First eReader - good time to buy now ?

[Rizla]

Terrible time to buy unless its clearance prices. A lot of new models come out in late-summer / autumn. Wait till then, or buy a model that's been reduced because it's about to be replaced.

[Rbneader]

Keep an eye on sales/eBay/your local craigslist equivalent, and wait for product announcements. I was able to get a basic eInk reader for 25% off to try out, and am waiting to see if there's something super nice coming in the fall.

[speakingtohe]

Originally Posted by benjamin11900

Hello,

I am looking to buy my first reader.

I've looked at all the devices available and my choice is the "Kobo Glo".

But Kobo usually releases their new devices in september/october so I don't know if I should buy now or wait.

I think the frontlight was a big improvement and was worth waiting. Do you think there will be something for the next generation that could be worth waiting for ?

Also, there have been some discounts on the Mini and the Touch, so I wonder if the Glo will get one soon.

Last question, is it worth buying a 3 year warranty for the Glo ? (the price of the warranty is 30% of the device).

Thanks

I bought my first reader for $379 and 6 months later a better one was $199.

No regrets. I read 150 books in that 6 months that I could not have read /without the reader. Small village, no bookstores, very small library.

Ereaders are a lot cheaper now and I have several. There will always be something newer and cheaper, but not always better.

If you see one you like and can afford you should consider buying it. Give it to your mother or sell it if a much better one comes along. That is what I do.

Helen

[benjamin11900]

Thanks

[speakingtohe]

PS don't buy the extended warranty. You should have at least one year warrenty already and two if you buy with Visa or MasterCard. About a one in 100 chance you will use the extended warranty. Some stores give their salespeople 50% commission for selling the extended warranty

Helen

[rayhigh]

I bought a Kobo Aura a couple of months ago, a Mini about a month ago, and a Glo for my wife last week. Of these, I love the Aura for reading at home, and the Mini for the park. I'm less enamored with the Glo - the light isn't as even as the Aura's, and the screen less responsive than that of either the Aura or the Mini. As to when to buy, if you have a use for it, why not? I paid $39 for the Mini, 100 for the Glo, and full price for the Aura....

[Ansileran]

Originally Posted by speakingtohe

PS don't buy the extended warranty. You should have at least one year warrenty already and two if you buy with Visa or MasterCard. About a one in 100 chance you will use the extended warranty. Some stores give their salespeople 50% commission for selling the extended warranty

Helen

I don't think we get the two year warranty in France

The extended warranty the op is talking about is one such that, if anything goes wrong with your reader during 3 years (hardware failure, not if you drop and break it), you bring it back to any FNAC in France and get another one immediately (or a coupon to buy anything you want in the store). You don't have to wait for it to go through the tech service (and see if it can be repaired) first.

Of course, it's pricey and I probably wouldn't bother on a reader, but I (used to) get it every time I bought a laptop because if mine break, I can't wait for a week to get a new one (well, I could now, but as a computer science student...). If you get a good discount on it though, it could be worth it.

[Anghirrim]

Benjamin,

I've just ordered a Glo to the Fnac. Honestly, I did not see on any blog some topic talking about incredible new features to come in September....

As said above, except from color screens in the future, not sure we'll have something new except from "faster" devices.

Talking about price decrease... I did not see the point to wait until September to save what... 30€ for a reader I'll use for three years or more? If today it fits your need, then go and buy.

Kobo delivers regular firmware updates, the Glo reads the epub3 format, which is the standard and we'll barely see another standard format shows up in the coming years.

In addition, it seems really easy to tweak it if need additional features.

As said wisely in a first post, if you always wait, you'll wait, then wait, then wait, then wait...

PS; If you want to talk in french, you can PM me.

[speakingtohe]

Originally Posted by Ansileran

I don't think we get the two year warranty in France

The extended warranty the op is talking about is one such that, if anything goes wrong with your reader during 3 years (hardware failure, not if you drop and break it), you bring it back to any FNAC in France and get another one immediately (or a coupon to buy anything you want in the store). You don't have to wait for it to go through the tech service (and see if it can be repaired) first.

Of course, it's pricey and I probably wouldn't bother on a reader, but I (used to) get it every time I bought a laptop because if mine break, I can't wait for a week to get a new one (well, I could now, but as a computer science student...). If you get a good discount on it though, it could be worth it.

I buy a lot of electronics and fancy appliances. I don't get the extended warranty, because mostly I have been fortunate and they last a long time after I replace them. Generally I give them to a family member or friend, so I know they are still going. Most years I spend about $1500-$3000 on computer equipment etc. which would cost me $500-$1000 a year on warranties. I have had things break, (2 laptop keyboards and 2 DVD players and 2 external hard drives and 2 laptop batteries in the last 35 years IIRC) but always after all warranties would have expired with one exception of a laptop keyboard which I just replaced with an external keyboard/mouse combo. So I have been exceptionally lucky or have saved well over $10,000.

And I can tell a few horror stories of people who bought the extended warranties and they did not get anything because the company was sold or they moved to a different country.

SO my advice is not to buy one, but if it gives you comfort then you should.

Helen

[teija]

Originally Posted by speakingtohe

I have had things break...but always after all warranties would have expired...

And I can tell a few horror stories of people who bought the extended warranties and they did not get anything because the company was sold or they moved to a different country.

Here, here, Helen! That last one (about company being sold) is a very valid concern these days.

As for extended warranties, I also agree. We've had a few things break down, but almost always about a month after the warranty expires... so, I say, if it's not built well enough, it probably won't last long enough to last the original warranty. If it does, it's usually good for a few more years anyway.

[jineapple]

Generally I'd say buy when you want it, but there will be a few new models released quite soon probably, and even if I doubt they will have any new killer feature, older models might get a discount. So considering it's only two months or so, I'd say wait for it if you don't need it right now.