e-readers like kindle and nook

pontifex

Lifer
Dec 5, 2000
43,804
46
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I love to read and I love books but I've not been sold on e-readers like the Kindles and Nooks.

I'm wondering what the resale value on these things are if I buy one and don't like it?

The basic ones are fairly cheap though so I'm guessing probably not much.

Is there anyone here who really likes to have a book and switched to an e-reader?

Also, are ones with color worth like 2-3x the cost of the basic B&W ones?

Which has better features, more books, etc?
 

Fingolfin269

Lifer
Feb 28, 2003
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We were worried about this when buying a Nook Touch and the B&N rep told us we had a 14-day return window. Believe me, if you actually like to read then you'll probably know in the first day or two if you like it or not.
 

MagnusTheBrewer

IN MEMORIAM
Jun 19, 2004
24,122
1,594
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If you want an e-reader to read, get a b & w. If you're one of the growing number of 'youts' who feel lost if not connected simultaneously to at least three networks, get a tablet.
 

Dulanic

Diamond Member
Oct 27, 2000
9,967
592
136
People like different things. If your main use is reading and reading only, go with a eink reader like the nook touch or the kindle. There is 0 glare and you can read anywhere. I am personally a fan of the Kindle only because I love the fact I can read any of my books on my kindle when I have it with me (almost all the time) and then pull it up on any other devices if I didn't have it with me. Not to mention the notes and anything else you do syncs between devices including what page your on.

I personally use a device for each thing I need. I have a tablet and I wouldn't want to read on it. It is just so far different from a book that if you're a serious reader you'll likely feel the same. I much prefer to read on eink any day of the week.
 

pontifex

Lifer
Dec 5, 2000
43,804
46
91
Damnit, reading some info on the Nook and Kindle and its really hard to decide.
Each one has features that I want but the other one doesn't.
 

Headcase_Fargone

Senior member
Nov 20, 2009
388
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Nook Touch all the way. The form factor is, in my opinion, far superior to that of the Kindle. I believe it's lighter as well. The only thing the Kindle has over the Nook is, again in my opinion, its support of more formats. This is easily remedied with Calibre, a free program that converts any format to any other format.

I bought the first gen Nook for my wife last year and found myself using it so much that we were fighting over it. I picked up the new Touch model for myself when it came out and couldn't be happier.
 

pontifex

Lifer
Dec 5, 2000
43,804
46
91

Nook is open-source format. Kindle is proprietary Amazon only format. You can convert formats so not as big a deal.

touch screen vs. buttons

Supposedly page scanning with Nook is much faster than Kindle

Kindle has 3g & wifi whereas Nook only has wifi

I think as a company, Amazon has much better staying power than B&N. Also, I love Amazon.

Nook is slightly smaller than Kindle.

I after reading more, I think for me, the Kindle might be better.
 
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preslove

Lifer
Sep 10, 2003
16,754
64
91
People like different things. If your main use is reading and reading only, go with a eink reader like the nook touch or the kindle. There is 0 glare and you can read anywhere. I am personally a fan of the Kindle only because I love the fact I can read any of my books on my kindle when I have it with me (almost all the time) and then pull it up on any other devices if I didn't have it with me. Not to mention the notes and anything else you do syncs between devices including what page your on.

I personally use a device for each thing I need. I have a tablet and I wouldn't want to read on it. It is just so far different from a book that if you're a serious reader you'll likely feel the same. I much prefer to read on eink any day of the week.
There are nook apps for most devices. I prefer the nook app on android to the kindle app, because it easily allows you to search google, a dictionary, nook store, after you select text. Plus, it has a page turning animation :)
 

Alone

Diamond Member
Nov 19, 2006
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The Kindle isn't proprietary only. I had a vast collection of eBooks that I transferred over without conversion.
 

Pliablemoose

Lifer
Oct 11, 1999
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If you really like to read, then the kindle and nook are the only choices, stay away from the color stuff, shorter battery life and you likely won't like them as much.

I think the next gen b&w kindle should be pretty good.
 

Munky

Diamond Member
Feb 5, 2005
9,372
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What's with all the color bashing? You enjoy the look of newspaper? I say try all the readers you can, and keep the one you like, you can return the others. I personally use the nook color to read and do "tablet-ey" stuff, and I like the screen.
 

Dulanic

Diamond Member
Oct 27, 2000
9,967
592
136
What's with all the color bashing? You enjoy the look of newspaper? I say try all the readers you can, and keep the one you like, you can return the others. I personally use the nook color to read and do "tablet-ey" stuff, and I like the screen.

Because a majority don't want to read a book for hours with a backlight screen that can have glare.

I am very happy bring able to relax outside in the sun reading a good book. The fact it only needs to be charged once every few weeks doesn't hurt either.

I don't have anything against the nook color directly just that simple reason. Well and the fact I already have a tablet, which I will never use to read.
 

Pliablemoose

Lifer
Oct 11, 1999
25,195
0
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I've never owned an e-ink reader, but after having a handful of color tablets, can certainly understand the convenience of the battery life and having a dedicated reader.

If I had to buy one today, I'd get a nook touch.
 

Linflas

Lifer
Jan 30, 2001
15,395
78
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My major concern with either one of them is how durable are they? Sometimes when reading in bed I fall asleep and the book falls out of my hand and depending on how I am laying in bed there is the possibility of it hitting the carpeted floor.
 

manko

Golden Member
May 27, 2001
1,846
1
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My major concern with either one of them is how durable are they? Sometimes when reading in bed I fall asleep and the book falls out of my hand and depending on how I am laying in bed there is the possibility of it hitting the carpeted floor.

From experience, the e-ink screens are much more delicate than LCD. It might survive a short drop onto carpet, but 2 feet onto wood may break your screen. It could also be damaged by rough treatment while packed in a backpack with other hard objects (textbooks, etc.).

In our case it was a Nook, but I've read similar things from Kindle owners. The cpu, usb connection and LCD mini-screen still work, but the slightest damage to the e-ink screen means the device is useless. It seems that no one repairs the e-ink screens, you just have to buy a new unit unless you have an extended warranty with accidental replacement coverage.

Otherwise, the e-ink readers are great for book lovers. The Nook Simple Touch Reader is a nice improvement over the original. Just pick up a case/cover for it and be careful with it.
 
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the DRIZZLE

Platinum Member
Sep 6, 2007
2,956
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From experience, the e-ink screens are much more delicate than LCD. It might survive a short drop onto carpet, but 2 feet onto wood may break your screen. It could also be damaged by rough treatment while packed in a backpack with other hard objects (textbooks, etc.).

In our case it was a Nook, but I've read similar things from Kindle owners. The cpu, usb connection and LCD mini-screen still work, but the slightest damage to the e-ink screen means the device is useless. It seems that no one repairs the e-ink screens, you just have to buy a new unit unless you have an extended warranty with accidental replacement coverage.

Otherwise, the e-ink readers are great for book lovers. The Nook Simple Touch Reader is a nice improvement over the original. Just pick up a case/cover for it and be careful with it.

I killed my Kindle screen leaving it unprotected in a backpack. Amazon replaced it for free under warranty, but I'd consider a case mandatory for anything with an e-ink screen.
 

DukeN

Golden Member
Dec 12, 1999
1,422
0
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Love my kindle. Could not trade it for anything else in the world as an e-reader.

I don't do well with color e-readers - a bit too much strain to the eyes after a while IMO. If you read a lot, try a Kindle from a place that has a return policy (say Wal-mart or Target) - if your experience was anything like mine, you'll keep it (the wife and me had squabbles for the first few days over it lol, more than the TV remote, etc).
 

Spineshank

Diamond Member
Jun 8, 2001
7,728
1
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I had a Kindle for a few months before deciding to get a tablet but I think I maybe lost $20 on it.