eReaders

[Angio333]

I am seriously thinking about buying either a Kindle or a Nook. Does anyone have either one of those? which one would you suggest and why?

If I buy the 3G model, can I "surf" the internet on them or is it "locked" so you can only go to their site to down load books. If you can "surf" the internet, is there a monthly charge?

Thanks

[disneysteve]

I am not a reader so keep that in mind regarding my response but I'm not a fan of single-use technology. While I realize a Kindle is cheaper, I would tremendously favor an iPad. It can be used as a Kindle or Nook with their apps but it is also a full-featured computer. You can surf the net, take pictures and HD video, send and receive e-mail, use Facetime to make video phonecalls over WiFi, play games, do work-related tasks, use GPS for maps and directions, and access the tens of thousands of other apps that are available for the device. On the Kindle or Nook, you can read and get a small assortment of games and stuff but the selection is tiny compared to the iPad.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

nook, and the ipad doesn't have the same screen e-ink reader technology. Never thought I'd like an ereader but I love it.

Why nook over kindle?

1. Nook handles books from library, amazon is starting too.
2. Nook can be taken into an BN bookstore and you are allowed to read a book for free for 30 minutes to decide to buy it.
3. You can read many different types of files on the nook but the kindle isn't as compatible.
4. New Nook is completely touch screen.

I'd love the new generation nook, but I can't justify it. I just got a nook last christmas and love it. Serious readers buy ereaders, non-serious readers can do it on the ipad stuff. I know because I've talked to people with ipads and if they read a lot they pull out their ereader. The difference is noticeable if you want a paper quality to the pages.

[NJDebbie]

All I can say is that I love my NOOK. You can share books with friends and it has a built in dictionary. I'm not sure if you can do the same with Kindle or if it has a dictionary.

[kork13]

I've got the kindle, and I absolutely love it. I don't mean to compete, but the 4 points LAL made actually ARE applicable for the kindle.
1) I don't have much access to a public library, so I don't know how widespread library interaction is... But the USAF has an online digital library that I can "borrow" an eBook from, download it, and in 3 weeks, the book just deletes ("returns") itself.
2) The Amazon store doesn't put a time limit on trial versions, it's just a shortened version of the book that you can download. Normally it's about 10 chapters or so, plenty to give you a taste of what the book is like.
3) I don't know the file types the Nook uses... But the Kindle can use .azw (amazon's eBooks), .pdf, .txt, .mobi, and .prc files, plus you can have .doc, .docx, .html, and image files (jpg, gif, png, bmp) converted for free by emailing it to your kindle. Basically, each kindle is assigned a unique email address... you email stuff directly to it, Amazon's system converts it if necessary, and it downloads to your kindle whenever you're connected to the internet. Entire process takes about 5 minutes, and it's probably the easiest way to get files added to your kindle if you don't buy them from Amazon. I actually LOVE this feature -- I've uploaded presentation notes to my kindle like this, then instead of having notecards, I've given hour-long lectures straight off my kindle.
4) I actually just discovered this today as I was looking at the spec's to give you some accurate detail here... Apparently the new versions of the Kindle got some significant upgrades... Besides being once again smaller, the Kindle Touch is fully touch-screen, and the Kindle Fire is both touch-screen and full-color. I know nothing about those, so I unfortunately can't comment on how good they may be.

ETA: Yes, the Kindle also does have an integrated dictionary... you scroll up and select the word, and it'll display the definition at the top of the screen, or you can open up the full dictionary for more definitions.

The selection of books is incredible, and if Amazon doesn't have one, you can request it, and they normally get it in a kindle version within a month or so (I've done that with 3 books so far). Plus, I can upload any PDF or mobi files I want, and the Kindle handles them just like any other book. btw, if you like classics, you can download lots of them for free (they're out of copyright) from the Gutenberg Project, Internet Archive, or OpenLibrary.

I understand the thought that it's a single-purpose item, but it does that extremely well. Very comfortable to use, the charge lasts forever (I normally go 2-4 weeks between charging, depending on usage...turn the wifi/3G off if you're not actively using it, as that will suck the battery life more than anything else), and as LAL said, the difference between reading off of an LCD screen (iPad) and off of an eReader like nook/kindle is significant. It's ok for a little while, but if you read alot, and for long periods at a time, the eReader will be easier on your eyes (and smaller/lighter/longer battery life to boot).

I don't know how nook handles internet, but the kindle has a browser function that you can basically do whatever you want on the web with. Understand that with at least the baseline versions of the Kindle, it's gonna be grayscale, and navigation is truthfully a little awkward with the directional button. But again, this is primarily a single-purpose item (an eReader) with a couple extra features (internet browsing). Also, if you have a 3G version, anywhere you can get either a cell-phone or wifi signal, you have access to the internet. The 3G connection is free, and Amazon has sworn up and down that it'll stay that way (though honestly I do wonder if/when it ever will be charged).

Bottom line: I love my Kindle. I'm sure the Nook is also a good product as well (sorry LAL, I didn't mean to try to completely "one-up" you, it's just easier to reference your comment ). If you don't mind the expense, you can also consider the iPad. So the best thing I could say is to just go out and try them. Go to BestBuy or wherever, and play with all of them, see which one you like the best.

[GrimJack]

I bought my mom a B&N Nook for Christmas because she could go in and get help locally (she lives in Montana, I live in Seattle, and my sister lives in Wyoming); when my cousin stopped by to visit her, he called me to help him get her a dictionary and I explained why I bought her the Nook (they went to B&N, problem solved). I love my mom but she is 89 years old - when she needs help, she needs help in person. She hated the Nook at first because it 'scared' her but now she does not understand how she got along w/o it (and she laughs at me for not having one yet).

My wife bought a Kindle and she loves it because she can download books from the Gutenberg Project and/or buy them as she needs them. It has 3G connectivity but currently we are struggling to get it to log into our home wi-fi network.

The technology for both is pretty simple and low power so I guess it might depend on how much help you want/need to go with your technology.

[disneysteve]

Just to be clear, both Kindle and Nook have iPad apps so whatever you can do on their devices you can do on the iPad. In fact, with the iPad you essentially get BOTH a Kindle and a Nook as a result. Again, I realize there is a price gap but you can also do things like post to saving advice. That's what I'm doing right now.

[MonkeyMama]

I am seriously thinking about buying either a Kindle or a Nook. Does anyone have either one of those? which one would you suggest and why?

If I buy the 3G model, can I "surf" the internet on them or is it "locked" so you can only go to their site to down load books. If you can "surf" the internet, is there a monthly charge?

Thanks

We have both a kindle and a nook in my household.

My dh got a free kindle, and got me hooked on the ereader. I much preferred the nook because I could get library books and because it had a touch screen. I also like that the books look more like traditional books on the nook (page #s, etc.). As hooked as I got to the kindle, I couldn't stand that it did not have a touch screen, etc. All that said, these points are pretty moot today. Kindle now has a touch screen, and they just got their act together as far as library books (literally just in the last few weeks). Meaning, you can easily check out ebooks for both nook and kindle now, at the library. The library of course has a FAR better selection of books for check out than any *free* options that either offer otherwise.

I am not a fan of other computer types items for ereaders - I would personally only buy an ereader that had e-ink technology (MUCH easier on the eyes). Though obviously if you had an iPad (& didn't mind the computer screen), there would be no reason to buy an ereader.

For the kindle there is no monthly charge for 3G (don't think nook has 3G?). The internet is pretty painful to use. Meaning, the only reason you would probably use it is to download books. I've played with the internet on both (wifi), but it's not very functional or useful. But it's NICE if you are out and about and need to download some reading material.

[snafu]

Books and space for more bookcases has been an issue since we downsized from house to condo. I had a Kindle for a little more than a year but got frustrated by the limited selection on Amazon. Sold it and bought a KOVO which is linked to our library system. I prefer it's smaller size and larger selection of the newest books. For individuals who like to read, e-readers pay for themselves with lower cost [books are insanely expensive here] and instant gratification.

[kork13]

The internet is pretty painful to use. Meaning, the only reason you would probably use it is to download books. ........ But it's NICE if you are out and about and need to download some reading material.

Agreed... The browsers are not really very functional... I just see it as an available option if you're isolated somewhere away from a computer (or just don't want to pull out your laptop). I've checked my email on the Kindle in airports, or gone to wikipedia/google for a quick lookup in restaurants/offices/etc.

Also, I honestly never download anything away from home. I've got my Kindle loaded up with dozens of books, so there's almost no reason I'll ever need to download something on the go... Thus, the reason that I have the WiFi-only Kindle. The 3G is nice, but unnecessary. I prefer to find new books at home on my actual computer, where I can more easily browse books, look at previews, read reviews, and so on.

Probably the thing I like most about an eReader is the fact that you can get a book, then once you're finished with it you don't have to keep it around taking up space on your bookshelves. The really good books, I'll go out and get a nice hardback version of. But for stuff that I enjoy once and I'm done with, they don't sit around as clutter.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Kork most library are nook but not amazon compatible. Research it online and most public libraries are epub compatible. New Kindle might be but not the old ones.

Nook bonus feature! go everyday and read a whole book in a week if you read 30 minutes a day a book, you could sit there and finish it in a week if you didn't want to buy a new book but just read it in store. Also you can read magazines in store without purchasing on the nook.

Kindle can't be done. Also any problems can be handled in person, unlike the kindle.

DS big difference is the reading quality of the screen between the ipad and nook and kindle ereaders, not the color lcd screens. You can tell if you are a serious reader and will read entire books. I've tried it on the ipad and it's harder and the pages don't look the same.

[MonkeyMama]

Kork most library are nook but not amazon compatible. Research it online and most public libraries are epub compatible. New Kindle might be but not the old ones.

This is no longer true - for both old and new kindles. Amazon finally got their format in the libraries - as of the last few weeks. (They announced this about a year ago but have been pretty slow to implement).

That said, I'd recommend anyone check what is available at their local and regional libraries, before committing to any ereader. If one is expecting to download library books. You don't want to be surprised to find out that you can't.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Yep last few weeks, mine still isn't yet kindle compatible.

[feh]

First thing you need to ask yourself - what are you going to use it for? Just for reading, or do you want a tablet for reading as well as internet browsing, email, etc?

I own a Nook Color (runs android) and really like it.

[feh]

Smaller, cheaper tablets could become a big deal - CNN.com