E-Book Readers - Worth it?

[Looch City]

I've started to read a lot more with the free time I have on transit everyday. I've been flying through books and just amassing a collection of Sci-fi/fantasy books on the bookshelf. I'm a fan of the long-running series books, so costs add up quickly and I'm just putting them away in boxes now.

I have never tried an ebook reader but the "all-in-one" solution and cheaper books has me interested.

Anyone use them regularly and want to share the pros/cons?

[CMPunk]

I have a tablet I use for my books. I also use torrents to find what I need, so my book habit is way cheaper now.

[Fuzz]

They are great. Cheap, portable, battery lasts forever. Personally I got a Kobo mini because it was under $50 and I prefer the small size. Get Calibre software to manage the books. Lots of free books out there, too. Legally and, err...not so much.

[Meelapo]

I use an e-reader and I am an avid fan of fantasy and science fiction. I would say that my e-reader is my most used device in my house. At first I was very hesitant because I didn't think I would like the experience but I've never looked back. I've had a Kindle for about 9 years and I typically upgrade when Amazon releases a new version.

If you go with the Kindle route you can purchase books on Amazon and get a discount on the Audible versions. You'll get the benefit of WhisperSync so wherever you leave off in the book you can pick up at the same place in the audio version (and vice versa).

[jeep991]

I'm on my Kindle (the cheap one) every day reading whenever I get the chance. It's a great little device. The screen doesn't cause eye strain, it holds tons of books, and it is small and light enough to shove in my jacket pocket when I go out to pick up the kids after school. I like the cheap one but I think I'll be buying the paperwhite one next since the screen is lit up.
I don't buy many books but I'm subscribed to a bunch of free book websites that email out books that are on sale for free from Amazon.

[photon]

They're great, get one. Then you can also borrow ebooks through the library, if you get a Kobo or other compatible reader. I don't think the Amazon ones are though.

[uofaflamesfan]

Has e-book reader technology improved or changed much since it started out?

I have a old Kobo that I use all the time. Would there be much benefit to upgrade to a newer model?

[photon]

The screens have gotten incrementally better, not a huge amount from one version to the next, but might be a pretty significant jump from a really old one. Better contrast (more like actual paper/ink).

Newer ones also often have a light built in.

[PsYcNeT]

Yeah the most modern (like, last 3-4 years) Kindles are excellent with the e-ink technology. Very comfortable to read.

[rotten42]

I just use Kobo and my cheap android tablet.

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by photon

I don't think the Amazon ones are though.

No, unfortunately they're not.

Originally Posted by PsYcNeT

Yeah the most modern (like, last 3-4 years) Kindles are excellent with the e-ink technology. Very comfortable to read.

Yeah, the e-ink was a complete game changer. I much prefer that over the kindle app on a tablet. Well for books without illustrations at least.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by uofaflamesfan

Has e-book reader technology improved or changed much since it started out?

I have a old Kobo that I use all the time. Would there be much benefit to upgrade to a newer model?

Like any other computer, newer generations have better hardware and improved software, so load faster, turn pages faster, etc. Screens are better. But if you're fine with an older, slower model, you're not missing out on a whole lot by not upgrading.

[calumniate]

I bought a Kobo maybe five years ago, but man the battery was horrible. I have no idea why really.. I assumed when I wasn't using it the thing was 'off'. I'm sure things have improved or I simply got a lemon. Was kind of a bummer

[Mazrim]

Originally Posted by calumniate

I bought a Kobo maybe five years ago, but man the battery was horrible. I have no idea why really.. I assumed when I wasn't using it the thing was 'off'. I'm sure things have improved or I simply got a lemon. Was kind of a bummer

I turn off Wifi when I don't need it on my Kindle and it makes the battery last much, much longer than with Wifi on.

[Russic]

Originally Posted by Meelapo

I use an e-reader and I am an avid fan of fantasy and science fiction. I would say that my e-reader is my most used device in my house. At first I was very hesitant because I didn't think I would like the experience but I've never looked back. I've had a Kindle for about 9 years and I typically upgrade when Amazon releases a new version.

If you go with the Kindle route you can purchase books on Amazon and get a discount on the Audible versions. You'll get the benefit of WhisperSync so wherever you leave off in the book you can pick up at the same place in the audio version (and vice versa).

Really!? This thread has funny timing as I literally bought a Kindle Paperwhite about 2 hours ago in part because I picked up an Audible subscription in January and have become a touch obsessed. I'd heard about the whispersync but was wondering if I'd actually buy both an audio and digital version of the same book. I didn't realize there's a discount.

[CaptainCrunch]

I like my Kobo. Basically I can store a whole ton of books in one place. So I basically started replacing my paper books with electronic.

I still think if you bought a book you should be able to download it for free, but that's me.

I used to have a whole room in my place lined with bookshelves and I had several hundred books. Today I could empty those shelves and put one E-Reader in its place.

[photon]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

I still think if you bought a book you should be able to download it for free, but that's me.

Agree, each physical book should come with a download code. Movies do it.

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

I still think if you bought a book you should be able to download it for free, but that's me.

That'd be nice. I have a few books I've had to double-dip on.

Love the e-readers, especially for travelling or backpacking. Not a chance I'd hike with a few books in the backcountry, but I will pack my Kindle.

[Resolute 14]

One thing to consider when using Kobo - you can get Aeroplan points. And a decent amount. I think it was 4 points per dollar last I checked.

[Looch City]

Thanks for the comments guys, I'll be looking into getting a Kobo soon!