kindles or others like it

donbarzini · 11-19-2012, 23:24

im thinking of getting one. my wife and i read a lot. we enjoy books, but i seen the prices of some of these "books"....wow
we go to the used bookstore quite frequently and dont spend more than 5-6 dollars for a paperback. my question is....is it worth it? are there deals on books? i also trade in books also...saves money in the long run......
what made you get one and would you buy one if you were kinda cheap when it comes to buyin books? thank you in advance

TK-421 · 11-19-2012, 23:31

They're nice because you can have your entire library in the palm of your hand, and if you suddenly decide you want to read some book, you can find it in seconds on your book reader, instead of having to search through the library to find it. It's nice because instead of carrying 3 or 4 books for a long trip, and only having those to choose from, you have every book you could want in one little device.

They're not nice because the cost of an e-book is generally within a buck or two of the actual book. And if I'm going to be paying that much, then I'll just go ahead and get the book, since it smells better. That, along with the fact that to read a book you already own, you have to re-buy it. I calculated it out, and in Star Wars books alone, it would run me about $2,000, just to get books I already own. When I actually sat down and priced it out, there's no way I'd want to pick up an e-book reader, it'd be way too costly to buy it, put the books I already own on it, and then buy the books I want. If it was like $3 per book, then I might reconsider. Or, if you could scan the barcode of a book you already own, and it gives you a free copy to put onto your reader, then I'd also reconsider. But having to rebuy every book I already own, just to put them on my reader, no way I can afford that.

donbarzini · 11-19-2012, 23:33

it says that you can borrow a book from the library also through the libraries website....has anyone done that? might be easier to do that and try to get the rest of the jack reacher novels im missing...lol.

donbarzini · 11-19-2012, 23:37

also, is it like an itunes thing where your books are on the computer? i would hate to buy a couple hundred dollars in books and have it break.

Sneegrl · 11-19-2012, 23:38

I am a big reader, and I love my kindle. I was literally running out of space to store books, and the kindle solved that problem. Every now and then, I come across a book that is not available in a e-reader format. But that is happening less and less. Of course, if you are collecting rare or hard-to-find books, they may be hard to find for an e-reader. I guess it depends on what kinds of books you like to read.

The cost of a kindle book is usually a couple bucks less than a paper copy. And like I mentioned before, I don't have to worry about shelf space or adding more in my house I need to dust. Works for me!

ray9898 · 11-19-2012, 23:54

The Kindle is where its at. I am 100% pleased with the device. Loads of books on Amazon in all price ranges including many I found free during their various daily specials.

As for the hardware, battery life is amazing and lasts weeks. Downloading the books off wi-fi is a breeze and any books you have in your Amazon library can be shared between the Kindle along with smarth phones and tablets.

TK-421 · 11-19-2012, 23:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by donbarzini

also, is it like an itunes thing where your books are on the computer? i would hate to buy a couple hundred dollars in books and have it break.

Yes, it's like iTunes, if you get a Kindle, I can't speak for the others, as I have no experience with them. I only have experience with Amazon's kindle. You buy the book via Amazon, and it goes into your Amazon account. Your amazon account can be accessed by your computer, your smart phone, or your Kindle. The nice thing about that, is that if you read to page 108 on your kindle, and then go do stuff on your computer, and open the Amazon Reader on your computer, it picks up at page 108, right where you left off. At least, that's the way it is if I'm remembering that correctly, but I could be wrong, haven't tried it before.

The reason the books are at the price they are, is because that's how Amazon makes its profit. The readers are actually being sold at cost, so they need to make their money somewhere.

http://www.xbitlabs.com/news/multime...Executive.html

medicfire104 · 11-20-2012, 00:48

The Kindle Fire is more expensive then just a Kindle reader but the Fire is more like an Ipad, Internet, games, etc at a way better price compared to an Ipad. If you are an Amazon Prime member you can get free books and I think share them along with the other Prime benefits, instant movies and free 2 day shipping on Amazon orders. I use my Kindle on my phone, a few months ago I had issues with my phone and replaced it several times, each time went to my kindle signed in and re downloaded the book I was reading, never had to pay again bought it once and that was it.

donbarzini · 11-20-2012, 03:21

i dont need all the extras so...do you think the basic model(69 dollars right now) on amazon is ok. im really thinkin about it now....you folks are great. thx

donbarzini · 11-20-2012, 03:26

uhhhh.....it says the power adapter is not included....would it charge on the computer(if hooked up) or do i need to buy a power adapter....i dont want to pass on it and not be able to use it.......thank you

RonS · 11-20-2012, 04:01

You can borrow books from most public libraries for free. Visit their website and look for instructions.

If you are into SF Baen books are DRM free and usually cost $4-6. Getting non DRM books onto a Kindle Fire requires emailing them to your account. Annoying but manageable. Another reason to dislike Amazon. I think they would license the device if they could get people to do it to maximize the revenue stream. Oh, and on the Fire HD anyway even though you paid for the device in full it has ads on the lock screen. If I had it to do over I would investigate another device.

There are a lot of free books on Gutenberg. Also a lot of useless stuff but if you hunt, there are gems to be found.

If you buy Amazon Prime I think you can get free stuff too. Only it isn't free because you pay an annual fee but it looks free after the initial bill.

Haven't tried it, they keep pushing it but I never got around to it.

I started reading ebooks since about 1999-2000 on a Franklin Ebookman, then a Dell Axim, now my phone. I got the Kindle Fire HD for my wife so she can surf while watching TV.

RonS · 11-20-2012, 04:18

I see you are up early too.

My mother has the paper white kindle and loves it, she gets books from the local library for free. I can't remember about the power adapter, IIRC I bought a fast charge adapter but half the time I end up using the USB port on my pc. It just takes longer. Mine uses the standard USB cable that my phone uses, mini usb, micro usb whatever the port is called. Not sure how the original B&W Kindle charges, I know the battery lasts a lot longer than my Fire.

If you get your books from Amazon and do it dumb you are going to end up paying a lot. There are many alternatives though and you don't have to play their game. They make it easy to buy and download stuff from them and a little more difficult to get stuff elsewhere but once you get used to it it isn't hard.

http://www.baenebooks.com/

http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Main_Page

An example of a library system for ebooks.
http://overdrive.daytonmetrolibrary....en/Default.htm

I don't ever expect that I will be reading on a Kindle, if it doesn't fit in my pocket I am not going to use it. My brother on the other hand has eye problems and the only reason he still reads for enjoyment is his B&W Kindle, he makes the font a little bigger and has gotten back into reading with no headaches. For me, I use my phone but I have to admit I would like a little larger screen, more like an Iphone or Motorola Triumph size.

Have fun, I think you will enjoy it.

Restless28 · 11-20-2012, 04:45

We have had the Kindle Paperwhite and now, the Kindle Fire. My daughter is an avid reader and loves her Fire. We have had issues with the charging port breaking twice, but, Amazon sent us new Fires with no questions asked at all.

Amazon is my favorite company.

schild · 11-20-2012, 04:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by donbarzini

uhhhh.....it says the power adapter is not included....would it charge on the computer(if hooked up) or do i need to buy a power adapter....i dont want to pass on it and not be able to use it.......thank you

Kindles charge with a USB cord.

wingryder · 11-20-2012, 06:04

Amazon is the way to go. I had 2 kindles and have tons of books in my amazon account. When I upgraded to an iPad, I just pulled my books out of the archive and loaded them into my iPad. It is great to have tons of books at your fingertips.

Another great benefit to the kindle is the ability to store PDF files. I keep maps, manuals, catalogs, brochures, etc stored in my ipad which is great for traveling.

unit 900 · 11-20-2012, 06:39

A couple of tips/thoughts on the Kindle. It's easily charged with any micro USB phone charger if you prefer. Non Amazon books are easily added by connecting the Kindle via USB to your PC and dragging/dropping the file to the DOCUMENTS folder on the device. Library e-books are only lent for 14 days (in Maryland, but its part of the Overdrive e-library consortium which is widespread). Amazon has a Kindle 'deal of the day' for $1.99. Some gems in there if you check it.

Dennis in MA · 11-20-2012, 06:46

Gimme mah Ah-pahd! (As my son says.)

iPad allows Amazon and iBooks (and I assume Nook-able stuff, but I'm anti-B&N, so I won't shop there.)

E-readers are the bomb, but expensive in the long run. BUT, for odd books, I find the Kindle version is cheaper than the print version a lot of times - at Amazon. Used? Notsomuch. This is with non-fiction specialized books. Your bodice-rippers? I think you'd do best at the local Annie's Book Stop.

BigDog[RE] · 11-20-2012, 06:48

Whether you get a Kindle, Nook, or other e-reader, you should download Calibre, an e-book management application. You can easily sync your libraries with multiple devices (assuming no DRM) and it allows you to easily add books to a device.

http://calibre-ebook.com/

P.S. I have used both kindles and nooks and in my case I have broken several of them. They are very susceptible to crushing, don't put them in your back pocket and then forget and sit down...

SC Tiger · 11-20-2012, 06:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by TK-421

They're nice because you can have your entire library in the palm of your hand, and if you suddenly decide you want to read some book, you can find it in seconds on your book reader, instead of having to search through the library to find it. It's nice because instead of carrying 3 or 4 books for a long trip, and only having those to choose from, you have every book you could want in one little device.

They're not nice because the cost of an e-book is generally within a buck or two of the actual book. And if I'm going to be paying that much, then I'll just go ahead and get the book, since it smells better. That, along with the fact that to read a book you already own, you have to re-buy it. I calculated it out, and in Star Wars books alone, it would run me about $2,000, just to get books I already own. When I actually sat down and priced it out, there's no way I'd want to pick up an e-book reader, it'd be way too costly to buy it, put the books I already own on it, and then buy the books I want. If it was like $3 per book, then I might reconsider. Or, if you could scan the barcode of a book you already own, and it gives you a free copy to put onto your reader, then I'd also reconsider. But having to rebuy every book I already own, just to put them on my reader, no way I can afford that.

I don't understand what you mean here. Once you own an E-book, you own it. You can put it on the cloud drive and re-download it if needed but you don't have to buy it again.

There is also a "lending library" that has books you can borrow and return.

BigDog[RE] · 11-20-2012, 06:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by SC Tiger

I don't understand what you mean here. Once you own an E-book, you own it. You can put it on the cloud drive and re-download it if needed but you don't have to buy it again.

There is also a "lending library" that has books you can borrow and return.

I think he is talking about replacing his collection of paper books with e-books.

sawgrass · 11-20-2012, 06:59

I have a Kindle and a Kindle fire. I bought a Kindle Fire HD for a friend last week.

The Kindle is hard to read at night even with some type of cover with a light. That's another $40.-$50.

The Kindle Fire is down to around $160 or so now. It's well worth the $ IMO. I check GT on it, I check email on it, I download books, I have redbox app, pandora, it's easy to play music over my home stereo,through the headphone jack. I love it. The other night I wanted a certain book and it was about 1am. I had it within minutes.

The Fire is back lit and easy to read at night without bothering anyone else.

There are many free books on Amazon and other places.
When I download music to the cloud, it goes right to Itunes too. Very Easy.

The HD version 16G is a tiny bit larger than Fire and in all honesty I can't tell much difference in the picture on that little screen. They are about $199 now. Who knows they might all be on sale come Friday.

I think you will enjoy it.

SC Tiger · 11-20-2012, 07:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigDog[RE]

I think he is talking about replacing his collection of paper books with e-books.

That makes sense. I wouldn't replace books I already own unless they were reference books or something I want to keep handy.

If I already own a book in paperback I don't re-buy it on the Kindle. I also only read one book at a time though.

Supposedly librarys loan out E-books as well. I haven't tried it yet.

Z71bill · 11-20-2012, 07:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by schild

Kindles charge with a USB cord.

My wife has a Kindle - it uses the same USB cord as a smart phone - not the "normal" USB cable

like to plug in a printer.

The good thing about Kindle -even with heavy use - the battery lasts for a week or more.

Has anyone tried the Kindle "Special Offers" advertising when you are not reading. Its $69 VS $89.

SC Tiger · 11-20-2012, 07:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by donbarzini

uhhhh.....it says the power adapter is not included....would it charge on the computer(if hooked up) or do i need to buy a power adapter....i dont want to pass on it and not be able to use it.......thank you

The Kindle Fire (and probably all the others though I'm not sure) uses a USB Micro-B charger like most newer cell phones. The same charger will work.

That said, my Kindle came with a power adapter.

SCGlock26 · 11-20-2012, 07:53

I have had the Kindle and kindle Fire. I like the Fire better for reading at night as it is back-lit. I have an I pad now and like it the best since I can run Amazon Kindle software and Nook software. I have also read a lot of books on my Droid Razor with the Kindle app.