ebooks: thumbs up or down? Which brand?

[Boondocker]

So whats the 411 on those Kindle things and the other ebook platforms?

[Dag68]

I absolutely LOVE e-books on my iPad. Although its a bit spendy for the iPad itself, you'll get the best library because you have access to the apple ibooks, plus apps for both the Kindle and Nook books. Although I haven't played with the nook software, I am about equalkly please with the other two.

[Happycampers]

Hello ... I have Kobo and love it... still mastering it... and now I need to get my MOM's Sony Ereader going...

[pbearsailor]

I've had my first generation Kindle since they came out and I still really like it.

One of the things I like is the e-ink display that works just as well outdoors as it does indoors. While I've not used an iPad, I suspect it can't do as well outdoors. Pure subjective opinion, but I think my eyes don't get as tired looking at an e-ink display.

Kindle also has it's own internet connection included and it works most places I've tried. It's browser is clunky and slow, but if you don't have another internet connection, you can sure use it to check email and do simple browsing.

Ebook pricing has increasingly become an issue. Bestsellers were initially $9.99 from Amazon, but publishers have pushed that up quite a bit higher. It's hard for me to pay more for an ebook than a hardback. Don't like feeling gouged.

cheers,
steve

[Caryl]

I have a Kindle and have found many free e books that I have been enjoying in addition to the books you can buy on Amazon. There are several websites where you can download free books to your Kindle (and other formats). If you want to try a Kindle for free, go to Amazon and download a free Kindle for your PC. It will be on your PC and you can have access to all the stuff published for Kindle. You will be able to judge if you like reading in this format. The only thing you will not be able to judge is the Kindle screen itself, which I like better than a computer screen and how the Kindle feels in your hand. I think the Kindle is easier on the eyes and is easier to hold than a book.

All the best,
Caryl

[Boondocker]

I'm wondering if they have gotten to the point that they are comfortable to use (I read a lot). I love the feel of a book in my hands. On the other hand, it would be cheaper, would solve some space issues, and I like the idea of getting news papers and magazines direct. Dunno.

[SmokelessJoe]

Rodney,

I haven’t read a book on my new iPad yet but it’s hard to imagine anything better for it.

The iPad has liberated me. I no longer have to hunt for libraries or look out for wi-fi places.

A little “ping” tells me I’ve received an email, inside the trailer or out anywhere else.

The map function is fantastic. You’ve got notes, contacts, calendars, weather, iTunes - on and on.

Pretty much every newspaper in the world worth reading and the Airstream Forums too. The reading experience is nifty. It’s like holding the New Yorker in your hand, only cooler.



Sergei

[AirsDream]

I got a Kindle soon as they came out. Liked it so well I bought a second one as soon as they had a model that would download books while I was out of the U.S. Have read maybe 100+ books on them. I NEVER go ANYWHERE without one. I do a lot of long-distance travel and used to cram two or three books into a suitcase for longer trips. Now it's just this thin little machine.

Main thing I like is that a charge of the battery will last me nearly two weeks worth of travel reading. Find a friend and try out his / hers. Within twenty or thirty pages of reading, you just forget it's not a book and read away.

I don't use it for any of the fancy functions like "reading to me" or email or newspapers or such. Just books. Works fine. Others just as good or better? Probably. Like I say, find a friend and try one out. If you travel a lot, you'll love it.

[Denis4x4]

I have the iPad with 3G wireless and apps for Nook (Barnes & Noble) as well as Amazon so that I can download books from 3 sources. If I didn't have to deal with Quicken, I would toss my laptop and go strictly with my iPad.

Only down side is the bad habit of buying best sellers on a weekly basis. Gets expensive after awhile!

[Wayne&Sam]

We've used the Kindle app on our iPhones for a long time. No complaints whatsoever.

[Hansom-Man]

I've read about a dozen books on my IPad, and about 2 on a kindle. The iPad is a Jack of all trades, master of none. the kindle shines as a reader only. if you want really long battery life and great visibility in daylight Kindle is your machine.

if you want a media/internet appliance that allows you to read books, watch video, surf the web, and about a hundred other things, get an iPad. Just don't think you can throw away your computer. It does about 70% of the duties my computer would do. it does most of the functions listed above well. just not quite as well as a good dedicated product would do.

Either product will feel different than a book. But it does allow me to carry many books on a trip. That's really important to me since I will normally read 4-6 books on a two week trip.

good luck

[deauxrite]

My Kindle is perfect for my full timing lifestyle. Lots of books on Kindle, no weight added to the Airstream. I prefer older books and lots of them are free!

[wxbuoy]

For my money the iPad is the best all around. Since I got mine I haven't used my lap top, read a bunch of ebooks and listen to podcasts on the road... Greta gizmo!

[JBinKC]

Love the Kindle but its charger adds another needle to the haystack.