xmas shopping help: eReaders?

[noiseredux]

So obviously the Kindle is the big one that people talk about, but there's also the Nook and the Sony eReader... and many others out there. Are there really major differences from one to the next? What do I need to look for? What do I need to avoid? Do all eBook-stores (amazon, b&n, emusic, etc) offer books compatible with all the eReaders? Give me the "for dummies" version to help me shop. Thanks!

[avrame]

From what I know, all e-readers tend to perfer books from their own store. I'm sure there are tools to convert e-books to PDF, and all e-readers reader PDF from what I know.

My straight honest opinion is to go with a Kindle. Amazon has the most backing so far in the e-reader market, not to mention the ability to read your book everywhere (phone, laptop, desktop, kindle) It's very handle if you want to read your book, but don't have your kindle, as whispersync will sync your kindle to the page you were last reading once you return.

Just my two cents. My wife and I bought a kindle last xmas, and it's been awesome. She buys a book on the kindle, tells me I should read it with her, so I read it on my phone with my kindle account.

[corn619]

I bought the Kindle 3 with 3G and its been great to me so far. Its easy to set up and use, You can shop and buy books anywhere, has free basic internet browsing and its starting to get games as well. The selection of books is great too. The new Nook color is looking pretty cool though. You may want to hold off and see how the Nook color reviews when its released shortly. Theres lots of different formats for ebooks. The kindle does everyone besides the epub format. Most ebook stores use the epub format, but the Amazon store is so robust in selection it really doesn't matter. But the Nook will display epub formats. The Nook also uses Android and is easily hackable unlike the Kindle which uses a closed platform. The Amazon store has a better selection than B&N. In the end, I would really only consider only 2 readers, Kindle and Nook. The rest are kinda garbage and really don't compare.

[noiseredux]

apparently Nook's don't work with amazon though, right?

[CRTGAMER]

You can try out Kindle at Staples.

A Touchscreen Tablet Netbook for multiple function might be better?
Tons of books are out on PDF format without the Amazon "1984" control.

[Ivo]

I think you should get one that has free 3G net included on the one-time price and lets you use said net connection for e-mail and wikipedia among other things (i.e. not just to get the books). Kindles has one package that does include that, check if the others do that as well.

Disclaimer: I don't actually have one, but I've been thinking about it, and I think that having free access on the device makes it much more versatile and worth the price (even if you pay more for having it, considering how long you intend to use it).

Ivo.

[noiseredux]

if it were me CRT, I'd go that route. But as it's a gift, I'd rather just get what my wife asks for.

[Ivo]

I think that if you're actually a frequent reader then a dedicated device makes sense, because the screen really makes the difference then (compared to a tablet netbook).

Ivo.

[Krooner]

apparently Nook's don't work with amazon though, right?

they're only proprietary text files you can change them to the correct formats in seconds. The Nook colour is an LCD screen not e-ink so you could strain your eyes reading for long periods, could be cool for comics though.

[noiseredux]

I think you should get one that has free 3G net included on the one-time price and lets you use said net connection for e-mail and wikipedia among other things (i.e. not just to get the books). Kindles has one package that does include that, check if the others do that as well.

Disclaimer: I don't actually have one, but I've been thinking about it, and I think that having free access on the device makes it much more versatile and worth the price (even if you pay more for having it, considering how long you intend to use it).

Ivo.

I didn't realize the 3G was free. That's very awesome. I figured there was a monthly charge?