Owner of a Kindle (WiFi) here.
The Kindle is a neat gadget but I have gravitated back to buying print books for several reasons. There's just something about holding a real book in your hands that you cannot get with an e-book reader. I like reading real print books better.
The other issue relates to ownership. What is the residual value of an e-book? Can I swap it, lend it or sell it? No, because I actually don't possess anything tangible, only a license to read the content on an approved device. I recall reading about a snafu in which Amazon books purchased using the old Kindle were no longer available to Kindle users who upgraded. The publishers and distributors want you to go to e-books so they can restrict supply. It's simply less profitable to allow readers to own the books they purchase (it's probably also a lot more expensive to distribute paper books).
Are E-readers worth the cost?
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AnotherAustinite
- Posts: 42
- Joined: Thu Sep 08, 2011 2:06 am
I just received my new Kindle, and I highly recommend it. I chose to buy the refurbished Kindle Keyboard (which I hear they may be phasing out) for $89.99 with the ads. The price has continually been decreasing, so I thought it was a good time to buy. I tried checking on Craigslist but there were none posted, so I got it on Amazon.
I ruled out the Kindle Fire and Color Nook because I wanted a pure book reading experience only and did not want to be tied down to charge it frequently. I liked the form factor (easy to hold, easy to navigate), and with the cover it actually feels similar to holding a book. The amazon-made cover is much better quality (and cheaper) then the new covers for the Kindle Touch. Overall, the ratio of positive reviews was higher for the KK than the newer kindles. It has a pretty good track record.
I like not having shelves of physical books lying around, and look forward to reading more books without them taking up any physical space. Being able to carry several books at once on my kindle is a definite positive, but it will take some willpower to avoid dividing my attention between too many books.
Just being able to load up on free classics may justify the purchase by itself. So far, I have War and Peace and Sherlock Holmes for free and I have my eye on many more. I think I will have exposure to a lot more books than I otherwise would have, and thats a good thing.
I ruled out the Kindle Fire and Color Nook because I wanted a pure book reading experience only and did not want to be tied down to charge it frequently. I liked the form factor (easy to hold, easy to navigate), and with the cover it actually feels similar to holding a book. The amazon-made cover is much better quality (and cheaper) then the new covers for the Kindle Touch. Overall, the ratio of positive reviews was higher for the KK than the newer kindles. It has a pretty good track record.
I like not having shelves of physical books lying around, and look forward to reading more books without them taking up any physical space. Being able to carry several books at once on my kindle is a definite positive, but it will take some willpower to avoid dividing my attention between too many books.
Just being able to load up on free classics may justify the purchase by itself. So far, I have War and Peace and Sherlock Holmes for free and I have my eye on many more. I think I will have exposure to a lot more books than I otherwise would have, and thats a good thing.
I have owned a kindle and a nook and sold both of them. While I like the convenience, the cost wasn't worth it for me. I did buy a tablet (Asus Transformer) and loaded both the kindle and the nook applications so I can still have access to the cheap or free ebooks on essentially a laptop device. Most other books I want to read I can find through my library, interlibrary loan, or buy used for a few bucks. Most ebooks are way too expensive for my taste.
Another note on the ereaders - I believe they will become obsolete though not as fast as a computer. Also be ready to change the battery in 2 yrs or less. In my last nook the battery went bad and somehow damaged the device.
Another note on the ereaders - I believe they will become obsolete though not as fast as a computer. Also be ready to change the battery in 2 yrs or less. In my last nook the battery went bad and somehow damaged the device.
Content prices will be as much of a factor as the device itself. In this WSJ article, the major publishers are upping the prices for ebooks to the point where the user is paying for the convenience and storage capacity:
http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB1 ... hare_email
It also makes the point that print books and self-published ebooks often make better bargains.
http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB1 ... hare_email
It also makes the point that print books and self-published ebooks often make better bargains.
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Spartan_Warrior
- Posts: 1659
- Joined: Fri Dec 02, 2011 1:24 am
"The other issue relates to ownership. What is the residual value of an e-book? Can I swap it, lend it or sell it? No, because I actually don't possess anything tangible, only a license to read the content on an approved device." --AnotherAustinite
This has always been the greatest issue for me as well (other than the initial cost). I can't bring myself to pay for anything with DRM. You never really "own" anything.
This has always been the greatest issue for me as well (other than the initial cost). I can't bring myself to pay for anything with DRM. You never really "own" anything.
E-ink tablet? Ultimate e-reader?:
Turn Your Rooted Nook Into the Ultimate Ereader with These 10 Apps
http://lifehacker.com/nook-simple-touch/
Turn Your Rooted Nook Into the Ultimate Ereader with These 10 Apps
http://lifehacker.com/nook-simple-touch/
Part of the cost, in addition to DRM, is privacy. Is you e-reader reading you?
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142 ... 38304.html
I wonder what will happen when publishers discover that most people don't actually read the books they bought (tl/dr). Will content be relegated to vanity publishing?
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142 ... 38304.html
I wonder what will happen when publishers discover that most people don't actually read the books they bought (tl/dr). Will content be relegated to vanity publishing?
I was able to check out a Nook from my local library for two weeks. The device was pretty cool, the reading experience was great, but the selection of books available for checkout via my library was lame. Getting the library's ebook lending software setup was a hassle too.
After some searching, I came to the conclusion that ebooks are at the spot digital music was in about 10 years ago. IMO piracy is a major factor in the e-reader popularity (especially for best sellers), and a viable consumer delivery model is still evolving. Amazon's Prime service is an ok start, but 1 book a month is still too limiting.
I'm not paying $10+ to license a digital book with DRM, and a lot of the niche books I like are not available as ebooks. The one ebook I own is a PDF and displayed poorly on the reader.
I decided I'd rather just inter-library loan paper books. Maybe if an "all you can read" model with a broad selection becomes available, I will reconsider.
After some searching, I came to the conclusion that ebooks are at the spot digital music was in about 10 years ago. IMO piracy is a major factor in the e-reader popularity (especially for best sellers), and a viable consumer delivery model is still evolving. Amazon's Prime service is an ok start, but 1 book a month is still too limiting.
I'm not paying $10+ to license a digital book with DRM, and a lot of the niche books I like are not available as ebooks. The one ebook I own is a PDF and displayed poorly on the reader.
I decided I'd rather just inter-library loan paper books. Maybe if an "all you can read" model with a broad selection becomes available, I will reconsider.
DW's latest e-book reader:
NOOK™ The Simple Touch . cost about $85 on ebay reconditioned.
Reads epub and pdf among other formats. Battery lasts a month. amazing device.
that combined with a http://www.myanonamouse.net/ account = free books for a long time.
I am stuck with 3 year old Pandigital Novel that I paid $175 for - NOT recommended.
NOOK™ The Simple Touch . cost about $85 on ebay reconditioned.
Reads epub and pdf among other formats. Battery lasts a month. amazing device.
that combined with a http://www.myanonamouse.net/ account = free books for a long time.
I am stuck with 3 year old Pandigital Novel that I paid $175 for - NOT recommended.
Been reading almost all straight text books (epub/mobi format) on Sony PRS-350. So small and light, yet same resolution as standard 6" device (Kindle 3)... It's definitely my favorite text reader.
Still greatly prefer PRS950 for all technical / PDF reading... Still keep the Kindle 3 around as travel workhorse (access email, send Google Voice texts, maps, so on) and also the text to speech is a cool feature for when you're really into a book and can't read (driving, working).
PRS-350 is getting harder to find, but I highly recommend it if you can. I got one off cowboom for $30 months ago... Same resolution as a Kindle 3 and not much bigger than a wallet.
Still greatly prefer PRS950 for all technical / PDF reading... Still keep the Kindle 3 around as travel workhorse (access email, send Google Voice texts, maps, so on) and also the text to speech is a cool feature for when you're really into a book and can't read (driving, working).
PRS-350 is getting harder to find, but I highly recommend it if you can. I got one off cowboom for $30 months ago... Same resolution as a Kindle 3 and not much bigger than a wallet.
Re: Are E-readers worth the cost?
http://www.kobo.com/koboaurahd
Wow, this new Kobo has massive 265 dpi, 1440 x 1080 resolution... I wonder how complex PDFs read on it? Assuming you can read small text, they should look better than any ereader yet.
Wow, this new Kobo has massive 265 dpi, 1440 x 1080 resolution... I wonder how complex PDFs read on it? Assuming you can read small text, they should look better than any ereader yet.
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workathome
- Posts: 1298
- Joined: Sat Jun 29, 2013 3:06 pm
Re: Are E-readers worth the cost?
I've been using a Kindle Paperwhite and like it very much. It can quickly pay-for-itself if you support Sweden's Pirate Party.
Re: Are E-readers worth the cost?
I have four Kindles. 3G keyboard types. They have been the best ERE toy I own because I have a lot of time to read now that I am without work. To me they are amazing. I'll try to explain why here. I originally stayed off this thread but since I'm an ebook junkie I thought I could fess up.
First, with the exception of my first kindle which was a 2nd gen I have never paid more than $30 for one. I buy broken Kindle Keyboard D0901s on eBay. Often you'll get a frozen one cheap. If the screen isn't cracked it is often a loose screw jammed on the pc board shorting the unit. I've fixed a few by opening them and reinstalling the loose screw. Sometimes I get one with a cracked screen and it will donate a motherboard to one where the loose screw damaged the electronics. Bottom line, I have a pile of cheap kindles. Seriously the engineer who forgot to spec thread locker should be beaten to death outside Lab126.
My first kindle cost me $300. I bought it because I bought some AMZN and wanted to buy their product. I own CAT but I cannot buy a dozer so I try to do this with AAPL, WFMI et al. Long story short I can now buy a pile of kindles at full price but why, when I can fix broken ones? Seriously folks, you don't have to talk yourself out of one, they're cheap used.
I used it and put it down till my dad needed text to speech for his bad eyes. Thats why I use a D0901. Built in text to speech.
I stopped buying ebooks when I realized my local library had copies of all the latest finance books. When I found them all checked out, I found out that the big libraries in CA San Francisco and LA let you have a card even if you don't live in the city. A lot of libraries only require you live in the state. I have half a dozen cards now and can usually find good stuff on the shelf or I can put it on hold with an email alert. To make a long story short I haven't bought a ebook from AMZN in months. If you haven't noticed the ebook collections in local libraries are growing exponentially this year.
I use USB to sync my books to my kindle. On the D0901 if you turn wireless off the library book won't be deleted when it comes due. It becomes available at the library again at the due date but not syncing allows me to keep the book longer. What's not to like?
My complaint? The libraries are full of book porn. Literally porn fiction. For every good business or finance book there are fifty smut romance books. Even the finance books are mostly the David Bach or Suzy Orman type. Too much "Master your Finances" and not enough Antifragile or Street Smarts. It's all about content.
Even if you don't want to fix a kindle, getting a used one on eBay is cheap. When the screws fall out and it freezes I'll buy it off you.
First, with the exception of my first kindle which was a 2nd gen I have never paid more than $30 for one. I buy broken Kindle Keyboard D0901s on eBay. Often you'll get a frozen one cheap. If the screen isn't cracked it is often a loose screw jammed on the pc board shorting the unit. I've fixed a few by opening them and reinstalling the loose screw. Sometimes I get one with a cracked screen and it will donate a motherboard to one where the loose screw damaged the electronics. Bottom line, I have a pile of cheap kindles. Seriously the engineer who forgot to spec thread locker should be beaten to death outside Lab126.
My first kindle cost me $300. I bought it because I bought some AMZN and wanted to buy their product. I own CAT but I cannot buy a dozer so I try to do this with AAPL, WFMI et al. Long story short I can now buy a pile of kindles at full price but why, when I can fix broken ones? Seriously folks, you don't have to talk yourself out of one, they're cheap used.
I used it and put it down till my dad needed text to speech for his bad eyes. Thats why I use a D0901. Built in text to speech.
I stopped buying ebooks when I realized my local library had copies of all the latest finance books. When I found them all checked out, I found out that the big libraries in CA San Francisco and LA let you have a card even if you don't live in the city. A lot of libraries only require you live in the state. I have half a dozen cards now and can usually find good stuff on the shelf or I can put it on hold with an email alert. To make a long story short I haven't bought a ebook from AMZN in months. If you haven't noticed the ebook collections in local libraries are growing exponentially this year.
I use USB to sync my books to my kindle. On the D0901 if you turn wireless off the library book won't be deleted when it comes due. It becomes available at the library again at the due date but not syncing allows me to keep the book longer. What's not to like?
My complaint? The libraries are full of book porn. Literally porn fiction. For every good business or finance book there are fifty smut romance books. Even the finance books are mostly the David Bach or Suzy Orman type. Too much "Master your Finances" and not enough Antifragile or Street Smarts. It's all about content.
Even if you don't want to fix a kindle, getting a used one on eBay is cheap. When the screws fall out and it freezes I'll buy it off you.
Re: Are E-readers worth the cost?
1) Buying an ereader at retail price is not ERE. I bought my kindle at a customer-return auction for $35. Actually, I bought 5 of them at that price and sold the others on ebay for ~$60 each, so I guess my kindle actually cost me -$75.
2) ebooks are a great way to carry around reference material (PDF's) off the web.
3) If you travel or backpack a kindle is significantly lighter than even a single paperback, and much cheaper/lighter than a lonely planet guidebook (all of which are available in ebook form).
4) ebooks are searchable (foreign language dictionaries, for example).
All that being said, I still prefer paper books when I'm at home.
2) ebooks are a great way to carry around reference material (PDF's) off the web.
3) If you travel or backpack a kindle is significantly lighter than even a single paperback, and much cheaper/lighter than a lonely planet guidebook (all of which are available in ebook form).
4) ebooks are searchable (foreign language dictionaries, for example).
All that being said, I still prefer paper books when I'm at home.
Re: Are E-readers worth the cost?
My Kindle keyboard 3g developed a cracked screen, despite being in a case + bubble wrapper... I bought a Kobo Aura HD which is a much nicer reader... BUT!...
I'm going to be traveling in several different countries next week. The simplicity and benefit of using the Kindle's 3g to shoot off a quick email, map query, google in a strange land is an incredible tool and asset... I have got to get 1-2 more Kindle Keyboard (much easier to type on) 3g before they dry up!
Feel naked and scared traveling without it!
I'm going to be traveling in several different countries next week. The simplicity and benefit of using the Kindle's 3g to shoot off a quick email, map query, google in a strange land is an incredible tool and asset... I have got to get 1-2 more Kindle Keyboard (much easier to type on) 3g before they dry up!
Feel naked and scared traveling without it!
Re: Are E-readers worth the cost?
How well does the internet work on the Kindles? I've heard it's pretty slow.
And does it automatically just strip everything down to text or something?
Can you check Gmail on it?
Is it viable to use as a source of internet at least sometimes?
This would be one of the biggest aspects for me deciding to get one or not. Thanks if someone can explain a little.
And does it automatically just strip everything down to text or something?
Can you check Gmail on it?
Is it viable to use as a source of internet at least sometimes?
This would be one of the biggest aspects for me deciding to get one or not. Thanks if someone can explain a little.
Re: Are E-readers worth the cost?
Also, could anyone mention what has an SD card slot and what doesn't?
I think it's pretty stupid when a device doesn't have an SD card slot these days. It's just a stupid attempt to gouge you to get you to pay $100 more for 16 gigs instead of a $10 SD card or something.
Plus less versatile if you quickly want to swap between different files etc.
I think it's pretty stupid when a device doesn't have an SD card slot these days. It's just a stupid attempt to gouge you to get you to pay $100 more for 16 gigs instead of a $10 SD card or something.
Plus less versatile if you quickly want to swap between different files etc.
Re: Are E-readers worth the cost?
Kindle internet is quite inferior. It does not strip webpages down. So loading a big, complex site can take minutes. Or more often then not timeout fail after a minute or two... The key is to find links/bookmarks that are mobile, text, Kindle friendly versions.vivacious wrote:How well does the internet work on the Kindles? I've heard it's pretty slow.
And does it automatically just strip everything down to text or something?
Can you check Gmail on it?
Is it viable to use as a source of internet at least sometimes?
This would be one of the biggest aspects for me deciding to get one or not. Thanks if someone can explain a little.
ie: Standard gmail.com will usually load after significant time, but I had bookmarked a mobile version of gmail that was very quick... GoogleDocs never loaded, ever, but docs.google.com/m worked great... I used to joke that my Kindle was my cellphone (texts over google.com/voice/m).
I'd still say it is NOT a viable internet alternative, only a few things work and those not great. I'm fairly certain there is a throttling measure that will cut you off after even a few minutes of normal web usage.
But imagine the cost and complexity of replacing these basic features (web search, email, text, maps, phone lookup) on a 5 country tour... So incredibly handy for an emergency, zero cost backup.
As far as SD cards, I don't think it's a huge issue any more; all have 2GB+ storage. I suppose for some specialized use it might be nice to have multiple cards available, however I like to keep maybe 20 books max on my readers... More than that and it starts to get cluttered (what am I reading?!).
I just got the Kobo Aura HD, which is the nicest most versatile reader I've ever owned, but no 3g browsing (does have mSD)... The upcoming Kindle paperwhite 3g without ads is a whopping $209!... I'll happily stick with the Kindle Keyboard as a backup and the Kobo as my primary.
Kindle devices also have the AMZN prime feature where you can borrow 1 book/month free, which is really nice.