I haven't tried any eReaders yet, but from what I understand the e-ink/black & white screens are better because they actually look like book pages and cause less eye strain on the eyes. As for the iPad, does anybody know how many books they support? I know they had hooked up with certain publishers, but aren't those mostly educational publishers or something? Maybe I read it wrong. Something like the Nook scares me because I fear how long Barnes & Noble will be around with Amazon and Walmart taking control of all things book. Maybe if it's a free format that can be ported to other eReaders would help. I really haven't researched it much.
My Kindle is probably one of the best investments I've ever made. Ever. I love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love it. Seriously. I really love it. Since I've had a Kindle, I don't understand why so many people think that the iPad is going to be a great eReader. I think it is going to totally suck and all because of it being backlit. Bad on your eyes and the glare is going to be horrible. You'll never be able to read that thing outside. With my Kindle, I can read it anywhere. Use it anywhere. Update and download books anywhere. When I don't have my Kindle, I can read my books on my iPhone and\or computer and they all keep my place! I can read just a little when I'm waiting at the doctors office, pick it up later at home, and read when I have downtime at work while never loosing my place. The books are cheaper than buying retail. If my Kindle gets lost or stolen, I always have all of my books. While my iPhone is great, if you lose a purchase, it is like trying to pull an elephant out of an ants ass to get it back from Apple. They are so freaking stingy for the **** that you have already bought that I'd hate to try to redownload a book.
I got the latest kindle as a gift for Valentine's day. It has a pdf reader and basic web browsing built in also. I really love it, my only problem is that if I am reading it in public, everyone wants to ask me about it. I took to with me on a trip (woo hoo, didn't have to carry extra books), but got interrupted a bunch by people wanting to talk about the kindle.
I have a Sony eReader, which I bought a year ago. I use a free software called Calibre for pdf conversion. Calibre also has links to various magazines and newspapers, which is nice. I purchased the Sony eReader instead of the Kindle because I did not want to purchase something without visually seeing it. Have been very happy with the purchase.
Really, really considering the Kindle. At least the base system. Though I'd like the DX, but only if they come down in price. At the current amount it's not that far from an iPad.
On my Kindle, I keep the wireless turned off and when I am not using the Kindle, I turn it off (not sleep mode) to conserve battery. I read about an hour a day and I have to charge up the Kindle about every 2 weeks.
That's the wonder of the E-Ink technology. Battery drain happens only when you "turn the page" and the screen has to reset the image. I don't see how the ipad intends to compete with a battery life of probably 12 hours max.
I have a Nook. It connects both via 3g and to my home wireless connection. Download speed seems good. There are a log of free books available from Barnes & Noble as well as the Google books and epub. Also, I think I read that Amazon was planning on raising ebook prices but maybe it's only for Macmillan published books. I think the Kindle has a longer battery life but I'm satisfied with the Nooks form and performance. Also, even though I like Amazon I didn't want to be stuck with having to buy books from them.
