Amazon Kindle Book Reader

[Keith Jordan]

Anybody got one of those Amazon Kindle eBook readers? Any good?

[Stephen]

I bought one of the Sony ones a few months ago as I understood that you weren't limited to Amazon books (maybe that's changed now). Anyway it's irrelevant as I haven't set it up yet.

[snifferdog]

Yes, I have just bought one - it is winging its way to me. If you do order one, don't bother getting the Amazon case because it's ridiculously expensive. Anyone I know has done what I did and bought a fake one from our friends in the far East for a fraction of the price. I've road-tested my brother's one and liked it a lot. I like that it's not too bulky, it's easier to read in bed (where I tend to do most of my reading for some reason) and that it's easy to read. I'm not sure I'd like to be reading off an iPad - too shiny.

[Keith Jordan]

Is it backlit or does it resemble a piece of slightly grey paper?

[snifferdog]

Mine arrived today so I've been playing with it. No, it's not backlit. Some of the cases you can get for it have a little LED light it. I find it works perfectly fine with ordinary light - no problems there. If you want a reader with whistles and bells, this wouldn't be the one to get but I'm finding that as a bog standard means of reading books, it's pretty good indeed. The front end is a bit clunky but you'll get used to it.

[pastchristmas]

My girlfriend's mother, who is a teacher, received one as an end-of-year gift from her students. She took it home, oohed and aahed over it for a few minutes, then put it back in the box where it remains.

Unfortunately, since she is the only one I know with a Kindle, I have no idea what it is actually like. Her dad and I have been meaning to open it up and see what it can do, but haven't gotten around to it yet.

Personally, I prefer to stick with my laptop for reading ebooks.

[wiped]

I prefer books when it comes to reading books.

[Meandthem]

I like analog books on my shelf, but as a supplement for big, big factual books, it might come in handy.
Guess I'll snooze in a minute if I had it in the bed (as I tend to do with books!) but then I would know which page I feel asleep to...

[progo]

I bought one and it is an excellent reader. I was surprised by the quality of the PDF reader. It is fast and handles difficult files as well.

One thing I don't like is the cost of the ebooks. Makes me spendy. The sample system is too good. :/