Buy A Kindle? HELP!

flybywire · 07-02-2008, 01:25 PM

I have been looking at EBooks Readers for about a week. Over this time I have been reading and comparing the Kindle, Sony 505, Cybook gen3, Iliad Version 2 and would love your comments regarding my inevitable purchase.

I travel for a living (live in the USA) and would love one of these devices. The Iliad is expensive but that really won't deter a purchase and it can do anything, the Sony seems good, the Cybook reads so many formats but the Kindle seems to be a bit of everything? Could you guys give me some advice or direction concerning these devices? I would buy the Kindle today actually-would love it for my trip to the Orient this coming Sunday.

pilotbob · 07-02-2008, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flybywire

I would buy the Kindle today actually-would love it for my trip to the Orient this coming Sunday.

Buy the Kindle. It is the only one I know of where you get a 30 return policy if you don't like it. If it comes down to you not liking it you could consider the others.

BOb

RickyMaveety · 07-02-2008, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pilotbob

Buy the Kindle. It is the only one I know of where you get a 30 return policy if you don't like it. If it comes down to you not liking it you could consider the others.

BOb

However .... keep in mind the following:

1. You will need to have the books you want to read loaded up before you leave, or take your computer with you on your trip, because you will not be able to use the Whispernet connection in the Orient.

2. Any books you purchase from Amazon that are specifically for the Kindle will likely not be returnable, and will not be able to be read on any other device that you purchase (this is assuming that you do not like your Kindle ... I love mine, so I'm biased).

That said ... I'd buy the Kindle again in a heartbeat ... no question.

rskolin · 07-02-2008, 01:49 PM

The Amazon website has a ton of user reviews and a forum so you can learn more about the device. It's biggest advantage is that you can download instantly without being tethered to your computer. But, as Ricky said, if you're going overseas, you'll need to download your books here because Kindle operates off of a Sprint cell phone network.

Keep us posted on your decision, and have a safe trip.

badgoodDeb · 07-02-2008, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rskolin

But, as Ricky said, if you're going overseas, you'll need to download your books here because Kindle operates off of a Sprint cell phone network.

To be clear - you can quite easily buy a book using your computer, from anywhere in the world (since you live in the US and have a US credit card). You then use a USB cable to also easily transfer the book to the Kindle.

That said -- you can load up the Kindle (or any device) with more books than most people can read in a year.

I think the Kindle is the greatest thing since sliced bread.

HaggisMacJedi · 07-02-2008, 02:02 PM

I love love love my Kindle.

wallcraft · 07-02-2008, 02:33 PM

The Kindle won't last through a multi-week trip on a single charge, and it might or might not trickle charge via USB (this definitely won't work if the Kindle is out of juice). So take the charger with you. See Help! Powered Down Kindle in Mexico. Also, turn off Whispernet before you go.

I have an iLiad and a Kindle, and I use the Kindle for trips because the larger size of the iLiad makes it harder to deal with. The iLiad does come with a travel charger kit, which is good because it will need recharging even on short trips.

jerryleejr · 07-02-2008, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rskolin

The Amazon website has a ton of user reviews and a forum so you can learn more about the device. It's biggest advantage is that you can download instantly without being tethered to your computer. But, as Ricky said, if you're going overseas, you'll need to download your books here because Kindle operates off of a Sprint cell phone network.

Keep us posted on your decision, and have a safe trip.

The only thing about the kindle forums on amazon is that if you havent bought anything from them you can only read the posts. There was alot of presales questions I had and could not post a single one of them.

JJ

RickyMaveety · 07-02-2008, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickyMaveety

However .... keep in mind the following:

1. You will need to have the books you want to read loaded up before you leave, or take your computer with you on your trip, because you will not be able to use the Whispernet connection in the Orient.

2. Any books you purchase from Amazon that are specifically for the Kindle will likely not be returnable, and will not be able to be read on any other device that you purchase (this is assuming that you do not like your Kindle ... I love mine, so I'm biased).

That said ... I'd buy the Kindle again in a heartbeat ... no question.

I said it before, and I'll say it again. If you are travelling with your computer, no problem getting books. If you aren't, then just don't be disappointed when the Whispernet doesn't work.

RickyMaveety · 07-02-2008, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerryleejr

The only thing about the kindle forums on amazon is that if you havent bought anything from them you can only read the posts. There was alot of presales questions I had and could not post a single one of them.

JJ

Ah .... but as anyone who has discovered this forum knows ... you could simply post the same pre-sales question here, and I'd bet you that any or all of the Kindle owners here would be willing to post it at the Amazon site, that is if we couldn't already answer it from experience.

badgoodDeb · 07-02-2008, 03:20 PM

Actually, since the trip is "This Sunday" I suspect our questioner was just hypothesizing about taking an ereader on this particular trip. Still .......

pilotbob · 07-02-2008, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by badgoodDeb

Actually, since the trip is "This Sunday" I suspect our questioner was just hypothesizing about taking an ereader on this particular trip. Still .......

He could of course order it today, with overnight shipping and have it on the 'morrow.

BOb

RickyMaveety · 07-02-2008, 03:23 PM

Nah .... it's doable. If he/she ordered today, they would have it by Friday ... even with the free two day shipping (depending on whether they deliver on a holiday). Plenty of time to stick a ton of books on it. Heck .... they could preorder the books and have them Whispered onto the book before it arrives ... mine came all loaded with all the books I had purchased at Amazon. It only took me a few minutes to load the 100 or so books I had downloaded from other sites once it arrived.

But .... if you are going to buy a Kindle .... get going on it. (Unless you have Saturday delivery where you are .... we don't out here in the sticks.) Yup .... if no holiday delivery and no Saturday delivery ... then you'll need to go with next day shipping.

Good lord .... waited a bit before thinking about this, didn't you??

DixieGal · 07-02-2008, 03:37 PM

Post office is closed on the 4th, so that would slow things down. Better to go get one from a vending machine at the airport.

wallcraft · 07-02-2008, 03:43 PM

Order a Kindle within 2hrs 45min and get it Thursday (overnight shipping), 2-day shipping arrives Monday.

07-02-2008, 01:25 PM	#1
flybywire Junior Member Posts: 7 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2008 Device: none	Buy A Kindle? HELP! I have been looking at EBooks Readers for about a week. Over this time I have been reading and comparing the Kindle, Sony 505, Cybook gen3, Iliad Version 2 and would love your comments regarding my inevitable purchase. I travel for a living (live in the USA) and would love one of these devices. The Iliad is expensive but that really won't deter a purchase and it can do anything, the Sony seems good, the Cybook reads so many formats but the Kindle seems to be a bit of everything? Could you guys give me some advice or direction concerning these devices? I would buy the Kindle today actually-would love it for my trip to the Orient this coming Sunday.

07-02-2008, 03:23 PM	#13
RickyMaveety Holy S**T!!! Posts: 5,213 Karma: 108401 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: San Diego, California!! Device: Kindle and iPad	Nah .... it's doable. If he/she ordered today, they would have it by Friday ... even with the free two day shipping (depending on whether they deliver on a holiday). Plenty of time to stick a ton of books on it. Heck .... they could preorder the books and have them Whispered onto the book before it arrives ... mine came all loaded with all the books I had purchased at Amazon. It only took me a few minutes to load the 100 or so books I had downloaded from other sites once it arrived. But .... if you are going to buy a Kindle .... get going on it. (Unless you have Saturday delivery where you are .... we don't out here in the sticks.) Yup .... if no holiday delivery and no Saturday delivery ... then you'll need to go with next day shipping. Good lord .... waited a bit before thinking about this, didn't you?? Last edited by RickyMaveety; 07-02-2008 at 03:25 PM.

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07-02-2008, 01:49 PM	#4
rskolin Junior Member Posts: 8 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Device: Amazon Kindle	The Amazon website has a ton of user reviews and a forum so you can learn more about the device. It's biggest advantage is that you can download instantly without being tethered to your computer. But, as Ricky said, if you're going overseas, you'll need to download your books here because Kindle operates off of a Sprint cell phone network. Keep us posted on your decision, and have a safe trip.

07-02-2008, 02:02 PM	#6
HaggisMacJedi Zealot Posts: 130 Karma: 1145527 Join Date: Jun 2008 Device: Kindle Fire HD, Kindle 4, iPhone 4	I love love love my Kindle.

07-02-2008, 02:33 PM	#7
wallcraft reader Posts: 6,975 Karma: 5183568 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mississippi, USA Device: Kindle 3, Kobo Glo HD	The Kindle won't last through a multi-week trip on a single charge, and it might or might not trickle charge via USB (this definitely won't work if the Kindle is out of juice). So take the charger with you. See Help! Powered Down Kindle in Mexico. Also, turn off Whispernet before you go. I have an iLiad and a Kindle, and I use the Kindle for trips because the larger size of the iLiad makes it harder to deal with. The iLiad does come with a travel charger kit, which is good because it will need recharging even on short trips.

07-02-2008, 03:20 PM	#11
badgoodDeb Grand Sorcerer Posts: 8,501 Karma: 64095689 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Harrisburg outskirts Device: Palms, K1-4s, iPads, iPhones, KV, KO1	Actually, since the trip is "This Sunday" I suspect our questioner was just hypothesizing about taking an ereader on this particular trip. Still .......

07-02-2008, 03:37 PM	#14
DixieGal Hi There! Posts: 7,473 Karma: 2930523 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ft Lauderdale Device: iPad	Post office is closed on the 4th, so that would slow things down. Better to go get one from a vending machine at the airport.

07-02-2008, 03:43 PM	#15
wallcraft reader Posts: 6,975 Karma: 5183568 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mississippi, USA Device: Kindle 3, Kobo Glo HD	Order a Kindle within 2hrs 45min and get it Thursday (overnight shipping), 2-day shipping arrives Monday.

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