Anyone tried an eReader?

[The_Monk]

As above...

Have got a few ebooks on my computer and although reading short ones on the computer is ok I have several humongous ones that are well over 500 pages and reading on the screen is a strain! Are the eReaders any good or just a gimmick, £200 is a quite a lot for something that could be potentially useless!:lol:

[sworks]

My wife wants one of these!

[Raistlin]

Originally Posted by The_Monk

As above...

Have got a few ebooks on my computer and although reading short ones on the computer is ok I have several humongous ones that are well over 500 pages and reading on the screen is a strain! Are the eReaders any good or just a gimmick, £200 is a quite a lot for something that could be potentially useless!:lol:

A little unwieldy at first, but once you get used to it (about 20 minutes) as comfortable as a conventional book, wit the added bonus that you don't have pages flapping about when you change your grip

Whether or not they are worth the initial cost is, of necessity, subjective, personally, I won't consider buying one until they are in the region of £50.

I understand that the e-books are only slightly cheaper than the "hard copy" as well

I am somebody who views books as being both friendly and an investment, with many first editions in my library, I am confident that the ebook is very much an answer to a specific need and will never supersede the sheer sensory pleasure of handling and reading a book

[StevenWilliams]

I read a lot of eBooks on my PDA. I have done for the last 7 years. This is nothing new and the technology has been around for ages.

The problem is one manufacturer sets one standard and another uses another. This is the third attempt at a manufacturer trying to create 'the standard' but I really don't think it will last.

There is nothing quite like holding a book IMHO.

[The_Monk]

I agree with owning and holding books etc, I love books but when you carry them round they can be quite heavy and the eReader allows you to carry several at a minimal weight. The thing with reading them on my laptop etc.. is the eyestrain.

I have decided that £200 is far too much anyways and have printed a chunk undercover at work! :lol: Maybe as Paul said the price needs to drop first.

[Raistlin]

Originally Posted by The_Monk

I have decided that £200 is far too much anyways and have printed a chunk undercover at work! :lol: Maybe as Paul said the price needs to drop first.

I think that it'll follow the path that all consumer electronics do. I'll predict sub £50 for next Christmas

[derekosb]

Originally Posted by StevenWilliams

I read a lot of eBooks on my PDA. I have done for the last 7 years.

I am with Steven on this. Have read a number of books on my iPAQ PDA as well as my previous job's company phone (an Orange SPV) running Windows Mobile.

Mostly in PDF form with the "reflow" mode, but also some in Microsoft Reader. Both pieces of software are free to download as well.

A second hand iPAQ will be a lot less than £200 and much more useful as it will have many more functions than simply being an e-reader.

Derek

[Tatts]

I prefer talking books if I can't get my hands on a proper paper one.

Although the orators voice can drone on a bit sometimes.

I can get a full novel on a CD in MP3 format, and thats a good few hours worth of listening.