[crowncd]

I'm thinking of buying my wife an e-book reader for Xmas but we're a bit confused about which reader - Kobo, Kindle or Nook - offer the widest and most cost effective range of books.
With the Kindle it appears we're tied into Amazon although I think their prices for books are fairly reasonable. Not too sure about the Nook book store although the Glolight model looks nice. With the Kobo we can 'borrow' books from our local library but not too sure how their book store stacks up against Amazon. I don't think we can use the local library e-book store with the other two brands.
Any thoughts or advice on the matter would be much appreciated.
Many thanks.

[Dickimuss]

I am an avid reader on my iPad. I use the free apps from Kobo, Kindle etc and just buy books wherever I choose. That being said I find myself buying more from Kindle than any other source as their pricing and choice generally seems to be the best.

I would suggest that unless you specifically want an ereader that you get a tablet with a decent screen resolution instead as this will give you more freedom and flexibility. Ignore the nonsense you hear about not being able to use outside or eye strain etc. I have never had problems with either of these issues.

[crowncd]

Thanks for the reply and advice Dickimuss. I think she's quite keen on the less reflective screen on the dedicated e-readers but as you say, it may be worth looking at something like a Nexus 7 first. Quite fancy one of those myself!

[bobcar]

Originally Posted by crowncd

Thanks for the reply and advice Dickimuss. I think she's quite keen on the less reflective screen on the dedicated e-readers but as you say, it may be worth looking at something like a Nexus 7 first. Quite fancy one of those myself!

She's right to go for an ereader rather than an ipad etc app as the screen on the ereaders are MUCH better for reading.

If you choose Kobo, Nook, Sony etc then you can choose from a wide variety of stores (such as Waterstones and W H Smith) as they are all epub and you can also get books from the library whereas with the Kindle it is Amazon. The choice I feel is more about where you want to get the books rather than the merits of the particular ereader as they all perform pretty well as long as they are e-ink.

[crowncd]

Thanks for your input bobcar. We've had a quick look at what's available at PC World and as far as screens are concerned, I think she likes the less reflective e-reader screens. Veering towards Kobo I think as it seems to have a good link with our local libraries here in Staffordshire. Don't mind paying for books by the way but Kindle although excellent does seem to tie you in to Amazon.

[bobcar]

Originally Posted by crowncd

Thanks for your input bobcar. We've had a quick look at what's available at PC World and as far as screens are concerned, I think she likes the less reflective e-reader screens. Veering towards Kobo I think as it seems to have a good link with our local libraries here in Staffordshire. Don't mind paying for books by the way but Kindle although excellent does seem to tie you in to Amazon.

Any of the ereaders that do epub will work okay with your library so that's any except Kindle (I think).

Kobo is a good choice anyway. The mini seems very good value at £49, the small size may seem a disadvantage but I have a Sony eReader that is also 5" and find that is perfect for reading novels especially if on the train etc, I much prefer my 5" screen to a friends larger model. After a very short time you don't even notice the extra page turns needed for a smaller screen as your brain does that in autopilot, against that if she will be reading a lot of pdfs for work etc then a larger one would be better. Having a touch screen is a very big advantage so I wouldn't personally go for one that wasn't touch.

[alan1302]

Originally Posted by Dickimuss

Ignore the nonsense you hear about not being able to use outside or eye strain etc. I have never had problems with either of these issues.

It's not nonsense in the slightest - every LCD screened tablet/phone/laptop struggles outside - especially in bright sunlight. And I certainly get eye strain from reading on a tablet...for reading I would recommend an eReader every time.

[Dickimuss]

Originally Posted by alan1302

It's not nonsense in the slightest - every LCD screened tablet/phone/laptop struggles outside - especially in bright sunlight. And I certainly get eye strain from reading on a tablet...for reading I would recommend an eReader every time.

As somebody who actually uses such a screen all the time - even in bright sunlight on occasion I beg to differ. The screen controls you have on the reader apps give total flexibility over the way the screen operates according to your preferences and the ambient light conditions.
And try reading a standard epaper screen in the dark at night when you partner wants the light off and see how you get on!

[bobcar]

Originally Posted by Dickimuss

As somebody who actually uses such a screen all the time - even in bright sunlight on occasion I beg to differ. The screen controls you have on the reader apps give total flexibility over the way the screen operates according to your preferences and the ambient light conditions.

Most people would disagree with you. There are many ways the LCD screens are better than e-ink such as for watching videos, web surfing etc so the only reason e-ink exists is because most people find LCD a pain (often literally) when it comes to reading especially over extended periods. Reading an e-ink screen is probably even easier on the eye than reading a book but there is no way I would want to read a novel on a tablet.

If you don't think e-ink is superior for reading then please explain why e-ink even exists given that it is not so good for general computing activities? You can obviously answer this because of your comment "Ignore the nonsense you hear about not being able to use outside or eye strain etc".

And try reading a standard epaper screen in the dark at night when you partner wants the light off and see how you get on!

This is correct however there are simple ways around this if night reading in company is a requirement. It is not a good enough reason to ditch the far superior reading (for most people) of the e-ink screen.

[njp]

Originally Posted by crowncd

Thanks for the reply and advice Dickimuss. I think she's quite keen on the less reflective screen on the dedicated e-readers but as you say, it may be worth looking at something like a Nexus 7 first. Quite fancy one of those myself!

The Nexus 7 is a great tablet, but an e-reader is far better for straightforward linear reading of text: much better battery life, easily usable in bright sunlight, and easier on the eye even in normal lighting conditions.

I have both.

[Anika Hanson]

Originally Posted by Dickimuss

As somebody who actually uses such a screen all the time - even in bright sunlight on occasion I beg to differ. The screen controls you have on the reader apps give total flexibility over the way the screen operates according to your preferences and the ambient light conditions.
And try reading a standard epaper screen in the dark at night when you partner wants the light off and see how you get on!

I did this last night with my kindle paperwhite. Read for a good 2 hours and the OH didn't bat an eyelid, he was snoring away. The newer eink devices have in built lights which can be adjusted to give a dimmer setting at night.

[alan1302]

Originally Posted by Dickimuss

As somebody who actually uses such a screen all the time - even in bright sunlight on occasion I beg to differ. The screen controls you have on the reader apps give total flexibility over the way the screen operates according to your preferences and the ambient light conditions.
And try reading a standard epaper screen in the dark at night when you partner wants the light off and see how you get on!

What device do you use to read with? I've never found any LCD screens that are good outside so interested to know what you have.

[grumpyoldbat]

Originally Posted by alan1302

What device do you use to read with? I've never found any LCD screens that are good outside so interested to know what you have.

I suspect that the iPad Mini might be OK for this as it seems to have the same screen manufacturing process as the iPhone 5. Previous iPhones/iPads have been near-on unreadable in bright sunlight, but I was surprised to discover that the iPhone 5 screen is not only clear in sunlight, but very readable.

[Dickimuss]

Originally Posted by alan1302

What device do you use to read with? I've never found any LCD screens that are good outside so interested to know what you have.

I use an iPad 3. I have read using this in the full glare of the Florida sun - without any problems. I have read countless books with their pad. The trick to using a backlit screen to read books is to turn the light intensity right down when reading in low light conditions. If set at the right level the effect is in fact almost like reading an eink page. In full dark the night setting works very well - but even this I turn down to a low setting otherwise you do indeed find your eyes getting tired after a little while.

Bobcat - I have to say that people like you really tick me off on this forum. Why does everything have to become a p*****g contest? I merely pointed out that a tablet is perfectly acceptable and more flexible option to an ereader. Is there some law against this? If somebody wants the cheapest possible option or prefers epaper that is entirely up to them - I was just pointing out other options to the OP.

[bobcar]

Originally Posted by Dickimuss

Bobcat - I have to say that people like you really tick me off on this forum. Why does everything have to become a p*****g contest? I merely pointed out that a tablet is perfectly acceptable and more flexible option to an ereader. Is there some law against this? If somebody wants the cheapest possible option or prefers epaper that is entirely up to them - I was just pointing out other options to the OP.

Sorry, I didn't mean it to become whatever type of contest you mean. Of course it is up to people to use whatever they like but if someone asks for advice it would be remiss of me not to point out that e-ink is a far better solution for reading books, you are very much in a minority in thinking otherwise.

[Dickimuss]

Originally Posted by bobcar

Sorry, I didn't mean it to become whatever type of contest you mean. Of course it is up to people to use whatever they like but if someone asks for advice it would be remiss of me not to point out that e-ink is a far better solution for reading books, you are very much in a minority in thinking otherwise.

Being in a minority does not necessarily make you wrong. You may recall that a majority of European governments thought that having a single shared currency would be rather a good idea. Opinions are subjective!

[bobcar]

Originally Posted by Dickimuss

Being in a minority does not necessarily make you wrong.

No it doesn't but the fact is that most people who read e-books find e-ink a much better experience. My recommendation to crowncd is that they go for an e-reader, if his wife spends any length of time reading books she is much more likely to be in with the majority who will be better served with an e-ink reader than one of the minority who find a tablet adequate. She has already indicated such a preference.

[SolarSail]

crowncd, I treated myself to a Kobo Vox and it does everything I want.

I use it for my email, surfing the web and reading, both day and at night when I can't sleep.

I'm really pleased with it and having downloaded the Kindle App can get books from my library, or the free ones from any online source as well as the paid for books.

I bought mine from a merchant on Amazon and also shopped for a really nice leather case, a SD card, screen protectors and a car charger which also works with my Android phone.
Everything is synced with my email account and when I buy books I'm asked which device I want to download to.

[bona-v]

Just to add my little bit. After deliberating for ages, I opted for the Kobo. Because it seemed to give me more "freedom" than the Kindle and the Nook wasn't available at the time.

However, I am just selling my few month old Kobo's and gettin the new Kobo Glo to replace them. Something so simple as the plastic quilted back for grip (only my opinion) is a plus point. The prices you get the paid for books do vary up and down between Kobo and Kindle and Kobo frequently email discount codes anyway. My nephew loves the fact he gets reading awards on his Kobo.

Also, the Kobo is priced at least £10 cheaper than the Kindle too. The free library loans are a good idea, and there are a million or so free books anyway on both Kobo and Kindle.

[crowncd]

Once again, thanks to everybody who has responded to my initial question.
No purchase has been made as yet but my wife has indicated a preference for the Kobo and I have a feeling the Kobo Glo will be the one I'll be getting her.

[geniusgirl]

The kobo glo is the one I will be getting in less than a month. From research, it has the most reliable light of the main three (kobo, kindle, nook)
It's nice to hold, not too big.

Of course you can find free ebooks on pdf and download them onto your device.

[crowncd]

I've just bought a Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 for myself and whilst looking round PC World my wife was rather taken with the 7" Samsung tablet - I think she had virtually decided on the Kobo Glo prior to that. I'm sure the Kobo offers the better reading experience but there's so much more that can be done with a tablet and I think that has swayed her away from the Kobo and towards the tablet. Delighted with the Tab by the way - I was keen on the new Nexus 7 which is very nice but I'm a radio buff and the BBC aren't supporting the Nexus as yet.

[Brady12]

I was going to get a Kindle Paperwhite but when the Samsung reductions came up I went for the 7 inch and actually paid less than I would have for the Kindle. I don't get problems with eye strain luckily so i'm fine reading off it. At night I use the white on black setting and during the day sepia and turn the brightness right down.