Newb here - please help me find my first e-reader

Sarsnake · 08-16-2012, 04:57 PM

Hi everyone,

I am in the midst of deciding what e-reader to purchase.
What I need is:
- I have a bunch of fb2 books that I would like to read, these however can be converted to ePub format (I know most e-reader don't support FB2).
- Ideally I would like the reader to be able to have a USB connection so I can move the books over from my PC/USB hard drive
- Looking for something simple to use, no frills.
- Can be read easily in outside lighting
- have good battery life

What would be the e-reader to satisfy these requirements? I looked at few options and it seems that this is somewhat unachievable w/o tinkering with the device and rooting/hacking it, which I would rather not do.....

Thanks in advance.

susan_cassidy · 08-16-2012, 05:14 PM

Why do you think that your requirements require hacking? Lots of ereaders read ePub format, and have a USB connection. All e-ink screens are easy to read in outside lighting, and most have a good battery life.

A Sony or a Nook would work for you.

If you weren't restricted to ePub, I'd recommend a Kindle.

Sarsnake · 08-16-2012, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by susan_cassidy

Why do you think that your requirements require hacking? Lots of ereaders read ePub format, and have a USB connection. All e-ink screens are easy to read in outside lighting, and most have a good battery life.

A Sony or a Nook would work for you.

If you weren't restricted to ePub, I'd recommend a Kindle.

thanks; someone told me that Nook won't read books that were not purchased through B&N unless hacked. But it seems to be wrong.
I am not limited to ePub. All my books are now in FB2, so if I can convert them to Kindle format (not sure whether I can), then I can use Kindle.

Why would you recommend Kindle over Nook?

JSWolf · 08-16-2012, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sarsnake

thanks; someone told me that Nook won't read books that were not purchased through B&N unless hacked. But it seems to be wrong.
I am not limited to ePub. All my books are now in FB2, so if I can convert them to Kindle format (not sure whether I can), then I can use Kindle.

Why would you recommend Kindle over Nook?

You can purchase eBooks in ePub that do not come from B&N. The nook supports B&N's flavor of DRM and the standard Adobe Adept DRM that everyone else supports. So buying ePub from say Sony or Kobo will work just fine with your nook.

Now, if your FB2 have no DRM, you should be able to convert to ePub using Calibre. The advantage of ePub is that you can then use Sigil to edit the ePub if you need to tweak things after the conversion.

susan_cassidy · 08-16-2012, 06:02 PM

Kindle is great because of the seamless experience of buying from Amazon, and the great customer service. Amazon's store contains just about everything available in ebook format, but you can also buy from Smashwords, Baen, and Fictionwise, if you want.

Kindle is just a great ecosystem. You can convert fb2 to mobi format with Calibre, I believe.

Sarsnake · 08-16-2012, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by susan_cassidy

Kindle is great because of the seamless experience of buying from Amazon, and the great customer service. Amazon's store contains just about everything available in ebook format, but you can also buy from Smashwords, Baen, and Fictionwise, if you want.

Kindle is just a great ecosystem. You can convert fb2 to mobi format with Calibre, I believe.

Oh I see. This is not important to me as I don't intend to purchase books in Amazon. Thanks again.

Sarsnake · 08-16-2012, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

You can purchase eBooks in ePub that do not come from B&N. The nook supports B&N's flavor of DRM and the standard Adobe Adept DRM that everyone else supports. So buying ePub from say Sony or Kobo will work just fine with your nook.

Now, if your FB2 have no DRM, you should be able to convert to ePub using Calibre. The advantage of ePub is that you can then use Sigil to edit the ePub if you need to tweak things after the conversion.

got it, thanks

Synamon · 08-16-2012, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sarsnake

Why would you recommend Kindle over Nook?

I would recommend any of the other eink readers over Nook, because you are located in Canada and a Nook can only be bought in the US. If you want to use ePub format then a Kobo reader would be your cheapest option.

Sarsnake · 08-17-2012, 01:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Synamon

I would recommend any of the other eink readers over Nook, because you are located in Canada and a Nook can only be bought in the US. If you want to use ePub format then a Kobo reader would be your cheapest option.

Not an issue. I live by the border, and go to the states all the time. I can swing by B&N or have it delivered to my mail box in WA.

And I don't intend to buy books from B&N, which is why I was wondering if I can open my existing ePubs (currently on my PC).

Will look into Kobo - haven't heard much about it.
In any case I actually intend on buying the reader (whichever I go with) in the US.
Looks like right now I am going with Nook, as it seems to be able to do what I need it to do.

GA Russell · 08-17-2012, 02:02 AM

Sarsnake, the jetbook Lite will be three years old in October, although its firmware has been updated. Newegg now has it for $56.95 with free shipping.

It reads fb2, so you won't need to convert what you have. It also reads ePub, mobi and many other formats.

I'm a very satisfied customer.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...9SIA1CU0CT9361

stewacide · 08-22-2012, 05:44 AM

I bought my Kobo in the states because BestBuy.com had a special, but I was able to set it up for use on the Canadian store with my Canadian credit card in Canadian dollars with is nice. Device is great.

My dad bought a Nook simply glow but he's stuck spending in US dollars.

When I looked the Nook had the advantage of an available glowscreen, but that was also a lot more money (vs. a simply booklight which works as well). Otherwise the Kobo just seemed more elegantly designed, and had far more options in terms of text display (although I've been told you can root the Nook and install a better reading app than the firmware default)

NickyWithNook · 08-22-2012, 06:20 PM

I've read lots of epubs from the library and from free ebook sites on my Nook. No problems at all with getting them on my Nook and reading them. I love my Nook Simple Touch. I got mine before the glowscreen came out. I don't read in bed often but I do sometimes read in slightly low light. I just turn on the light, but I guess the glow light could be helpful for me.

Anyway, the Nook is a great e-reader IMO if you're leaning that way.

08-16-2012, 04:57 PM	#1
Sarsnake Junior Member Posts: 8 Karma: 497022 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Vancouver, BC Device: none	Newb here - please help me find my first e-reader Hi everyone, I am in the midst of deciding what e-reader to purchase. What I need is: - I have a bunch of fb2 books that I would like to read, these however can be converted to ePub format (I know most e-reader don't support FB2). - Ideally I would like the reader to be able to have a USB connection so I can move the books over from my PC/USB hard drive - Looking for something simple to use, no frills. - Can be read easily in outside lighting - have good battery life What would be the e-reader to satisfy these requirements? I looked at few options and it seems that this is somewhat unachievable w/o tinkering with the device and rooting/hacking it, which I would rather not do..... Thanks in advance. Last edited by Sarsnake; 08-16-2012 at 04:59 PM.

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08-16-2012, 05:14 PM	#2
susan_cassidy Wizard Posts: 2,251 Karma: 3720310 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: USA Device: Kindle, iPad (not used much for reading)	Why do you think that your requirements require hacking? Lots of ereaders read ePub format, and have a USB connection. All e-ink screens are easy to read in outside lighting, and most have a good battery life. A Sony or a Nook would work for you. If you weren't restricted to ePub, I'd recommend a Kindle.

08-16-2012, 06:02 PM	#5
susan_cassidy Wizard Posts: 2,251 Karma: 3720310 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: USA Device: Kindle, iPad (not used much for reading)	Kindle is great because of the seamless experience of buying from Amazon, and the great customer service. Amazon's store contains just about everything available in ebook format, but you can also buy from Smashwords, Baen, and Fictionwise, if you want. Kindle is just a great ecosystem. You can convert fb2 to mobi format with Calibre, I believe.

08-17-2012, 02:02 AM	#10
GA Russell Ticats/Als, Riders/Lions Posts: 7,717 Karma: 31487351 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Raleigh, NC Device: Paperwhite, Kindles 10 & 4 and jetBook Lite	Sarsnake, the jetbook Lite will be three years old in October, although its firmware has been updated. Newegg now has it for $56.95 with free shipping. It reads fb2, so you won't need to convert what you have. It also reads ePub, mobi and many other formats. I'm a very satisfied customer. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...9SIA1CU0CT9361

08-22-2012, 05:44 AM	#11
stewacide Groupie Posts: 197 Karma: 1086780 Join Date: Jul 2012 Device: Kobo H2O Ed. 2, Glo HD, Glo, Touch, Clara HD	I bought my Kobo in the states because BestBuy.com had a special, but I was able to set it up for use on the Canadian store with my Canadian credit card in Canadian dollars with is nice. Device is great. My dad bought a Nook simply glow but he's stuck spending in US dollars. When I looked the Nook had the advantage of an available glowscreen, but that was also a lot more money (vs. a simply booklight which works as well). Otherwise the Kobo just seemed more elegantly designed, and had far more options in terms of text display (although I've been told you can root the Nook and install a better reading app than the firmware default)

08-22-2012, 06:20 PM	#12
NickyWithNook Guru Posts: 750 Karma: 3942770 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: American living in Australia Device: Kobo Libra Colour, Kindle Fire, Kindle Pwhite (Don't use Nook anymore)	I've read lots of epubs from the library and from free ebook sites on my Nook. No problems at all with getting them on my Nook and reading them. I love my Nook Simple Touch. I got mine before the glowscreen came out. I don't read in bed often but I do sometimes read in slightly low light. I just turn on the light, but I guess the glow light could be helpful for me. Anyway, the Nook is a great e-reader IMO if you're leaning that way.