eReader advice/suggestions?

[cDnStealth]

So I am thinking about getting my mom an eReader for Christmas. Can anyone recommend a model? Thoughts on the Kobo Glo? She'd more than likely be using it outside in the sun.

[AR_Six]

At this stage I can't see a reason not to just up and get a nexus 7.

[cDnStealth]

Originally Posted by AR_Six

At this stage I can't see a reason not to just up and get a nexus 7.

She's already got a Galaxy Tab so I figured I'd get her something specifically for reading. I think she'd really prefer e-ink to an LCD screen as I imagine it's easier on the eyes.

[KTrain]

I was reading about someone using a Kobo to connect to the Calgary Public Library eReader library. To me, that sounds like a great solution. If she has a library card she has access to all the eBooks and wouldn't have spend a lot of money to read a lot of books.

[HPLovecraft]

I have a regular ol' Kobo. No need for me to get the colour one, since I only use it for reading text files, mainly, and it works perfectly fine outside under the sun. It's pretty good, though a bit slow to load pdfs and stuff when changing pages, but I guess that's kind of expected with that file type. Great readability overall. The Kobo can easily load epub files, too, so you can use it in your local library a lot easier than something like the Kindle, if your Mom is into that kind of thing. I'm not too familiar with other models, though, sorry.

[GP_Matt]

I have the Kobo Glo and really like the light option. It is great on planes so you don't get any glare from the overhead light and at night it isn't so bright that I keep my wife up.

[RedMileDJ]

Originally Posted by cDnStealth

So I am thinking about getting my mom an eReader for Christmas. Can anyone recommend a model? Thoughts on the Kobo Glo? She'd more than likely be using it outside in the sun.

I got my wife the Kobo Glo. She really likes it. The e-ink is amazing for all light situations. Tha battery lasts just over a month (I think she's had to charge it once since October), and it's very light and easy to use (touch screen).

Originally Posted by KTrain

I was reading about someone using a Kobo to connect to the Calgary Public Library eReader library. To me, that sounds like a great solution. If she has a library card she has access to all the eBooks and wouldn't have spend a lot of money to read a lot of books.

This is the main reason why I got my wife the Kobo Glo. You download a program that allows you to check out e-books from the CPL and then download them to the Kobo.

I don't think my wife has bought any more than 4 books since I got it for her back in October. At least...I don't think so. Better check the credit card statement lol!

I compared all of the e-readers, and the Kobo Glo came on top. The next step up would be a tablet (like the Nexus 7). All the other e-readers don't have the features and benefits to using the library as a source of getting books. At least they didn't at the time when I bought the Glo for my wife.

[Sliver]

I had the second generation Kobo and hated it. It was slow to change pages (a second or two delay) which sounds like nothing, but it'll make you want to throw it through a window. Maybe the new ones are faster, but I do my reading now on my Nexus 7 and find it to be 10x better than a Kobo. Maybe there could be issues reading outside, but I do my reading inside 99.9% of the time so it's a non-issue.

A tablet consolidates a lot of devices into one awesome little package. A dedicated e-reader is just clutter IMO.

[RedMileDJ]

Originally Posted by Sliver

I had the second generation Kobo and hated it. It was slow to change pages (a second or two delay) which sounds like nothing, but it'll make you want to throw it through a window. Maybe the new ones are faster, but I do my reading now on my Nexus 7 and find it to be 10x better than a Kobo. Maybe there could be issues reading outside, but I do my reading inside 99.9% of the time so it's a non-issue.

A tablet consolidates a lot of devices into one awesome little package. A dedicated e-reader is just clutter IMO.

My wife says the page turning on her Kobo Glo is instant. Never been an issue. I think the Glo has a better processor and more RAM than the second gen. Not entirely sure.

When I was researching e-readers I thought about just getting her a tablet. Her response was "if I want to do computer stuff, I'll use my computer. I just want to read." Plus the e-ink on the e-reader is easier on her eyes, then the bright screen on a tablet.

I guess that just comes back to guys being more into gadgets and total-package devices and women being more into having it simple and one function. I'm stereotyping here, just seems like that with men and women.

[Burninator]

Personally I think reading on a LCD screen is a terrible experience and it is unusable outside or somewhere with a moderate amount of glare. I tried reading with an iPad for a couple months switched to a Kindle and never looked back. A tablet is good at a bunch of different things, but an e-reader is fantastic at one thing. I think you would be fine with the Kobo or the Kindle. BTW Kindle does make one that is backlight (paperwhite).

[silentsim]

As a techie with multiple options to read books on (nexus 7, iPad and iPad mini haha) I always find myself preferring my Kobo Glo. I have tested multiple e-readers ranging from the newest Sony devices and all Kindles except the new paper white. I love the Kobo Glo. Fantastic device. Gets my full recommendation. Kobo has the platform benefits over the Kindle- ePub support for library books (not locked down like the Kindle)

[nfotiu]

Originally Posted by Burninator

Personally I think reading on a LCD screen is a terrible experience and it is unusable outside or somewhere with a moderate amount of glare. I tried reading with an iPad for a couple months switched to a Kindle and never looked back. A tablet is good at a bunch of different things, but an e-reader is fantastic at one thing. I think you would be fine with the Kobo or the Kindle. BTW Kindle does make one that is backlight (paperwhite).

Agree 100%. I have never been able to read more than about 5 or 10 minutes on a my kids kindle fire or my iPad without getting annoyed. Regular kindles or comparable are a much more pleasing experience. Once you start talking about taking outside, there is no comparison.

[HPLovecraft]

Yeah, if your wife is only looking to read, go the e-ink route. It's so much easier on the eyes when reading books, etc. If she wants more of an all-in-one, go with a tablet.

[Ashartus]

As others have said, if it's just for reading an e-ink e-reader is a better option than a tablet. For e-readers, you basically have to decide between Kindles, which use Amazon's proprietary ebook format, or anything else, which use the standard EPub format. Really the only thing this affects is where you buy your books from - for most books the price will be the same though sometimes specific sellers have special deals. From what I've heard, the latest line of Kobo readers and particularly the Glo has finally caught up to or possibly surpassed Kindles and Sony readers in terms of quality and if I was going to buy a new one right now that's probably what I'd get.

[renny]

I love my kobo mini, it's small enough that it just fits in my pocket and i can bring it with me anywhere. The e-ink is nice an crisp. Since it's not an LCD there's a lot less eye strain as well. I didn't go for the glo for two reasons, I wanted something really small, and I have a predisposed eye condition, so I never read in low light situations, as such the backlight wasn't much of a concern for me.

But yea, reading on the kobo is miles ahead of reading on an ipad.

[AR_Six]

I must be an outlier because I vastly prefer reading on a screen like the Nexus 7's or the Ipad's to an ereader screen. Glare or no glare, the higher resolution is just much more pleasant for me to read off of. And I think there's something about the smooth page flip that I like. Not sure why, just the little things.

[Buff]

If you are a library user in Alberta and you want to use your eReader to borrow eBooks then don't get a Kindle. It doesn't work with the library software.... for nearly all of Canada for that matter.

Kobo seems to be popular. The Sony eReader is pretty decent too.

[Russic]

I used to be an iPad reader until I picked my wife up a Kindle and tried it for 10 minutes. Now even when I want to read and the iPad is my only option I'll just find something else to do.

I bought my dad a Kobo Glo because his eyesight has been deteriorating for the last 10 years, but reading is his favourite pastime. The ability to boost the fonts and take out library books (he's an insane speed-reader) was huge for him. He doesn't stop talking about how much he enjoys it.

I grabbed a Kobo mini on Black Friday from Future Shop only because it was $50. I had every intention of returning it as I thought it would be too small. I figured there was a very slight possibility I'd actually like it, and I was surprised to find how much I do. I would still recommend the Glo over it, but the mini is more than functional if you're on a bit of a budget.

[cDnStealth]

Thanks everyone! I think I will pick up the Glo.

[Burninator]

Originally Posted by Russic

I bought my dad a Kobo Glo because his eyesight has been deteriorating for the last 10 years, but reading is his favourite pastime. The ability to boost the fonts and take out library books (he's an insane speed-reader) was huge for him. He doesn't stop talking about how much he enjoys it.

If reading becomes too hard for him further down the road you should point him toward Audible.