Best ereader for someone with no home computer? - Page 2

susan_cassidy · 07-22-2011, 04:57 PM

The owner is still going to need an Amazon account, which requires a computer, and email, for receiving confirmations of purchases. That may be a problem, unless the person has access to a computer somewhere other than home.

pidgeon92 · 07-22-2011, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by susan_cassidy

The owner is still going to need an Amazon account, which requires a computer, and email, for receiving confirmations of purchases. That may be a problem, unless the person has access to a computer somewhere other than home.

Yes, but an Amazon account and an email are easy enough to set up from any computer. Then she can access her email through the Kindle.

ProfCrash · 07-22-2011, 05:52 PM

She can set up an account at the library and might even be able to set one up when she gets the Kindle and registers it. I am not sure about the later.

VicLavigne · 07-27-2011, 09:09 PM

Just to add variety here, I'll say 3G Kindle or 3G Nook (yes, there are 3G Nooks available). From there, preferences such as e-ink screen vs color LCD screen, price, and whether or not she wants a physical keyboard or would prefer a touch-screen keyboard.

Vic

readingglasses · 07-28-2011, 12:25 AM

Is she in any way looking for an ereader as a PC substitute?

That's impossible. If she needs computing she'll best get a computer, netbook, whatever.

And downloading books by using an ereader web browser for someone who has trouble with computers is a joke. I'm great with computers, I have a lot of trouble using the web browsers on readers.
What if she wants free books, not just to buy from the ereader's store?
Good luck searching on the web for free books using the ereader browsers.
You'll need a computer anyway. Even if it's only at work or at a library or netcafe.

There's nothing to recommend, they're all very similar, all the new ones (except the less expensive sony's) can download at least on wifi. You don't "need" 3G so you can "connect anywhere". Just go to a coffee shop, library, some department stores, restaurant, or the freely accessible computer store demo floor models at best buy or any smaller computer store. Anywhere where they offer a lower security wifi connection, do your downloading there if you want to download. 3G should not determine it for her, so she can avoid the need for a computer at home.
What should determine it for a tech-klutz, is to go to the store and see which one is easiest to use and which is most comfortable. She should just "use" them all at the stores, if she's really bad with gadgets.

The only thing about kindle is the drm and format restrictions. You still can't read epub on them (is that right, all you kindle owning kindle promoters to a poor woman who won't even know what epub is after she bought her device?). That may or may not be a problem, depending on what she gets/shops. Or what you or her friends get for her, which is what happens with people who really know nothing about computers and don't want to learn.

But for sb who isn't computer handy, the oft derided hard keyboard on the kindle is a potential advantage. As it would be on the iriver story hd at target.

readingglasses · 07-28-2011, 12:40 AM

This will sound condescending but it struck me that sb who is "bad with computers" today might be old. Might be quite old. If you consider that she could do her searching for books online at best buy, etc on a display model laptop, it's a great way to interact with people and learn how to use computers. The salespeople will think they have a customer, so they'll talk to her and get to socializing on a weekly basis as she comes in to find a free charles dickens or whatever online.
She'll get familiar with computers naturally as she tries out all the different models, as they pass through the store or are rotated, week upon week.
Of course, none of this is will happen if she confines herself to using the reader's ebook store on the reader (whether amazon, BN, kobo, googlebooks on iriver, or whatever).

I just got to thinking about some funny routine some nice old lady somewhere might get to and thought I'd share.

Andrew H. · 07-28-2011, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by readingglasses

You don't "need" 3G so you can "connect anywhere". Just go to a coffee shop, library, some department stores, restaurant, or the freely accessible computer store demo floor models at best buy or any smaller computer store.

Driving to the library to buy an e-book is not really very convenient when you can do it at home with 3G.

Arrghus · 07-28-2011, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew H.

Driving to the library to buy an e-book is not really very convenient when you can do it at home with 3G.

BUT! - going to a coffee shop, library, or restuarant, can be more fun than staying at home!

I love taking my Reader all sorts of different places. I enjoy the varied ambience.

fjtorres · 07-30-2011, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arrghus

BUT! - going to a coffee shop, library, or restuarant, can be more fun than staying at home!

I love taking my Reader all sorts of different places. I enjoy the varied ambience.

The intended user may have limited mobility.
Not everybody has a car or lives near a Starbucks.

Different people have different needs; the op asked for readers that might suit somebody without a PC. That is exactly 3 models with 3G; two Kindles, one Nook. Everything else entails added expense and contortions that somebody without a PC may not want or be able to afford.

BrowseTheStacks · 07-30-2011, 08:26 PM

Don't listen to all the haters. A Kindle 3 3g+wifi can be used to manage your Amazon account via the built in web browser. Also your Audible.com audiobook account and you can purchase but not listen to mp3's and store them on your free Amazon Cloud Drive.

HarryT · 07-31-2011, 02:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fjtorres

The intended user may have limited mobility.
Not everybody has a car or lives near a Starbucks.

Different people have different needs; the op asked for readers that might suit somebody without a PC. That is exactly 3 models with 3G; two Kindles, one Nook. Everything else entails added expense and contortions that somebody without a PC may not want or be able to afford.

May I ask why you're ruling out the 3G Sony PRS-950?

ScalyFreak · 07-31-2011, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

May I ask why you're ruling out the 3G Sony PRS-950?

The 950 browser is wifi only, even though the Sony Store works in 3G.

HarryT · 07-31-2011, 02:07 PM

We were talking, I believe, about using the device to buy books, not to browse web sites. The PRS-950 can buy books via 3G; indeed, that is all that its 3G connection is used for. I was simply questioning the statement that the Kindle and the nook were the only 3G devices available - this is not the case.

Personally, I'd recommend the Kindle in this circumstance.

ScalyFreak · 07-31-2011, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

We were talking, I believe, about using the device to buy books, not to browse web sites. The PRS-950 can buy books via 3G; indeed, that is all that its 3G connection is used for. I was simply questioning the statement that the Kindle and the nook were the only 3G devices available - this is not the case.

True, but I would not recommend anyone to limit themselves only to the Sony Store for eBooks. They have a smaller selection than many other stores I've browsed, and their prices are often higher. So while it's a 3G device, I would not recommend it to someone who has no other option for obtaining their eBooks, and that's why I never mentioned it in this thread.

I could probably have been more clear on that though.

HarryT · 07-31-2011, 02:20 PM

I entirely agree with you

.

07-28-2011, 12:25 AM	#20
readingglasses Zealot Posts: 124 Karma: 9252 Join Date: Jul 2011 Device: (prospective) kobo touch	Is she in any way looking for an ereader as a PC substitute? That's impossible. If she needs computing she'll best get a computer, netbook, whatever. And downloading books by using an ereader web browser for someone who has trouble with computers is a joke. I'm great with computers, I have a lot of trouble using the web browsers on readers. What if she wants free books, not just to buy from the ereader's store? Good luck searching on the web for free books using the ereader browsers. You'll need a computer anyway. Even if it's only at work or at a library or netcafe. There's nothing to recommend, they're all very similar, all the new ones (except the less expensive sony's) can download at least on wifi. You don't "need" 3G so you can "connect anywhere". Just go to a coffee shop, library, some department stores, restaurant, or the freely accessible computer store demo floor models at best buy or any smaller computer store. Anywhere where they offer a lower security wifi connection, do your downloading there if you want to download. 3G should not determine it for her, so she can avoid the need for a computer at home. What should determine it for a tech-klutz, is to go to the store and see which one is easiest to use and which is most comfortable. She should just "use" them all at the stores, if she's really bad with gadgets. The only thing about kindle is the drm and format restrictions. You still can't read epub on them (is that right, all you kindle owning kindle promoters to a poor woman who won't even know what epub is after she bought her device?). That may or may not be a problem, depending on what she gets/shops. Or what you or her friends get for her, which is what happens with people who really know nothing about computers and don't want to learn. But for sb who isn't computer handy, the oft derided hard keyboard on the kindle is a potential advantage. As it would be on the iriver story hd at target. Last edited by readingglasses; 07-28-2011 at 12:34 AM.

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07-22-2011, 04:57 PM	#16
susan_cassidy Wizard Posts: 2,251 Karma: 3720310 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: USA Device: Kindle, iPad (not used much for reading)	The owner is still going to need an Amazon account, which requires a computer, and email, for receiving confirmations of purchases. That may be a problem, unless the person has access to a computer somewhere other than home.

07-22-2011, 05:52 PM	#18
ProfCrash Tea Enthusiast Posts: 8,554 Karma: 75384937 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Somewhere in the USA Device: Kindle1, Kindle DX Graphite, K3 3G, IPad 3, PW2	She can set up an account at the library and might even be able to set one up when she gets the Kindle and registers it. I am not sure about the later.

07-27-2011, 09:09 PM	#19
VicLavigne e-reading since 2008 Posts: 197 Karma: 112730 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Hinesville Georgia Device: Nook STR, Sony PRS-T1	Just to add variety here, I'll say 3G Kindle or 3G Nook (yes, there are 3G Nooks available). From there, preferences such as e-ink screen vs color LCD screen, price, and whether or not she wants a physical keyboard or would prefer a touch-screen keyboard. Vic

07-28-2011, 12:40 AM	#21
readingglasses Zealot Posts: 124 Karma: 9252 Join Date: Jul 2011 Device: (prospective) kobo touch	This will sound condescending but it struck me that sb who is "bad with computers" today might be old. Might be quite old. If you consider that she could do her searching for books online at best buy, etc on a display model laptop, it's a great way to interact with people and learn how to use computers. The salespeople will think they have a customer, so they'll talk to her and get to socializing on a weekly basis as she comes in to find a free charles dickens or whatever online. She'll get familiar with computers naturally as she tries out all the different models, as they pass through the store or are rotated, week upon week. Of course, none of this is will happen if she confines herself to using the reader's ebook store on the reader (whether amazon, BN, kobo, googlebooks on iriver, or whatever). I just got to thinking about some funny routine some nice old lady somewhere might get to and thought I'd share.

07-30-2011, 08:26 PM	#25
BrowseTheStacks BrowseTheStacks Posts: 127 Karma: 24316 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Tampa FL Device: Kindle 3 3G + WI-FI	Don't listen to all the haters. A Kindle 3 3g+wifi can be used to manage your Amazon account via the built in web browser. Also your Audible.com audiobook account and you can purchase but not listen to mp3's and store them on your free Amazon Cloud Drive.

07-31-2011, 02:07 PM	#28
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,548 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	We were talking, I believe, about using the device to buy books, not to browse web sites. The PRS-950 can buy books via 3G; indeed, that is all that its 3G connection is used for. I was simply questioning the statement that the Kindle and the nook were the only 3G devices available - this is not the case. Personally, I'd recommend the Kindle in this circumstance.

07-31-2011, 02:20 PM	#30
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,548 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	I entirely agree with you .