What was your first e-reading device?

[naql]

I think it was a Palm V using the eReader app. I think it was called Peanut Press or something back then.

[lisajjb]

Just the Aluratek Libre I got in May. I didn't know ebooks existed until the first Kindle came out. I owned several PDA's over the years but never knew ebooks were available back then.

[SteveEisenberg]

Palm IIIxe. Not bad in the dark, but no good for reading in the park on a bright day.

Then we got the Palm Z22. Tiny screen and rather low resolution, but I read many books on it anyway.

I mostly used a Russian-authored freeware Palm text editor, and then, I think, switched to Mobipocket. I mostly read books from Project Gutenberg. And, on the Z22, the New York Times and Washington Post via the defunct AvantGo.com.

Now I carry a BlackBerry 8820, which in theory should work as an eBook reader, but mine is locked down by my employer so that I can only use the native applications. While I tried to read books with the out-of-the-box Documents to Go mini-app, it is too easy to lose your place in the book, and takes too long to get back to to it.

Kindle 3 on order.

[MsAstoria]

Technically, a Palm Pilot many moons ago! I thought I wa so cutting edge!!!

Oh yeah, I remember Peanut Press!

[BenG]

An Ipaq

[jaxx6166]

My first dedicated e-Reader was the Sony PRS-505. Man, I loved that little machine.

I never heard of the technology before the Kindle 1 came out. I actually first heard of digital readers when the news did a piece on the K1. And then I started googling and finally stumbled on MR, which is when I discovered that other devices existed.

I've since gone through (3) PRS-505's, (1) PRS-700, a Kindle2, a nook, and now my iPad.

I've got a bit of a gadget fetish. What's my favorite though? I'm torn between my 700 and the nook. I still love the K2, but I hate that keyboard.

[ClairePMR]

First dedicated ereader was my Rocket ebook - so long ago I can't remember for sure, but I'm guessing at least 10 years, probably more. I bought it within a couple of months of its introduction. Bought 2 more of the next gen versions, most recently about six years ago. Also used my Palm Pilot (very limitedly, mind you!).

[rblover]

Haven't had one yet, but will get one in a few weeks...a Kindle 3G+WiFi. I've come the long way around to this decision, but like the: non-glare/no-eyestrain screen, the price, and the wide selection of free/cheap ebooks available. The free AT&T, text to speech, and archiving, are nice bonuses.

[daxbr]

I remember reading books in txt format on IBM desktop 8088 OS back in 1988. Now, still using 2.5 years old Kindle1 daily.

[Ea]

Originally Posted by thinkpadx

This was also my first device. Coming from the Iliad to the Kindle was a huge improvement in boot-time. I hardly reflect any more when turning on the Kindle, it's just ready to be used.

I've had an Iliad and the boot time was really annoying. You basically had to shut it down if you put the device down for any significant lenght of time.

[thinkpad]

I thought that was how e-readers were supposed to work! Today I don't think I would ever buy an e-reader that doesn't have a sleep mode.

I can't remember the last time I shut down my Kindle and the whole point is, you shouldn't have to.

[wgrimm]

Originally Posted by cklls

First dedicated ereader was my Rocket ebook - so long ago I can't remember for sure, but I'm guessing at least 10 years, probably more. I bought it within a couple of months of its introduction. Bought 2 more of the next gen versions, most recently about six years ago. Also used my Palm Pilot (very limitedly, mind you!).

Do you ever still use your Rocketbook or Rebs? I have, on occasion, and am impressed by the fact that they are still more comfortable to hold and use than any of the new devices (including Sony's, Kindles, Ipad).

[goinveg]

1996 - Palm Pilot Pro - then upgraded! with a modem! and 2MB memory! and PalmOS 3.0!
1999 - Palm IIIx - with 4MB memory!

[ClairePMR]

Originally Posted by wgrimm

Do you ever still use your Rocketbook or Rebs? I have, on occasion, and am impressed by the fact that they are still more comfortable to hold and use than any of the new devices (including Sony's, Kindles, Ipad).

The original died about 5 years ago, but the other two still work beautifully. My husband uses the older one, and I use the more current one constantly (daily!), especially for night reading. I am a true night owl! That's the one downside of the Nook, and most other newer ereaders. I know some people don't like the backlight, but for me it's very important.

They are very comfortable, I agree. I do like that the Nook is a little lighter weight, but I really like the shape of the REBs. Fit very nicely in one's palm.

[DJHARKAVY]

Originally Posted by ardeegee

Handspring Visor Neo.

I used that, but it wasn't my first... I had a red one.

Originally Posted by murraypaul

Mine was one of the Visors. I got the expansion module that let me use SmartMedia cards as storage for the books.

(I'm taking device to exclude computers)

Which one? I had the Matchbookdrive (both 1 and 2 at different times) I got my first one when the guy was building them by hand for those who didn't want to try to build them themselves.

Originally Posted by ardeegee

A Memplug? Before I got my Sony Reader, I would occasionally keep an eye on Ebay for cheap auctions of Visors and accessories (including broken ones-- I got pretty good at swapping parts around to make working units). I ended up with 2 or 3 Memplugs, (all CompactFlash models.) I used a 256 MB card in mine.

I think I got to 512 MB with my Matchbook drive before my last Handspring gave up the ghost.

Originally Posted by nyrath

Handspring Visor. The original.

Me too. 2MB on the machine, but with the right modules, it could do anything. It gave a really good massage, for example...