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e-book reader recommendation?

fuzzybabybunny

fuzzybabybunny

Moderator<br>Digital & Video Cameras
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I want an e-book reader that's not chained to some subscription internet service. I basically want a standalone reader that can display PDFs, text, but also other popular e-book formats.

The Kindle seems nice hardware-wise, but as long as it's $300+ and is chained to a subscription service I won't use, the chances of me buying it are zero.

It also needs a method of searching through the book, so something like the Foxit eSlick Reader is out.
 
I've heard the Sony PRS-505 is the best alternative to the Kindle, but I've no first hand experience with either.

Edit: Fixed the link so it doesn't use AT's weird Amazon automatic referral link. (thread)
 
The Kindle doesn't have a subscription service with a monthly fee. There's the EVDO/Whispernet wireless, but the price of that is included in the list price of the Kindle.
 
Originally posted by: Bateluer
The Kindle doesn't have a subscription service with a monthly fee. There's the EVDO/Whispernet wireless, but the price of that is included in the list price of the Kindle.
Click to expand...

:thumbsup:

Plus, you don't have to use it, you can still upload via USB. :heart: my Kindle 2.
 
Originally posted by: peritusONE
Originally posted by: Bateluer
The Kindle doesn't have a subscription service with a monthly fee. There's the EVDO/Whispernet wireless, but the price of that is included in the list price of the Kindle.
Click to expand...

:thumbsup:

Plus, you don't have to use it, you can still upload via USB. :heart: my Kindle 2.
Click to expand...

I agree with the OP that it's too pricey though. The 359 USD price tag keeps it out of the impulse buy range where it needs to be to achieve mass market penetration.
 
Gah, looks like I'll need to hold off on it. Surprisingly, at $359 the Kindle is still pretty price competitive compared to readers that are $300 but with less features.

Kindle has keyboard for searching through books, dictionary, adding notes to text, and internet everywhere.

For $60 less with other readers you get no search functions - no keyboard, no touchscreen, no internet.

And I'm not sure if I could live with the 6" screen. Good for regular books, but would probably be horrendous for textbooks, no?
 
Originally posted by: fuzzybabybunny
Gah, looks like I'll need to hold off on it. Surprisingly, at $359 the Kindle is still pretty price competitive compared to readers that are $300 but with less features.

Kindle has keyboard for searching through books, dictionary, adding notes to text, and internet everywhere.

For $60 less with other readers you get no search functions - no keyboard, no touchscreen, no internet.

And I'm not sure if I could live with the 6" screen. Good for regular books, but would probably be horrendous for textbooks, no?
Click to expand...

Kindle Dx then though I'm not sure if it will be able to do DRM PDF.
 
Originally posted by: Born2bwire
Originally posted by: fuzzybabybunny
Gah, looks like I'll need to hold off on it. Surprisingly, at $359 the Kindle is still pretty price competitive compared to readers that are $300 but with less features.

Kindle has keyboard for searching through books, dictionary, adding notes to text, and internet everywhere.

For $60 less with other readers you get no search functions - no keyboard, no touchscreen, no internet.

And I'm not sure if I could live with the 6" screen. Good for regular books, but would probably be horrendous for textbooks, no?
Click to expand...

Kindle Dx then though I'm not sure if it will be able to do DRM PDF.
Click to expand...

Yeah, but it's $450+... so not really an option at all.
 
I like the Sony 700, but it seems to have a blurrier text due to the touch screen layer/protection on the screen.
 
Kindle 2 and Kindle DX will drive the first generation Kindle's price down. So Kindle is your answer, you just may have to wait a little for a real good price.
 
Originally posted by: toonces
I've heard the Sony PRS-505 is the best alternative to the Kindle, but I've no first hand experience with either.

Edit: Fixed the link so it doesn't use AT's weird Amazon automatic referral link. (thread)
Click to expand...

I love my PRS-505, but I agree that it would not be suitable for textbooks (or, really, anything with large amounts of graphical content).

ZV
 
Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Originally posted by: toonces
I've heard the Sony PRS-505 is the best alternative to the Kindle, but I've no first hand experience with either.

Edit: Fixed the link so it doesn't use AT's weird Amazon automatic referral link. (thread)
Click to expand...

I love my PRS-505, but I agree that it would not be suitable for textbooks (or, really, anything with large amounts of graphical content).

ZV
Click to expand...

Yeah, the DX is in a tough bind. Being the only reader with a screen large enough to effectively display textbooks, its extremely hefty price tag unfortunately has to mix with perhaps one of the most cash-strapped demographics out there - poor students. And if a $200 paper textbook is something like $150 for the electronic version, but with NO resale value and NO way to buy used, then the advantages of a Kindle DX really start to dwindle value-wise.

That's not to say that I don't want one, but unless there was a way to get e-textbooks for cheap or if one was willing to just straight up pirate content, it's extremely hard to justify.

BTW, does anyone know if the availability of the Kindle has actually driven UP the amount of pirated literature?
 
I use the PRS-505, and loving it. The added features of the kindle didn't seem to be worth the DRM tradeoff.

Plus, with the new kindles and new PRS, the price has come down quite a bit.
 
One compelling aspect of the Kindle is that, if you're an iPhone guy (as I am), you can also view your books on your phone. Obviously that isn't a substitute for a full-blown reader, but it's still a really handy thing to be able to read while you're commuting or just killing time somewhere where you don't have your reader.
 
The Sony PRS-505 is the best there is right now (that's not the Kindle), which is why I got it.

I couldn't be happier with it.

It looks great, battery is awesome and with the free app called "calibre" you can convert pretty much any format to any other format.
 
Originally posted by: fuzzybabybunny
Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Originally posted by: toonces
I've heard the Sony PRS-505 is the best alternative to the Kindle, but I've no first hand experience with either.

Edit: Fixed the link so it doesn't use AT's weird Amazon automatic referral link. (thread)
Click to expand...

I love my PRS-505, but I agree that it would not be suitable for textbooks (or, really, anything with large amounts of graphical content).

ZV
Click to expand...

Yeah, the DX is in a tough bind. Being the only reader with a screen large enough to effectively display textbooks, its extremely hefty price tag unfortunately has to mix with perhaps one of the most cash-strapped demographics out there - poor students. And if a $200 paper textbook is something like $150 for the electronic version, but with NO resale value and NO way to buy used, then the advantages of a Kindle DX really start to dwindle value-wise.

That's not to say that I don't want one, but unless there was a way to get e-textbooks for cheap or if one was willing to just straight up pirate content, it's extremely hard to justify.

BTW, does anyone know if the availability of the Kindle has actually driven UP the amount of pirated literature?
Click to expand...

There is no good reason for textbooks to be 150+. All students should boycott and just start pirating it until it comes down in price. :evil:
 
Originally posted by: zerogear
Originally posted by: fuzzybabybunny
Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Originally posted by: toonces
I've heard the Sony PRS-505 is the best alternative to the Kindle, but I've no first hand experience with either.

Edit: Fixed the link so it doesn't use AT's weird Amazon automatic referral link. (thread)
Click to expand...

I love my PRS-505, but I agree that it would not be suitable for textbooks (or, really, anything with large amounts of graphical content).

ZV
Click to expand...

Yeah, the DX is in a tough bind. Being the only reader with a screen large enough to effectively display textbooks, its extremely hefty price tag unfortunately has to mix with perhaps one of the most cash-strapped demographics out there - poor students. And if a $200 paper textbook is something like $150 for the electronic version, but with NO resale value and NO way to buy used, then the advantages of a Kindle DX really start to dwindle value-wise.

That's not to say that I don't want one, but unless there was a way to get e-textbooks for cheap or if one was willing to just straight up pirate content, it's extremely hard to justify.

BTW, does anyone know if the availability of the Kindle has actually driven UP the amount of pirated literature?
Click to expand...

There is no good reason for textbooks to be 150+. All students should boycott and just start pirating it until it comes down in price. :evil:
Click to expand...

Dont' forget when they change 2 words to come out with a new edition every year so the one you just paid $150 for has no resale value as all classes are using the new version.
 
oh.. i didn't know amazon going to release 9.7" device. I got the sony 505, one of the complains I got - too small for pdf.
 
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