Author Topic: Ebook readers - are they worth it? (Read 1121 times)

Eel O'Brian · « **on:** August 04, 2009, 07:42:25 PM »

http://gizmodo.com/5330083/sonys-pocket-and-touch-ebook-readers-priced-to-move-promises-wireless-next

Sony's coming out with a $200 reader this August, which links up with Google Books for about a million free books right off the bat. SD card support, etc. With all the free and "free" books out there, I'd never be able to read them all before I die. It's tempting.

Ereader owners - are they worth it? Pros? Cons?

Kara · « **Reply #1 on:** August 04, 2009, 07:44:59 PM »

I want one where I turn pages still. Those are probably like 30 years away if I'm lucky.

Eel O'Brian · « **Reply #2 on:** August 04, 2009, 07:50:46 PM »

I was skeptical of e-ink displays up until I played with a working Sony Ereader in walmart this weekend. It really is crisp and clear and easy on the eyes, strikingly different from text on a regular LCD screen.

Madrun Badrun · « **Reply #3 on:** August 04, 2009, 07:51:51 PM »

proper PDF support?

Eel O'Brian · « **Reply #4 on:** August 04, 2009, 07:54:04 PM »

yeah, PDF and Word docs natively supported

Eel O'Brian · « **Reply #5 on:** August 04, 2009, 07:58:01 PM »

eh, the $200 version doesn't have a card reader $:-\$

Eel O'Brian · « **Reply #6 on:** August 04, 2009, 08:10:13 PM »

i agree with loving the feel of a book, but considering i have a huge folder filled with shadow and doc savage pulps in .txt and .pdf form (most of which which would be nearly impossible to track down in paper form), fuck paper books

cool breeze · « **Reply #7 on:** August 04, 2009, 09:05:09 PM »

I don't feel nostalgia for books. I'm still a college student and carrying around several heavy books is the worst, and that's without going into the cost of them.

My problem with ebooks is that they still can't replace a book proper. When there is one that is high resolution enough to display detailed pictures (color or not) with a touch screen and the ability to jot down notes on any page, then I'll consider picking it up if the price is right. A light would help too if they don't compromise the screen (a sony one had a front lit screen that caused problems, iirc) I do hate that the Kindle is supposed to be a pioneer for ebooks; it makes Apple products seem open by comparison.

BlueTsunami · « **Reply #8 on:** August 04, 2009, 09:08:34 PM »

I like high quality books but not the interacting with them, more of the "they look so pretty in a row". I wouldn't mind moving completely to an ebook reader. No matter what's in my hands, extended amount of time reading does become bothersome. I can see myself reading for hours with an ebook.

etiolate · « **Reply #9 on:** August 04, 2009, 09:08:37 PM »

Some sort of ebook with the ability to make short edits and notes, along with wifi service, would be helpful to someone like me. I can do that all with my laptop of course, but SO WHAT.

Cormacaroni · « **Reply #10 on:** August 05, 2009, 04:16:05 AM »

I'm going to break and pick one up at some point. So tired of having to throw out one book for each new one i buy because of lack of shelf space after a lifetime of buying shit. If Chronovore had the decency to move to Tokyo I wouldn't have this problem of course. But it is what it is.

Flannel Boy · « **Reply #11 on:** August 05, 2009, 07:06:18 AM »

No ebook reader can make that poorly written article look good. $:-\$

Rman · « **Reply #12 on:** August 07, 2009, 12:45:00 AM »

Quote from: Cormacaroni on August 05, 2009, 04:16:05 AM

I'm going to break and pick one up at some point. So tired of having to throw out one book for each new one i buy because of lack of shelf space after a lifetime of buying shit. If Chronovore had the decency to move to Tokyo I wouldn't have this problem of course. But it is what it is.

That's definitely a problem of mine. I really don't want to buy extra shelves; they're some genres such as graphic novels and cookbooks that I still prefer on paper.

TakingBackSunday · « **Reply #13 on:** August 07, 2009, 01:32:20 AM »

So do these things have, like, textbook support? If so I could see getting one.

Cormacaroni · « **Reply #14 on:** August 07, 2009, 03:00:01 AM »

Quote from: Rman on August 07, 2009, 12:45:00 AM

Quote from: Cormacaroni on August 05, 2009, 04:16:05 AM
I'm going to break and pick one up at some point. So tired of having to throw out one book for each new one i buy because of lack of shelf space after a lifetime of buying shit. If Chronovore had the decency to move to Tokyo I wouldn't have this problem of course. But it is what it is.
That's definitely a problem of mine. I really don't want to buy extra shelves; they're some genres such as graphic novels and cookbooks that I still prefer on paper.

Very true about cookbooks. you don't want to be scrolling through screens on your iphone with 3 pots bubbling. I've read so many comics in scans at this point that i really don't miss the physical objects much. I have a shelf or two of them (bought to appease my guilt at having downloaded them more than anything) but really don't like accumulating them anymore. I had rooms full of the things as a kid.

Rman · « **Reply #15 on:** August 07, 2009, 03:27:02 AM »

Quote from: BrandNew on August 07, 2009, 01:32:20 AM

So do these things have, like, textbook support? If so I could see getting one.

The Kindle DX has textbook support. The only problem is that it's 500 bucks.

Madrun Badrun · « **Reply #16 on:** August 07, 2009, 03:30:02 AM »

the kindle DX sounds awesome. I could get one and torrent all my text books and still save money.

TakingBackSunday · « **Reply #17 on:** August 07, 2009, 12:11:56 PM »

Where do you torrent your text books? My friend is apart of some private site that has them but I forget the name at the moment

Madrun Badrun · « **Reply #18 on:** August 07, 2009, 12:19:09 PM »

google. So far math (which are better in hard copy anyways) and compsci seem to be the easier ones to get.

bengraven · « **Reply #19 on:** August 10, 2009, 10:27:24 PM »

I want to get an eReader, but funds are extremely low. I need to just get the eReader for PSP.

cool breeze · « **Reply #20 on:** August 11, 2009, 08:26:13 PM »

e-ink screen instead of lcd screen

really sharp, more like reading from paper and less stress on the eyes

chronovore · « **Reply #21 on:** August 14, 2009, 07:21:41 PM »

Quote from: Cormacaroni on August 05, 2009, 04:16:05 AM

I'm going to break and pick one up at some point. So tired of having to throw out one book for each new one i buy because of lack of shelf space after a lifetime of buying shit. If Chronovore had the decency to move to Tokyo I wouldn't have this problem of course. But it is what it is.

Well, mail me books, Roxanne. I'm open.

And I can shoot you a list of other books I'm done with as well.

And as for the post, just get an iPhone or iPod Touch and eReader and/or Stanza. They're great, and even feature "turn page" support for gestural page turning. Very cool, and easier to read on than an actual book, if you're on a packed Osaka train.

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Author Topic: Ebook readers - are they worth it? (Read 1121 times)