Second Device: Another Reader or the Kindle

Nomad83 · 03-26-2008, 01:20 PM

Thought I'd throw this out there and get any feedback from others who may be in a similar situation.

My wife's bday is coming up in a couple months, and I'm thinking about getting her an e-ink based reader of her own (and thus reclaiming my PRS505). So here's my dilemma: a second reader or a kindle...

1) I could get another reader: Seems logical (and cheaper)...already have about $100 worth of content, plus the free classics, and would get another 100 free classics with the new reader. Same accessories, etc. Be able to read the same books at the same time. Plus I'm pretty sure she'd favor the looks/design of the sony. Lots of PDF's to be read (no conversion costs).

2) Go for it and get the kindle: could trade devices based on current book being read. Access to both libraries. Wikipedia and Blogs, and Magazine/Newpapers. Auto updates over whispernet. I have a couple months to wait...

If this were something like an iPod, I could understand having to share the same library to listen to the same music (may go through the same 100 tracks in a day), but books are different, in a one at a time way, so overlap isnt as much an issue. Also, i worry that I'd end up stealing her kindle...

pilotbob · 03-26-2008, 02:42 PM

I guess my answer would be, it depends...

If you have DRM'ed books from the Sony store... and she and you read the same books, even if only 50% overlap... it seems to make sense to get another Sony Reader.

Other than that... if I was buying another one right now, I would probably get a Kindle, even knowing it's downsides.

Then again, I might get a CyBook... since Mobi books seem to be plentiful. My understanding is you can't use DRMed Mobi books on a Kindle... is that correct?

Giving the Wife the Sony if you get a Kindle, would be "ok" as long as this ISN'T a b-day gift.

BOb

Alisa · 03-26-2008, 03:59 PM

A few things that might affect your decision:

Conversions can be free for the Kindle. The $0.10 charge is only for transferring the files over the wireless connection. You can convert files for free two ways. 1. You can email the file to name@free.kindle.com rather than name@kindle.com. They send the converted file back to you and you load it via USB. 2. You can use the free Mobipocket software. PDF conversions vary as to the quality, though. IME straight text usually works out well. Graphics like charts and tables often don't.

Kindle can read DRM-ed Mobipocket books with igorsk's hack.

Kindle .azw and Mobipocket books can have the DRM removed with thedarkreverser's scripts. There is another format at Amazon called .tpz which I've heard cannot. I don't have any myself. I don't know how many of their books are .tpz.

Public Domain and Creative Commons books can be had for free at many sites for both devices.

There are other bookstores besides Amazon and Connect where you can buy books that can work or be converted to work for either device.

My understanding is that currently there is no way to convert Connect books for other devices.

Alisa · 03-26-2008, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pilotbob

If you have DRM'ed books from the Sony store... and she and you read the same books, even if only 50% overlap... it seems to make sense to get another Sony Reader.

To me, that would depend on how many of them she hasn't read yet. I wouldn't let a couple of books make the decision for me especially since they aren't giving up the Sony Reader they already have.

RWood · 03-26-2008, 04:44 PM

First off you need to realize that you can't win.

If you get another Reader then the Kindle will seem like what you should have gotten. If you get the Kindle then both of you will favor one device over the other and you will need to buy another one of that design.

For me it is easy, she does not like the Amazon web site. When she wants a pbook from there she asks me to order it for her.

Taylor514ce · 03-26-2008, 04:47 PM

Or it might boil down to which device you can actually acquire in the time frame you desire.

Barcey · 03-26-2008, 06:07 PM

Don't give her the hand me down, it might get chilly in bed. Get her the latest and greatest. Remember you have a birthday coming too. Maybe the Sony 510 will be out then.

pilotbob · 03-26-2008, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barcey

Don't give her the hand me down, it might get chilly in bed. Get her the latest and greatest. Remember you have a birthday coming too. Maybe the Sony 510 will be out then.

Hmm... I got the wife a new laptop for her B-day. Think I can score a Kindle for mine? Although I also want an HP Mediasmart home server. Hmm?

brecklundin · 03-27-2008, 01:22 AM

your poll actually highlights an issue I have about ereader devices in general. Outfitting a family of 4+ people is a mega-buck or more...even if you go with just a Sony solution @ $200/pop for the PRS500.

Four Kindles cost a total of $1600 w/o any content.

That said...buy her a Kindle AND subscription to a couple of her fav magazines or something...oh, and also give her a nice foot rub...or whatever else works for her...

If she does not like the Kindle, swap with her later.

Of course you could add a copy of the Kama Sutra to the Kindle for her reading, ahem, pleasure...

MoSo · 03-30-2008, 06:24 PM

I have a Kindle, which the spouse keeps stealing, and I'm probably going to get him his own. I'm tempted to get something else just so I can play with both, but it really makes more sense to be able to share a library. The flip side of that is that our reading tastes are somewhat divergent (with a few overlapping sets), so two separate libraries might not be that much of an issue. He's also more likely to need customer files sent to his reader than I am, so that might change things as well. We'll give it another month with this one and see.

Elsi · 03-30-2008, 10:09 PM

I'm seriously considering getting a second Kindle for my daughter. We read many of the same books -- though I can't convince her that Science Fiction makes good reading. We could share content, provide backup for each other, etc. First, though, I'm going to have to part with my Kindle for two weeks and loan it to her to make sure she enjoys reading with the device.

pilotbob · 03-31-2008, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elsi

I'm seriously considering getting a second Kindle for my daughter. We read many of the same books -- though I can't convince her that Science Fiction makes good reading. We could share content, provide backup for each other, etc. First, though, I'm going to have to part with my Kindle for two weeks and loan it to her to make sure she enjoys reading with the device.

Most of what I read is SF/Fantasy. HINT HINT!

BOb

Elsi · 03-31-2008, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pilotbob

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elsi

I'm seriously considering getting a second Kindle for my daughter. We read many of the same books -- though I can't convince her that Science Fiction makes good reading. We could share content, provide backup for each other, etc. First, though, I'm going to have to part with my Kindle for two weeks and loan it to her to make sure she enjoys reading with the device.

Most of what I read is SF/Fantasy. HINT HINT!

Are you young enough to be adopted? And are you prepared to take care of your adoptive parents in their dotage?

pilotbob · 03-31-2008, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elsi

Are you young enough to be adopted? And are you prepared to take care of your adoptive parents in their dotage?

Your only as young as you feel. I'm sure when the time comes I'll be able to "take care" of you... once your will is sorted!

BOb

edsohsmith · 04-02-2008, 03:39 PM

I got my wife a Sony reader PRS 505 about three months after I got mine. She loves it. We can either share Sony content or share content that I have bought in Lit format and converted (conversion does not have to be done twice), or we can share free content that I have hunted for (such as the New Yorker or NY Times from Librs 500 or the content from blogs from feedbooks).

My wife is not one to convert anything on her own, so an identical machine was essential. I think the only reason to get two different types of machines is to satisfy gadget lust. Two Kindles or two Readers makes the most sense to me.

View Poll Results: For the Wife: Second Reader or a New Kindle
Get Another Reader and Share the Content!	25	49.02%
Get a New Kindle and Have Access to Both!	13	25.49%
Get a Kindle and Give Her the Reader!	11	21.57%
An Eink Device for her Bday!? How about flowers...	2	3.92%
Voters: 51. You may not vote on this poll

03-26-2008, 01:20 PM	#1
Nomad83 Junior Member Posts: 6 Karma: 13 Join Date: Dec 2007 Device: Sony Reader PRS-505	Second Device: Another Reader or the Kindle Thought I'd throw this out there and get any feedback from others who may be in a similar situation. My wife's bday is coming up in a couple months, and I'm thinking about getting her an e-ink based reader of her own (and thus reclaiming my PRS505). So here's my dilemma: a second reader or a kindle... 1) I could get another reader: Seems logical (and cheaper)...already have about $100 worth of content, plus the free classics, and would get another 100 free classics with the new reader. Same accessories, etc. Be able to read the same books at the same time. Plus I'm pretty sure she'd favor the looks/design of the sony. Lots of PDF's to be read (no conversion costs). 2) Go for it and get the kindle: could trade devices based on current book being read. Access to both libraries. Wikipedia and Blogs, and Magazine/Newpapers. Auto updates over whispernet. I have a couple months to wait... If this were something like an iPod, I could understand having to share the same library to listen to the same music (may go through the same 100 tracks in a day), but books are different, in a one at a time way, so overlap isnt as much an issue. Also, i worry that I'd end up stealing her kindle...

03-27-2008, 01:22 AM	#9
brecklundin Banned Posts: 1,906 Karma: 15348 Join Date: Jun 2007 Device: mine	your poll actually highlights an issue I have about ereader devices in general. Outfitting a family of 4+ people is a mega-buck or more...even if you go with just a Sony solution @ $200/pop for the PRS500. Four Kindles cost a total of $1600 w/o any content. That said...buy her a Kindle AND subscription to a couple of her fav magazines or something...oh, and also give her a nice foot rub...or whatever else works for her... If she does not like the Kindle, swap with her later. Of course you could add a copy of the Kama Sutra to the Kindle for her reading, ahem, pleasure... Last edited by brecklundin; 03-27-2008 at 01:25 AM.

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03-26-2008, 02:42 PM	#2
pilotbob Grand Sorcerer Posts: 19,832 Karma: 11844413 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Tampa, FL USA Device: Kindle Touch	I guess my answer would be, it depends... If you have DRM'ed books from the Sony store... and she and you read the same books, even if only 50% overlap... it seems to make sense to get another Sony Reader. Other than that... if I was buying another one right now, I would probably get a Kindle, even knowing it's downsides. Then again, I might get a CyBook... since Mobi books seem to be plentiful. My understanding is you can't use DRMed Mobi books on a Kindle... is that correct? Giving the Wife the Sony if you get a Kindle, would be "ok" as long as this ISN'T a b-day gift. BOb

03-26-2008, 03:59 PM	#3
Alisa Gadget Geek Posts: 2,324 Karma: 22221 Join Date: Aug 2007 Device: Paperwhite, Kindle 3 (retired), Skindle 1.2 (retired)	A few things that might affect your decision: Conversions can be free for the Kindle. The $0.10 charge is only for transferring the files over the wireless connection. You can convert files for free two ways. 1. You can email the file to name@free.kindle.com rather than name@kindle.com. They send the converted file back to you and you load it via USB. 2. You can use the free Mobipocket software. PDF conversions vary as to the quality, though. IME straight text usually works out well. Graphics like charts and tables often don't. Kindle can read DRM-ed Mobipocket books with igorsk's hack. Kindle .azw and Mobipocket books can have the DRM removed with thedarkreverser's scripts. There is another format at Amazon called .tpz which I've heard cannot. I don't have any myself. I don't know how many of their books are .tpz. Public Domain and Creative Commons books can be had for free at many sites for both devices. There are other bookstores besides Amazon and Connect where you can buy books that can work or be converted to work for either device. My understanding is that currently there is no way to convert Connect books for other devices.

03-26-2008, 04:44 PM	#5
RWood Technogeezer Posts: 7,233 Karma: 1601464 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Virginia, USA Device: Sony PRS-500	First off you need to realize that you can't win. If you get another Reader then the Kindle will seem like what you should have gotten. If you get the Kindle then both of you will favor one device over the other and you will need to buy another one of that design. For me it is easy, she does not like the Amazon web site. When she wants a pbook from there she asks me to order it for her.

03-26-2008, 04:47 PM	#6
Taylor514ce Actively passive. Posts: 2,042 Karma: 478376 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: US Device: Sony PRS-505/LC	Or it might boil down to which device you can actually acquire in the time frame you desire.

03-26-2008, 06:07 PM	#7
Barcey Wizard Posts: 1,531 Karma: 8059866 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Canada Device: Kobo H2O / Aura HD / Glo / iPad3	Don't give her the hand me down, it might get chilly in bed. Get her the latest and greatest. Remember you have a birthday coming too. Maybe the Sony 510 will be out then.

03-30-2008, 06:24 PM	#10
MoSo Crankier than average Posts: 143 Karma: 345 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Southern Oregon mountains Device: Kindle #1, Kindle #2; internet appliance - The Chumby.	I have a Kindle, which the spouse keeps stealing, and I'm probably going to get him his own. I'm tempted to get something else just so I can play with both, but it really makes more sense to be able to share a library. The flip side of that is that our reading tastes are somewhat divergent (with a few overlapping sets), so two separate libraries might not be that much of an issue. He's also more likely to need customer files sent to his reader than I am, so that might change things as well. We'll give it another month with this one and see.

03-30-2008, 10:09 PM	#11
Elsi Wizard Posts: 2,366 Karma: 12000 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Texas, USA Device: Kindle; Sony PRS 505; Blackberry 8700C	I'm seriously considering getting a second Kindle for my daughter. We read many of the same books -- though I can't convince her that Science Fiction makes good reading. We could share content, provide backup for each other, etc. First, though, I'm going to have to part with my Kindle for two weeks and loan it to her to make sure she enjoys reading with the device.

04-02-2008, 03:39 PM	#15
edsohsmith Connoisseur Posts: 69 Karma: 11 Join Date: Oct 2007 Device: Sony PRS 505 (soon)	I got my wife a Sony reader PRS 505 about three months after I got mine. She loves it. We can either share Sony content or share content that I have bought in Lit format and converted (conversion does not have to be done twice), or we can share free content that I have hunted for (such as the New Yorker or NY Times from Librs 500 or the content from blogs from feedbooks). My wife is not one to convert anything on her own, so an identical machine was essential. I think the only reason to get two different types of machines is to satisfy gadget lust. Two Kindles or two Readers makes the most sense to me.

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