Best ebook reader?

Lmeowbert on 30/04/2014 - 11:38

Hey guys,

I'm looking at buying an ebook reader. I want to be able to read books from project gutenburg and any other books I buy from the internet. I've read epub is the most common format so I suppose it would need to be compatible with this, but I don't know what else to look for? I suppose having an internet browser would be useful but not mandatory.

I am considering the nook simpletouch but would be interested in opinions…

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/p/nook-simple-touch-barnes-nob…

Cheers!

Electrical & Electronics

Comments

  • theworks on 30/04/2014 - 12:10
    +1

    Amazon have their staple kindle reader on sale for about $85 AUD delivered. Highly recommended.

    Amazon.com

  • hellbound on 30/04/2014 - 12:12
    +1

    Kobo touch/glo are my usual recommendations
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/141680

    Good UI, easy to use, epub support, long battery life.
    The only real question is to you want the front-light feature of the glo or not? Kindle has a similar light, but kindle doesn't support epub so you'll have to convert books into a supported format.

    Web browsing on an e-ink display is pretty poor, slow refresh rates and the black and white only mean anything more than wikipedia isn't very good.

    • theworks on 30/04/2014 - 12:20
      +2

      On the topic of conversion. I use calibre converter/manager.

      Harveys does have their touch model for $58 at the moment though
      http://www.harveynorman.com.au/kobo-ereader-touch.html

      • hellbound on 30/04/2014 - 12:47
        +1

        Yep, I use Calibre too, easy for management, though converting between formats often requires a few attempts before it is ok.
        If the main purpose is gutenburg books then I'd avoid conversion if I could.

  • pjetson on 30/04/2014 - 12:43
    +1

    I love my Kindle Paperwhite. With Calibre software, lack of epub isn't a bother. In fact, most of what I read on it was originally in epub format.

    • cuteseal on 30/04/2014 - 15:54

      Kindle Paperwhite (not the base model) is hands down the best ereader. The backlight is amazingly handy.

      That said, it doesn't handle epub natively so you need another step to cover those using Calibre.

      However, I think project gutenberg does have .mobi format which the Kindles do support. As for other formats you buy on the internet - not sure. They might be DRMed which means it will need to be cracked (which Calibre can probably do). As for me, I buy all my ebooks from Amazon, naturally.

  • fruit on 30/04/2014 - 17:02

    Kobo -> no DRM crap.

  • lamerthanlam on 30/04/2014 - 17:30
    +1

    IF you're a hardcore reader, I would suggest Kobo Aura HD, the screen is just so good.

    Otherwise, either Kobo Glo/Aura(non-HD) or Paperwhite.

    It all depends on the pricing and the importance of epub to you.

  • mooney on 30/04/2014 - 20:56

    I've owned Nook Simple Touch and now own Kindle Paperwhite. The Nook wins on two counts- its definitely more comfortable to hold and you can drag and drop epub books onto micro SD and have a huge huge library. I was very happy with it.

    I moved onto Kindle on the promise of a higher res screen and the backlighting. This smashes the nook. But it comes at a premium. It's certainly the more enjoyable reading experience.

    I highly recommend both options. But if $$$ is a primary consideration the nook wins hands down.

    Cheers.

  • slewis69au on 01/05/2014 - 07:59

    Kindle Paperwhite is the best reading experience i have seen. I have tried nooks, kobos, etc.

    Calibre takes care of my book library, most sources have unencrypted MOBI except for DRMed custom stuff the lack of epub has never been an issue for me.

  • drewbie on 01/05/2014 - 08:52
    +1

    I'll add another vote for the Kindle Paperwhite. The screen is beautiful and the backlight is super handy to have. Wifi is such a brilliant option that I don't know how I managed to live without it on my previous reader.

  • 80 on 01/05/2014 - 10:19
    +1

    You might want to hold out for the rumoured new high-res kindle paperwhite launching later this year:

    http://techcrunch.com/2013/11/24/amazons-next-kindle-paperwh…

  • SuperMick on 01/05/2014 - 11:11

    I have a Sony Reader, which I bought about 2 or 3 years ago, and it is still going strong. If ever it stops working then I will buy another one.

  • meowbert on 01/05/2014 - 11:11

    Lots of responses thank you! I'm going to see if I can test drive one at a local and make a call from there. Nook and Kindle sound like the frontrunners so ill check em out.

    Cheers!

    • meowbert on 01/05/2014 - 17:57

      Dunno how to edit post, anyway I meant Kobo not Nook :)

  • spersephone on 01/05/2014 - 18:51

    I've got a Kobo Glo and a Kindle Paperwhite. I got the Kobo first, but ended up getting the Kindle because I prefer it to read on, and the light is much nicer. I use Calibre and can put almost any book on it. I buy books from Kobo (I also buy from Amazon) and most of the time I can convert it for the Kindle, but here and there I come across a title which I cannot download to my computer for conversion.

    I prefer the Paperwhite though.

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