e-Book Readers

[walrus]

It's my girlfriend's birthday next month, and as I've just treated myself to a new car she's probably expecting a bloody good day!  She's dropped a few hints about an eBook reader, but other than the Kindle I'm a bit clueless.  Anyone have any recommendations?

Personally, I'd have one with wifi, 3G etc. but she reckons she just wants it for the basic function.  She gets the train to Hereford from Crawley quite a bit, so it'll be handy to speed the five hour train journey.  For this reason it needs a pretty decent battery-life - how long do they tend to go between charges?  Budgetwise, I'm not too fussy but ideally would like it for under a ton, as I've got trainers and a shopping trip to fork out for!!

[wiggy]

Pleased this has come back up now, as I am about to get a Kindle for my daughter for her birthday.

Am I right in thinking that if you have wi-fi in the house the is pretty Unnecessary?

[Simon Pieman]

Unless you're going to try to download books when you're away from the house (and your wifi) then 3G isn't necessary.

If battery is important then an e-ink screen is essential. LCD screens are backlit and charge won't last as long.

[jonny72]

Battery life on the Kindle won't be a problem - should last weeks, my iPad lasts all day even if I'm using it heavily.

If you're looking for something to read books on then the Kindle is an awesome bit of kit. Very tempted to get one as well but I can't remember the last time I read an actual book (rather than a text book) so not really any point for me.

[axs]

Get a kindle, I got one recently and it rocks.

[Batch]

If you do go for 3G as well as wifi then it can be got from Tesco for £132 until Sunday using a voucher code.
   
http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/back-amazon-kindle-3g-wifi-for-132-00-tesco/959827

I've not got 3G on mine, not likely to use it.

[slinky]

I got the Mrs a kindle last year.  Don't see the point in the 3G as she just downloads the books at home on the wifi.  Great for traveling as it is much lighter than taking away several books, you can take thousands and it still weighs the same!

[STFC_Manc]

Kindle is great, good offer above!

[sheepshagger]

Definitely get the 3G version - I was sat on the beach in Florida reading the Town End for free

Onceyou purchase there are no monthly charges and you can use for free anywhere in the world

In fact I am now sat in the middle of the Red Sea on a Liveaboard and can browse for free as well as read

Battery life on kindle is awesome - if you turn off wifi when not using the web it will last up to a month

Best 'tech' purchase I have made in years

[tans]

Fucking jetsetter

[LucienSanchez]

Don't look any further than a Kindle... E-ink is amazing, it's stupidly light, and one charge lasts about a month. I didn't bother with 3g and don't regret it for a second - just download all the books you need at home. Oh, and all the 'classics' published over 100 years ago are free.

[wiggy]

Don't look any further than a Kindle... E-ink is amazing, it's stupidly light, and one charge lasts about a month. I didn't bother with 3g and don't regret it for a second - just download all the books you need at home. Oh, and all the 'classics' published over 100 years ago are free.

Cheers - that is what I had more or less decided - £111 on Amazon at the mo.

[walrus]

Cheers - that is what I had more or less decided - £111 on Amazon at the mo.

Seconded.  Kindle it is.  Thank you, only a few stocking fillers to find now!

[wiggy]

Bump.

One last question for you kindle owners out there.

How crucial is a case, and are the ones with built in lights any good.

Cheers

[Barry Scott]

I've got one with the light built in and it's excellent. It increases the weight significantly, as it's really solid, but as I've never used my Kindle without it being in the case, I don't consider there to be any negatives.

It most definitely protects what is supposed to be quite a delicate piece of equipment, which you'd expect because the back is about 7mm thick and is totally solid. The lift time of the battery is reduced, as it powers from the kindle, but not to any degree you'd really notice. (I use it in bed sometimes, so don't use it for hours a day.)

If I had to find a negative it's that the Kindle now moves about a bit on the fittings (the case is fine, it's the Kindle), but this is minimal and creates no problem whatsoever. (I have owned it for a year for what it's worth and I think it's just fair wear and tear.)