E-reader advice

[Baron von Trumpen Bottom]

Ok thinking of getting one got enough cash for my B'day to by a Kindle but some of these take my fancy any advice?



http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/iPads-Tab...l?_nkw=ebook&_catref=1&_trksid=p3286.c0.m1538
http://www.dealextreme.com/c/e-book-readers-114

 

[Neil]

Caveat: I've had a Kindle 3 / keyboard for a little over a year. I also run the Kindle app on a 10" android tablet. My only experience of other ebook readers has been on display stands in stores.

Much of it will come down to how you'll use it - for buying books, Amazon and Kindle is very slick, and whispersync works with all your books, now, not just Amazon bought titles.

e-ink displays are very good, perhaps essential for daylight reading, but as far as I know, none are backlit. For just reading at home, especially at night, I'd probably be happy enough using the Kindle app on my android tablet. I do have the official, and expensive lighted case for my Kindle, but at night prefer the software option, so I can read with a black background and white text - it seems less stark and more gentle on the eyes.

With the full benefit of hindsight, I'd still buy a Kindle 3 / keyboard, although I'd splurge for the 3g one over just the wifi one, not really a fan of the newer version, though, that doesn't have a keyboard.

 

[sylus]

you can buy an awfull lot of books for the price of a kindle and now it's suspected they are rigging the book prices on the electronic media..suddenly the book makes more sense

 

[NAILTRAIL96]

I get head aches trying to read a lot on a screen.

 

[Neil]

you can buy an awfull lot of books for the price of a kindle and now it's suspected they are rigging the book prices on the electronic media..suddenly the book makes more sense

I've never actually paid for an ebook. From where I'm sat, I feel I've had my money's worth out of buying a Kindle.

 

[Neil]

I get head aches trying to read a lot on a screen.

Normal computer screens, or e-ink? e-ink displays don't seem much different from normal books - after all, that's what they're trying to emulate.

 

[cornholio's RC200]

The main difference with print books and e-books is that e-books are recognised by the government as computer software and as such are liable to VAT whereas print books are not. 20% on the cost makes a real difference. Saying that though, those companies registered elsewhere (Amazon etc) can get out of this levy by trading offshore.

 

[We_are_Stevo]

...not for much longer :x

 

[Neil]

The main difference with print books and e-books is that e-books are recognised by the government as computer software and as such are liable to VAT whereas print books are not. 20% on the cost makes a real difference. Saying that though, those companies registered elsewhere (Amazon etc) can get out of this levy by trading offshore.

Whilst it's true that ebooks attract VAT, personally, I've never bought one that's cost (there's an email service that sends you daily emails of free Kindle books from Amazon - I've "bought" plenty of them), one thing I would say is that on all the books I can remember looking for on Amazon, the Kindle price has always seemed cheaper than the real copy of the book (rightly so, I suppose).

 

[We_are_Stevo]

Not if you buy 'Used' - 1p plus P&P