Looking for new e-reader for wife

markman · 10-31-2010, 09:27 AM

Hi all,

I have an Aluratek Libre which I really like. Now, my wife is interested in getting an e-reader. I think she wants one with a 6 inch screen (which takes the Libre out of the running). I haven't really kept up with the marketplace since I got the Libre in January so I have a couple of questions.

1. Which readers currently support getting books from the library other than the Nook and Libre?

2. I know the Kindle doesn't support library books but can Calibre be used to convert epub to Kindle format?

3. How much better is the new screen (contrast, readability) on the Kindle compared to the Nook?

Thanks for the help!

jbcohen · 10-31-2010, 09:40 AM

Personally I also have a Libra Pro and I would recommend that you two standardize on the Libra Pro for these reasons:

1) You can share books between you two;
2) You do tech support for her, since you both have the same model you can help each other out when it comes to getting things done on your ereaders.
3) No duplication of software, one software can manage the entire library for both of you two.

JSWolf · 10-31-2010, 10:03 AM

Since want a 6" reader that supports Library borrowing and the new Pearl screen, the only choice is the Sony Reader PRS-650. I have one and really like it.

desertgrandma · 10-31-2010, 10:27 AM

Have you checked your local library's collection of e-books available?

The library feature is a great one........IF there is a good selection of book in the genres she likes available.

Yes, Calibre can be used to support the Kindle format.

markman · 10-31-2010, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

Have you checked your local library's collection of e-books available?

The library feature is a great one........IF there is a good selection of book in the genres she likes available.

Yes, Calibre can be used to support the Kindle format.

Fortunately our local library has a fairly extensive selection of e-books. That will save a lot of money.

Does Calibre actually allow converting epub to Kindle?

polly · 10-31-2010, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markman

Fortunately our local library has a fairly extensive selection of e-books. That will save a lot of money.

Does Calibre actually allow converting epub to Kindle?

Calibre will convert ePub to Mobi. Some Kindle owners even have it set up so that Calibre emails books to their Kindles. However, Calibre will not convert books that have DRM. If you want to read library books on a Kindle, you have to strip the DRM before Calibre can help you.

Personally, I really like my Sony 650. My computer-phobic 83 year old mother was able to operate it right out of the box. With a little training, she became proficient at checking out ebooks and loading them herself. She bought the 650 for the library book support and loves the screen.

doreenjoy · 10-31-2010, 09:19 PM

The Sony 650 is the easiest choice. The library feature works great. I use it all the time.

Also EPUB is a readily available format. Why mess with converting to Mobi when you don't have to?

dordale · 10-31-2010, 09:49 PM

Another vote for the 650...I really like mine! Can't really think of anything I'd change to make it better.

dordale

markman · 10-31-2010, 10:06 PM

The Sony 650 looks nice but at $230+ it seems overpriced. Is the touch feature really that good? It looks like it has good book organization features but so does my Aluratek Libre. Is there something that I'm missing about it that justifies the $100 premium?

JSWolf · 10-31-2010, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markman

The Sony 650 looks nice but at $230+ it seems overpriced. Is the touch feature really that good? It looks like it has good book organization features but so does my Aluratek Libre. Is there something that I'm missing about it that justifies the $100 premium?

I bought one when Borders was giving away the free light cover. The cover is quite nice and it dropped the price overall to less then $200 easily.

Jeri Patrick · 11-01-2010, 12:29 AM

+1 for the Sony PRS-650. After trying out quite a few e-readers I found that the Sony just felt good. The touch screen makes turning pages a natural action and accessing the built-in dictionaries is a breeze. Another major reason for going with the Sony was ePub; this means we can download books from our local library as we are not book buyers. "Real" books have become very clunky in comparison.

ProfCrash · 11-01-2010, 12:08 PM

I would look at the Classic Nook. The 650 is a nice machine but I would not buy an e-reader without the 3G or WiFi option. It is amazing the number of times I have decided to buy a book in the airport or on a bus where I did not have access to a computer to side load books.

yakuzaboss · 11-01-2010, 02:20 PM

+1 for the Sony 650.

Andyp133 · 11-01-2010, 03:20 PM

Looking for new e-reader for wife

Now that sounds like a good swap !!!!!!

Noah98 · 11-05-2010, 08:52 AM

I checked out the new Sonys at Best Buy, and they really are great devices. The problem is, they are way overpriced compared with the competition. Also, the 650 really should have wifi. I thought the 950 was fantastic and very well rounded for an eink device. I think it would be the best overall eink ereader if not for the price.

10-31-2010, 09:27 AM	#1
markman Enthusiast Posts: 25 Karma: 25000 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: Aluratek Libre, Sony PRS350	Looking for new e-reader for wife Hi all, I have an Aluratek Libre which I really like. Now, my wife is interested in getting an e-reader. I think she wants one with a 6 inch screen (which takes the Libre out of the running). I haven't really kept up with the marketplace since I got the Libre in January so I have a couple of questions. 1. Which readers currently support getting books from the library other than the Nook and Libre? 2. I know the Kindle doesn't support library books but can Calibre be used to convert epub to Kindle format? 3. How much better is the new screen (contrast, readability) on the Kindle compared to the Nook? Thanks for the help!

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10-31-2010, 09:40 AM	#2
jbcohen Wizard Posts: 3,025 Karma: 11196738 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Piper College Device: Samsung A21	Personally I also have a Libra Pro and I would recommend that you two standardize on the Libra Pro for these reasons: 1) You can share books between you two; 2) You do tech support for her, since you both have the same model you can help each other out when it comes to getting things done on your ereaders. 3) No duplication of software, one software can manage the entire library for both of you two.

10-31-2010, 10:03 AM	#3
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,983 Karma: 128903378 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Since want a 6" reader that supports Library borrowing and the new Pearl screen, the only choice is the Sony Reader PRS-650. I have one and really like it.

10-31-2010, 10:27 AM	#4
desertgrandma Enjoying the show.... Posts: 14,270 Karma: 10462841 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Arizona Device: A K1, Kindle Paperwhite, an Ipod, IPad2, Iphone, an Ipad Mini & macAir	Have you checked your local library's collection of e-books available? The library feature is a great one........IF there is a good selection of book in the genres she likes available. Yes, Calibre can be used to support the Kindle format.

10-31-2010, 09:19 PM	#7
doreenjoy 01000100 01001010 Posts: 1,889 Karma: 2400000 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: Polyamorous	The Sony 650 is the easiest choice. The library feature works great. I use it all the time. Also EPUB is a readily available format. Why mess with converting to Mobi when you don't have to?

10-31-2010, 09:49 PM	#8
dordale Wizard Posts: 1,731 Karma: 3472866 Join Date: Apr 2008 Device: Sony PRS-650 & 350; Kindle Voyage; Kobo Aura HD, Aura One, and Forma	Another vote for the 650...I really like mine! Can't really think of anything I'd change to make it better. dordale

10-31-2010, 10:06 PM	#9
markman Enthusiast Posts: 25 Karma: 25000 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: Aluratek Libre, Sony PRS350	The Sony 650 looks nice but at $230+ it seems overpriced. Is the touch feature really that good? It looks like it has good book organization features but so does my Aluratek Libre. Is there something that I'm missing about it that justifies the $100 premium?

11-01-2010, 12:29 AM	#11
Jeri Patrick I like to watch Posts: 12 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Gold Coast, Australia Device: PRS-650	+1 for the Sony PRS-650. After trying out quite a few e-readers I found that the Sony just felt good. The touch screen makes turning pages a natural action and accessing the built-in dictionaries is a breeze. Another major reason for going with the Sony was ePub; this means we can download books from our local library as we are not book buyers. "Real" books have become very clunky in comparison.

11-01-2010, 12:08 PM	#12
ProfCrash Tea Enthusiast Posts: 8,554 Karma: 75384937 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Somewhere in the USA Device: Kindle1, Kindle DX Graphite, K3 3G, IPad 3, PW2	I would look at the Classic Nook. The 650 is a nice machine but I would not buy an e-reader without the 3G or WiFi option. It is amazing the number of times I have decided to buy a book in the airport or on a bus where I did not have access to a computer to side load books.

11-01-2010, 02:20 PM	#13
yakuzaboss Groupie Posts: 171 Karma: 58 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Richmond, BC Device: Sony PRS-650	+1 for the Sony 650.

11-01-2010, 03:20 PM	#14
Andyp133 Member Posts: 20 Karma: 103636 Join Date: Aug 2010 Device: Sony PRS 505, PRS 350, Kobo Aura HD	Looking for new e-reader for wife Now that sounds like a good swap !!!!!!

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11-05-2010, 08:52 AM	#15
Noah98 Eccentric Posts: 510 Karma: 342150 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Florida Device: The nook, ipad 3, Kindle Fire HD (8.9), Kindle Paperwhite	I checked out the new Sonys at Best Buy, and they really are great devices. The problem is, they are way overpriced compared with the competition. Also, the 650 really should have wifi. I thought the 950 was fantastic and very well rounded for an eink device. I think it would be the best overall eink ereader if not for the price.