Kindle vs Kindle for PC vs print books & old lady eyes

[LDBoblo]

Originally Posted by bert501

So, my question is this: will I be able to actually SEE the Kindle screen? Is it really "just like paper"? Because if it is, I may need to rethink my Kindle dreams and look at something else.

There are two things to consider, as I mentioned in my previous comment. If your problem is really contrast of text on paper, and not size of the text, then an e-paper reader won't be a great buy. However, if you think a little font enlargement would make a paper-like screen more readable, then e-paper might do the trick.

I posted a little comparison of the new versus the older E-Ink generations compared to a hardcover and a paperback. The photos are very small close-ups but they give an idea of the relative contrast of the various reading surfaces. You can see those photos in this post.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by bert501

Hello! Been lurking here for quite a while and now find myself with a question.

While researching my potential ereader purchase, I've been enjoying the heck out of reading ebooks on the Kindle PC. But, that is ALL I've been reading lol

I haven't picked up a "real" book in 3 or 4 months. So today I happened to try to read one and I can't see the darn thing! The flat print with these old eyes just ain't working anymore.

So, my question is this: will I be able to actually SEE the Kindle screen? Is it really "just like paper"? Because if it is, I may need to rethink my Kindle dreams and look at something else.

Thanks for any input!! Chris

I've held an iPad without finding it too heavy. So I think a DXG would be good for needing a larger type size.

[desertgrandma]

Originally Posted by Barty

With kindle, you need a very good light source. You know how the ads say you can read it in the sun? What they don't say is you practically NEED sunlight to read it . The more light, the better it looks. I like to go outside, put on sunglasses, sit in the shade while positioning the kindle so sunlight falls right on it. In the evening, I use a bright white light on a flexible arm mount and position it so it points toward the kindle and away from my eyes. This gives the kindle 3 the maximum contrast and makes its background look paper like white.
Of course everyone's eyes are different so you need to figure out what works for you. But don't go cheap and buy a used kindle 2. Buy the kindle 3 with the better screen. If you find you need the font so big that you get too few lines on a page to read enjoyably, then return it and get the DX latest generation. You have 30 days and amazon service is excellent.

I beg to differ. I read indoors exclusively, and the only time I need a lamp is when its getting dark out.....just like with a paper book.

The contrast is just fine without added lighting.

[dwig]

Originally Posted by Barty

With kindle, you need a very good light source. You know how the ads say you can read it in the sun? What they don't say is you practically NEED sunlight to read it . The more light, the better it looks. ...

No more so, and no less so, than a paper book. The Kindle display is IMHO better than the common paperback, certainly better than the cheap paperbacks that pack the page full to the edges with small type to reduce the number of pages and hence the printing cost.

[pendragginp]

Yes, the blessing of the Kindle and other readers is the ability to enlarge the font. I had a problem with my eyesight starting last fall and lasting through most of the summer, which was why I got a reader in the first place. After awhile I needed the print so large I was only getting about 5 lines on the page, so I bought a 3rd hand Kindle DX too because of the larger screen. Now my sight is much better but I still love 'em. And I agree with desertgrandma, I don't need any more light than I would with a regular book.

[bert501]

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

Welcome to MobileRead, bert501.

The beautiful thing about the K3 is the adjustable font...yes, you will be able to see the screen and words beautifully.

Try it already! You have 30 days to return it, no questions asked, if you do not like it. Just pay return shipping. They'll even provide the label.

And......you can download some of the beautiful books here for free to check them out.....Enjoy the forums.

Yes, that 30 day return is VERY tempting!!

[bert501]

Originally Posted by dwig

This may well be an indication that you need to see an optometrist. It quite possible that you simply need reading glasses.

As others have said, the adjustable text size on the Kindle can be a aid. It isn't, though, a replacement for getting proper correction lenses.

sadly, I'm already in reading glasses...maybe I need Harry Potter magic glasses ;-)

[bert501]

Originally Posted by enkov

Real, paperback editions, are with too small fonts and is made of very low quality paper (yellowish, with fibres and grains) ...

I grabbed the book I was trying to read and checked it out under a bright white light bulb with magnifying glass (not much of a nerd, eh?!) anyhoo, the paper looks very weird up close with lots of little "specks" in it. Never noticed that before and wouldn't have even thought of checking it out!

[bert501]

Originally Posted by LDBoblo

There are two things to consider, as I mentioned in my previous comment. If your problem is really contrast of text on paper, and not size of the text, then an e-paper reader won't be a great buy. However, if you think a little font enlargement would make a paper-like screen more readable, then e-paper might do the trick.

I posted a little comparison of the new versus the older E-Ink generations compared to a hardcover and a paperback. The photos are very small close-ups but they give an idea of the relative contrast of the various reading surfaces. You can see those photos in this post.

Yep, that is what my paperback looks like up close. That Kindle font looks really nice-if that's what I can plan on seeing then my decision is made!! I can play with the contrast and fonts and get it perfect.

[duckeedoug]

Why wouldn't you go to a store that has a working display to play around with the K3. Don't be shy read the different sample books, adjust the fonts and play with the lighting of the environment while using the K3 in a variety of different Brick and Morter stores. I would recommend a store that has a large variety of ebooker reader to choose from so you can do a side by side comparison.

[LDBoblo]

Originally Posted by bert501

Yep, that is what my paperback looks like up close. That Kindle font looks really nice-if that's what I can plan on seeing then my decision is made!! I can play with the contrast and fonts and get it perfect.

Unfortunately, the font I used in the Kindle pictures (Palatino Linotype) was embedded in a PDF, and is very different from the stock fonts (of which there are only two on the Kindle). I'm one of a small minority on this site that still strongly prefers PDFs to the native MOBI and EPUB files. When making a PDF, I have practically complete control over how the document looks, but the resulting layout is fixed, and is not really customizable.

There are indeed hacks and methods for getting different fonts on the Kindle, but the defaults are very limited. That said, Caecilia is not terrible, and with its big footprint and low contrast (stroke/serif tapers, not white/black contrast), is pretty easy to see and read.

[Barty]

it's pretty easy to put your chosen font on the kindle. You can choose a bold, semi bold, or demi style font for your default font/ This makes everything darker, as I did (see attachment). the font I'm using is souvenir.

[Jabby]

Originally Posted by Barty

it's pretty easy to put your chosen font on the kindle. You can choose a bold, semi bold, or demi style font for your default font/ This makes everything darker, as I did (see attachment). the font I'm using is souvenir.

How? Sounds interesting to blind folks.

Regards - John

[bert501]

Originally Posted by duckeedoug

Why wouldn't you go to a store that has a working display to play around with the K3. Don't be shy read the different sample books, adjust the fonts and play with the lighting of the environment while using the K3 in a variety of different Brick and Morter stores. I would recommend a store that has a large variety of ebooker reader to choose from so you can do a side by side comparison.

That would be an ideal solution, oh how I wish it was possible! I'm out in the boonies so not much hands-on comparing going on. Thankfully I have all these excellent comments to read and use your all's experiences to help me make my decision.

[julian1982]

kindle 3 is a good reader, but dont compare ereaders to paper. i think that it will take some years that an ebook reader would be like paper.
the pearl eink was an improvement