Want eReader: Get Nook, Kindle, Nexus, iPad mini, or Galaxy?

[GoodEnough]

A friend wants to dive into the eReader world.
They do not want a full sized tablet. They want eReader size.

What would you advise?

1) Wait for iPad mini
2) Nook
3) Kindle
4) Droid mini-tablet (Samsung Galaxy, 7")
5) GOOG Nexus?

Can you sort that list with the best option as #1 ?

 

[WelshBloke]

Kindle

 

[GoodEnough]

Funny, I heard Kindle is the worst option and is total garbage.
Are you for real?

 

[xSauronx]

if they JUST want a reader, id say get a kindle touch. theyre fairly cheap and the e-ink is really nice for just reading.

if they want to read and have tablet features, get a nexus, or *maybe* the to-be-named new kindle fire. my mom likes her kindle fire quite a bit, but i prefer a full android tablet.

might help to know how tech savvy your friend is, whether or not they want just a reader or a full featured device, and whether or not they already use a pc or a mac (or have an iphone or android or whatever)

 

[xSauronx]

Funny, I heard Kindle is the worst option and is total garbage.
Are you for real?

i got my kids a kindle, the entry level one, id be ok with the touch if i JUST wanted to read books.

but i want to read pdfs, technical documentation, make notes, blah blah...so i got a full size android tablet. for JUST reading, though, the e-ink is nice, battery life is insane, and you dont have to fidget with things. just get to reading. notes and highlites with the non touch model is a pain...but my kids dont care about that, it just lets them easily get to reading.

 

[kevinsbane]

kindle

 

[GoodEnough]

No, they want a eReader sized tablet that can also do internet/tablet stuff.
They just don't want a full sized tablet.

 

[ilkhan]

I have a first gen Nook and a Nexus.
I stopped using the nook when I got the Nexus.

Take that any way you want. Its definitely more useful in general, even if it is harder on the eyes. The app I'm using to read is Aldiko. Much much MUCH better than the nook app (not the reader, the app) was.

 

[ponyo]

No, they want a eReader sized tablet that can also do internet/tablet stuff.
They just don't want a full sized tablet.

Nexus 7

 

[gorcorps]

Nexus 7 is probably the best bet as it's still a top end device but priced reasonably. Only downside (for me) is no SD card slot, but for some reason a lot of these little tablets take that away.

 

[deadken]

My daughter would like an e-reader. I read this thread hoping to get an idea of what one would be best. But, I now realize that like PC's, Cell Phones, etc... everyone uses their devices differently. For example, my daughter would most certainly want to be able to run apps on hers. I'd think that if it had internet access, it would fill in for her laptop, ipod touch, and maybe even her cell phone at times.

Might I ask what your friend wants to do with it? Strictly read books?

Frankly, I don't want to buy the most expensive one. OTOH, I don't want to go so cheap that I miss out on features that might actually be useful.

EDIT: Sorry, I stopped to get / eat a snack and in that 20 minutes, a lot of activity happened.

 

[GoodEnough]

I get the idea that all tablets suck for reading.
None of the tablets are good as readers.
If you want to do 75% reading books, then get a Nook READER.

If you want some eReading and tablet, then get Nexus 7 or iPad mini.
....knowing the tablet reader is not as good as a dedicated eReader like Nook reader.

Nook reader = good
Nook tablet = garbage
Kindle Fire tablet = garbage

 

[GoodEnough]

I have a first gen Nook and a Nexus.
I stopped using the nook when I got the Nexus.

Take that any way you want. Its definitely more useful in general, even if it is harder on the eyes. The app I'm using to read is Aldiko. Much much MUCH better than the nook app (not the reader, the app) was.

Reading on the Nexus is not as good as reading on the Nook READER, right?
But, for some, if it's close enough, you get the added value of a tablet.
Is that about right?

 

[WelshBloke]

Funny, I heard Kindle is the worst option and is total garbage.
Are you for real?

For just using as an ereader, then I'm very much for real.

No, they want a eReader sized tablet that can also do internet/tablet stuff.
They just don't want a full sized tablet.

You probably should have put that in the OP, rather than saying they wanted an ereader sized ereader.

 

[corkyg]

Personally, I prefer to let someone else do the reading - i.e., audiobooks.

 

[GoodEnough]

Ok, so Kindle Fire is junk, but the basic Kindle reader is fine.

 

[Puddle Jumper]

If you only want to read the Kindle touch is great, if you want to do more than that the Nexus 7 is by far the best choice.

 

[ilkhan]

Reading on the Nexus is not as good as reading on the Nook READER, right?
But, for some, if it's close enough, you get the added value of a tablet.
Is that about right?

Not so much "not as good" but just different. Can read in the dark, but a little more eye strain. I love the speed of the tablet compared to the nook. Plus I can use it as a full tablet as well. Its no larger or heavier, but much more versatile. I read for hours and the eye strain doesn't bother me, but people are different.

 

[Bonesdad]

Why not wait until the end of this week to see what the next Kindle Fire (or whatever) is like? May still want to go with Nexus 7, but can't hurt to wait a couple days can it?