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Post by SimSim on Apr 29, 2011 16:40:26 GMT -5
I'm thinking of getting one and am interested in what readers people are using and their opinions on them. I've narrowed my selection down to three, Kindle, Nook Color, and iPad.
Each seem to have their advantages and disadvantages. One disadvantage I real would like to know about is the Nook's battery. I've read that the batter is nonreplaceable. If it dies in the warranty period B&N sends you a new Nook, if it's after the warranty you need to buy a new reader. Anyone know how long a batter typically lasts before it's dead for good?
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Post by Whore of Spamylon on Apr 29, 2011 18:14:00 GMT -5
I don't know about the nook, but here is my breakdown from owning the first two iterations of the Kindle and an iPad.
While some people can handle extended periods of reading on an iPad, I find my eyes to get less strained from e-ink displays during said extended periods. Also, the nook and (more so) the kindle will be lighter, therefore more comfortable to hold for extended periods as well. Compared to the nook, the current iteration of the Kindle is somewhat lighter and supposedly snapper in terms of page turns, but those points seem negligible to me.
The ipad serves as a device that combines some of the best features of e-readers and laptops, but by no means replaces either one for me. The ipad (or similar tablet in general) is great for relaxing while cruising the net (something that e-ink tech doesn't have down yet, if it ever does) because it gives more positions to set and lay in than a laptop does while doing so. However, as stated above, you might get the same eye strain as a laptop. It also weights more than an ereader, but less than a laptop, so take from that what you will.
All in all, if I didn't have the aforementioned devices above, I would probably put down money for both a Samsung Galaxy Tab ($350 on amazon) and Barnes and Noble wifi + 3G e-ink ereader (100 refurbished on ebay). The Galaxy's android platform has native flash support and weights less. Plus, many of the apps that are on itunes can be found from in the android market for free with ad support (which hasn't been too intrusive from my experience with them on my Droid). There is also the option of flash memory extension via microSD card.
As for the nook: Included 3G for 100 bucks makes it a steal IMO (free 3G access to shop the B&N store), and it also supports epub, which is a non-proprietary format that has the most support for copyrighted content and seems to be the standard for ebook formats when it comes to most public libraries.
And, yes, android on the Galaxy Tab has a Nook app, though I don't think it has a Nook children's book app if that is important to you. I would assume there are still a plethora of children's book options on the Galaxy through other means though.
Hope that helps.
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Post by Whore of Spamylon on Apr 29, 2011 18:43:40 GMT -5
Update:
I just read that Amazon is going to work with public libraries in order to allow lend-able books. It doesn't sound like the format will be open like the Nook's, but this makes the Kindle even more viable IMO.
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Post by SimSim on Apr 29, 2011 18:49:41 GMT -5
Yeah, it helps some.
I don't get eyestrain from my laptop, so I doubt an ipad or Nook would give me it. The one advantage to me for the ipad is that I have an iphone, so I can easily switch to that for reading news. I get cast majority of my news through various apps on the iphone.
The biggest advantage to the Kindle that I can see is that it isn't backlight, so I won't get glare issues.
How much of an issue is not having a color screen?
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Post by Shano on Apr 29, 2011 19:38:43 GMT -5
I don't have a kindle (yet...) but I have seen my friends'. If you don't need color screen and will use it mostly for reading the kindle is really amazing. E-ink really is the stuff.
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Post by The Renegade on Apr 29, 2011 20:31:22 GMT -5
I have a nook color. I have not had any problems with it yet, besides internet connection problems caused by my campus, but I am death to technology, so I am sure my nook will soon try to escape me by jumping off my desk. I read all the time (and that's not hyperbole), but have almost no problems with eyestrain, so the e-ink screen is not really necessary for me. The kindle has no backlight on it, which is a problem if it's dark. I have used my nook before in the dark, and the lit color screen was useful. The screen has adjustable brightness on it, which I use to make my battery last longer before recharging. I don't actually have any kind of idea of how long the battery actually lasts. The internet connection on it is very useful. Apparently, it is possible to change the battery on a nook, just not particularly easy. bookclubs.barnesandnoble.com/t5/NOOK-General-Discussion/You-CAN-change-your-NOOK-color-s-battery-with-OUT-voiding-the/td-p/752602
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Post by Old Viking on Apr 30, 2011 14:11:52 GMT -5
If you purchase none you'll have the advantage of not carrying a lot of useless crap around with you.
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Post by SimSim on Apr 30, 2011 14:14:27 GMT -5
I'd still have to carry books around with me, and find a place to store them.
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Post by shadowpanther on May 2, 2011 15:36:46 GMT -5
I haven't got any of the ones on your shortlist (I've got a Sony PRS-300 Pocket) but I strongly urge you to get one. I got mine two Christmases ago and it is without doubt my favourite gadget.
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Post by SimSim on May 2, 2011 15:46:31 GMT -5
I ended up getting a Nook Color yesterday. Quite pleased with it.
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Post by Shane for Wax on May 2, 2011 15:47:22 GMT -5
I would get a Nook Color but I'm concerned about the no-3G for the foreseeable future.
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Post by SimSim on May 2, 2011 15:48:31 GMT -5
It has wifi which is all I need.
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Post by Shane for Wax on May 2, 2011 16:01:55 GMT -5
See. I kinda have to do the weighing. I go to a lot of places that have wi-fi, but I want something with 3G because of when I go to the hospital.
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Post by SimSim on May 2, 2011 16:13:12 GMT -5
Ah. There's always loading it up with a bunch of books right away. I hit up Project Gutenberg last night and got a bunch of public domain books.
Or doing something like getting a tablet that has 3G. With one of those you can do more than just read.
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Post by Shane for Wax on May 2, 2011 16:29:24 GMT -5
I know. Hence why I'm eying a first generation ipad with 3G+wifi. Or a Kindle. Or... y'know.
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