What's The Best New eBook Reader In The UK?

[charleski]

A huge amount depends on the breadth of Amazon's ebook offerings internationally. Certainly in hardware terms the ugly plastic Kindle looks very unattractive compared to the current offerings from Sony, even though those are far from remarkable. Then again, I've never really got the big deal over Whispernet as far as books go, though I suppose it helps those who have difficulty using computers.

It's notable that there are many works available as ePubs in the UK that aren't available for the Kindle. The past couple of years have seen Sony and the Hanlin clones step into the void and develop a decent market for ePub outside the US. When people here unwrap their new Kindle in 10 days' time and find that the store won't sell them The Lost Symbol even though their friends have it on their 505s, they might get a bit miffed.

The problem for Amazon is the Whispernet has become as much a curse as a blessing. It's the reason that it's had to leave the international market to its competitors for so long, and it's also the reason it would be so hard to engineer a Kindle that supports ePub as well (since that would break the unified store interface).

[jbjb]

Originally Posted by neilmarr

(though I've since added refinements like a mains charger (essential, I think) and a swish soft leather cover (not essential, but it makes the reading experience even more enjoyable)

100% agreed on both those points. The mains charger *is* essential, and the 505 feels great in the hand with a soft leather cover, especially as it starts to get slightly worn and battered.

/JB

[neilmarr]

Glad you agree on cover, jbjb. It's not all about swank. The one I have is the flip-top Easy-i (about thirty bucks I think). Not only does it protect the reader, but there's a loop on the back to slip a finger through so that you can hold it in an open palm with your left thumb free to tap the page-turn wheel and right hand entirely free for whatever turns you on (I use my newly liberated right hand mostly for holding a glass of port or scratching my nose). Also, the cover -- flipped back -- makes the reader perfectly free standing if you need both hands for eating or making cats' cradles out of string. A highly recommended wee accessory. Hoots. N

[HarryT]

It is worth noting, with the Sony devices, that useful though a mains adaptor is (since they won't charge from a USB wall charger) there's no need to buy the hyper-expensive "official" Sony Charger. Any "Playstation Portable" (PSP) charger works fine, and they can be picked up at games stores for a fraction of the price that Sony charge for the official Reader charger.

[Crowl]

Originally Posted by Steve Jordan

The tail-end of an interview I gave to The Tainted Archive, a UK-based blogger, lists the most popular e-book readers in the UK (don't know if the list is backed up by figures, or just impressions).

Given that a number of those devices aren't even out anywhere let alone the uk, if it is backed up by any figures they aren't sales figures.

[Tracey]

Another PRS-505 vote from me as a UK user. I am delighted with it and there isn't any other model available that has led me to say that i wish i had that one instead.

Kindle is an interesting development for the UK but, purely from a personal perspective, i do not think it looks as nice as the PRS-505.

I was always very careful about looking after my 505 before it started to go into short supply and even more so now. I dread the thought i might damage it and not be able to source another!

Best wishes,

Tracey

[columbus]

I know the poll is *new readers*.

For me also I think Sony got it about right with the 505. It fits neatly in either hand with page turn buttons placed for one hand operation, (swiping is too clunky single handed).

I don't want / need dictionary, touch, notation etc. the 5" 300 is too small, no card slots.

The K2 is not a patch on the 505. I'm not interested in whispernet - especially as it gives Amazon control over my content!

Why fix what ain't broke Sony?

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by columbus

I don't want / need dictionary, touch, notation etc. the 5" 300 is too small, no card slots.

As a matter of interest, what do you do if you're reading an eBook, and you come across a word that you don't know the meaning of?

I find a dictionary invaluable, personally.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by The-eBook-Reader

I don't know. The UK has access to 280,000 ebooks from Amazon.com, with 70,000 under $5.99. That's still far better than anyone else in the UK. And it probably won't be long, less than 6 months I'd imagine, until Amazon sets up Amazon UK for ebooks. They say they're already working on it. They just wanted to rush the release of the Kindle International to beat iRex and Barnes and Noble's new ereaders to the punch.

One other question is how many of these 70,000 under $5.99 are actually self-published and/or public domain? Until we get this answer, the numbers don't really matter. What matters is if can you find what you want to read.

[columbus]

Originally Posted by HarryT

As a matter of interest, what do you do if you're reading an eBook, and you come across a word that you don't know the meaning of?

I find a dictionary invaluable, personally.

I find it quick enough to use a dead tree one, or make a note to check later. Though I've not had the chance to try a 6/700 so can't compare, but as I read mostly fiction it is not often needed.

Reading more classics now does change the need for a less *modern* dictionary though.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by columbus

I find it quick enough to use a dead tree one, or make a note to check later. Though I've not had the chance to try a 6/700 so can't compare, but as I read mostly fiction it is not often needed.

Reading more classics now does change the need for a less *modern* dictionary though.

I'm a big fan of the "classics" too, and it's for that reason that I find a dictionary useful. It's surprising how many 19th century words have now fallen out of use. The dictionary on the PRS-600 is a very good one - I don't think there's been any word I've asked it to look up yet that it's not found.

[bbusybookworm]

Hmm, I just recently got a Astak Pocket Pro, a device that is not 'officially' available in the Uk.

I personally decide to go with the PP because I wanted to go with a smaller device. That Lefte me the option of either the PP / Bebook Mini or the Sony PRS-300. Of the two, while I really like the Sony Interface, and personally feel that they have one of the best UI, I was not willing to go with the Limitations in terms of Format, Storage, etc that the 300 offers.

As such the only real option for me was the Astak Pocket pro / Bebook mini.

I decided to order theough Astak for a couple of reasons.

* They Were shipping earlier, End of Aug / 1st week of september, while Bebook was not out till sometime in October.

* The Price - The Price, inlcuding shipping, VAT and the Cover (Which Bebook does not include) was pretty decent.

* I like RobertB's Pitches

Still if I were suggesting a device for someone else, I'll probably suggest Ordering from Bebook, as the Mini is now available from them.

I'm serioucly tempted by the Sony PRS-600 as I really liked the Touch screen and the UI. However in my case, with a large Library of eBooks in a multitide of formats, Somthing that has more format support (Even if it is limited) is more important then just the UI.

Coupled with my Preference of buying Protected eBooks (If I Have to) in eReader format, and the future support for it on the Hanlin / Astak/ Bebook Devices The choice I mad fit the bill better for my usage.

For other who don't really care about the ability to format shift, or native support for more formats, The Sony probably has the better user interface and support.

[columbus]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I'm a big fan of the "classics" too, and it's for that reason that I find a dictionary useful. It's surprising how many 19th century words have now fallen out of use. The dictionary on the PRS-600 is a very good one - I don't think there's been any word I've asked it to look up yet that it's not found.

I did download a copy of the 1913 Websters dictionary which I keep and search on my netbook, normally always with me.

I intend to have a look at the 600 next time I am in the UK.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by bbusybookworm

I personally decide to go with the PP because I wanted to go with a smaller device. That Lefte me the option of either the PP / Bebook Mini or the Sony PRS-300.

Why didn't you consider the CyBook Opus? IMHO it's the best of the current crop of 5" devices.

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by HarryT

As a matter of interest, what do you do if you're reading an eBook, and you come across a word that you don't know the meaning of?

I find a dictionary invaluable, personally.

p-dictionary or dictionary.com