Re: E-Readers: Worth it?

**sordavie** · 05-24-2011, 08:24 PM

Here's something to think about if you're considering the "greenness" of ebooks.

Ebooks contain materials that biodegrade very, very slowly. It's not clear how recyclable they are (i.e. what percentage of them can be recycled to useful materials and how much energy it takes to recycle them). And if our habit of recycling other electronic devices is any indication, it won't be pretty.

Paper on the other hand is highly biodegradable, is recyclable (and we have the infrastructure to do it on a wide scale), and trees are renewable. If we choose the source of our paper carefully, namely from farms that grow trees for paper, it has pretty low impact on the environment.

**johnflenaly** · 05-25-2011, 10:15 AM

I've gotten a kindle and love it to death, large selection of books. I love there customer service. I've broken mine twice now (my fault) and ruined the screen, amazon shipped me another one next day air, all I had to do was ship the broken one back no cost to me within 90 days.

**Steeler** · 05-25-2011, 07:18 PM

I have a Nook color, and am very happy with it. As an e-reader, it is very easy on the eyes, supports all of the formats I need, and has excellent BN.com integration. It's also a competitively-priced Android tablet, now with some nice apps and in-device email support. Although the tablet aspect is a secondary function.

Doesn't have 3G, which I don't want to pay for anyway, and it's battery life is a little lacking, but you get a lot of functionality for that life.

**sordavie** · 05-25-2011, 07:34 PM

By the way, the new Nook came out today. It's got the same third generation Pearl 6" display as the current Kindle and the same pricing. It forgoes a keyboard in favor of an infrared touch screen. Basically it has a sensor behind the eink display that senses your finger's heat. So don't expect the accuracy of the touch screens you're used to on your cell phone or tablet devices. But it has a longer battery life than the current Kindle and weighs an ounce less.

**DrBeat** · 06-06-2011, 03:18 PM

As an update, I decided on a Kindle and I ordered it today. I look forward to traveling with it.

**sordavie** · 06-06-2011, 05:35 PM

Good choice DrBeat. I know you'll enjoy it. Mine goes with me pretty much where ever I bring my backpack.

**DrBeat** · 06-06-2011, 05:40 PM

Originally Posted by sordavie

Good choice DrBeat. I know you'll enjoy it. Mine goes with me pretty much where ever I bring my backpack.

I'm heading to Germany for 2 weeks so I'm looking forward not have to lug around 5 or so books!

**sordavie** · 06-06-2011, 05:55 PM

What kind of case did you get? I wasn't a fan of the cover that you strap the kindle in to. So I got a basic case from Timbuk2, which I like: http://www.amazon.com/Timbuk2-Envelo...7397229&sr=8-1 Reading in bed is more comfortable without a cover without the added weight of a cover.

**DrBeat** · 06-08-2011, 03:52 PM

Well, it's actually a cover: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004JXVOD6

I don't mind the strap in at all; though I can see why it could be annoying. I just wanted something that I couldn't lose (or I'd lose my Kindle too!) and covered the screen.

But I do have my Kindle now and I'm loading it up with material!

**Acreo Aeneas** · 06-09-2011, 12:47 PM

I'll put my 2 cents in...

I own a e-reader and have so since the beginning of last year. I've wanted one since I saw a Chinese company advertise the screen back in 2006 (and mention a possibility of a ebook reader implementation). At the current prices, I think it's more worth it than before. I paid $200 for my reader (came with a cover, a coupon for BooksonBoard, and a 2 GB SD card), a black Aztak Pocket Pro. You can easily purchase a Kobo or Amazon reader for $140 or less. There are a ton of new and older books in digital format across a multitude of webstores (Amazon, Fictionwise, BooksonBoard, eBooks.com, Smashwords, Lulu.com, etc). If you love to read, I think now is an ideal time to look into buying one for yourself and then going out and picking up your favorite books, find a nice cozy couch, some hot cocoa, and read for a few hours.

I will say this since you were looking at the Kindle vs. Nook.

The Nook is nothing but a glorified tablet. If you're really into "reading", don't get a backlit screen, go for a Kindle or another reader device that uses e-Ink display. It'll save your eyes from strain, save on battery life, and you can actually go for a few weeks without recharging.