help me decide on an e-reader?

[Kropotkin]

I have decided i want an eReader so i can get tons of free books online.

here is what is most important to me.

1. e ink

2. Open to many formats, Not being tied down into certain stores.
(I've eliminated the Kindle)

3. pdf readability. i have a bunch of pdfs of zines that are not formated very well (not centered at all over the 8x11 page).

4. best eReader to pirate books and avoid buying anything once I have the device.

5. wifi and internet access aren't very important to me, but it would be nice.

6. cheap would be good, but i'm willing to spend more if it is worth it.

I like the new high contrast of the pearl screens. so, i was thinking about the sony prs650. I also like the open standards of the bebooks, so maybe the neo or the club. I have heard the sony models are tied down like the kindle, but I've also heard the newer versions are not. can someone verify?

any help would be great. I am very new to this ereader thing, so please feel free to mention any other models that seem to fit what i am looking for.

thanks,
Kropotkin

[sun surfer]

Welcome Kropotkin!

Of the major e-ink readers (Kindle, nook, Sony, Kobo):

1. e-ink - nook classic, all Sonys, Kindle, Kobo

2. Open formats - nook, all Sonys, Kobo

3. PDF - I don't have much experience in this, but I've heard while none of the "major" readers are all that great at it, Sony is probably the best

4. I will pretend I didn't read this one!

5. internet - nook, Kobo, Kindle, Sony 950

6. cheap - Kobo, Kindle, nook

(7.) Pearl screen - Kindle, all Sonys

I'm not sure what you mean about being worried that Sonys are "tied down"? If you are wondering if they are restrictive like Kindle, the answer is: definitely NOT. Sonys support many file formats.

From your wants, I would definitely recommend a Sony. Since you want wifi, I would suggest the 950 if you have the money, but if not then the 650 without wifi suits all the rest of your needs.

However, I have heard that PDF aren't great on any of these readers, so someone else may have a better PDF reader recommendation.

As for the bebooks, I think for the price they are now a little outdated in tech and I would recommend the Sonys over them. The bebooks look awesome and I almost got a bebook neo when I instead got my nook months and months ago. But now with Pearl and the new Sonys, everything has changed. I've recently decided to get a new reader, and decided on a Sony instead of a bebook. What I originally wanted the bebook for - handwriting capabilities, stylus, open format - Sony can do, plus Sony has the new Pearl screen and the best e-ink screen out there that is touch. (ETA - Actually, I'm not sure how bebooks handle pdf. If they are vastly superior in that area, it could be a reason to go with a bebook.)

Good luck with your decision!

[erictoma]

Originally Posted by Kropotkin

I have decided i want an eReader so i can get tons of free books online.

here is what is most important to me.

1. e ink

2. Open to many formats, Not being tied down into certain stores.
(I've eliminated the Kindle)

3. pdf readability. i have a bunch of pdfs of zines that are not formated very well (not centered at all over the 8x11 page).

4. best eReader to pirate books and avoid buying anything once I have the device.

5. wifi and internet access aren't very important to me, but it would be nice.

6. cheap would be good, but i'm willing to spend more if it is worth it.

I like the new high contrast of the pearl screens. so, i was thinking about the sony prs650. I also like the open standards of the bebooks, so maybe the neo or the club. I have heard the sony models are tied down like the kindle, but I've also heard the newer versions are not. can someone verify?

any help would be great. I am very new to this ereader thing, so please feel free to mention any other models that seem to fit what i am looking for.

thanks,
Kropotkin

Sonny650 would be a good choice of you, the only downside is its high price.

[speedlever]

I think the pdfs are going to trip you up. You may wish to investigate a tablet device (ipad, Galaxy, etc.) But that will negate some of your other points. I don't think you can have it all... at least, not yet.

http://blog.the-ebook-reader.com/201...r-pdf-viewing/

Other than being higher cost, you'll lose e-ink and lose long battery life. But you will gain all the open formats you desire and can get Kindle4pc, B&N4PC, etc. plus take care of your pdf file needs too.

Good luck.

[ProfCrash]

Given that you have already admitted that you have every intention of stealing books to read the fact that a device is associated with one or more store really is not all that important is it?

All e-readers have a book store that they are connected to. Some, Sony, Kobo, and Nook use a file system that makes it easier to read another stores format. This does not mean that there are more books available for those e-readers and with the Agency Model the prices are pretty much going to be the same.

[speedtouch]

Don't neglect to check out PocketBook's e-ink offerings. They have superb file format support and do PDFs pretty well.

[GA Russell]

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

All e-readers have a book store that they are connected to.

Hold on! That's not right.

The jetBook Lite fits the bill, and it is not connected with a book store. One caveat: the JBL uses the reflective TFT screen which is not eInk. It's like the screen of a calculator or a digital wristwatch. Like eInk, it is not backlit, and goes a long time without the need to charge the batteries.

Newegg has them this week for $89, and the betting is that they will go on sale for less between now and Christmas.

I'm quite happy with mine, now that the latest firmware upgrades handles pdf's as well as ADE, eReader and B&N DRM's.