Digital Book Reader?

[inky]

Any suggestions on which digital book reader to get? I'm leaning towards Kindle but I also want something that has color (for photography/art books and mags). That leads me towards getting a Nook but the price is kind of high - although I am willing to buy it if it's really all that.

So far what I'm looking for in a digital reader:
-Decent price $150 or less if possible
-Long battery life (decent charging time)
-Colored screen
-Wifi
-Important** Something that I can read a .pdf file on (or convert to)

...Ah...wrong section >.< Please move to OTL. Thanks

[ltsune]

I know you're saying you want one with a colored screen, but for your own sake, find out if you want this device as a reader, or some multimedia thingy.

If you want to read books for real. Long books like Harry Potter or whatever, you should definitely get one of those readers with that black ink technology (I think it's e-ink or e-paper), or whatever it's called. You know, where there is no actual background light on the screen itself.
First of all, the battery is amazing on such readers, and secondly, your eyes won't start hurting after 6 hours of reading.

[inky]

I might actually just settle with a b/w reader like the Kindle. If I need to read books about photography or anything that might require color, I can always revisit the pdf source if I have to. Now all I'm worried about is whether or not I can use my pdf books on the kindle.

[MrJoey]

http://askville.amazon.com/read-PDF-fil ... d=12972464

[inky]

I've been seeing a couple of guides on how to convert but some of them states they're not foolproof. That hack seems pretty reliable from the looks of it. Thanks!

Gonna get a Kindle.

[Skyve]

(I think it's e-ink or e-paper), or whatever it's called. You know, where there is no actual background light on the screen itself.
First of all, the battery is amazing on such readers, and secondly, your eyes won't start hurting after 6 hours of reading.

Oh that's what it is. I always see people with Kindles on the train and always wondered how the screen looked so much like an actual page.

[inky]

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Barnes+%26+ ... Id=1051213

Buying this one tomorrow. Supports PDF, color touchscreen, 7-10 days battery life.

[ltsune]

(I think it's e-ink or e-paper), or whatever it's called. You know, where there is no actual background light on the screen itself.
First of all, the battery is amazing on such readers, and secondly, your eyes won't start hurting after 6 hours of reading.

Oh that's what it is. I always see people with Kindles on the train and always wondered how the screen looked so much like an actual page.

Yep, it's very smart!

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Barnes+%26+Noble+-+NOOK+WiFi+eReader+-+White/White/1051213.p?id=1218213574144&skuId=1051213

Buying this one tomorrow. Supports PDF, color touchscreen, 7-10 days battery life.

Good choice. Please update this thread when you've actually got it, and used it for some hours. I would like to know what you think about it!

[inky]

Will do.

[Nantosh]

You understand, I'm sure, that the only colour touchscreen area of that e-reader is the small bottom screen? The dominating 6inch screen uses e-ink technology and has no touch sensitive capabilities. Also, the bottom screen is only used for navigation, and that is all. NO READING OF BOOKS/MAGAZINES.

The new nook soon to be released is touchscreen however, though there is no second screen and it is also e-ink. It also has a battery life of 2 months.

The nook colour, on the other hand, is fully touch sensitive and boasts a colour lcd display. It has a battery life of two days or so.

[inky]

You understand, I'm sure, that the only colour touchscreen area of that e-reader is the small bottom screen? The dominating 6inch screen uses e-ink technology and has no touch sensitive capabilities. Also, the bottom screen is only used for navigation, and that is all. NO READING OF BOOKS/MAGAZINES.

The new nook soon to be released is touchscreen however, though there is no second screen and it is also e-ink. It also has a battery life of 2 months.

The nook colour, on the other hand, is fully touch sensitive and boasts a colour lcd display. It has a battery life of two days or so.

Yeah, I did some more comparisons and it seems like the images on the website are a bit misleading. I'm fine with it since, like I said, I can always go back to the .PDF on my computer if I really need to look at something in color. I have the money for it but I really don't think it's worth spending that much for it - if I wanted LCD color display and a touchscreen, I could've just settled with an iPad.

Also, from Gelaskins:




Anyway, Best Buy opens in like 2 hours. I'm still gonna ask around for a demo of the other products just in case I missed anything but my eyes are set on this thing.

[only_me]

Code: Select all

[inky]

LOL. Never actually listened to an audiobook before. I want to try it but I think that kills the purpose of reading which is a form of mental exercise and learning (or entertainment).

I'm the type of person who would dump a book in the garbage bin if I think it's complete crap. I've done it in the past and will continue to do so -- all of them were given to me as a gift.

[inky]

Good choice. Please update this thread when you've actually got it, and used it for some hours. I would like to know what you think about it!

So far it's AWESOME! I can just copy-paste any PDF books I downloaded directly to it. Takes me about 3 seconds to upload a couple of books. The screen itself is B/W and it does have a paper-like screen and text. The downside is that there is no backlight option so you have to find an external light source or buy one of those usb night lights for eReaders. It's a simple item, relatively cheap compared to some eReaders and it does what it's supposed to do.

[MrTwilliger]

I have a question to ask for anyone with a bit of e-book experience. In regards to your average paper book novel, do you find them readily available in digital form? I read quite a bit and have often thought about buying an e-reader, but have always pushed the idea away by assuming that I would be limited in what I can actually read (I'd only purchase e-books, nothing illegal).

And more specifically at Inky, does it still feel like your reading a book? To me I feel a big difference between paper novels and anything I read on my monitor/phone. Does your e-reader help to break down the contrast between the two mediums?

[Skyve]

I have a question to ask for anyone with a bit of e-book experience. In regards to your average paper book novel, do you find them readily available in digital form? I read quite a bit and have often thought about buying an e-reader, but have always pushed the idea away by assuming that I would be limited in what I can actually read (I'd only purchase e-books, nothing illegal).

And more specifically at Inky, does it still feel like your reading a book? To me I feel a big difference between paper novels and anything I read on my monitor/phone. Does your e-reader help to break down the contrast between the two mediums?

I know the question isn't directed at me but the e-Ink technology makes it look so much like a book. Exact same opacity (for the font) as in a book only on a flat surface. Quite the mindfuck when you see it for the first time.

[inky]

I have a question to ask for anyone with a bit of e-book experience. In regards to your average paper book novel, do you find them readily available in digital form? I read quite a bit and have often thought about buying an e-reader, but have always pushed the idea away by assuming that I would be limited in what I can actually read (I'd only purchase e-books, nothing illegal).

And more specifically at Inky, does it still feel like your reading a book? To me I feel a big difference between paper novels and anything I read on my monitor/phone. Does your e-reader help to break down the contrast between the two mediums?

As someone who actually enjoys holding an actual book while reading, I have to say that it definitely is worth it. I can't say it beats actually having a book but it does a good job at giving a book-like feel. The texture of the screen -- everything about it seems like you're actually reading from paper, as Ex mentioned. I would definitely recommend getting one -- it will pay for itself within the first 5 minutes of downloading eBooks (not really that legal of course). I just got it yesterday and it already has 60+ books in it. So far, every book I was searching for came in digital form. I downloaded some classic novels, a few new ones, some instructional books, and some educational ones. Definitely worth it.

[inky]

One annoying downside is that even though I edited the titles of the some of the books, they show up differently on the documents list. Not really that big of an issue unless you're the obsessive type when it comes to details but that can always be remedied by creating digital "book shelves". Besides, it was a free download So you're bound to get some of that for not paying $20 for a book.

[MrTwilliger]

I'm just bumping this thread here, I was going to create my own but thought it would be more appropriate to necro this one.

You've been using your ereader for a few months now, has it lived up to your expectations? In 2 weeks time I'm going to be buying an ereader, I need one for work that is able to view PDF docs, preferably in colour but not really a necessity. I'm currently doing my microsoft certifications and I have my textbooks (2 so far, 5-6 more to come down the track) in PDF form. Im looking for something that I can store them on and view on the run, so I can do revision or look up any information for work instantly.

Would you recommend the one you got? Or is there any other ereaders than anyone here would recommend? PDF compatible is an absolute must, btw. Price doesn't matter at all either, since it's for work purposes (I will also use it as a replacement for my book too, though) I can claim it on tax and I get all my money reimbursed in July next year.

Edit: Just did a bit of quite research on the nook, and found both the newest colour version and the black & white version. Anyone had any experience with these? The nook colour looks pretty awesome, the 2 day battery life isn't really all that short either, considering I'd have no issues charging it every night. 8 GB storage seems a bit low, though.

[inky]

Yes. One of the best things I've ever purchased. Been reading several books from novels to textbooks. Heck, I bought one for my girlfriend as a pre-birthday gift lol. Although my outdated nook has served its purpose quite well, I would recommend getting the new version of the Simple Touch Reader (not in color) because it's much lighter, it's entirely touchscreen, the refresh rate is faster (~0.5 sec if that matters), browsing through the library with a touch screen is much easier, and the price is very reasonable.

Although I doubt it matters, compared to the older version, the simple reader does not have an internet browser and mp3 audio speakers; then again, I personally have never used them - I have a phone, a laptop, an iPod, and a PS3 to do all that. The newer version also seems to be much more durable and less fragile. I know this because my cousin, who lives next door, owns one.

Not sure about the color since I've never used one that long. I like the B/W e-ink/paper feel when reading. As for memory, you use a Micro SD card to expand it beyond 8GB but trust me, you probably won't have to. Each e-book that has about >1000 pages only takes 0.7 to 4 megabytes on average depending on format and content.

http://nooktalk.net/how-to/how-to-add-a ... o-the-nook

And Yes...it accepts everything from EPUBB to PDF and even Word documents.

http://gizmodo.com/5807381/barnes-and-n ... r-you-want

Not sure about Kindle but they came out with some new products recently.

[MrTwilliger]

Colour is a big turn on for me, as I'm planning to create all of my study notes in PDF format and save them to the ereader. When I study, I use a lot of colour to help my memory in different ways, certain colours make me clarify information and others highlight more important and needed figures. I've kind of talked myself into buying the colour one haha >_<

Your reviews are pretty re-assuring though, I will take a trip down to the electronics store on the weekend to give one a try if at all possible than buy it online

EDIT: The choices are getting harder after reading reviews. Apparently, the colour in bad in high-light situations and can glare a bit. The non colour is bad in low light situations. For $250, I'd be getting a less functional tablet and I could just fork out the extra money and get a tablet to read books with. But by doing so, it sacrifices portability. Bah >_>

[inky]

I can definitely say that tablet is not the same as an actual e-reader - the non-color at least. The B/W are as bad in low light as books are; IMO, not really an issue unless you're Batman and you live in a dark cave. A regular light bulb in the room can solve that. Otherwise, you can pick up a cheap portable light for the nook - kind of like the ones for the old Game Boy Color. I used to have a plastic screen protector that gave me about >50% more glare when reading in direct sunlight but I could simply tilt it and problem solved - it's like reading a glossy magazine/book. I took off the screen protector eventually so now I get almost no glare at all from direct sunlight and none from artificial light.

Unfortunately, the Nook Color does not use e-ink; it uses LCD so, like any tablet, it is fully backlit and does not have the feel of an actual book. However, the screen was apparently designed to have less glare, according to some websites, so it has less eyestrain than a regular monitor -- not really sure about that since the whole point of having an e-reader, IMO, is the e-ink screen. I would definitely suggest trying it out first.

If you have some B&N stores around your area, they probably have the nook readers on display for people to try out - BestBuy also has them but half the machines there are out of battery.

[Mirosuke]

Been on BestBuy some days ago, and I bought a Tablet.
I have to say that I've been browsing e-readers section, and I was blown away as it was my first time manipulating one.
If you gonna use it for hard reading, only and exclusively reading get an e-reader, not a tablet. I am not sure about the color, but I think it will stress your eyes (or at least tablets do if you stay reading for a long).
Get a decent e-reader powered by e-ink. They are so comfortable for the eyes, lightweight and they look nice in any kind of lightening. Obviously, you don't read book in the dark so... and even if you do with a back-lit device, it is bad for your eyes.

Good luck.

[Miguez]

I'm interested in buying an ebook reader aswell. Thought it wasn't worth a new thread.

Can't decide between getting the Kindle 4th Gen + a Lamp for 150€ or the SONY PRS-T1 and no lamp for 160€.