Hi,
I'd like to buy an electronic reader and I'm debating between one of the Sony models and the Kindle. (Yes, I know that there may be a new version of the Kindle announced this week, and I'll check it out of course...) I don't live in the continental US so the Kindle's online features are useless to me.
It seems that they both have a good selection of books, although the Sony books are slightly more expensive. I'm not interested in magazines or blogs, just books. The features that are important to me are: easy of use and navigation, readability (esp. in bed at night!), the ability to import Word documents (I'm not sure if the Kindle can do this), ease of transport (size, cover, etc.), and note-making within books. I don't know if this is possible in all of the Sony versions.
Any advice from experienced readers?
Thanks,
Alice
The only complaint I have about my Kindle is that it doesn't yet have all the books I want in Kindle format, but my reading tastes are somewhat esoteric, and I think it may be just a matter of time. Otherwise, I love it.
I haven't done so, but I believe you can import Word documents. You can make notes, you can read it anywhere, but the lack of a backlit screen [easier on the eyes, and gives absolutely wonderful battery life] means that you need a clip-on light in order to read in the dark. It weighs about 100 gm., and considering I've got 30 BIG books [such as all the OUTLANDER series] in it already, means I'm carrrying a full library in an average sized handbag. The cover it comes with is nothing special, and in fact I only use it as protection-- I'm working on my own design which would be a bookstand when open [I like to eat with a book propped up].
According to the website, persons ordering books must have a US credit card. You can easily get around this: using any international credit card, you can give yourself an e-gift card, and apply the balance to purchasing Kindle books. Instead of the wireless download, you download the book to your PC and thence, via USB cable [which comes with the Kindle], to the Kindle. You can't get book samples, though.
Oddly, amazon doesn't have a "Kindle Wish List" feature, and I'd like to be able to create one, as every time I browse I see more books I'd like to buy. You can register your desire to have a book "Kindle-ized" however, and they claim they pass the request on to the publisher.
2metpatpetet1
Blogging at "Antigonos' Annals"
Thanks for the tips. I'm definitely leaning toward getting the Kindle--and I'm going to check out Amazon's news conference about it (supposed to be today). Everyone who I've spoken to with it, including you, loves it. I'm a little disappointed to hear that you can't get free chapters here and I can see that I'll have to solve the American credit card problem, but all in all, it looks like a good solution to my book accessibility problem.
Alice,
I just went to the Amazon website and saw that they are introducing the Kindle 2. I have no idea what the difference is between any of these devices, but perhaps this one is better than the first Kindle...Good luck!
C.R.
"Writing is a lonely life, but the only life worth living." --Gustave Flaubert
Ron WodaskiDark Matters
Hi Alice,
I have the Sony and am quite satisfied with it. I would have preferred the wireless function the Kindle has but they don't seem to able to find a way to make that work in the UK. From what I understand the Kindle is limited in the number of formats it supports while if you can get it on your computer in any format (other than video), you can get it onto the Sony.
There are also a number of other readers besides these two but I haven't any experience of them.
Ron
Manchester, England
http://www.ronparker.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk
So what are people who live outside the U.S. supposed to do? Does that mean they can't download content at all?
Of course we do, just not wirelessly. You purchase a book, download it to your computer, then plug in the Kindle with the USB cord which comes with it, and drag and drop the book into the Kindle. Nothing could be easier, and it's very fast.
On the Kindle, you can adjust the type size to suit your needs, so you don't have to look for books specifically in large print.
Lynne,
<<portableness (is that a word?)>>
portability. <g>
I've never seen a Kindle, but I have looked at a Sony reader. It's about the size of a mass-market paperback.
~Beth
Visit The Stone River
Likewise! :)
Fantasy author Kate Elliott chose the Sony reader, and she blogs about it here.
Dear Alice,
Literary agent Nathan Bransford has just blogged about his Sony reader. He is quite happy with it. I'm sure the comments (which I've not yet looked at) may also have more information to help you out.
I don't have an e-reader but my former boss does... he travels a great deal and has toured with a major star for months and months at a time. Years ago, he schlepped some 50 or 60 pounds of books with him as they were on tour around the world. Now he just carries a few hundred titles on the Kindle. Between that and his iPOD, he has all of his entertainment for "down time" in two small items he can easily carry with him or tuck into his laptop bag.
Lauri
