Do you upgrade your e-reader when the next gen comes out?

[ilovejedd]

I'll only upgrade if I feel that a new version would suit my needs better. As it is, I even bought a couple more PRS-350's for back-up when it was apparent that Sony has phased them out in favor of the PRS-T1. Still wish I could've gotten my hands on a PRS-650 or PRS-950.

I'm considering getting the iRiver Story HD, though, for the higher resolution (should be better for reading comics, etc).

[kiwidude]

I would only upgrade if there is some significant improvement. And the recently released generations of Kindles and Sonys haven't done that - in fact the Kindles are a disturbingly backwards step in many ways. I detest touch screens for reading - wtf do I want smear prints and reduced visibility, losing the ability to comfortably turn pages while holding one handed, and unable to turn pages at all with gloves on when reading in the cold? Not to mention losing collection mgmt via calibre, and having to shell out another £50 for another lighted cover. Slightly smaller/lighter is the only positive, but with zero other improvements they are a big thumbs down from me.

I'll keep my KK 3G for many years yet, it is too invaluable as an emergency free internet device when travelling overseas while being a perfectly satisfactory reader. Better collection mgmt capabilities would be nice (why my next device may well be a Sony), even better screen if/when another gen improves it and yes smaller/lighter without a keyboard will tempt me for a second reader to use as a primary device. But its got to have page turn buttons...

[Sweetpea]

Originally Posted by kiwidude

I would only upgrade if there is some significant improvement. And the recently released generations of Kindles and Sonys haven't done that - in fact the Kindles are a disturbingly backwards step in many ways. I detest touch screens for reading - wtf do I want smear prints and reduced visibility, losing the ability to comfortably turn pages while holding one handed, and unable to turn pages at all with gloves on when reading in the cold? Not to mention losing collection mgmt via calibre, and having to shell out another £50 for another lighted cover. Slightly smaller/lighter is the only positive, but with zero other improvements they are a big thumbs down from me.

While I agree with you at some point, I'd like to correct some errors:

first, the pearl screens are rather resistive to fingerprints and smudges. If I compare my Sony 650 to my husband's K3, there's no difference in smudges on the screen.

second, you can use those screens with everything, including gloved hands. No problems at all.

But the biggest fail of Amazon is to lose the hardware page buttons altogether... I don't mind using the touchscreen paging, but I also like hardware buttons as I can have dirty hands... (greasy from eating, cooking, etc).

[mikaelalind]

I'll admit that I get itchy to upgrade sometimes, but I cannot afford it. Even if the e-reader prices have dropped in Sweden they still range between 350 ( Orizon)- 150 dollar ( PRS 350). That said, I am tempted to get the PRS 350, since I am not impressed by the T1 and my PRS 505 may or may not be a brick. ( I am crossing my fingers that the hard reset will work, since it have least another year before the battery gets too bad )

[kiwidude]

@Sweetpea - They might be "resistive" and an improvement over earlier devices, but your screen will inevitably get coated. And your later comments about dirty hands just validates the point. I don't just read in a clean vacuum, my ereader goes everywhere. I read while eating, while on the tube, walking around, wherever I have time to kill, with extremes of hot and cold. My Kindle is always in the lighted cover so the screen is never touched, I've only had to clean it twice in over a year of usage from accidental contact.

Unlike say my iPad which after a few hours use mandatorily requires cleaning. If you sit in an office environment with fluorescent lights above and try to read, any screen discoloration gets magnified no matter what the technology. Better to not have a reason to touch the screen in the first place.

Thanks for the correction on the gloves thing though, I did make an "assumption" based on every other touch-screen device I own not working at all with gloves on. I still don't know how well it would work if your gloves are bulky - the margin for error with a big page turn button versus accidentally invoking some other on-screen function seems higher to me but you have the practical experience.

I was almost tempted by the new entry-level Kindle (non-touch) - as has page turn buttons, and is smaller. But given the screen is no better (debatably worse depending on manufacturing variation) and it has less capacity it just wasn't compelling enough to splash out for another lighted cover for. We'll see what Amazon comes up with in the next gen...

[pagansoul]

I would like to say 'a serious upgrade' but I know that isn't true. With the Kindles I got a new one each year. Kindle1, Kindle2, Kindle3 (still have) and the Fire. I've had iPad1 and iPad2. I still have my Kobo but don't use it because I can put library books on my Kindle now. This year, knowing me, I will get the iPad3. It's a sickness.

[CarolineNH]

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

But the biggest fail of Amazon is to lose the hardware page buttons altogether... I don't mind using the touchscreen paging, but I also like hardware buttons as I can have dirty hands... (greasy from eating, cooking, etc).

Totally agree. I loved my K3, but passed it on to someone who needed it (still ambivalent about that, but my friend is worth it); love my KFire, but if Amazon put page-turn buttons on the Touch, I'd have one tomorrow.

[Latinandgreek]

I upgraded to the 350 from the 505 because of the great price it was being sold for and for the touch screen, dictionaries and better contrast. I love it and still use it daily, and my husband uses my 505. I later got the T1 because I wanted a larger screen with Pearl e-ink, and the wi-fi is a great bonus; I would have preferred to get a 950, but being that I do not live in the U.S. I was not able to find one easily. Both my husband and I use the T1. I would still love to pick up a 950 (and gift my husband the T1) if I could find one cheaply. I'd also consider getting a Kindle DX if I could get one cheap.

[Katsunami]

When I was younger, I had to have the latest. Now I don't upgrade any device, except when it dies, a new one offers a serious advantage that I really want (given that I can afford it, of course), or if the old device cannot do anymore what I want it to do, for whatever reason.

This makes that I currently keep most hardware somewhere between 5-6 years. For me, the last reason (can't do anymore what I want) is the most common cause to upgrade eventually.

[VeggieCat]

My 505 was the first and only e-reader I have ever purchased for myself (my 300 was a gift). I still use it and will continue to use it until it dies. I will cry when that happens.

That doesn't mean I don't play with the e-readers on display whenever I go to the store, though

[taosaur]

I don't know that I'll ever be interested in e-ink or a dedicated e-reader, but with tech in general I only upgrade when content or software becomes available that my current hardware can't handle. New classes of hardware like tablets may be worthwhile, too, but I don't see the need (or have the budget) to keep up with incremental changes in every class of hardware I already own.

With just about any device, I aim to get at least two years use out of it, and often more like five, after which many of them find new homes.

[shanghaichica]

I will only upgrade when there is a serious advance. I shall be sticking with the kindle and at the moment it hasn't advanced enough beyond the K3 for me to update.

[cak3]

I agree, the pearl screen is very resistant to smudges. I like my Nook, it has touch screen + hardware buttons so its the best of both worlds really. As for upgrading, I live in Pakistan. Amazon, BN etc dont ship here so I only got an e-reader after a relative came to visit so I'll stick with it till it dies. Then I'll wait for my relative to bring me a new one.

[Sydney's Mom]

Originally Posted by sabredog

I am a bit of a gadget geek, so I update and pass on my older ereaders to family

Same. Then my daughter breaks hers, and I give her mine and get a new one.

The K4 is a great device, but I have abandoned it for the Fire. I love the backlighting (I mostly read in bed). But given the limited battery life, I need both - can't run out of juice in the middle of a book!

[rcuadro]

Originally Posted by sabredog

I am a bit of a gadget geek, so I update and pass on my older ereaders to family

Same here...