Which e-reader would my husband want?

[soccermom]

Hi all, sorry for intruding on your forum as I am a total tech and gadget newb. My husband isn't gadgety either, but he is an IT guy and comes here for hardware advice. I did read through a few threads here, but I'm not exactly sure what would be important to him so I thought I would ask you guys for some help. Hope that's ok!

My husband travels a lot for work, we move a lot and he is an avid reader. I am sick of lugging his books all over the place, so I want to get him an e-reader for Christmas. I don't think he would use it for games or videos, he uses his computers for those and is very picky about quality. Since it would mostly be for book-reading, I thinking about going with an e-ink device. I know that he would be into the rooting (hacking?) options on the Nook. But if it doesn't have a color display, what advantages would the rooting give him? We do use Amazon a lot and are considering a Prime membership when we move back to the Sates next year anyway. But I know that if my husband can download books for free from sites whose names I shall not mention the way he does movies and TV shows then he would rather do that. So what do you think? Kindle or Nook and which one?

Thanks in advance for any advice. I've been trying to research this and am running out of time as my in-laws want to get their holiday shopping done!

 

[pcgeek11]

I have a kindle with e-ink. It looks like paper. I use it for reading and love it. I tried looking at the others and didn't like any of them due to glossy screen, slow response when turning pages etc.

If he wants an e-book reader just for reading books Kindle is the answer IMO.

 

[gorcorps]

Rooting a Nook gives you access to the full Android market, just like a Nook Color. Obviously due to the screen most of those apps are useless, but the major one is that you could then download and use the Kindle app for Android. That means he could buy books from Amazon or B&N and use them.

As far as the seedy underbelly of the ebook community, both types of books are widely available. I prefer the Nook because it has slightly more file compatibility.

The other thing to consider is that only Amazon's Kindle offers a 3G version of their e-reader, so if he's interested in getting shopping Amazon's store from anywhere that is the way to go. However I've never felt it necessary and have been doing just fine with wi-fi only.

One of the recent perks of Amazon is that Prime gives you access to "loaner" books. These are free ebooks that you don't own, but get access to with Prime and are newer/better than the free books typically offered. AFAIK you need a Kindle for this and it does NOT work through just the Kindle app for Android, so you'd still be out of luck on a rooted Nook.

Hope I didn't muddy the waters too much

 

[soccermom]

That does help a lot actually. If he can get books from the seedy underbelly, then I doubt the Prime benefits will be used at all. Without an e-reader, though, it is hard for me to imagine which Android apps he would use on this as opposed to his phone. The 3G might be of use, though, because I could see him reading long Wikipedia articles or browsing the Onion while he waits for a plane.

 

[Dulanic]

Based on what you stated, I would definitely go with the Kindle 3G if you end up going with Amazon Prime (worth it IMO). If he is a avid reader, the eink screen would definitely be a huge bonus. Both the nook color and kindle fire use a LCD screen which isn't fantastic for reading. For any downloaded books, which I won't get into much, can be converted easily to the kindle /w software called Calibre.

I personally use Calibre to automatically reach out to news sites I indicate daily and sending my Kindle those sites in a kindle format which looks great.

 

[corkyg]

For an avid reader who travels - Kindle 3G. Color is nioe for a browser, but AFAIK, real books are all B&W.

 

[jpeyton]

Kindle Touch

I have the Kindle 4 and a Kindle Touch; I actually like the smaller size and the buttons of the Kindle 4, but the Kindle Touch has speakers and a headphone jack for audiobooks, MP3s, and podcasts.

 

[AstroManLuca]

Not to mention if he's traveling it'll be nice not to have to worry about charging another device. He'll be doing that with his phone and laptop already, but an e-ink device will last weeks on a charge.

Really just a question of whether you think 3G is important. I don't think finding a WiFi network to download books will be hard, and if he loads up enough of them while he's at home there will be no need for 3G. But it is a nice feature to have I guess.

The other thing is if he's a techie type and has a smartphone he can just tether anything he wants to his phone.

 

[Zargon]

kindle ftw

 

[Baked]

You can even borrow books w/ Kindle. If you simply want to get your husband an e-reader, nothing beats Kindle, not even close.

 

[dainthomas]

You can even borrow books w/ Kindle. If you simply want to get your husband an e-reader, nothing beats Kindle, not even close.

Nook and Kindle aren't that much different. My wife has a Nook and loves it. Either way, e-ink is the way to go.

 

[bonkers325]

if all he needs is a reading device, then e-ink all the way.

since he is an IT guy and would presumably like to root his device, i would recommend the Nook Simple Touch. it's a 6" e-ink android reader. you can root it and sideload android apps; Opera mobile for web browsing, JustReader to autosync your news feeds into Instapaper format, etc.

even if he doesnt want to root, the Nook Simple Touch is a very good standalone e-reader. the software allows you to "cache" up to 5 pages at a time for instant page turning and doesn't refresh the screen when you turn cached pages. it was $79 on BF, but you can get it for $89 if you have a B&N membership or $79 refurbished on ebay

 

[HardcoreRobot]

i love my e-ink kindle

 

[gar655]

Nook simple touch- I much prefer the B&N book store. Amazon is a miss mash of goobly beloved patriot.

Plus like others have said it can be rooted and then you can get books from Amazon if you want.

And the Nook supports more file types. And for me a big reason is that Kindle (for whatever stupid reason) doesn't use actual page numbers, which would bug the shit out of me.

 

[Midwayman]

If books are your primary consideration, get an e-ink device. Nook has more file format support, but calibre will convert formats so its not a huge deal. Tablet readers are really for people who want a media consumption device, not a reader. Poor reading experience, poor battery life, heavier, more expensive.

 

[thedarkwolf]

Nook simple touch- I much prefer the B&N book store. Amazon is a miss mash of goobly beloved patriot.

Plus like others have said it can be rooted and then you can get books from Amazon if you want.

And the Nook supports more file types. And for me a big reason is that Kindle (for whatever stupid reason) doesn't use actual page numbers, which would bug the shit out of me.

Some books don't use actual page numbers on the kindle, most do. They just don't show them on the page. You have to bring up the menu to see what page you are on.

 

[DaveSimmons]

I've been happy with my Kindle 2 e-ink version. If you have Amazon Prime you get 1 free book loan a month in addition to buying books. I also buy SF & fantasy from Baen.com.

Yes you can root a Nook, but with a real Kindle you don't need to and it stays under warranty.

 

[zerogear]

Kindle and nook for ease of access in getting books. Sony Reader for open formats (epubs, library overdrive access).

 

[gorcorps]

You can even borrow books w/ Kindle. If you simply want to get your husband an e-reader, nothing beats Kindle, not even close.

You can borrow books with the Nook as well.

 

[Madwand1]

I read on an Android tablet; it suits me just fine and the size advantage over a 6" Sony reader I own makes it better for me for reading, especially pdf files which don't reflow very well, and for reading at night. Browsing and news reading, etc., on a couch is also nice with a tablet. So if I had the choice of a single new device, I'd choose a tablet. I don't use my eReader at all these days.

Of course e-ink readers have their benefits of size, battery life, and price. I'd also consider the new Sony for that.

As for 3G, I wouldn't bother with it, because if he has a recent Android phone with a good data plan on it, he can probably do WiFi tethering from it when needed and not pay for the maintenance of a second data plan that doesn't get used as much. Data roaming can be a nightmare, and while that problem doesn't go away by itself, it's probably better limited to a single device instead of two.

 

[Necrolezbeast]

I read on an Android tablet; it suits me just fine and the size advantage over a 6" Sony reader I own makes it better for me for reading, especially pdf files which don't reflow very well, and for reading at night. Browsing and news reading, etc., on a couch is also nice with a tablet. So if I had the choice of a single new device, I'd choose a tablet. I don't use my eReader at all these days.

Of course e-ink readers have their benefits of size, battery life, and price. I'd also consider the new Sony for that.

As for 3G, I wouldn't bother with it, because if he has a recent Android phone with a good data plan on it, he can probably do WiFi tethering from it when needed and not pay for the maintenance of a second data plan that doesn't get used as much. Data roaming can be a nightmare, and while that problem doesn't go away by itself, it's probably better limited to a single device instead of two.

3g on the Kindle 3g is free.... so the last paragraph here is null... Like everyone has said, either a nook or kindle w/ e-ink, both are great products and are capable of pretty much the same stuff with the use of Calibre.. Rooting the Nook may be fun, but there isn't much point if he already has a capable phone as there isn't much reason to use an e-ink screen just to receive a subpar experience.

Also, to the few that suggested to use a rooted Nook to use the kindle app; why? Why not just use amazon to buy a book if you choose to do so, then just just use Calibre to convert and load? Sounds more reliable to me than to root and run an app when you could just use the device as it was meant to be used.

 

[gorcorps]

3g on the Kindle 3g is free.... so the last paragraph here is null... Like everyone has said, either a nook or kindle w/ e-ink, both are great products and are capable of pretty much the same stuff with the use of Calibre.. Rooting the Nook may be fun, but there isn't much point if he already has a capable phone as there isn't much reason to use an e-ink screen just to receive a subpar experience.

Also, to the few that suggested to use a rooted Nook to use the kindle app; why? Why not just use amazon to buy a book if you choose to do so, then just just use Calibre to convert and load? Sounds more reliable to me than to root and run an app when you could just use the device as it was meant to be used.

Rooting isn't that tough, for tech minded people anyway. Kindle books are protected so its not a matter of simple conversion. You also need to crack the drm which may or may not be easy to do depending on how often Amazon is changing things. Calibre on its own isn't enough.

 

[tdawg]

I have a Nook Simple Touch and would highly recommend it as a pure ereader (no mp3/audiobooks). It's fast (page turns), light, has a great screen, and the battery life is great.

Honestly, one can't go wrong with either the Nook Simple Touch or Kindle Touch.

 

[soccermom]

Thanks everyone for the advice. He always travels with a laptop, (Samsung Galaxy) phone and a book, so I really only need it to replace the book. I decided on the Kindle Touch (not 3g, but with special offers). Then I looked at his reading list and out of 10 books I could only find 2 available in the Kindle store and an additional 1 in digital format from Barnes and Noble. I hope he can find something he actually wants to read on this! Anyone else have issues with that?

 

[tedrodai]

Yep, sometimes the lack of an electronic version of a book is a problem. Lately, all the books I've been reading have been best-seller type stuff, so the publishers definitely release an e-book version, but sometimes the e-book is delayed quite a bit from say a new hardcover. It depends on a lot of things--maybe the publisher is trying to milk physical book sales first, maybe they don't consider it worth the time to produce the electronic version, maybe they're worried about piracy, whatever the case.

Pirates are unhindered by whether an 'official' electronic version exists, however it's entirely dependent on whether someone was interested enough to do the conversion, and the quality of user-created (hell, even official publisher-created) ebooks differs.