Cheap e-book readers discussion

SavyShopper_2

Hi

Thinking of buying a kindle this christmas. Just wondering how the Calibre site works. Ive logged onto but cant see how it actually works? Is it simple to use?

If anyone can explain it to me in non-techie terms I would be grateful?

Thanks

Badger_Lady

SavyShopper wrote: »

Thinking of buying a kindle this christmas. Just wondering how the Calibre site works. Ive logged onto but cant see how it actually works? Is it simple to use?

Yes, it's pretty simple.

When you first download and instal it (have you done that?), it will offer to set itself to match your Kindle. You tell it which model you own, and it will automatically work out which settings to use.

The main screen then has:
- "Introduction to Calibre", which you can read on your PC or on your Kindle, and has full instructions on how to use the program.

Mostly what you need to do is:
- "File - add files to library", which allows you to browse your computer and choose the eBooks that you would like to include on your Kindle.
- "Get news" - if you're interested in reading the daily stories on your Kindle.

Like all these things, it's a bit baffling to start with... but once you've used it a few times it all starts to make sense

SavyShopper_2

Thank you Badger_Lady. One last question using claibre can I download books from almost anywhere, thinking along the lines of Kobo store etc?

Badger_Lady

Hey Savy, yes in theory that's right - you can change the format of the eBook so that it will work on the Kindle. The only thing you can't do is to copy / sell / distribute the eBooks - they have 'digital rights management' codes on them, which cannot be removed.

wackojackouk

Hi guys

Looking to get the missus one for Xmas and probably going toward the Kobo vs the Sony.

One thought I had is... what advantages/disadvantages do these have over some of the cheaper tablet pc's that can be had?

For example you can get an Archos 70 Tablet from CPW for £99.99 which seems to get decent reviews.

If you went down this route I would presume you would install the Kindle App from the Android Market and using Calibre convert any books to the Kindle format.

Thoughts? (as I need to get her a Xmas present )

Cheers

WJUK

Badger_Lady

Hey WJUK,

The key benefits of an eReader over a tablet are:

- eInk screen (much more pleasant to read on, and doesn't damage your eyesight the way that staring at a VDU does)
^ don't underestimate this - it's completely different, make sure you try it out before dismissing it
- Battery life - most eReaders can offer a month or more on one charge, while the tablet PCs are good if they exceed 6 hours
- Free 3G on some eReaders, which works worldwide and allows you to access your email abroad without WiFi

The key benefits of a tablet over an eReader are:

- Full colour screen able to deal with animation / motion / video
- Ability to install other apps, such as games, Facebook or whatever you fancy from the relevant marketplace
- Plug in a USB keyboard to make it like a mini netbook

... So it's really up to what you want to use it for. An eReader is perfect for someone who:
- Travels away from home a lot, either as a commuter or long-distance traveller, and needs a device that'll work without plugging it in.
- Reads a lot of books and would therefore benefit from the paper-like display.

While the tablet is better for someone who:
- Mostly uses it at home or work and can keep it plugged in a lot of the time.
- Reads a bit but not more than an hour a day.
- Also wants to easily browse the internet, catch up on eMail, play games and chat on social networks.

Personally, my ultimate combination is a proper 3G eReader that I can carry everywhere with me (and I do travel internationally all the time), plus an Android Smartphone that can do all the whizzy things a tablet can plus make phonecalls

Flibbertygibbet

Best cashback/code.voucher. Lowest price?

I really wanted the old Kindle keyboard, but although currys etc have it advertised at 109, no-one has stock, so this question is two fold?

Anybody know where, other than ebay, I can get the old Kindle keyboard?


Anybody got any pointers to the cheapest kindle 4?

Either option would need to be delivered to an address that is not the same as the invoice/card site

Thanks

wackojackouk

Hi Badger Lady

Cheers for the advice - has helped a little but she kinda fits into both catergories (she is just difficult )

She was originally thinking about a kindle originally but was put off by the non library option. Our library has quite a few books and she often borrows paper ones so that is kinda must for her.

The Tablet Option

I guess she reads about an hour or two a day ish and doesn't really travel (due to 3 kids under 4) so will just be in the house - she tends to read in the afternoon or evening.

She does use facebook, ebay etc on and off in the daytime so again maybe a tablet is a good solution BUT we do have a laptop which she uses for that so not a biggie.

The e-reader option

The ereader option sounds like the screen is easier to read and basically that it what she want's it for. It would also be much better for holidays as we wouldn't have to charge it.

I'm also wondering how much of a different the e-ink screen would make compared to the tablet. I did see the demo of the Kindle in Tesco etc (thought it was clear but boring plain text lol) so would be interested in seeing the ereader option on a tablet but not sure where I could see this - any suggestions?

More Questions

I was looking at the Kobo touch or the Sony Touch - do these have 3G as well as WIFI or is it only the Kindle that offers these (I don't think it's a big thing to be honest but good to have if out and about).

Also how easy is it to put ebooks on to a Tablet compared to the e-reader. If I am correct the e-reader is quite simple. Not sure how it would work on the tablet option.

Confused.com....

WJUK

ps - Availability might also determine what I get as well. Asda had no Kobo's yesterday and I have no idea if CPW have any of the Archos tablets anyway.

Badger_Lady

wackojackouk wrote: »

Hi Badger Lady

Cheers for the advice - has helped a little but she kinda fits into both catergories (she is just difficult )

She was originally thinking about a kindle originally but was put off by the non library option. Our library has quite a few books and she often borrows paper ones so that is kinda must for her.

Have you checked whether the library offers eBooks? You can still convert them to work on the Kindle if so... and perhaps having easy access to books online will negate the need to use the library?

wackojackouk wrote: »

The Tablet Option

I guess she reads about an hour or two a day ish and doesn't really travel (due to 3 kids under 4) so will just be in the house - she tends to read in the afternoon or evening.

She does use facebook, ebay etc on and off in the daytime so again maybe a tablet is a good solution BUT we do have a laptop which she uses for that so not a biggie.

If it's mostly at home and the laptop's already there, then most of the tablet functionality is probably redundant to you.

Of course, you can get eReader applications to run on a PC, so you could start using Kindle or one of the others straight away without any need for a separate device.

wackojackouk wrote: »

The e-reader option

The ereader option sounds like the screen is easier to read and basically that it what she want's it for. It would also be much better for holidays as we wouldn't have to charge it.

I'm also wondering how much of a different the e-ink screen would make compared to the tablet. I did see the demo of the Kindle in Tesco etc (thought it was clear but boring plain text lol) so would be interested in seeing the ereader option on a tablet but not sure where I could see this - any suggestions?

It is a lot easier. In the shop, it's easy to be drawn in by bright flashy colours, but believe me the 'paper' is so much better as an experience for reading.

Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be a tablet out there using eInk. eInk can't cope with fast changes or animation, so a tablet that used it would be limited in its functionality and its interface design. You couldn't play games on it, for example.

There are some 'dual screen' tablets out there that run Android and also eInk in one device. The best example of this has sadly been discontinued and can't be found second-hand... and the more recent ones lack battery life and are really too expensive.

wackojackouk wrote: »

More Questions

I was looking at the Kobo touch or the Sony Touch - do these have 3G as well as WIFI or is it only the Kindle that offers these (I don't think it's a big thing to be honest but good to have if out and about).

No... at the moment 3G is available on Kindle (the Keyboard version has much better 3G than the newer Kindle Touch, by the way) and on Nook by Barnes & Noble... however if you have a Nook you really need to have a US registered address to use it fully. It's not designed for UK residents.

wackojackouk wrote: »

Also how easy is it to put ebooks on to a Tablet compared to the e-reader. If I am correct the e-reader is quite simple. Not sure how it would work on the tablet option.

It's basically the same. The Kindle app on a tablet will work the same way as a Kindle eReader. The same goes for other makes of software.

If you use Calibre (which works on both), then you just sync the device with your laptop, in the same way that you sync an iPod / iPhone. However you can also browse online direct from the device and download eBooks to them.

Tea_Hee_23

I'm having a dilemma, I want to buy my parents an e-reader but don't know whether to opt for the Kindle or the Kobo.

What does anyone recommend for the least tech savy members of the UK population?