Getting an ebook for wife for her birthday

Schmots · 04-29-2008, 04:14 PM

I have a sony 505. Is there any compelling reason to get her a kindle over getting her a sony? I already have over a thousand ebooks that are or can be converted to sony format. most of the original .lit files I still have as well. She wants to be able to read most of the books in my e-library, only 1 of which is locked by drm, so thats not an issue. Do I get her the sony which I know is good and costs almost 150 bucks less, or is there reasonable points to the kindle.

NatCh · 04-29-2008, 04:25 PM

The advantages that the Kindle has over the Sony are:

wireless book purchase/delivery
keyboard for annotation
access to the web
(non-DRM) Mobipocket support

I'm sure others will point out any I've missed, but those are the high points in my estimation.

The Sony's advantages over the Kindle are:

smaller size (overall, the displays are the same, of course)
longer battery life
more formats that it supports

Again: I'm sure others will ... etc.

If the advantages of the Kindle seem like they're worth it for what she wants to do, then go for it. If not, don't. That's my advice.

DaleDe · 04-29-2008, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NatCh

The advantages that the Kindle has over the Sony are:

wireless book purchase/delivery
keyboard for annotation
access to the web
(non-DRM) Mobipocket support

I'm sure others will point out any I've missed, but those are the high points in my estimation.

The Sony's advantages over the Kindle are:

smaller size (overall, the displays are the same, of course)
longer battery life
more formats that it supports

Again: I'm sure others will ... etc.

If the advantages of the Kindle seem like they're worth it for what she wants to do, then go for it. If not, don't. That's my advice.

to the Kindle list add:

dictionary support
search using keyboard
a sliding bar to improve and ease selection
online bookshelf conversion.
seven font sized (vs. three)

Elsi · 04-29-2008, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmots

I have a sony 505. Is there any compelling reason to get her a kindle over getting her a sony? I already have over a thousand ebooks that are or can be converted to sony format. most of the original .lit files I still have as well. She wants to be able to read most of the books in my e-library, only 1 of which is locked by drm, so thats not an issue. Do I get her the sony which I know is good and costs almost 150 bucks less, or is there reasonable points to the kindle.

While I dearly love my Kindle, I know that I could be happy with the Sony 505. You can make the case that a second Sony is worthwhile because it will be so easy to share books. But, given that you have most of your eBooks in .lit format means that it wouldn't be all that difficult to generate the .prc or .mobi format files to be used on the Kindle. And, after all, wouldn't it be cool to be able to list both in the "devices" part of your profile here at MobileRead?

Taylor514ce · 04-29-2008, 06:23 PM

I opted for the Sony, because it was cheaper and was available. The extra features of the Kindle were not something I would actually use, much, and so weren't worth the extra money. Others feel very strongly otherwise, so make your own informed decision.

There is another factor though that argues FOR the Kindle, if your wife reads mainly new bestsellers. Amazon is routinely cheaper than Sony for content. Even the same book from the same publisher can be US$10 on Amazon and US$17 on Sony, and Sony is not responsive - they won't lower their price when you point out the disparity.

So, if you want to be able to buy the latest new books, that difference alone may make up the price difference between the Kindle and Sony.

DaleDe · 04-29-2008, 06:48 PM

Besides, if she really wants the Sony you can trade her. If you buy a Sony and she really wants a Kindle what are you going to do?

Dale

DDHarriman · 04-29-2008, 07:22 PM

I think you are thinking correctly.

Build on the synergy and get a second Sony, you have already available eBooks in Sony format and you can easily convert into it's format new ones.
Also with 2 you save in peripherals (one charger, not 2 to buy and carry), understanding the strengths and weaknesses of the reader is easier and sharing is easier.

And for the price… Go for it, your lady will love the birthday present.

Shenzhov · 04-29-2008, 08:27 PM

I have a Sony 505 and have had a Kindle the better part of a week now. A lot of reasons have been given above so I won't repeat those, just let me say that I like my Kindle much more than my 505. It's just easier to use I think than the Sony, not to mention that the Kindle software is faster by far than the 505. Book load times and boot times are much faster. The built in dictionary is very handy also.

Not having to deal with the Connect Store software is a huge plus to me. I hate the connect software, it's slow and a pain to use.

Anyway, my 2 cents worth. Whatever you get I'm sure you will be happy with it.

weatherman · 04-29-2008, 11:05 PM

Kindle II would be my vote; get her the Sony now, upgrade her when the hardware is as good as the service for Kindle.

pilotbob · 04-29-2008, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shenzhov

Not having to deal with the Connect Store software is a huge plus to me. I hate the connect software, it's slow and a pain to use.

With the 505 you don't need the software at all... unless you are buying from the Connect Store... which I think alot of Sony users are NOT doing. Myself a case in point.

BOb

Alisa · 04-30-2008, 02:48 AM

I don't think the OP is buying much from the Connect store from the sound of it. I'm guessing Fictionwise. These days their prices are quite competitive with Amazon. You might be able to save a bit at Amazon if you didn't want to do the club thing but then the only way to read the books on the Sony would be to use the DRM-removal tool. That seems to currently work for most titles but I do wonder if Amazon will shift to uncracked formats over time. Of course that would still leave you with .lit + conversion for both.

HarryT · 04-30-2008, 04:15 AM

May I ask why you are only considering the Sony and the Kindle? Why not the Gen3 which is (IMHO) a device that's superior to either?

It is, for example, the only one of the three which allows you to load your own fonts - an extremely valueable facility. It also has excellent dictionary lookup facility, with a choice of hundreds of different dictionaries available.

Schmots · 04-30-2008, 08:23 AM

I was only considering the sony or the kindle because A) I have a sony so I now that all but one or two of my books I can put on my wifes reader B) the kindle just for the better book support from amazon.

However I went forward with the Sony for her. All in all with the price difference and the huge eLibrary I already have, the kindle wasn't worth the extra. Maybe at kindle II we can upgrade or something.

pilotbob · 04-30-2008, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

May I ask why you are only considering the Sony and the Kindle? Why not the Gen3 which is (IMHO) a device that's superior to either?

That's your opinion? Well, I didn't know that.

HarryT · 04-30-2008, 12:39 PM

It is! Obviously I need to say it more often if you were unclear about it!

04-29-2008, 04:14 PM	#1
Schmots Connoisseur Posts: 79 Karma: 15 Join Date: Apr 2008 Device: nook, prs-505, iphone	Getting an ebook for wife for her birthday I have a sony 505. Is there any compelling reason to get her a kindle over getting her a sony? I already have over a thousand ebooks that are or can be converted to sony format. most of the original .lit files I still have as well. She wants to be able to read most of the books in my e-library, only 1 of which is locked by drm, so thats not an issue. Do I get her the sony which I know is good and costs almost 150 bucks less, or is there reasonable points to the kindle.

04-29-2008, 04:25 PM	#2
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	The advantages that the Kindle has over the Sony are: wireless book purchase/delivery keyboard for annotation access to the web (non-DRM) Mobipocket support I'm sure others will point out any I've missed, but those are the high points in my estimation. The Sony's advantages over the Kindle are: smaller size (overall, the displays are the same, of course) longer battery life more formats that it supports Again: I'm sure others will ... etc. If the advantages of the Kindle seem like they're worth it for what she wants to do, then go for it. If not, don't. That's my advice.

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04-29-2008, 06:23 PM	#5
Taylor514ce Actively passive. Posts: 2,042 Karma: 478376 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: US Device: Sony PRS-505/LC	I opted for the Sony, because it was cheaper and was available. The extra features of the Kindle were not something I would actually use, much, and so weren't worth the extra money. Others feel very strongly otherwise, so make your own informed decision. There is another factor though that argues FOR the Kindle, if your wife reads mainly new bestsellers. Amazon is routinely cheaper than Sony for content. Even the same book from the same publisher can be US$10 on Amazon and US$17 on Sony, and Sony is not responsive - they won't lower their price when you point out the disparity. So, if you want to be able to buy the latest new books, that difference alone may make up the price difference between the Kindle and Sony.

04-29-2008, 06:48 PM	#6
DaleDe Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,470 Karma: 13095790 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Grass Valley, CA Device: EB 1150, EZ Reader, Literati, iPad 2 & Air 2, iPhone 7	Besides, if she really wants the Sony you can trade her. If you buy a Sony and she really wants a Kindle what are you going to do? Dale

04-29-2008, 07:22 PM	#7
DDHarriman Guru Posts: 860 Karma: 4380 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Almada, Portugal Device: Cybook Gen3, Sony PRS 505, Kindle DXG and Samsung Galaxy Note	I think you are thinking correctly. Build on the synergy and get a second Sony, you have already available eBooks in Sony format and you can easily convert into it's format new ones. Also with 2 you save in peripherals (one charger, not 2 to buy and carry), understanding the strengths and weaknesses of the reader is easier and sharing is easier. And for the price… Go for it, your lady will love the birthday present.

04-29-2008, 08:27 PM	#8
Shenzhov Enthusiast Posts: 27 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Southern California Device: Kindle 2	I have a Sony 505 and have had a Kindle the better part of a week now. A lot of reasons have been given above so I won't repeat those, just let me say that I like my Kindle much more than my 505. It's just easier to use I think than the Sony, not to mention that the Kindle software is faster by far than the 505. Book load times and boot times are much faster. The built in dictionary is very handy also. Not having to deal with the Connect Store software is a huge plus to me. I hate the connect software, it's slow and a pain to use. Anyway, my 2 cents worth. Whatever you get I'm sure you will be happy with it.

04-29-2008, 11:05 PM	#9
weatherman Addict Posts: 385 Karma: 1010052 Join Date: Apr 2008 Device: (previous: Kindle 2, Kindle Fire) Kindle 4 WiFi, K3K, KPW	Kindle II would be my vote; get her the Sony now, upgrade her when the hardware is as good as the service for Kindle.

04-30-2008, 02:48 AM	#11
Alisa Gadget Geek Posts: 2,324 Karma: 22221 Join Date: Aug 2007 Device: Paperwhite, Kindle 3 (retired), Skindle 1.2 (retired)	I don't think the OP is buying much from the Connect store from the sound of it. I'm guessing Fictionwise. These days their prices are quite competitive with Amazon. You might be able to save a bit at Amazon if you didn't want to do the club thing but then the only way to read the books on the Sony would be to use the DRM-removal tool. That seems to currently work for most titles but I do wonder if Amazon will shift to uncracked formats over time. Of course that would still leave you with .lit + conversion for both.

04-30-2008, 04:15 AM	#12
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	May I ask why you are only considering the Sony and the Kindle? Why not the Gen3 which is (IMHO) a device that's superior to either? It is, for example, the only one of the three which allows you to load your own fonts - an extremely valueable facility. It also has excellent dictionary lookup facility, with a choice of hundreds of different dictionaries available.

04-30-2008, 08:23 AM	#13
Schmots Connoisseur Posts: 79 Karma: 15 Join Date: Apr 2008 Device: nook, prs-505, iphone	I was only considering the sony or the kindle because A) I have a sony so I now that all but one or two of my books I can put on my wifes reader B) the kindle just for the better book support from amazon. However I went forward with the Sony for her. All in all with the price difference and the huge eLibrary I already have, the kindle wasn't worth the extra. Maybe at kindle II we can upgrade or something.

04-30-2008, 12:39 PM	#15
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	It is! Obviously I need to say it more often if you were unclear about it!

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