Anyone have an eReader?

[tryp]

I'm thinking about getting an eReader. I'd prefer one on the lower end of the price range. What's important to me is the ability to read PDFs, and books from places other than the website (booksonboard etc.). I'd like to be able to get journal articles on there. A good selection of books is also important - I read a lot of obscure-ish sci fi fantasy.I'd also like to be able to organize at least a bit. I'm thinking of the Kobo but I'm not sure...

Plus I'm in Canada, so I need something readily available there, which is why I thought the Kobo, though if something else is really better, I'm willing to import.

I know that eReaders aren't super for PDFs, but the PDFs I read don't usually have a lot of illustration, and I read them right through, so I thought maybe it could still work.

Anyone have any insight/personal experience on which ones I should look at?

I don't care about extra functions or internet access or anything like that - I just want to replace the massive pile of papers that is my backpack.

[rowen]

I have a Sony eReader. It reads PDF's very well all things considered, and it reads a large variety of file formats. It's very easy to use. They have three versions. I have the Pocket version. It's probably the simplest, but one thing I learned after I bought it was the battery will die within a few years, and a replacement battery costs almost as much as the device. This may change as prices on these things goes down; I don't know. But honestly, I really like the thing. It's light, it holds a lot of files, it's easy (again, it's easy!). Overall, I'm happy with it.

[domovoi]

i just ordered a sony PRS-350. haven't gotten it yet but i used the older version for a bit and liked it. it seems to have everything you mentioned.

[tryp]

Everyone really likes the Sony, but I'm leaning towards a Kobo or a Kindle because they're cheaper

[Seniortooold]

I want to get an eReader also. I am leaning toward the $129 Kindle. The main con as far as I am concerned is that my public library does NOT support the Kindle so I won't be able to download books from that source for reading on the Kindle. (I am able to download books from the library onto my laptop after I install their free software). Unfortunately, I don't find it easy to read for long periods of time on my laptop screen.

[tryp]

My main thing with the kindle is that I'm in Canada so I don't have full access to their ebook selection.

[tryp]

Hmm - Indigo is selling the old non-wireless Kobo for 99 dollars now. I think I'm sold.

[withing]

I like the Kindle. As for downloading from other sources, get Calibre, and you can convert anything to Kindle format. They also have that option in the kindle store... you can email whatever you want to read to your kindle email and Amazon will convert it for you for free (it's in the manual) - including pdfs. I like Calibre better though because i have more control over the process. Calibre works for other formats as well by the way (and I'm not a shill for the company, I just like the product).

[Seniortooold]

Hey, Withing, thank you so much for that information! I am also going to tell my public library about this! The information should be widely available and added to their leaflet about borrowing eBooks from the library.

[Velvet Elvis]

If you're thinking about a Nook, I've got an insider source saying that new full color model with a touch screen in the neighborhood of $250 is coming out soon.

Obviously I'd push the kindle and encourage you to use our link to get one.

I wouldn't get anything other than a Nook or a Kindle because the media selection for those two dwarfs everything else out there.

[tryp]

Sorry VE I ended up getting a Kobo simply because the Kindle isn't super available in Canada. You have to pay import fees to get it shipped from the US, and the content you can get on it is restricted by region. Nook isn't available here at all, sadly.

With Kobo, I just swung by my local Indigo/Chapters and they sold it to me on the spot.

[tazlina]

I know you've already chosen, but in case others are looking, I wanted to say that I have a Nook and love it. It's great to be able to borrow library books electronically - you never have to leave your home, and they return themselves so you never get late fees and you don't have to worry about forgetting or losing them. I got mine at the end of May and since that time, I've downloaded about 125 free books from BN promotions (in addition to the free books available to all eReaders). I live in a pretty small apartment and really appreciate the ability to store 200+ books electronically, rather than trying to find shelf space for all that.

Regarding eReaders in general, I'd say that an eInk screen is a must. It's just like reading a paper page so there's minimal eyestrain because there's no backlight. It also takes much less battery power, because the screen only draws charge when it's refreshing. If you've got WiFi at home, then a 3G enabled device isn't necessary (but since I don't, I definitely need the 3G capability to run updates). Using airplane mode saves battery like crazy, so I'd definitely want that feature. Don't be won over by apps and web browsers; they're kind of a pain to use due to the relatively small screen size. Another thing that I love and would deem pretty important for an eReader is a "permanent library", where I can archive my eBooks on their website's server so I don't have to keep an unmanageable number on my device (it gets to be hard to find the book you're looking for if you've got too many). The other bonus is that because of this service, I can't actually delete a book from my device. I can archive it and it leaves my library, but in order to make it go away forever, I have to do it manually from the website. No accidents!