[Power to the J]

I did a search on here, didn't find what I was looking for, and decided to ask the question that need answering.

Is it worth 400 bucks? I checked this thing out and it looks awesome and I really wanna buy it, but I don't know if I wanna fork out 400 dollars for something that's low level.

Any answers would be appreciated. Thanks.

[ArthurFrayn]

From what I've read that doesn't sound good for me: it sounds like you use the thing with some kind of Amazon only proprietary software that they could make obsolete or alter whenever they feel like for whatever reason, and just blow the entire library you downloaded from them into the toilet. I'm not interested in that.

[MrBF1V3]

I am adopting a wait and see attitude. I kind of want one too, but I'm willing to wait for the next model which I hope will cost less and have more features. Besides, it take me a while to reappropriate that much money from other places in my budget.

BTW, Amazon has quite an inventory.

But I'm with you, I'd be interested to hear from someone who has one.

B5

[Fung Koo]

The Sony eReader doesn't have as much in the way of DRM technology applied to it, and it's cheaper than the Kindle. It also plays audio. And I think basically has many of the same titles available.

There was a thread about this topic a little while ago, and some others had said they used their Nokia N95/N800 -- WiFi enabled, Colour LCD backlit, 3+ hrs battery life... Basically like an iPod touch, but better, with a sizable viewing screen. PSP has most of the same features and might also be viable, as would an iPod touch.

I looked into getting myself an ebook reader before Xmas, and I found that the only advantage of the Sony eReader and the Kindle was that they used eInk technology, which is supposed to be nice to read -- but isn't backlit so you can't read it without a light source. The eReader is (I think) a better buy than the Kindle.

In the end I found you can easily tweak a PSP, which is half the price, and use it as an eReader. Plus it's wifi enabled, and it plays games, movies, etc... Nice big screen...

[MrBF1V3]

FYI, Popular Mechanics ,Feb 08, has a review of the Kindle. They seemed to like it. Online they have a video of how it works at popularmechanics.com/kindle

Learn all you can so you can get what you want.

B5

[Power to the J]

In the end I found you can easily tweak a PSP, which is half the price, and use it as an eReader. Plus it's wifi enabled, and it plays games, movies, etc... Nice big screen...
I'm real technology dumb so if this is an obvious question then sorry, but would you mind explaining this to me? Sorry.

[Fung Koo]

hehe :)

Ok, tweak it = install a 3rd party application that will read txt files, pdfs, etc... Something that will let you read multiple eBook formats.

Wifi = wireless internet. With a PSP, iPod Touch, or Nokia N800, you can connect your device to the internet in local wireless internet hotspots. If your device has audio input capabilities, you can install and use Voice Over Internet service (like skype) and use it as a phone! Or, you can access the internet and download ebooks or anything else you want.

Plays games, movies, and a big screen should be pretty self explanatory!

If you're not tech savvy, it's probably a better idea to do the simplest thing and get a dedicated eBook reader. Your options are basically the Sony eReader, or the Kindle. Personally, I think the Sony product is better.

[ArthurFrayn]

I think the e-Reader is the one that intenstiyxxx has. She made that sound pretty good as well. If she doesn't chime in I'll have to dig up her old post...

[acereader]

I have been considering one of these (Kindle or Ereader). Here have been my thoughts from reseaching:


Pros:

1. Battery life - much, much longer than any backlit LCD item.

2. epaper - Supposably better for your eyes than LCD

3. Easy to get books for either one. (Sony ereader appears to be an easier one to make books for)

Cons:

1. Pretty much just for books (ereader has other functions, but still it is pretty much a book reader)

2. Cannot read at night/low light situations.




I have pretty much decided to stick with throwing the odd electronic book or two on my laptop. I can lay in bed at night with it on my stomach and have the mouse in hand under the covers to turn pages at a click.

[Fung Koo]

Using a laptop on your actual lap causes some massive increase in the risk of cancer of the gonads.

Just FYI.

:cool: