The Battle of the E-Readers
Written by RAWSISTAZ · October 29, 2009 · 474 views
With so many choices out there, how do you decide what to get? Or do you even convert from reading the actual book? I’m a huge fan of the Sony Reader, but now there’s the Kindle from Amazon, the Nook from Barnes & Noble, the Alex from Spring Design, the Que from Plastic Logic and many more devices for reading books electronically.
While we may have different reasons for wanting (or not wanting one), there are pros and cons. Which electronic device do you own? What are your thoughts?
Which device would you like to own and for what purpose? Business/pleasure or both?
And lastly…if you don’t ever plan to get one and jump onto the whole ebook wagon…why?
Let’s hear from ya!
RAWSISTAZ Literary Group was founded in 2000 to support and promote the work of African-American authors. The groups, on and offline, represent close to 600 readers, writers, aspiring writers, and others interested in literacy and the impact on our communities.
A reader is definitely on my wish list. With so many new choices in the marketplace, I expect the prices to become more competitive. I’m going to wait.
I do have the Sony Reader and I really like it for reading manuscripts vs hauling around crates of papers, like I did when we went to Disneyworld. LOL. I’ll either get the Nook or the new Sony Reader. I’m just not interested in the Kindle.
-Tee
I love books, and I will never stop collecting them…even if they are heavy to carry around. I end up with duplicate books…in hardcover and on my Kindle. Of the battling eReaders, the Kindle wins hands down for me…and I don’t even own a Kindle; instead, I have an iPhone that has a Kindle application. So I can download and instantly read books from amazon.com as if I had a Kindle. The only drawback is that we cannot download magazines, but I like having the magazine in my hand anyway…I love cutting out the articles. So my favorite device is Apple’s iPhone and the FREE Kindle application that I downloaded to it.
When I duplicate books (eReader & hardcover), I read the hardcover when I’m here in the house, and when I leave the house, I just whip out the old iPhone. When I go on vacation…especially now when you have to pay for bags…I purchase the books via amazon.com and take them with me on my iPhone. Saves lots of space.
Thanks for this fun topic Tee.
Namaste & Happy Writing,
Trina
@Yogawriter
Thanks for weighing in Trina. I just downloaded the B&N eReader app to my Blackberry today, so I’ll see how it goes. It definitely makes sense to do it this way and it saves from having to use those devices. And, I duplicate too with audiobooks. I listen on my iPod when I’m working out or doing housework and pick up the book when I’m lounging around the house. Gotta love the options! Are you saying you buy the hardcover and Amazon lets you download the electronic version to the app you use? Or do you buy the Kindle version and then download it?
Now…one thing I didn’t note is that I don’t generally purchase ebooks. The pricing seems way too high for me on most of them or the selection is poor. 95% of what I’ve read on my Sony Reader was either a review book, a submission or client’s unpublished work. So, for me…the Sony Reader was perfect.
I still want a Nook though or the new Sony Reader. The one feature, other than the backlight, that I really wanted was to be able to take notes while reading vs having to keep a notepad handy. Now they have it!
-Tee
I have a Kindle and I absolutely love it. Of the other ereaders out there, the only one that has my attention is the Nook, only because it gives you the ability to share (or lend) books. I anticipate Amazon will offer this feature in the near future. I, also, anticipate the price dropping as more companies jump on the ereader bandwagon. When they first hit the general public, I was adamantly against ereaders. Now, I wish all books, including my college textbooks, were offered on Kindle.
Susan
LOL @ Susan! I fought it too until I realized it would lighten my load when traveling. I too think the price will lower on some of them, so I’m holding out. I’ve already put it in my business budget though, so I dunno if I can hold out more than a month. LOL.
I too like the ability of sharing via the Nook. Then, you don’t have to worry about never getting your book back OR getting it back looking a mess.
We shall see though, we shall see.
-Tee
I love my Kindle, I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I do wish that every book published were available on Kindle, but in time I guess all books will be published hard cover, and electronically.
The main reason I purchased the Kindle (full price $400) was covenience. I commute to/from work and my briefcase was extremely heavy. Having the Kindle cut down on the load that I carry. Additionally, if you are close to finishing a book, you can start a new book immediately after without carrying two books.
The features that I would love to have are:
Color Monitor
Touch Screen (I am an IPOD junkie)
Better Note taking
Have a great day.
This is the one thing that appeals to me with the electronic readers: that you are not loaded down with books, especially when traveling.
Thanks so much for sharing.
I have become a book junkie. I hoard books. Which can’t be really good in the long run to have so many books taking up storage space in my house. I’m one of those people who still want to curl up with a physical book in my hand. But, I do beleive that I will eventually jump on with the band wagon. Not ready to shell out 400 bucks now for either of them. I’ll wait until the device goes done in price like so many other electronic devices these days. However, I do see the benefit of having one when I travel or just when I’m not carrying any books, I can just pick up the ereader. Didn’t know they had apps for that, so I may go that route first before taking the plunge.
Someelse said that you don’t have to worry about letting friends and co-workers borrow books and not having them return it. Don’t you hate when that happens? I still have a book that was lent out to a co-worker, she hasnt’ returned it, it’s been over a year. When does it ever take a year to read a 300 page novel?
Gabby a.k.a TygerLily
Yes, I definitely hate that, so I don’t loan books out anymore. That feature (loaning books) on the Nook is pretty interesting. I can’t wait to see how it’s going to work.
-Tee
I don’t have either yet, but I’ve read all the comments posted thus far, and will keep them in mind if I ever decide to get one. Thanks for sharing your pros and cons for each device.
I have the Kindle on my Iphone. It has come in handy when I’m traveling. I am looking for a ereader. I was leaning towards the Sonyreader but I’ll check out the Nook, as well.
I would like to use it for downloading books on writing, and for other purposes.
Vanessa, thanks for stopping through!
Christine, definitely let us know what you decide. I think either one would be a good choice. LOL.
-Tee
I love the feel of a book in my hand, however I have been giving a great deal of thought to getting a Kindle Reader. I would use it when traveling rather than trying to carry enough books with me to read. In fact I’ve ask for a Kindle for Christmas.
Woo hoo, Toni! I hope you get one.
-Tee
Oh no….looks like B&N is being sued over their design of the Nook:
http://mashable.com/2009/11/02/spring-design-lawsuit/
-Tee