Whats the best e-reader?

My sister got the latest Kindle at Christmas. Saw it last week and was so impressed that I have ordered one!!

Got to be the latest 3G Kindle...

Yep, the Kindle is king. Though I don't see the need for 3G myself...

Well since it's free forever, I'd argue 'why not?' (apart from the extra fifty quid obviously). I mean I know you're supposed to download all your books before you go on holiday, but you know what I'm like...

Ah, I see - a £50 panic premium

JohnDuncan:

Well since it's free forever, I'd argue 'why not?' (apart from the extra fifty quid obviously). I mean I know you're supposed to download all your books before you go on holiday, but you know what I'm like...

Ah the 3G is free?  Thats interesting.  Although admittedly, I am probably with Clare on this, in that it doesn't take that much organisation to load up a few books before you go away.

My GF is an avid reader, and currently has a Sony eReader, which is very nice, but it cost twice as much as the kindle, and the software for downloading the books is a complete pain in the posterior.  She is currently contemplating buying a kindle too, and just using both.   Apparently some books she has looked for are on the eReader, but not on the kindle, and some on the kindle are far cheaper than those on the eReader.  Obviously Ive encouraged this purchase, so I can check it out for myself.   

I know it's a crazy idea, but books are pretty good for reading. I don't understand how making them electronic enhances the experience? Perhaps I'm a luddite when it comes to this tech and simply don't get it? Perhaps someone can explain the appeal? 

EDIT: and you're far less likely to get mugged for the book you're carrying...

I love books - and of course magazines - too; lot easier to read absolutely anywhere (until they make a waterproof Kindle, i can't see it as the ideal holiday companion!)

But when I go on a two-week holiday and a huge part of my case/baggage allowance goes on books, I can see the appeal of one device that'd mean I could take loads of choice with me.

And the screen on the Kindle is gorgeous to read - really like paper and kind to your eyes (unlike some backlit devices...).

But i'm still not quite sold....

I can understand the function of making a large bulk of material portable (so an ereader becomes the literary equivalent of an ipod), I guess. Maybe I'm getting old, but exchanging a book for a screen seems a violation to me.

That said, I've no right to look down my nose at anyone that finds them useful.

strapped for cash:

I can understand the function of making a large bulk of material portable (so an ereader becomes the literary equivalent of an ipod), I guess. Maybe I'm getting old, but exchanging a book for a screen seems a violation to me.

That said, I've no right to look down my nose at anyone that finds them useful.

I can see what youre saying SFC, but for me its all about ease of lugging it around.  I am currently reading a Hardback (The Hacienda:  How not to run a club by Peter Hook - highly recommended if you like that kind of thing ), but would also like to take a professional certification book on the train with me to read up on.  This is like a door stop, and obviously to combine the two in a single eReader is much easier.  My GF decided to get an eReader for much the same reason, she sometimes reads several books in parallel, so its ideal for her.  That and the fact that shes got so many books that take up so much space, she wanted a space saving alternative.

JamesOK:

strapped for cash:

I can understand the function of making a large bulk of material portable (so an ereader becomes the literary equivalent of an ipod), I guess. Maybe I'm getting old, but exchanging a book for a screen seems a violation to me.

That said, I've no right to look down my nose at anyone that finds them useful.

I can see what youre saying SFC, but for me its all about ease of lugging it around.  I am currently reading a Hardback (The Hacienda:  How not to run a club by Peter Hook - highly recommended if you like that kind of thing ), but would also like to take a professional certification book on the train with me to read up on.  This is like a door stop, and obviously to combine the two in a single eReader is much easier.  My GF decided to get an eReader for much the same reason, she sometimes reads several books in parallel, so its ideal for her.  That and the fact that shes got so many books that take up so much space, she wanted a space saving alternative.

Oh, and also I can get a digital version of my favourite newspaper automatically downloaded to the kindle every morning, which is great considering theres no shop at my station.

Which is fair enough, JamesOK.

I tend to read one thing at a time and focus on one task; and I like the tactile nature of a book: the ability to flip between the index, bibliography, and key pages. But then I read primarily (though not exclusively) for research purposes, so books suit my needs in this respect. I'm probably being a bit of a snob!

EDIT: oh, and I might have to check out the book on The Hacienda for nostalgic reasons! 

Have to say I'm not convinced either. For various reasons I had ninety quid's worth of Amazon vouchers that I had to use before Christmas and I was sitting looking at the Kindle going 'nnnggghhh' but just couldn't bring myself to get one. Big bro texted me after Christmas ad said he'd got one and I felt quite smug that I'd got loads of these things called 'books'. But Clare's luggage allowance point is well made (though obv she has to fit in the shoes an' all...)

JohnDuncan:

Clare's luggage allowance point is well made (though obv she has to fit in the shoes an' all...)

i get stressed just thinking about it 

Choosing which books to take on holiday, however, is one of my favourite parts of the prep. Making sure there's just the right mix of high- and lowbrow; the familiar and the first-try; fiction and non-fiction; at least one you know you'll be able to read with a thumping hangover... And then buying a big 'ole bag of mags at the airport as extra reading fodder

(Apologies to Forum users with children, whom I believe don't get quite as much relaxation time on holiday)

Or as much luggage space.