Storing backup eReader

[theducks]

Originally Posted by Bertolt

Now I'm no ereader nerd (no disrespect at all to those who are) but surely it makes more sense to have just one ereader and back up your books in Calibre. And if you buy your books from Amazon, they are backed up in the cloud and (if you download them onto your PC using the Kindle app) they are also backed up there.
Having said all that, I personally usually buy a new ereader a long time before the battery in the old ereader clunks. Some people like mobile phones, I like ereaders.

The reader (device) of choice may not be available when your current one becomes unavailable.
eg. Devices that are NOT touchscreen are now few and far between. All the buttons (includes the contacts) cost more than 1 touch screen to build. "Cost reduction", not user demand, is driving.

[speakingtohe]

I agree with icallaci. I use all of mine fairly regularly as this will possibly keep the battery better. (although I do have a favorite) Plus if one is going to fail it might still be under warranty.

For me there are advantages to being able to switch readers. I sometimes want to change the book, but don't want to abandon it for instance. Leaving it 'open' and switching readers makes it more likely I will pick it up soon. And I like to keep a third separate reader in my backpack so I won't forget it at home.

Helen

[Tarana]

I didn't read all the replies, but use it at least once or twice a month. Otherwise, your battery will die much earlier. Many of the batteries in today's devices just die if not used with some regularity.

I have 3 ereaders (plus a tablet). One of them I use to read magazines so that it always gets some use every month. One is my primary reader and I have another in my purse as takealong (cheapo, so if lost or stolen, I only spent $50). My brother, who hasn't used his kindle in over 2 years, gave me his recently, and I have to replace the battery. We bought our kindle keyboards at the same time, but he stopped reading after a stroke (about 4 months after buying it) and hasn't used it since. It stays charged maybe an hour, while mine goes a week without charging.

Oh, and once the battery is replaced, the cheapo kindle will go to a family member currently without an ereader since she doesn't need the text-to-speech feature.

[Tarana]

Now I'm no ereader nerd (no disrespect at all to those who are) but surely it makes more sense to have just one ereader and back up your books in Calibre.

Sure, it makes sense to have just one. I had just one for about a year. I was even happier with 2 (Kindle and Nook), because I could keep one in my purse at all times. I went to the ER more times than I could count that first year after I bought the kindle and I give the Ipod (with music) to the patient to listen to while waiting since reading is kindof hard to do when you are in pain. The cheapo was bought for $50 and mostly used to lend to family members.

[CBG]

Many thanks for the good tips and ideas above - really. All led to my spare being back in service and, as several of you suggested, I'll rotate the two on a regular basis.

[speakingtohe]

Originally Posted by CBG

Many thanks for the good tips and ideas above - really. All led to my spare being back in service and, as several of you suggested, I'll rotate the two on a regular basis.

A wise decision IMO. Not like they are collectibles (yet)
I've stocked up on items in the past only to find they are obsolete before I got around to using them. Ink cartridges come to mind.

Helen