My wish list of needs -> Which reader?

[mtpaper]

Hi folks -

First and foremost -thank you for your input! It's a bit overwhelming at first...

Which do you recommend for the following end-uses:

- read pdf files; these would be recipes, knitting and craft instructions that I have on my computer and want to xfer to the hand-held device (so I'm not tied to my computer and don't have print outs multiplying all over the place); I'm in my 50s and, altho I'd love the bigger screen, I'm ok for the time being with a moderate size

- ok, I guess I should not assume that this is possible, but I need to be able to organize those pdfs in a meaningful manner, or have them be searchable (ie, mittens, socks, stew, carrot cake, etc)

- access to gmail and the web while away from home, without paying a monthly charge

- I do not have wi-fi at home

- I'm sure I'd also want to read books etc, but I'd like to resolve the above issues first. When I will use it for books, I suspect I would want them to be library books (ebooks? epub?)

- I'd like to be able to read in bed (either with the device by itself, or attach a small nitelite); the bedside light bothers my husband

- I need to be able to use it in the car during nighttime driving (I'm the passenger); I do not care about using the device in bright sunlight


Thank you!
Marion

[boswd]

well the nook color sound perfect for you, it's wireless through wi fi though, wi fi are really cheap nowadays and really easy to install.

I think you can get wi fi router for around $25 nowawdays. Might I suggest you go to best buy and get a nook color and wifif the same time, if that ends up being an option for you.

Otherwise that really is your best option for your needs you stated.

epub check
read at night check
read in night time drive check
read email check
browse web check
PDF's check

just got to work on the wifi router and the nook color will fit the bill.

Also coming out this year will be cookbooks with video's for the nook color, My wife is very excited about that.

Good luck

[mtpaper]

thanks but my dh does not want us to have wi-fi in the house.

[ProfCrash]

Based on what I have read here, the Sony's do the best job with PDF. The problems is that only one Sony has wireless capability and that is the 950 which is the most expensive of the Sony's.

The K3 does and OK job with PDFs but does not have a reflow option. It also has a basic browser that people use for GMail and the like. I tried the browser once and found it pretty useless but that is me. You will not be able to check out library books with the Kindle unless you are willing to strip DRM.

The Nook Colour has the LCD screen with backlighting that you will like but it is WiFi only so you would not be able to use the browser at home. You would be able to use it on the road.

My suggestion is that you go to Best Buy and take a look at the Sony, Kindle, and Nook Color. Ask yourself what is most important to you.

If having 3G connectivity and a browser to use is most important and library books are less important the Kindle is for you.

If Library books are most important to you then the Sony or Nook Color are your best option.

If the PDF's are most important then the Sony is probably best for you.

You are not going to find a device that matches all of your criterion so think about which are most important and decide based on that.

[mtpaper]

ok.....
I guess that's why I was having trouble figuring out which to get.

[ProfCrash]

I get that. If you want it as an e-reader and you are going to get library books you really need to look at the Sony or Nook. Since the e-ink readers are readers first the ability to use browsers and the like is very basic. You are not going to do a lot of websurfing on a Kindle.

I don't know why your husband is worried about WiFi. You can lock it so that it is difficult for anyone else to use. Yes systems can be hacked but you are at risk whenever you use the internet, Wifi or otherwise. That is something that the two you have to decide, I know Captain Obvious here, but I don't really see it being a deciding factor for you. You already have the internet at home so you are not likely to use the browser on a Nook Color at home all that frequently. You would be able to use it when out and about if you can find one of the free wireless zones. They are growing in number.

My advice would be go the Sony for the PDF functionality and library. The Kindle browser really isn't that great even though it seems to handle GMail and some other text based sites fine. Your husbands reluctance to use WiFi makes me think that the Nook Color is not something he is going to be comfortable with.

Go to Best Buy and see if there is one you fall in love with and ask yourself if you can deal with the weaknesses of that particular device.

[FF2]

Originally Posted by mtpaper

thanks but my dh does not want us to have wi-fi in the house.

Get a new nook-color, a new wifi router and a new husband -that way you can have it all.

[jbcohen]

Gee a lot of people think different readers are best for Marion's situation. Sony is best 9in my opinion) if you want touch screen. If you want searchable library then I would go with the Kindle. If you are price sensitive then get the Libra Pro or the Jet Book, they sell for approximatly $90.

[jocampo]

I'm with ProfCrash

You will not find a perfect reader. Instead, find the #1 thing you want on your ereader device and use that as decision point.

Please don't focus on the brand itself; you will get confused because some folks here get passionated about their devices and they only give you pros, not cons. So, a short visit to Target or Best Buy, can give you a better idea of what you need or want.

[v1k1ng1001]

You are a nook color person it sounds like. It's a nice device, almost bought one myself.

[boswd]

Originally Posted by mtpaper

thanks but my dh does not want us to have wi-fi in the house.

ouch, tough, then that limits your choice to a 3G connection and these eink devices are very clumsy and bulky when it comes to web browsing.

Hmm tough one.

[speedtouch]

Originally Posted by mtpaper

- access to gmail and the web while away from home, without paying a monthly charge

That's going to be impossible unless you connect to wifi spots away from home. If you want to check email and surf while in the car going down the highway, you must get 3G which will cost you.

[ProfCrash]

Originally Posted by speedtouch

That's going to be impossible unless you connect to wifi spots away from home. If you want to check email and surf while in the car going down the highway, you must get 3G which will cost you.

Not on a Kindle it doesn't. Plenty of folks use their Kindle browsers to check GMail and it is free.

The problem is there is no one ereader that does all the things that she wants.

The Kindle has the 3G browser for email, does an ok job with PDF's, but cannot be used at the library.

The Sony has thebest PDF functionality, can be used at the library but does not have the 3G.

The Nook Color has good PDF capabilities, can be used at the library, the color would probably help with knitting patterns, but it is WiFi only so it does not meet her GMail requirement.

Only the OP can decide what features are most important to her and decide on a browser based on that. I would guess that the Sony or Nook Color are the best fit for her but I don't know how important the GMail thing is.

[speedtouch]

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

Not on a Kindle it doesn't. Plenty of folks use their Kindle browsers to check GMail and it is free.

Holy moly, I didn't know that! Very interesting. Thanks for the correction.

[boswd]

Originally Posted by speedtouch

Holy moly, I didn't know that! Very interesting. Thanks for the correction.

same with the nook classic, both the kindle and the nook have a web browser.
3G is free.

Not sure if the Sony 950 has a web broswer or not.