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kindle or kobo?
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cherrytops(82)
08-06-2014
Thinking of getting the kindle paperwhite 3G or kobo but not sure which is better.. Could anyone give me advice on which is the best device to get please.
SunnyBears
05-08-2014
Hey,

I have a Kobo Mini which is great for having in my bag and it doesn't weight too much etc. Kindles are bigger to carry around but from what I have read the quality of the screen etc is better.

Having said that I used my kobo on the beach in the summer and could see it fine.

I have the kindle app on my phone and having it there means I can't see why I need a separate device.

You can get a Kobo mini for £25 from Argos. Why not buy one and if you use it a lot get the kindle.

These are my rambling thoughts on eReader experience so far
IvanIV
05-08-2014
I had 2 Sony readers and then 2 Kindles. I prefer Kindles, the paperwhite is really nice, I have the 2nd gen. I like it because: purchasing books is seamless. 3G is a pure comfort thing, but I like comfort Especially abroad I do not have to go searching for the nearest usable Wi-Fi. The screen is excellent with the built-in light. Possible drawbacks: I cannot go to a library and borrow books there, they all use epub format. I cannot purchase books with DRM from other shops than Amazon. Personally I don't care. It is the world against Amazon, but their catalogue is huge and prices are very reasonable. You may think differently, if this matters to you not-Kindle will be your choice.
cherrytops(82)
05-08-2014
Thanks for the feedback guys.

Do you reckon there will be a sale on the kindle paperwhite 3G around Christmas?
Philip Wales
06-08-2014
There is talk of and new version of the paperwhite, so keep your eyes out on Amazon, as prices for the older one may drop.

Do you need the 3g version. I don't have it on my paperwhite and TBH would never use it. I usually by a book or two at a time, so always have something to read on there, plus before going on holiday I stock up on a few more. But even on holiday unless your staying in a jungle or up a mountain, most places have wifi somewhere.
noise747
06-08-2014
I have a Kobo touch and I am very happy with it, does the job well. I doubt I would buy a kindle myself.
Stig
06-08-2014
Great article here:
http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/2014/06...-ebook-switch/

The Paperwhite hardware is arguably the best ereader available. Amazon also have the biggest and cheapest range of ebooks. It depends whether you want to buy into the Amazon 'system'.

Personally, I don't label a company such as Amazon or Apple 'evil' just because they win market share by offering a locked in system, especially if it offers consumers a good deal.
Kaz159
06-08-2014
Another vote for the kindle.

I had a different e-reader before I got the kindle that used a different format and I just converted my books.

You don't have to be restricted to Amazon.
neo_wales
07-08-2014
Without a doubt, Kindle.
Nigel Goodwin
07-08-2014
I vote for Kindle as well, I upgraded my original Kindle (which I still have) to a Fire HD, and my wife upgraded hers to a Paperwhite. Love all of them!
IvanIV
07-08-2014
Originally Posted by noise747:
“I have a Kobo touch and I am very happy with it, does the job well. I doubt I would buy a kindle myself.”

How does book purchasing work on Kobo? Does it deliver wirelessly or do you have to connect with USB cable? And I also mean generally any EPUB shop. It is quoted as an advantage that one can buy from various e-Shops, but if that means having to use Adobe Digital Editions and an USB cable I'm not impressed.
noise747
07-08-2014
Originally Posted by IvanIV:
“How does book purchasing work on Kobo? Does it deliver wirelessly or do you have to connect with USB cable? And I also mean generally any EPUB shop. It is quoted as an advantage that one can buy from various e-Shops, but if that means having to use Adobe Digital Editions and an USB cable I'm not impressed.”

What is so difficult about connecting the ebook to a computer? As far as i know it is only Kobo store you can do via Wi-fi, I doubt Kindle is any different.
In fact Kindle you are more locked in that with a Kobo.

I am not saying a Kobo is for everyone, but it is fine for me. at least I am not tied in with we want to rule the world Amazon.
IvanIV
07-08-2014
Originally Posted by noise747:
“What is so difficult about connecting the ebook to a computer? As far as i know it is only Kobo store you can do via Wi-fi, I doubt Kindle is any different.
In fact Kindle you are more locked in that with a Kobo.

I am not saying a Kobo is for everyone, but it is fine for me. at least I am not tied in with we want to rule the world Amazon.”

I am an impulsive reader, with Kindle I do not have to wait till I am near my computer. If I have to connect with a cable to transfer my other EPUB purchases I may as well connect to convert my EPUB purchases to MOBI with Calibre. Logistics of converting to MOBI is very close to that of transferring EPUB books, time difference is minimal. So I am not really locked in to Amazon more than you are not locked in to one shop with EPUB. An amount of work required for me to free myself from Amazon is similar to yours using EPUB.
noise747
07-08-2014
Originally Posted by IvanIV:
“I am an impulsive reader, with Kindle I do not have to wait till I am near my computer. If I have to connect with a cable to transfer my other EPUB purchases I may as well connect to convert my EPUB purchases to MOBI with Calibre. Logistics of converting to MOBI is very close to that of transferring EPUB books, time difference is minimal. So I am not really locked in to Amazon more than you are not locked in to one shop with EPUB. An amount of work required for me to free myself from Amazon is similar to yours using EPUB.”


So why are you complaining that it is not possible to use Wi-fi with any other store apart from Kobo's own? As you just said, no different to Kindle, you can only access books via Wi-fi from Amazon own store.

I choose kobo originally because it was not Amazon, I did not want to follow the crowd. i had nothing against Amazon at the time, i have still got nothing against Amazon apart from the fact they seem to be getting into everything and decide that we need this and that and they will do it with no opt out.
I used to buy a fair bit from Amazon, mainly Cd's, but over the last few months I now get them from other places, I buy very little from Amazon these days.

The kindle is still a good e-reader, I know a few people who got one of some sort, but it is not for me.
alan1302
07-08-2014
Originally Posted by noise747:
“I choose kobo originally because it was not Amazon, I did not want to follow the crowd. i had nothing against Amazon at the time, i have still got nothing against Amazon.”

I often tend to like things that others maybe don't - no real reason for it I just tend to for whatever reason. But can never understand why someone would buy something just because it is different?
IvanIV
07-08-2014
Originally Posted by noise747:
“So why are you complaining that it is not possible to use Wi-fi with any other store apart from Kobo's own? As you just said, no different to Kindle, you can only access books via Wi-fi from Amazon own store.

I choose kobo originally because it was not Amazon, I did not want to follow the crowd. i had nothing against Amazon at the time, i have still got nothing against Amazon apart from the fact they seem to be getting into everything and decide that we need this and that and they will do it with no opt out.
I used to buy a fair bit from Amazon, mainly Cd's, but over the last few months I now get them from other places, I buy very little from Amazon these days.

The kindle is still a good e-reader, I know a few people who got one of some sort, but it is not for me.”

Because EPUB readers are supposed to be much better than Kindle, using an open format and all, not being locked in to one shop. But if one prefers a comfort of seamless purchases one ends up using shops like Kobo or Amazon anyway, they are effectively locked in by their own convenience.
TelevisionUser
07-08-2014
On ethical grounds, it would be the Kobo since Amazon are anticompetitive, are monopolistic, are tax avoiders and treat their workers like dirt.

In terms of titles on offer, they've both got a few million books on offer and there's an impartial discussion on e-readers below:

http://www.which.co.uk/technology/co...ebook-readers/
gemma-the-husky
07-08-2014
I am interested in this. I just downloaded a few free and cheap books to a tablet, but you just cannot see the screen in daylight - also the battery life isn't great.

Sainsbury have the original kindle for 49.99 at present, but I had a play and was amazed that it isn't touch screen. Given the cheapness of tablets, I am amazed that a simple monochrome e-reader is a dear as it is - so I will wait a while longer.

I will check out the mini kobo, if it is that cheap. thanks for that.
noise747
08-08-2014
Originally Posted by alan1302:
“I often tend to like things that others maybe don't - no real reason for it I just tend to for whatever reason. But can never understand why someone would buy something just because it is different?”

Why not? It have to do the job as well, it is no good buying something if it don't work even if it is different.
noise747
08-08-2014
Originally Posted by IvanIV:
“Because EPUB readers are supposed to be much better than Kindle, using an open format and all, not being locked in to one shop. But if one prefers a comfort of seamless purchases one ends up using shops like Kobo or Amazon anyway, they are effectively locked in by their own convenience.”

It is a open format, easier to publish with epub as well so I have been told. I do buy most of my books from Kobo, because it is easier. I can buy them using the computer and then they will sync to the ereader when I next connect to wi-fi. But i do buy some from other places as well.
noise747
08-08-2014
Originally Posted by gemma-the-husky:
“I am interested in this. I just downloaded a few free and cheap books to a tablet, but you just cannot see the screen in daylight - also the battery life isn't great.

Sainsbury have the original kindle for 49.99 at present, but I had a play and was amazed that it isn't touch screen. Given the cheapness of tablets, I am amazed that a simple monochrome e-reader is a dear as it is - so I will wait a while longer.

I will check out the mini kobo, if it is that cheap. thanks for that.”

Tablets are not good for your eyes anyway for reading. I suppose Ereaders are still for a minority of people, so the price shows it and maybe the technology is not as cheap as LCD displays.

A touch screen is not important on a e-reader, i still got my old original Kobo without a touch screen and it was ok, i still use it now and again. I would give it to my Dad but he prefers going into Charity shops, which he calls cheap jacks and looking for books. It also gives him a hour out of the house.


Kobo mini is £30 from smiths, the touch is £60. the Kindle Paperwhite is nice, but over a ton makes it expensive.

i have to look for some more stuff to read when I get home from work, I am reading the Girl who kicked the hornet nest at the the moment, I downloded it a while back, but been reading the hitchhickers guide series as i have never read them before, Got to get the next one which is so long and thanks for all the fish,
Kal_El
08-08-2014
Originally Posted by TelevisionUser:
“On ethical grounds, it would be the Kobo since Amazon are anticompetitive, are monopolistic, are tax avoiders and treat their workers like dirt.

In terms of titles on offer, they've both got a few million books on offer and there's an impartial discussion on e-readers below:

http://www.which.co.uk/technology/co...ebook-readers/”

Yeah I've posted elsewhere here that we are more Kobo than Kindle in this house. I prefer the format compatibility and the fact that it's not Amazon.
charliesays
08-08-2014
I find it impossible to find fault with the Kindle Paperwhite. Absolute perfection.

Ethics don't come into for me. Companies make profits. If they do it legally then hey ho, that's just the way of the world.
Philip Wales
08-08-2014
^^ agree
IvanIV
08-08-2014
Originally Posted by TelevisionUser:
“On ethical grounds, it would be the Kobo since Amazon are anticompetitive, are monopolistic, are tax avoiders and treat their workers like dirt.

In terms of titles on offer, they've both got a few million books on offer and there's an impartial discussion on e-readers below:

http://www.which.co.uk/technology/co...ebook-readers/”

How about mobile phones and other gadgets. Given the situation in China, it's very likely child labour is involved. Is that ethical?
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