New here, Nook or Sony? please help!

[Latinandgreek]

Originally Posted by jocampo

Yes you do. As far as I know, you cannot read B&N books there. You can read Sony books on Nook though.

I was obviously unclear. I meant to say that you don't have to break the DRM of epub books unless they come from BN (or Apple, I now see). That still leaves a wide range of places from which to buy your books.

Yes, Amazon and BN have great bookstores, but believe it or not there are books that you cannot get there that are sold by other e-book sellers. I've come across this when looking for books by Canadian authors, in particular, which I've been able to find from the Kobo store, but not at Amazon's store. The OP would probably find it useful to make a list of the books he or she would like to buy, and then see where they are available. Also, the OP has not listed (as far as I can tell) where he or she is from. If they are Canadian users, I don't think that they can buy from the BN store without some sort of workaround.

[jocampo]

Originally Posted by Latinandgreek

I was obviously unclear. I meant to say that you don't have to break the DRM of epub books unless they come from BN (or Apple, I now see). That still leaves a wide range of places from which to buy your books.

Yes, Amazon and BN have great bookstores, but believe it or not there are books that you cannot get there that are sold by other e-book sellers. I've come across this when looking for books by Canadian authors, in particular, which I've been able to find from the Kobo store, but not at Amazon's store. The OP would probably find it useful to make a list of the books he or she would like to buy, and then see where they are available. Also, the OP has not listed (as far as I can tell) where he or she is from. If they are Canadian users, I don't think that they can buy from the BN store without some sort of workaround.

Fair enough!

And I believe you. I've found books on O'reilly site that are not in Amazon sometimes.

[NorthernPines]

Thanks to everyone for the responses.

I have a couple of questions/comments:

In reference to reading PDFs I mean that these are actually "books" with text only. (not graphs, charts etc) Essentially real books, just in pdf format. Would that still be an issue with either the Nook or the Sony reader? Will they not be able to handle these? Or would these handle pdf books just fine? If not, I may end up holding off for a while longer because I'm not sure what the point would be (for me) without pdf capability. (just reading, I mean it's an e reader if I can't read then there isn't much point for me to jump into the ereader market yet)

I really like the Kindle but it doesn't do library books so the Kindle is just not an option for me.


I really want an mp3 option for audio books, and so after doing some research it looks like the sony pocket reader is not an option either.

As far as other options, well I just want to read. I mean I can't see myself taking notes that much on an e reader...I suppose I might in some circumstances, so that might be of interest but I don't know. When I take notes as I read now, I do it in a notebook, I can't imagine I'd ever use that option too often. But who knows? I might get to like it. I don't really care about WIFI and wireless either. It's nice to have, but I'd actually rather shop on my computer anyways. Though it might be useful to be able to access stuff right at B&N. I looked at a Nook at B&N in store a few weeks ago and found the whole touch screen thing a big hassle. It seems like it was all flash and no substance to me. That tiny little touch screen just didn't work well. maybe it was because this was a well used display model, I don't know. It felt very counter intuitive to me.

I actually really like the looks of the Sony reader and Sony's touch screen really looks intuitive from the youtube videos. I don't know if I want to go that high in price though, (above the pocket version since the pocket doesn't do mp3)

if only Kindle did library books I jump on the kindle TODAY, but it does't and don't want the hassle of all the conversion stuff...I mean it just seems ridiculous to me.

Not sure what else I can give info wise other than E-Ink screens. I just want to read on the thing, use library books and do audio books ocassionally. I don't need all the flash and gadgets, and probably don't care about wireless. If I buy a book I'm gonna do it from home probably anyways, not at the local coffee house or something. (I'm not an impulse buyer when it comes to books) So I dunno if that clears things up or not. Probably not.

[boswd]

Originally Posted by NorthernPines

Thanks to everyone for the responses.

I have a couple of questions/comments:

In reference to reading PDFs I mean that these are actually "books" with text only. (not graphs, charts etc) Essentially real books, just in pdf format. Would that still be an issue with either the Nook or the Sony reader? Will they not be able to handle these? Or would these handle pdf books just fine? If not, I may end up holding off for a while longer because I'm not sure what the point would be (for me) without pdf capability. (just reading, I mean it's an e reader if I can't read then there isn't much point for me to jump into the ereader market yet)

I really like the Kindle but it doesn't do library books so the Kindle is just not an option for me.


I really want an mp3 option for audio books, and so after doing some research it looks like the sony pocket reader is not an option either.

As far as other options, well I just want to read. I mean I can't see myself taking notes that much on an e reader...I suppose I might in some circumstances, so that might be of interest but I don't know. When I take notes as I read now, I do it in a notebook, I can't imagine I'd ever use that option too often. But who knows? I might get to like it. I don't really care about WIFI and wireless either. It's nice to have, but I'd actually rather shop on my computer anyways. Though it might be useful to be able to access stuff right at B&N. I looked at a Nook at B&N in store a few weeks ago and found the whole touch screen thing a big hassle. It seems like it was all flash and no substance to me. That tiny little touch screen just didn't work well. maybe it was because this was a well used display model, I don't know. It felt very counter intuitive to me.

I actually really like the looks of the Sony reader and Sony's touch screen really looks intuitive from the youtube videos. I don't know if I want to go that high in price though, (above the pocket version since the pocket doesn't do mp3)

if only Kindle did library books I jump on the kindle TODAY, but it does't and don't want the hassle of all the conversion stuff...I mean it just seems ridiculous to me.

Not sure what else I can give info wise other than E-Ink screens. I just want to read on the thing, use library books and do audio books ocassionally. I don't need all the flash and gadgets, and probably don't care about wireless. If I buy a book I'm gonna do it from home probably anyways, not at the local coffee house or something. (I'm not an impulse buyer when it comes to books) So I dunno if that clears things up or not. Probably not.

The nook wifi should suite you just fine. PDF's novels should be alright on a six inch screen. Many of my PDF books read just find plus the nook has text reflow which is nice, something I do not believe the kIndle has .

I truely enjoy my nook, it's such a joy to read on.

It covers all your bases from epub (library books) MP3 player, PDF support, budget

I think once you sit down and settle in with the nook you'll find it's touchscreen is very nice and extremely easy to navigate through, I came from an iPhone to the nook so I was already into the whole touchscreen navigation. I remember when I first got the iPhone, I was ready to throw it away, but once you settle in and things start to click, it goes from a chore to down right addicting. Now I'm onto a Droid X and I can't get enough of it.

the nook is nowhere nearly complicated as an iPhone or a Droid, so if you can figure those out, this should be a breeze.

I found many on this forum and others have expressed similiar feeling like you but once they got the hang and jist of it, they ended up loving it.

I mean personally I could never go to a Kindle, the navigation to me is just waay to antiquated with the directional arrows, but that's me.

I think overall the nook wifi fits your budget and your needs.

I would say go to Best Buy if you have one in your area or BN and give it a test run for the alloted time for returns. 14 to 30 days should give you plenty of time to get truely familiar with it.

I can't tell you how much of a joy it is to use, especially the page turning using the finger swipe etc. IMHO it is the best overall eink ereader out there for general reading.

Good luck and lets us know how you make out.

[jocampo]

Sony handles PDF documents better than Nook. Actually, Nook 1st gen converts into a readable file. Sony supports PDF natively.

I personally prefer Sony over Nook.

[Latinandgreek]

Sony handles PDF reflow very well IMO. I have one of the older models (the 505), and I find that fiction books in PDF are handled very well - I can read them with no problems. I often read non-fiction PDF documents on my reader as well. The newer models are noted for having even better PDF capabilities than the 505, with pan and zoom features, as well as the ability to annotate PDFs. Sony also has the new Pearl screen, which Nook doesn't have and is lighter and smaller. The Sony PRS-350 is now on sale for $130.

[ProfCrash]

The Nook or Sony will work for you. The Nook has the ability to play MP3's but you would be better off with an MP3 player then using your e-reader for that.

The Sony 350 is on sale for $129 at Amazon right now. The Nook can be found many places. Either would work for you and your needs.

[brbubba]

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

The Nook or Sony will work for you. The Nook has the ability to play MP3's but you would be better off with an MP3 player then using your e-reader for that.

The Sony 350 is on sale for $129 at Amazon right now. The Nook can be found many places. Either would work for you and your needs.

And $120 shipped at Buy.com. I'm so annoyed that I just bought it at $145 a few weeks ago, doh!

[ProfCrash]

Originally Posted by brbubba

And $120 shipped at Buy.com. I'm so annoyed that I just bought it at $145 a few weeks ago, doh!

Heck it is cheap enough that I am tempted. I am trying to come up with a reasonable excuse for getting one.

[brbubba]

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

Heck it is cheap enough that I am tempted. I am trying to come up with a reasonable excuse for getting one.

If you need something portable then that's a pretty good excuse for me. The only reason not to get one is that steep price cuts usually mean they are phasing out a product for a new one, but you can't beat it for the money and the screen is still top notch.

[ProfCrash]

I don't need anything portable. And I don't see myself checking out books from the library. And I love my Kindle. I really have no need for another e-reader. Yet it is calling to me....

[Latinandgreek]

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

Heck it is cheap enough that I am tempted. I am trying to come up with a reasonable excuse for getting one.

I'm tempted, too, even though I'm planning on getting the PRS-950 as well (Sony, your pretty pink reader will be my downfall! )

[diamante]

ProfCrash, I advise you to get that Sony.

NorthernPines, it sounds like you were not impressed with the Nook. I agree with you on that point. I think speedlever made an excellent point about libraries--have you looked into the selection and typical wait times at your library? That could be a consideration, especially since you say you already have so many PDFs to read. Do you really need your e-reader to do audio? If you are only going to do that occasionally, you could pick up a cheap MP3 player that would do a better job with that sort of thing. Or just get CDs from the library. If you don't want to spend the extra money for the Sony Touch, I think you should sacrifice either the library aspect or the audio and go for either the Kindle or the Sony. And I think a major part of the decision should be which device seems nicer to you when you look at it and use it. Of course, the Nook is an option too if you can get past your negative impressions of it. For me, the klunk factor and the inferior dictionary functionality were Nook deal-breakers. Anyway, it sounds like we're all telling you to get the e-readers we own and love. I'm sure you will feel the same way about the one you decide on... Now, how long are you going to keep us in suspense?

[jj2me]

Originally Posted by NorthernPines

I do lots of library books, and would like to begin doing audio books from my library along with text ebooks, [...]

Most library audiobooks are in protected WMA format. Some are in unprotected MP3 format. For example, in my public library, they currently offer
- 5,445 protected WMA audiobooks
- 822 unprotected MP3 audiobooks.

Neither the Nook nor the Sony Touch Edition can play protected WMA audiobooks.

So your choices seem to be:
1. Use Nook, but convert WMA library audiobooks to MP3. I.e., buy a converter program to strip the DRM and convert to MP3--may be illegal, if not, it's at least not in the spirit of the library's practices.
2. Use Nook, but stick to the limited MP3 choices of audiobooks. In my library, that's 13% of the titles.
3. Buy a dedicated MP3 player, like various ones from Sandisk, Microsoft, Creative, Sony, Cowon, ...

#3 also has the advantages of not using up your Nook's battery, and being much, much smaller and more convenient for times when you only want to listen to audiobooks. As others have suggested, an MP3/WMA player dedicated for audiobooks is, for most people, the better choice, unless you *really* prefer one device. You can find very inexpensive audiobook players, like a Sandisk Sansa Clip+ or Clip or Fuze. (The Fuze+ has firmware that is not yet as user-friendly for audiobooks use.) Refurbished Clips and Fuzes can be found that are cheaper than a converter program.

[NorthernPines]

Well, I'm still doing some serious thinking. The library wait times at my library aren't too bad it seems, not anymore than for hard copies it seems. Though I haven't really out a hold on any text ebooks yet, only audio. I've not had to wait too long, but I did just realize most seem to be in WMA not MP3. Some are in Mp3, but not many. So now I don't know what to do. Tomorrow I'm heading to Walmart and will try and check out a Sony pocket reader in person. (can't get to Best Buy until next week) I just wonder if the 5inch screen is going to make that much of a difference or not. I can't really imagine it would be that big a difference, most small paper backs are about 7 inches, so 5 isn't that much smaller. And I do like the looks of the Sony touch screen etc. I will continue to think on it and keep you all posted on what I decide.