02-02-2009, 12:24 PM | #1 |
Connoisseur
Posts: 78
Karma: 24
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Oswego New York
Device: JetBook, Aspire One Netbook (UMPC)
|
I'm still so confused
I STILL haven't bought a reader. I currently am reading my books off from my Aspire One (Acer) which is great, but I still WANT a reader in the worst way. The Kindle is nice, and I simply love the idea of downloading from anyplace, BUT I think it's terribly ugly, bulky (yes I've touched it) and while there are skins, the price is still ridiculous. And yeah, I've seen the supposed pictures of the Kindle 2, but I'm still not terribly impressed. Plus lets face it, I'm just not into Oprah flavored bandwagons.
So, my biggest thing is being able to download. Is the new eSlick going to have this feature? Do any of the readers? Which one is best for text books? |
02-02-2009, 12:51 PM | #2 |
Grand Sorcerer
Posts: 5,870
Karma: 27376
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Pennsylvania
Device: PRS-505
|
Have you considered the Reader? Or do you like the "download anywhere" because you travel a lot?
What kind of textbooks are we talking about? |
Advert | |
|
02-02-2009, 01:04 PM | #3 |
ZCD BombShel
Posts: 4,793
Karma: 8293322
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: The Frozen North (aka Illinois, USA)
Device: iPad, STB Kindle Oasis
|
By "download" do you mean be able to download books directly into the device? If so, the new ESlick won't have this feature.
|
02-02-2009, 01:20 PM | #4 |
reader
Posts: 6,975
Karma: 5183568
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Mississippi, USA
Device: Kindle 3, Kobo Glo HD
|
The Kindle is the only EInk device with an end to end network capability for ebooks. The only other current EInk device with network capability is the iRex iLiad 2nd Edition, but its WiFi has never been paired with good software.
There will be network capable 6" eInk devices from other vendors this spring, but we don't yet know how well they will work. Amazon has been rumored to be planning a text-book device, probably with a 9.7" screen, but we don't know any details. Others will probably also be introducing 9.7" devices this summer, now PVI has started volume production of its plastic EInk screens. |
02-02-2009, 03:13 PM | #5 |
Connoisseur
Posts: 78
Karma: 24
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Oswego New York
Device: JetBook, Aspire One Netbook (UMPC)
|
Yeah, I figured on the Kindle thing. Bah. Leave it to Amazon to lock in a new technology so fast that no one else can afford to do it. As for the entire text book thing, I'm going to be in school at least the next 4 years, and if I move on and teach at college level (like I plan) then I have NO intention of carrying around or storing a stack of thick textbooks.
I've also looked at the eBook GEB 1150, is that one utterly worthless? Cost is a facotr, but not a huge one. If the Kindle can prove to me its worth, I'd totally buy one but I'd like to wait until the new one comes out (if this is the case) but at the same, I'd like to KSS. Lilac, its not so much I travel a lot, its that I don't have constant net access at home (sticks) but the Whispernet does cover my area, plus I'm at school from about 7:30 am until 4 and the school doesn't always have reliable wi-fi. Why oh why can't someone besides Amazon come up with a download direct to the device?? |
Advert | |
|
02-02-2009, 03:27 PM | #6 | |
Grand Sorcerer
Posts: 5,185
Karma: 25133758
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: SF Bay Area, California, USA
Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3 (Past: Kobo Mini, PEZ, PRS-505, Clié)
|
Quote:
iPods have managed just fine for years, not being able to get new songs without a computer interface. Would I like access to Feedbooks through my Reader? Sure. Manybooks? Ditto. Mobileread's free downloads? Oh hell yeah... but that's a lot of memory-eating software to add to my device. And that's without the hassles of payment methods. Making *one* bookstore available on a device (like Whispernet) is do-able. Making "ebookstores in general" available basically involves a full-service web browser. More hardware, more software space, more potential for glitches, more expense for the customers who don't want those features... there are several reasons that wifi ebook readers aren't as high on the "needed improvements" list as, say, color pictures, or more format usability. |
|
02-02-2009, 07:14 PM | #7 |
Connoisseur
Posts: 78
Karma: 24
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Oswego New York
Device: JetBook, Aspire One Netbook (UMPC)
|
And that's totally fine, like I've said it's not a must, but given my circumstances, it IS a convenience I wish the others had. At this point, I'd be happy if it could read Gutenberg, view PDFs and etc. I'm starting to seriously wonder if that eSlick might not be the ONE I've been waiting to meet all my life. (seriously, can you leave your boyfriend for an eReader?)
|
02-02-2009, 07:16 PM | #8 | |
Connoisseur
Posts: 78
Karma: 24
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Oswego New York
Device: JetBook, Aspire One Netbook (UMPC)
|
Quote:
Reminds me, that I've seen whisperings of a color reader, but nothing yet. I have to say, when one comes out I'd LOVE it. I read a lot of graphic novels and they just don't work in B&W all the time. What's the status of graphic novels on readers? |
|
02-02-2009, 07:39 PM | #9 |
Connoisseur
Posts: 78
Karma: 24
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Oswego New York
Device: JetBook, Aspire One Netbook (UMPC)
|
I'm glad you qualified this with "most". I HAVE had moments of I need this NOW! When dealing with a text. Usually it's a historical issue where I need to cite something or other and need something off Gutenberg. Luckily, my Aspire has Bluetooth and instant gratification. But I'm kinda stressing over filling up space. I have a 250 GIG external that is nearly full (in less than 2 months) with texts. I have to get a 2 TB drive soon. I realize I can't keep them all on ANY reader out there, but that instant gratification when arguing a historical issue with a fellow student or professor is kind of a good thing.
|
02-02-2009, 08:21 PM | #10 | |
Grand Sorcerer
Posts: 5,185
Karma: 25133758
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: SF Bay Area, California, USA
Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3 (Past: Kobo Mini, PEZ, PRS-505, Clié)
|
Quote:
But for instant downloads... a lot of us (me included) are not willing to pay an extra $50 for a Reader for the ability to buy books at whim. I'm especially not willing to pay the extra money *and* carry an extra half-paperback's worth of weight in hardware & batteries. And as mentioned... software to work with 1 ebookstore? Quite possible. Software to work with *any* website? That's not "ebook download software;" it's a mobile browser with its own set of hassles. (Security. Navigation. Page refresh. Image quality. Javascript issues.) An extra $50, an extra four ounces... either would've kept me away from the Sony Reader and had me looking for another used Clié, which I'd've used until it died. |
|
02-02-2009, 08:27 PM | #11 |
Connoisseur
Posts: 78
Karma: 24
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Oswego New York
Device: JetBook, Aspire One Netbook (UMPC)
|
My whole issue with the Kindle is that its incredibly ugly. Yes, I realize it has its defenders, but I'm the one who has to be seen with it. And, my patience can more than likely hold out when I download to the Aspire then change it to my reader. I just don't want to have to fool with updating software, hacking anything etc. I want it to read what I shove into it and like it.
|
02-02-2009, 08:30 PM | #12 |
Connoisseur
Posts: 78
Karma: 24
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Oswego New York
Device: JetBook, Aspire One Netbook (UMPC)
|
And the CLIÉ is nice (and cheap $26 on eBay currently) but not really practical for me.
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
New and Very Confused! | EmiGirl | Amazon Kindle | 6 | 05-09-2010 01:56 AM |
I'm Really Confused | rememberandhope | Which one should I buy? | 16 | 11-08-2009 11:28 PM |
Hello from confused | matopping | Introduce Yourself | 3 | 05-12-2009 12:37 PM |
Confused need help | punisher7069 | Amazon Kindle | 3 | 01-02-2009 04:01 PM |
New and Confused | Shamisenrat | Sony Reader | 23 | 01-01-2009 04:31 PM |