Big Guy Posted July 1, 2014 Report Share Posted July 1, 2014 I have been using a Kindle that was lent to me by a friend. My eyesight is questionable and I read mostly large print books. I found the ability to control the size of text to be a godsend to me. I am now prepared to purchase my own e-book. There are a variety of brands and combinations. I would appreciate any suggestions and examples of negative and positive qualities of the different brands. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scribblet Posted July 1, 2014 Report Share Posted July 1, 2014 Buy a tablet, that way you have both. You can install a Kindle reader app on it along with others and the library epub. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonbox Posted July 1, 2014 Report Share Posted July 1, 2014 I know it's more expensive, but I really recommend the iPad. There are cheaper and older models available (I'm using the iPad 3 - the first one with retinal display) and it completely replaced my laptop and I don't buy physical books anymore unless they're ridiculously good and I just want it on my bookshelf. I read books on it, check the news on it, watch movies on it and listen to music etc...It does everything. If you're looking to read books, I'd probably recommend the Kobo. My parents and sister both have them and they're cheap and probably even better to just read books on. They're really simply designed and the letters are just magnetic black and white images on the screen, which is much easier on the eyes (the white space on the page doesn't shine in your eyes like it does on a computer screen or tablet). This also forces you to read with the light on, which is good, because I murder my eyes reading in the dark with my iPad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mighty AC Posted July 1, 2014 Report Share Posted July 1, 2014 The glare from tablet screens can make them impossible to read in bright conditions. I recommend a dedicated e-reader like the Kindle Paperwhite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boges Posted July 2, 2014 Report Share Posted July 2, 2014 iPads are sooooo overrated!!! That Paperwhite thing is really spiffy, if you're only looking to read. Don't have to worry about glare or battery life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonlight Graham Posted July 2, 2014 Report Share Posted July 2, 2014 Don't buy an iPad unless you enjoy spending a lot of money for little product in order to feel hip. If you want a tablet to also use as an e-reader, look at Samsung tablets. The Kindle Paperwhite e-readers look pretty neat. They're backlit so you can read in the dark and also matte screen so you can read glare-free during the day in sunlight. They're also much cheaper than a tablet like an Ipad. Regular Kindle is $80 and backlit Kindle Paperwhite is $140. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Guy Posted July 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 2, 2014 Thank you all for taking the time to share your advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilber Posted July 10, 2014 Report Share Posted July 10, 2014 I had a Kobo and when it died I replaced it with an 8" Samsung Tab 3 and use the Kobo App. Not as good as a proper E reader when it comes to bright light reading but good enough and much more versatile. Probably works the same with the Kindle or any other E reader App. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cybercoma Posted July 10, 2014 Report Share Posted July 10, 2014 Make sure you get an e-reader with an e-ink screen, ie, don't buy a tablet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Argus Posted July 10, 2014 Report Share Posted July 10, 2014 Make sure you get an e-reader with an e-ink screen, ie, don't buy a tablet.Also be I often read outside on deck. I can't do that with a bright shiny tablet. I did not buy the most modern Kindle. The shiny colour version. I've seen people reviewing them who complain they're hard to see outside. But it depends on where you read. Just be aware that the more it does, the faster the battery is drained. Another factor is some Kindles, maybe all of them, will only read ebooks downloaded from Amazon. Most of the other ebook readers are more flexible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mighty AC Posted July 14, 2014 Report Share Posted July 14, 2014 (edited) Another factor is some Kindles, maybe all of them, will only read ebooks downloaded from Amazon. Most of the other ebook readers are more flexible. I'm pretty sure the Amazon Fire tabs support the open epub format because they are Android based, but all of their dedicated e-readers do not. Amazon content comes in their own Kindle (AZW or KF8) format, however Kindle and others have software and services that will convert other content into a Kindle format. The Calibre app is free and easy to use for this purpose. Other readers like the Kobo have the reverse problem. They will read epub but not the Kindle formats. IMO, Amazon is the best (paid) source for content, I recommend Kindle readers like the Paperwhite. It is easier to convert epub to Kindle than Kindle to epub. Edited July 14, 2014 by Mighty AC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boges Posted July 14, 2014 Report Share Posted July 14, 2014 Amazon tabs don't use Google Play though does it? That would be a deal breaker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mighty AC Posted July 14, 2014 Report Share Posted July 14, 2014 It involves a little bit of work but you can install Google Play store and get access to a much better selection of apps. Still in my opinion, it's not really worth buying a Kindle Fire. If you want a tablet get a real Android based device like a Samsung Tab, if you want to read get a dedicated reader with e-ink and a matte screen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Guy Posted July 14, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 14, 2014 I have a birthday coming up and I intend to leave a hard copy of this thread in a place that can be easily accessed by those who desire to remain in my will. Thank you and please continue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cybercoma Posted July 14, 2014 Report Share Posted July 14, 2014 I often read outside on deck. I can't do that with a bright shiny tablet. I did not buy the most modern Kindle. The shiny colour version. I've seen people reviewing them who complain they're hard to see outside. But it depends on where you read. Just be aware that the more it does, the faster the battery is drained. Another factor is some Kindles, maybe all of them, will only read ebooks downloaded from Amazon. Most of the other ebook readers are more flexible. The tablets and colour e-readers don't have e-ink screens. The e-ink screens are a matte finish that actually looks better in the sunlight than it does indoors. It looks just like paper. The problem is people wanted colour, so the companies are trying to deliver it to them. I still think the e-ink screens are the best for reading books though. Tablets should be left for reading webpages, magazines, and comics (i.e., anything in colour). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjrr Posted September 9, 2014 Report Share Posted September 9, 2014 I've been using a Kobo for the last year. Works great.charge it once a month and what i really like is being able to download any book ever written merely by going to the devices bookstore. it also has the capacity to go online through Google if needed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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