Kindle vs Sony vs Nook vs whatever

[Khamsin]

I'm apparently getting an ereader for my birthday, but only problem is, I have to pick it out myself. Let's assume price is no issue, only important factor is that I enjoy it and not regret it later (based on function, not price).

I'm leaning toward Kindle DX Graphite, since Amazon has probably the best selection of titles, despite it's proprietary format, and it's only real shortcoming can be overcome by conversion tools, though the other readers can natively read EPUB without the hassle. I do like the idea of web browser/wiki on Kindle, though can't download ebooks from the library like you can with other ereaders (without some extra steps).

I'm hoping it's popularity will serve to one day open the door to mods/hacks to let it read other formats natively.

Anyone have any experience/opinions with ereaders?

[Tyche]

If it's mostly for reading, I'd go kindle. iPad gives a shit ton of flexibility though, especially jailbroken.

[Deadhead]

Ended up getting the nook here, liked the touchscreen more then a keyboard, and the fact I can change the battery if/when it goes bad, and also can slide in an SD card if I want more space. Just depends on your own preference. Go to a local store Best Buy and B&N have the nook, and I believe walmart has the kindle.

P.S. the nook also has a webbrowser and games(chess, soduko etc.) and is running on android, and there are alot of hacks out there for it. It can also do .pdf files

[Mayareira]

iPad is the best with its inredible flexibility.

[Ksandra]

I love my nook. As the first poster said, it has web browsing on it and in many ways there is really no difference between it and the kindle. It comes down to touch vs. keyboard. I really don't think the kindle has a bigger selection. Only downside to the nook I've found is it tends to freeze up if the battery gets low, but it isn't that big a deal.

[Kaisha]

iPad is the best with its inredible flexibility.

As far as strictly reading device goes, iPad has shit battery life and the screen gets tiring on the eyes after awhile, isn't as portable either......not to mention the price.

[Krandor]

If you just plan to use it for reading (and especially if you already own a laptop with decent battery life for other purposes on the go), it's no contest with the Kindle. Best book selection and that oh so lovely E-ink display to avoid killing your eyeballs.

[Evanos]

Reading for long time? Kindle DX, shorter time? Ipad

[octopus]

isn't as portable either......

Frankly, I don't understand this argument. I mean, if you think the iPad is heavy, a real book is heavier than the ipad, lol ;o

[Krandor]

Frankly, I don't understand this argument. I mean, if you think the iPad is heavy, a real book is heavier than the ipad, lol ;o

He was comparing it to a Kindle, which is definitely lighter and more compact then an iPad.

[Kyo]

Kindle hands down.

[Zansho]

I have a kindle, and it's amazing. Love it, and it's easy on the eyes for reading - I already have a library of about 200 books stored on it, and they're easy to access.

Only real drawback is the battery at times, but that's a minor annoyance. I also have an ipad, and to be perfectly frank, it sucks balls for reading - I tried that before I got the kindle, and it was a bit harsh on my eyes. It's also bigger and heavier (but not by too much) than the kindle.

If you're looking for just an e-reader, kindle wins. If you're looking for a do-it-all, ipad is the way I'd go.

[Zeb]

After like 3 months of waiting I finally bought the Alex by Spring Design. Overall, I like it. The only thing I don't like about it, is categorizing books/authors is kind of a pain. But I'm pirating everything I've been reading anyways and no one sticks to the same format when labeling files, much like music files. The size, shape and weight are excellent for reading, no matter what position I'm in.

I definitely love eInk displays and highly recommend ereaders to anyone who is on the fence about it, no matter what reader they get. It's very easy on the eyes.

[Altariel]

Amazon has an iPad app if you are really concerned about the selection. Not saying one is better or worse, just that this isn't a good argument.

[Mayareira]

Also worth mentioning, iPad is pretty awesome for e-textbooks.

[Minions]

Price wise you can't go wrong with Kindle. Read a couple books on one I borrowed from a friend. Really tempting at the $139 price point.

[takethistoyourgrave]

If you have slightly sensitive eyes, iPad will give you a splitting headache reading, whereas the Kindle won't. If you want it mostly for an e-reader, don't even consider the iPad, comparing the price of the two. Get a Kindle and a decent laptop or netbook for less than the price of an iPad.

[Julian]

After like 3 months of waiting I finally bought the Alex by Spring Design. Overall, I like it. The only thing I don't like about it, is categorizing books/authors is kind of a pain. But I'm pirating everything I've been reading anyways and no one sticks to the same format when labeling files, much like music files. The size, shape and weight are excellent for reading, no matter what position I'm in.

I definitely love eInk displays and highly recommend ereaders to anyone who is on the fence about it, no matter what reader they get. It's very easy on the eyes.

I was thinking of getting the alex. I also plan on pirating my books, because fuck you if I'm going to spend $150 (probably 200 or maybe even 250+) on a ebook reader and then have to pay for books after.

Could you say a little more? I'm really interested.

I had a quick look at the nook when I was in a B&N once, and it didn't look that great. I remember reading a lot of so-so reviews on the Alex, so I wasn't too sure about it.

I dunno, been wanting to get an ebook reader for a long time now, but I don't want to waste money on a crappy device

edit: Sigh, Alex are still $400. Kindle at $130 or $180 looks reeeeeeeeeeally tempting though. I think I might bite.. Does the Kindle have any sort of games? Just simple stuff, like crosswords, sudoku, newspaper-ish stuff.

[Correction]

Frankly, I don't understand this argument. I mean, if you think the iPad is heavy, a real book is heavier than the ipad, lol ;o

Weight isn't the whole story. Books are more portable, I got no problem stuffing an unprotected paperback into a satchel with other heavy shit in there. I've already seen a few ipads with a munched top aluminum edge after one trip.

iPad is awesome for comic books, the problem there is the price--$2.00+ per issue--not much of a discount from a trade paperback. I don't think I could put up with reading a full 300+ page book on an iPad, the screen and awkward weight when held upright would shorten my reading sessions.

[Zeb]

I was thinking of getting the alex. I also plan on pirating my books, because fuck you if I'm going to spend $150 (probably 200 or maybe even 250+) on a ebook reader and then have to pay for books after.

Could you say a little more? I'm really interested.

I had a quick look at the nook when I was in a B&N once, and it didn't look that great. I remember reading a lot of so-so reviews on the Alex, so I wasn't too sure about it.

I dunno, been wanting to get an ebook reader for a long time now, but I don't want to waste money on a crappy device

I'm not sure the Alex is worth the extra price over the Kindle or Nook, but I don't regret buying it. To be honest I haven't really messed around with any android apps for it. I don't use it to play music either, as I have an iPod. I've read about a dozen books on it so far. I've only charged the battery three times I think. Not counting when I had it hooked up to the computer to add books. D/ling books off of google books was easy. Setting it up when I first got it wasn't hard. Just added the info from my wireless router, then I registered it, then it updated the firmware. After that it was good to go.

To add books you just drag and drop books into the root directory. Like I said before, this is kind of the reason behind the one thing I don't like about the Alex. You can use calibre (a free software ebook file converter) to organize your book collection (on your computer and your reader), but to be honest, calibre kinda sucks and it's slow. I just use it to change file formats. I've been keeping 20 or so books on my Alex and keeping the 2 gigs worth of books I d/led from Demonoid on my computer, where it's easier to manage the books.

Did you have any specific questions?