Need tablet or eBook advice

[CodeRedR51]

So I'm thinking about getting an eBook reader so I can do some more reading. I like to buy physical books as they are nice to have, but they are a pain to hold onto while reading. So I thought an eBook reader would be more acceptable for me.

I looked into the "Nook" for a little bit, and you can get the standard version for around $50 on eBay. I don't need anything super fancy, but I'd say my budget would be around $100, maybe $120 at the absolute most.

Any suggestions? Obviously the ability to read books is a priority, other features not necessary but won't say no if it's a good deal.

 

[BobK]

I have a Kindle Keyboard, a Nook Simple and a Kindle Paperwhite. Personally I don't see a whole lot of difference between the devices themselves; each has its good points and bad points. However I much prefer Amazon's whole Kindle support setup to Barnes & Noble's for buying books, maintaining your book collection, etc.

Kindle supports .mobi but not .epub, while Nook supports .epub but not .mobi. Most if not all third party sources will have books in either format, and there's always calibre to convert from one format to the other (maybe, depending on DRM).

So bottom line is, you won't go wrong with either. There is also the Kobo, but I know nothing about it. On paper it appears to be comparable to the Kindle or Nook, but I understand the Kobo bookstore doesn't have the range of books available that the other two do.

The Nook and the Kobo have micro SD slots, the Kindles do not. This isn't really a limitation, though, unless you have thousands of books and insist on having them all available on your device at once. Books don't take very much storage space; typically a couple dozen or hundred kilobytes.

There are other readers on the market, but I'd go with one of the three brands mentioned above.

Extra features? My Kindle Keyboard can play music (and audiobooks), the Paperwhite and Nook cannot. I don't use that feature, but if I did then perhaps I'd find the lack of SD slot to be a problem.

 

[Infinital-NG]

Have used;

Kindle Keyboard
IPAD 2 (was free)
Kindle Fire (current)

I think it's just preference and book selection. I'd go to an office/tech store and feel them up to see what you like better as you will be holding it for a long time.

When I'm done reading a book on my kindle fire I usually remove the book from the device. It's still purchased on my amazon account and I can download it again at anytime. As sometimes my wife will be using the Fire and I'll go back to the kindle keyboard to read for a while.

If you do get a non-lcd screen reader invest in a case with a light on it. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Genuine-Black-Amazon-Leather-Cover-with-LIGHT-Kindle-Keyboard-Case-/221173766872?pt=US_Tablet_eReader_Cases_Covers_Keyboard_Folios&hash=item337efbdad8

If you read at night it's just enough light.

 

[slims]

I've got a Kindle Keyboard and I quite like it. There really isn't a huge difference between the Nook and the Kindle though.

Both are around the same price, same sized screen, similar weight and so on. The Nook has better battery life.
It also has a card slot but like BobK was saying, unless you have thousands of books on the device it'll take a while before you need extra storage.
Both stores have over a million books so you'll find something to read regardless of which you choose.
The Kindle store has more exclusives due to their Kindle Direct Publishing feature that lets independent authors publish their books exclusively to Kindle.

I'd say it really comes down to which site you shop on more. If you use amazon a lot then go with the Kindle. If you use Barnes & Noble a lot then go with the Nook.

 

[daan]

For a pure e-reader, I don't think there's much wrong with the Kindle keyboard or the Kindle touch. However, I would avoid the basic kindle as it is a pain when you need to type something in.

I've only used a Nook once so can't really comment, but I think I'd still prefer a Kindle.

Most of my ebook reading is done on my Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 using the kindle app, but if you're not going to be using it for games etc, then there's no point paying the extra for something you don't need.

 

[CodeRedR51]

When I actually purchase books I get them from B&N. Was mainly looking at the Nook, just wanted to see what other people had to say. The first books I will be purchasing are the Mars trilogy by Kim Stanley Robinson.

 

[slims]

Well in that case go with the Nook. 👍

 

[BobK]

For a pure e-reader, I don't think there's much wrong with the Kindle keyboard or the Kindle touch. However, I would avoid the basic kindle as it is a pain when you need to type something in.

I've never typed anything on my e-readers other than WiFi passwords so that for me isn't really much of a limitation. For someone who is a copious note-taker it would be, of course, so this might be a consideration.

When I actually purchase books I get them from B&N. Was mainly looking at the Nook, just wanted to see what other people had to say. The first books I will be purchasing are the Mars trilogy by Kim Stanley Robinson.

Given that no Kindle will read B&N books (or vice versa) then it seems the decision is already made, then.