kindle question

Legacy_user

Tempted as I am to buy my wife one of these
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kindle-Wi-Fi-6-Ink-Display/dp/B0051QVF7A/ref=amb_link_161274707_2?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=gateway-center-column&pf_rd_r=0515RT41PTPM0SWAWBG4&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=254624767&pf_rd_i=468294
do they arrive empty? do you pay for every book that is transferred to it ?, they say they hold over a 1000 books, if this is so, who would pay for a 1000 books. Maybe I've got it all wrong, have I?

nicka99

no, you havent got it wrong. yes, it arrives empty and you pay for every book from the kindle book store. some are discounted below the price of a 'regular' book, some are free (the classics) and some are full price. many new authors submit books for 79p as a cheaper way than going down the traditional publishing route - some of these are rubbish but some are pretty good. since you can see other readers reviews before buying you get a pretty good idea of whether you'll like it or not. You can also download a 'sample' (first 1-2 chapters) for free so 'try before you buy' - I dont think waterstones would let you do this :-)

who would buy 1000 books I dont know but since some people have this many sitting on bookshelves its quite possible !

Ive had a kindle for almost a year and thinks its brilliant. Now the price has come down its even better value. I think my wife is going to ask santa for one this year too !!

tanith

I've also had one for a year and think its brilliant.. I think they will actually hold 3000 books , and yes I think people would pay for many many books.. I've downloaded loads of free ones some good some not so.. also read some of the classics again for free.. its brilliant for reading outdoors which I do a lot in the Summer as there is no glare on the screen. I only pay more than a £1 for a book if its something I really want to read and my daughters buy me amazon vouchers for birthdays no so I can spend it on books for my kindle.. if your wife is an avid reader she'll love it... Of course I still read book books when I am given them .

Fifer

nicka99 wrote: »

no, you havent got it wrong. yes, it arrives empty and you pay for every book from the kindle book store.

That's not quite right. The easy way to get books is from the Kindle store - some you pay for and many are free. However, you can transfer books to your Kindle from many other free and paid for sources. Some will need to be converted for the Kindle but a free program called Calibre make this very easy.

martinthebandit

Fifer wrote: »

That's not quite right. The easy way to get books is from the Kindle store - some you pay for and many are free. However, you can transfer books to your Kindle from many other free and paid for sources. Some will need to be converted for the Kindle but a free program called Calibre make this very easy.

Is the right answer, and is the main reason why I cannot recommend the kindle too highly.

Although the ability to have a new release from your favourite author sitting there waiting to be read when you get up in the morning does prove a temptation that is difficult to resist.

Plus it does solve one potentially major headache, christmas, someones birthday coming up?

What to buy?

An Amazon voucher will do very nicely for anyone who has a kindle :-D

sillygoose

Also as a last resort you can read stuff in Adobe pdf format. sometimes it doesn't format so pretty but setting the screen to landscape or fiddling with the font setting on the Kindle usually sorts it out.

If you install a pdf print driver on your PC (Bullzip is excellent and free) then anything you can get on you PC screen you can convert to a pdf and copy it over to the Kindle with the usb cable. So apart from books you can carry all kinds of documents, manual, brochures, etc etc..... (the internet is awash with pdf downloads for this or that too)

nicka99

tanith wrote: »

I think they will actually hold 3000

the new kindle (without keyboard) holds Up to 1,400 Books (2GB)
the earlier model (with keyboard) holds up to 3,500 Books (4GB)

I (so far) havent bothered trying to add a book from any other source other than the kindle store because its just sooo easy and convenient - I guess thats the idea !

Sambucus_Nigra

I have a kindle [as of yesterday], but also got hold of about 800 books from a source that I can just save over to the Kindle as I need them.

Brilliant! Me and the OH both have one as we were squabbling over who had his when we were away, I bought his for him at Christmad. So he got me one for my birthday. Sorted.

martinthebandit

sillygoose wrote: »

Also as a last resort you can read stuff in Adobe pdf format. sometimes it doesn't format so pretty but setting the screen to landscape or fiddling with the font setting on the Kindle usually sorts it out.

If you install a pdf print driver on your PC (Bullzip is excellent and free) then anything you can get on you PC screen you can convert to a pdf and copy it over to the Kindle with the usb cable. So apart from books you can carry all kinds of documents, manual, brochures, etc etc..... (the internet is awash with pdf downloads for this or that too)

Plus, of course, you can use calibre to convert the pdf's into the kindle mobi format, makes them much easier to read.

neilwoods

Even if it held 200 or 300 books, that is more than enough for most people. As a few people have said, lot of the classic books are free.

Plus 1 benefit is that when you buy the book, it is available to download straight away, no delivery charges or waiting for it to be delivered.

I have been tempted to buy one myself since they came out, but I like the feel of the book's.

Twinny99

I love my kindle but the single gripe I have with it is (I know this sounds pathetic!) the brief nanosecond flash of black when you 'turn' the page. I suppose I'll get used to it in time...