Amazon Kindle

[MrPopo]

If you get anything besides the Kindle it'll be like reading on a computer screen. So if that's an issue that already limits it down to just the Kindle. I'm honestly not sure how all the media sharing works on it; I've got three bookcases full of books as it stands and I don't feel like rebuying all of that to have it on a single device, nor do I want to start buying all my new books soley on the Kindle while maintaining the old collection.

[yomomma1]

I don't like the kindle. It's just the way I read, I need page numbers. The screen also makes my eyes hurt, which is weird because no video games have done that. I just like reading books better. The 3G(at least in my area) didn't work too well.

[Ivo]

If you want a dedicated e-reader, then I would think you really should want one with an e-ink screen. I think it is not just the Kindle that has that though.

Otherwise if you are ok reading on a "regular" screen you would probably do better getting a tablet (or using one you already have - do you not have an iPad already, Niode? I don't remember). Tablets probably have less battery life and are probably heavier, but you can do so much more with it anyway so if you are not getting a dedicated screen made for reading, I would just use a tablet.
In my mind dedicated e-readers need to have an e-ink screen to be worth it.

I also advocate getting the 3G version, because I think "free 3G forever in lots of places including outside the country" is too appealing to pass on. It is not necessarily forever but it has been going on for long enough that I feel one can trust Amazon to keep it around. As the Kindle is indeed a dedicated e-reader, it won't be a great surfing experience, but you will be able to check your e-mail (clunkily) and check wikipedia and stuff like that. Even if you have a data plan in the U.K. (as you have an iPhone, you probably do) it is probably still worth the extra cash if you travel a bunch to locations where the kindle will have international 3G coverage... For free.

Ivo.

[Niode]

If you want a dedicated e-reader, then I would think you really should want one with an e-ink screen. I think it is not just the Kindle that has that though.

Otherwise if you are ok reading on a "regular" screen you would probably do better getting a tablet (or using one you already have - do you not have an iPad already, Niode? I don't remember). Tablets probably have less battery life and are probably heavier, but you can do so much more with it anyway so if you are not getting a dedicated screen made for reading, I would just use a tablet.
In my mind dedicated e-readers need to have an e-ink screen to be worth it.

I also advocate getting the 3G version, because I think "free 3G forever in lots of places including outside the country" is too appealing to pass on. It is not necessarily forever but it has been going on for long enough that I feel one can trust Amazon to keep it around. As the Kindle is indeed a dedicated e-reader, it won't be a great surfing experience, but you will be able to check your e-mail (clunkily) and check wikipedia and stuff like that. Even if you have a data plan in the U.K. (as you have an iPhone, you probably do) it is probably still worth the extra cash if you travel a bunch to locations where the kindle will have international 3G coverage... For free.

Ivo.

Good points. The Kindle (or rather an e-reader with an e-ink screen) is what I'm looking for purely because it isn't like looking at a screen. I don't fancy staring at a backlit screen in the dark for a few hours (I do most of my reading at night).

The thing with the 3G is that I already have an iPhone, I don't do much (if any) traveling abroad. So things like email and the odd browsing can be done easily and much better on that device.

The iPad just doesn't appeal because I can't find a use for it that none of my other computers serve. If I want to go do some work outside of the house I'll take my Macbook Pro, if I wanna do work at home, I'll be sat at my much more powerful PC. If I don't have either available, I always have my iPhone. It's a completely redundant piece of tech for me. Plus it costs over £400. IF it ran OS X, I'd be all over that shit like a rash. Sadly, it doesn't. It's just a glorified iPhone that can't make calls. I honestly can't see the point.

[Ivo]

Good points. The Kindle (or rather an e-reader with an e-ink screen) is what I'm looking for purely because it isn't like looking at a screen. I don't fancy staring at a backlit screen in the dark for a few hours (I do most of my reading at night).

The thing with the 3G is that I already have an iPhone, I don't do much (if any) traveling abroad. So things like email and the odd browsing can be done easily and much better on that device.

I think then you should get a Kindle without 3G in your situation - you use your iPhone and would not want to go without a data plan (I don't have either, but I don't need to have a Kindle to know that it is no replacement for general surfing, the Kindle browser is experimental etc.). If you would not benefit from the international "free" 3G that makes it quite clear.

It is not really free as you basically pay for it when you buy that version of Kindle, but for what it is it is good value for money, provided that you will use it. As you won't, well...

If you want to save some money you can have a look on ebay or similar, I believe Kindles don't tend to get scratched that much so buying a used one may be an appealing option.

Ivo.

[fastbilly1]

I have a 3rd generation kindle and love it. My only gripe is that it uses a micro usb cable instead of a mini. But the native pdf support means those books you obtained can just be dropped in the right folder and bingobango you are ready to go. Do you have specific questions about the device, formats, or do you want me to throw one of your files on it to test it?

I use mine mostly for Project Gutenberg, Comics (jpeg format), and board game rulebooks

[Dave Auto]

I received a Nook (B&W) for Christmas this year, and after a week of frustration (clunky interface, stupid file type limitations), I returned it to the store and used the money to buy a Kindle. You wouldn't think there'd be much of a difference between screens that are only black and white, but, really, the Kindle's screen blew the Nook's away.

I'm not exactly an avid reader, but I work in theatre, and recently did a somewhat-obscure play written in Renaissance Italy, translated into English. Thanks to my Kindle, I had instant access to half a dozen alternate translations, as well as literary analyses, that otherwise would have taken me ages to scour used bookstores for. And I had them all on a slim little tablet that fit in my back pocket during rehearsal. As a literary research tool, it's simply brilliant.

I also sprang for 3G, as I don't have a cell phone data plan, and have put it to good use on more than one occasion. The browser is far from perfect, but if you've bookmarked a few favorite mobile-formatted sites (some of my favorites are gamespite.net, hardcoregaming101.net and, of course, Racketboy!), it's great for reading lengthy web articles away from your computer (at the beach, in the bathroom, you name it).

And it totally plays nice with Macs. Drag-and-drop works just fine, but you can always use programs like Calibre if you need more iTunes-style e-book management.

[saturnfan]

I have a 3G Kindle and I am pretty satisfied with it. As many of mentioned, it is a dedicated e-book reader and therefore only get it if your sole purpose is to read on it. It has the best screen (that e-ink tech!), it is easy to manage files, and has tons of free books you can download, as well as uploading .pdf files.

It has web browsing, but it is a little clunky. Don't get it because you want to browse the web, because you will be disappointed. I found the web browsing to be the most useful when I wanted to check my e-mail or look something up on wikipedia. Also, even though the web browsing is not the best, I still find it a good idea to have a device that connects to the internet in case I need it in a pinch.

[avrame]

I have a second gen kindle, and I have very little to gripe about aside from the cost of book on the amazon marketplace. You could always get free reading material eslewhere if you wanted, but for finding that certain book or textbook, the amazon marketplace has it down.

If you are a tech geek, and want a toy to play with as well, you might consider investing in that Nook color. The price may be higher, but as my coworker (who owns a Nook color) pointed out, once rooted, you have access to both the nook marketplace, and the amazon marketplace using the kindle for android app. Pricey, but it feels like a win-win to me.

[Bradtemple87]

I do like the presentation because its easy on the eyes, but I have never considered myself that heavy of a reader to make the investment