EBook Readers

[mendhak]

So I've been looking at ebook readers. Being in the UK is a disadvantage because there's no deal between Amazon and the phone networks because this country is really behind the times in terms of technology. In fact, it's so behind the times, we don't even have email spam yet.

Anyways, I've been looking at the iliad, Kindle (minus deals) and the Sony readers. The Sony PRS 505 seems to be the best.

Reason? When I travel, I usually take 3 books with me. Not your pansy run of the mill novels by Michael Chrichton and Sidney Shelldon and all that crap, but big bulky books. With an ereader, I can save on a lot of space and not have to wear the same 3 t-shirts for the duration of 2 weeks.

Do you have an ebook reader, are you looking for one, have you thought about one?

[techgnome]

I've been looking at getting one myself. I'd go with the Sony. Why? your'e not tied to a platform (Kindle will only get books from Amazon, at least that's what I've been led to believe). The sony on the other hand can read Open Office Docs, PDFs among other formats. It can also act as an MP3 player for those that like a little ambient noise while reading. I like the weight on it and the display is sharp and crisp - it uses that new "electric ink" technology, reducing glare.

-tg

[vbcode1980]

The iRex Digital Reader 1000S looks like a great device, but it's bloody expensive.
The Sony PRS-600 looks nice too.

[techgnome]

re Sony PRS-600 -- Niiiiiice... new to the market... so far I'm liking it over the 505....

must check this out.

-tg

[Torc]

I have been thinking about an ebook reader, but have put my plans on hold for the time being.

Most of them seem to be able to handle a variety of formats, such as PDF, Open Office etc.

I have held back from getting one at present as all reports seem to indicate that Amazon are trying to releasing Kindle in the UK for Christmas, and I want to see what the specs are.

By the way techgnome, Kindle uses the Mobipocket format, I believe that Amazon supplies Protected Mobipocket files, however Kindle should also be able to read Unprotected Mobipocket files.

Most websites like Project Gutenberg or Munseys have books in a variety of formats, such as Mobipocket, Sony or others.

The following is the list of criteria I aim to use to choose one, does anyone else have any other criteria.

Must be able to view books on the computer, as well as the reader.
Must have a memory card slot.
Long battery life.

[techgnome]

Must be able to view books on the computer, as well as the reader. < --- That's more of a function of the book itself, not so much the reader.

Must have a memory card slot. < --- not sure about the Kindle... I do know the Sony's do. Big bonus.

Long battery life. < --- I'm finding the average seems to be about 2 weeks before needing a charge again... not too shabby.

The rest of my criteria has more to do with design than functionality. Spead and ease of turning a page, for instance. Also, can I set a bookmark and come back to it? One thing I haven't seem much on from anyone, is how easy it is to load & synch books and such.

-tg

[wossname]

I find ebooks utterly offensive in every way.

[mendhak]

I decided to buy, actually buy, the PRS 505 two days ago. Play.com 150GBP - sold out. Waterstones 170GBP - being the first retailers of the PRS 600 in the UK, they were stopping sales of the PRS 505 and only taking preorders for PRS 600.

The problem is, reviews of the PRS 600 show that it isn't that good - it does suffer from glare and slight blurriness. The PRS 505 may be lacking in feature but the guys over at mobileread are pretty good at tweaking it and modifying it (it's Linux based). Yes, the clarity of the screen does matter, it's why I'm buying an ereader.

Anyways, after being disappointed and returning home, I looked up Amazon prices while on the train. 180 GBP. OK, I can still afford that.

I came home, went to Amazon on my PC - price had just gone up to 187. How odd. I clicked, went in to read more of the description, clicked back - price had gone up again - and now is hovering at 200 GBP.

All this because of the PRS 600 reviews. Sure, touch screen, but that's what's causing the glare problems.

[Harsh Gupta]

What about your laptop? Is there any problem with it? Just out of curiosity, I find it utterly confusing, useless and waste to carry so many devices, when a good laptop and mobile can suffice!

[Nightwalker83]

What about your laptop? Is there any problem with it? Just out of curiosity, I find it utterly confusing, useless and waste to carry so many devices, when a good laptop and mobile can suffice!

I wouldn't even know how to use an ebook reader.

[mendhak]

I can see it being useful on vacation. If I carry my netbook, I have to remember charging, loading, plus it's heavier, screen's aren't optimized.

Readers have a long life, lighter, same size as a netbook so it saves a lot of space in the bag.

I know what you mean about carrying so many devices around, but netbooks and readers go in a bag which is a "black box" (I have strange tastes in accessories). The rest goes in pockets which is phone and cigarettes. You need nothing more than a phone and cigarettes.

[mendhak]

The reader should be here Tuesday. I'll show you photos of me eating it. Or not.

[Harsh Gupta]

Only if you shoot your tongue out, hit it and zip in the whole fly......I mean reader!!!

[DeanMc]

I test the sony one and it wouldn't read PDF's bought from apress.com and since I have a lot of ebooks in this format I decided to hold off.