Which eBook Reader -- Australia?

[kaz1983]

Hello all,
I'd like to get an ebook reader for my partner and myself this Christmas and really not sure which one to buy.

Here are my requirements so far:

-I have hundreds of ebooks already on my laptop in PDF, ePub, lit and html format. I need an ebook reader that will read all those formats or else a viable way to easily convert them, preferably using a program directly available on the ereader rather than having to download an unsupported file type on my computer, convert then transfer across to the ereader via USB
-Price point looking at around $250 or less
-Looking for a reader with lots of books on offer at cheap prices
-Prefer wifi or 3G so don't have to be limited to where we download them
-would also like a simple web browser for searching various ebook sites and prefer being able to type in web addresses and details
-My partner reads a lot of comics, not sure in what file format, but he also really likes eInk
-would like something easy to use with fast loading pages and no awkward buttons.
-we are in Australia although I don't think this makes much difference as lots of ebook stores will happily sell to Australia

Given these preferences which ebook reader would you recommend? At the moment I am tossing up between the Kindle and the Kobo, on the one hand I think the Kobo will more easily support different file types but I have heard the Kindle is faster with better utility and seems to be more popular. Thanks guys!

[viviena]

Hi there.

Originally Posted by kaz1983

-I have hundreds of ebooks already on my laptop in PDF, ePub, lit and html format. I need an ebook reader that will read all those formats or else a viable way to easily convert them, preferably using a program directly available on the ereader rather than having to download an unsupported file type on my computer, convert then transfer across to the ereader via USB

For native support of EPUB, the Kobo WiFi or Sonys 350/650. PDFs: just about most ereaders, but the Sonys handle PDFs better than most. For convenience, there's Amazon's free conversion service to convert on-the-go for Kindle owners -- just email the file to their service, and they automatically send back to your Kindle an ebook in a compatible format. Might want to ask Kindle users about that though, I'm not sure of the details.

That said, if you have that many books, you really should consider converting the bulk of them on the computer and by using the program Calibre. It'll be much quicker.

-Price point looking at around $250 or less

The Kindle 3 ($139 USD excluding shipping), the Kobo WiFi ($179 AUD), the Sony Reader 350 ($220 AUD).

-Looking for a reader with lots of books on offer at cheap prices

Kindle 3. Great range with good prices. I would say Borders AU/Kobo, which is EPUB-based and therefore compatible with most other ereaders including the Sonys and the Kobo WiFi, has a slight advantage if you're looking for local books though, also at fairly cheap prices.

-Prefer wifi or 3G so don't have to be limited to where we download them

-would also like a simple web browser for searching various ebook sites and prefer being able to type in web addresses and details

Kindle 3.

-My partner reads a lot of comics, not sure in what file format, but he also really likes eInk

If I'm right that the comics are in CBR or CBZ, he'd have to use Calibre to convert them anyway. Very few ereaders read them natively, and none of the above-mentioned do.

-would like something easy to use with fast loading pages and no awkward buttons.

All have fast page turns. For awkward buttons, you might want to avoid the Kobo WiFi if you're a lefty. Otherwise ease of use largely comes down to personal preference. Some people swear by the touchscreens of the Sonys, others love the keyboard at the bottom of the Kindle 3.

-we are in Australia although I don't think this makes much difference as lots of ebook stores will happily sell to Australia

Unfortunately this isn't always the case. Geographic restrictions means that there are some ebooks we can't buy because the publishers don't have the territorial rights to sell to us. The paperback book you order from the Book Depository or Amazon may very well not be available as an ebook. Although some ebook stores might have ebooks that others don't, and there are technological workarounds to getting geo-restricted ebooks, generally speaking all ebook stores apply geographic restrictions. We get screwed over when it comes to availability of ebooks, compared to people in North America and the UK.

Given these preferences which ebook reader would you recommend? Thanks guys!

It sounds like you'd really like the Kindle 3. It does the most out of what you want for a good price, in my opinion.

[kaz1983]

Thanks so much for your advice! I have checked out the Kindle but it looks like the only ones stocked on Amazon are the US version. Would you happen to know if the US version 3G and Wifi works in Oz?

[viviena]

Oh yeah, I forgot that the international version is apparently back-ordered for the moment. For the US version, wi-fi will work as long as there's a hotspot nearby, such as one within your home.

I'm not so sure about 3G. 3G access should be free where there's coverage (which includes most of the east coast of Australia), but I don't know if using a US instead of an international version would throw a spanner in the works. I think there are also fees associated with certain uses of 3G on the Kindle (although not for casual browsing of the internet). If nobody else answers here, best ask in the Kindle forum.

[ProfCrash]

Americans travel the globe with their US Kindles and are able to use the 3G. I don't think it is a problem.