibility with the waiting times although I always find something interesting to read WHILE waiting...

[Catlady]

Originally Posted by domromer

Lately I've been thinking more and more about getting an ereader. The problem is that I almost never buy books. So I'd need something that can work well with libraries that rent ebooks. From what little research I've done it seems the kindle would not be a good fit, where it seems sony's models would work better.

I'm not real concerned about wifi and I'd like to spend close to $100.
I'd be very appreciative yo hear some other model recommendations.
There are so many models to choose from and it would be nice to hear from people whom actually own them.

I also wanted a reader that I could use for library books, as well as public domain books, rather than for purchased books. I didn't care about wi-fi, and my price point was $100.

My choice was a Jetbook Lite, which I've had for almost a week now. It is exactly what I was looking for, and I definitely recommend it.

[GlenBarrington]

Comment withdrawn, other posts covered it better than I could.

[domromer]

So now that I held some actual E readers I'm more confused. I was at best buy and held both the nook and the kindle. So I loved how light the kindle was. It felt as small as a thin paperback. The nook felt very bulky compared to the kindle. The obvious problem is that kindle doesn't play well with libraries that use overdrive.

So that leaves me with some new questions. Do you think the kindle will ever support over drive? Could it be something addressed in a firmware update? Should I wait to see if the nook 2 is made as thin as the new kindle? LAstly I'm thinking maybe just get the kindle and convert the libraries epub books in a format that the kindle can read. I don't see this as stealing as I'm borrowing it from the library and not selling it on. Is this a hard time consuming thing to do? I've read the instructions for using the calibre software and it doesn't seem like it would be too bad.

Oh and if I bump my budget up to $190 or so can I get an ereader with hardware as nice as the kindle with the ability to work with epub files and overdrive.

[GrandmaVS]

I bought an Aluratek Libre Pro for $90 at MTFpricematters warehouse. It reads PDF, EPUB, MOBI and PRC. I am able to download five books at a time from my library for a loan period of up to 21 days. So far, I haven't had any problems using Adobe Digital. I also download audio books from Net Library and BCs Library to go using Overdrive Media. Not fancy and only a 5" screen, but I'm happy with it.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by domromer

The iPad makes my eyes hurt and weighs too much.

Why did you buy an iPad if it hurts your eyes?

[JSWolf]

If your needs include PDF, the 650 is better then the nook, Jetbook varients, and even the 350. But in reality, PDF is a pain and best to ignore it.

[bill_mchale]

Originally Posted by domromer

So now that I held some actual E readers I'm more confused. I was at best buy and held both the nook and the kindle. So I loved how light the kindle was. It felt as small as a thin paperback. The nook felt very bulky compared to the kindle. The obvious problem is that kindle doesn't play well with libraries that use overdrive.

Yeah, there is no doubt that the Kindle 3 has pretty much brought the Kindle line to as small as it can get without either shrinking the screen or ditching the keyboard. But if size is what you are really looking for, well, the PRS-650 is going to be hard to beat.

So that leaves me with some new questions. Do you think the kindle will ever support over drive? Could it be something addressed in a firmware update? Should I wait to see if the nook 2 is made as thin as the new kindle? LAstly I'm thinking maybe just get the kindle and convert the libraries epub books in a format that the kindle can read. I don't see this as stealing as I'm borrowing it from the library and not selling it on. Is this a hard time consuming thing to do? I've read the instructions for using the calibre software and it doesn't seem like it would be too bad.

The Kindle could support Adobe... but I doubt it is going to happen anytime soon. Apple likes the fact that the Kindle ties the customer to Amazon's book store (at least for most customers with respect to DRM'd books), and their market share is so dominant, they are unlikely to do anything to mess with the formula that has made them so successful so far.

--
Bill

[tiniree]

The reason I picked the Nook was exactly the reasons you are asking about. I am a very heavy library user and when I found that our library system had an e-library I did research on the ereaders.

I LOVE being able to check out 10 books at a time. Best of all? No late fees and no having to drive to the library to drop them off. With our system, I can even return them early.

Between the library system and all the free ebooks out there, I am in book heaven!

Marie

[domromer]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Why did you buy an iPad if it hurts your eyes?

I didn't buy the iPad to use as an E Reader. I also manage an Apple store so it's sort of expected for me to own one.