Nookie disaster

[alreadypacked]

Better backlight, screen, slimmer, lighter - and, above all, doesn't look as fugly as the Nook.

Seriously, I bought the Kindle Paperwhite after trying every damn ebook reader out there. Couldn't be more happy. You have the standard Web 7 day return policy if you don't like it, so no risk. Tons and tons of reviews and videos on YouTube. Early models (pre Xmas) had some minor screen issues, but all seems to have been resolved now. UK model (£109) also doesn't have the "push adverts" that the cheaper model has to put up with in the US (and you can easily hide the "new book recommendations" that appear on the home screen - there is a setting for this now in the system menus.)

Wouldn't part with mine, and I never thought I'd feel that way about any ebook reader.

EDIT: I don't use the Amazon store and I don't use the software that comes with the Kindle (so I'm probably Amazon's nightmare type of customer. I use the excellent freeware Calibre program (to convert EPUBs to MOBI or AZW3), or simple "drag-n-drop" from within Windows 7 to get my books across.

I have lot's of books on PDF, would they work as well?

[NotAllThere]

They worked fine on my Nook. With Calibre you can convert to Mobi or Epub anyway.

[nomadd]

I have lot's of books on PDF, would they work as well?

The "conversion" will work, but the "experience" may be less than ideal, depending upon the type of book.

If you are talking novels, then the Kindle Paperwhite is terrific. If you are talking technical books (i.e. typical computer books with a mix of text and graphics) or magazines then forget any 6 inch e-ink display. Even in landscape mode, the experience is very poor due to the small screen size and the slow scrolling rate. In portrait mode, the text of a typical technical book or magazine is two small to read, and you lose the zoom setting as you flick between pages. Check out the reviews (the HD resolution ones) on YouTube.

For PDFs, the Apple iPad is still the only decent choice around. I personally find the portrait mode impossible to read for computer books and magazines; landscape mode only just about bearable. I'd really want a screen size at least a couple of inches bigger than the iPad, so I haven't bought one (used my sisters for a few days just to see how it would handle my PDF-based technical books.) It's an expensive device, too, for what it is.

For PDFs, I'm wating to see what the next (Haswell-based) generation of Windows 8 Pro tablets brings. These would give me the screen real-estate plus all the features (excellent hardware connectivity and software library) that the iPad will never offer. Sure, it's an even more expensive option than the iPad, but it will more than make up for that in having the features of a full-blown PC. Early 2014 is the most likely date. Until then, I'll continue to use my laptop and desktop computers for PDFs.

[eek]

I meant to write earlier. As soon as the ipad mini arrived I scrapped my Kindle (given to my Dad) and ipad 3 (given to the wife) and just use the ipad mini for everything. The ipad is the only device I've seen that can handle pdf's well and the ipad mini is the first ipad which I can use to read in bed for an hour or so.

Before you decide have a play with one for a while. Granted its more money but it does just work.

[nomadd]

Before you decide have a play with one for a while. Granted its more money but it does just work.

I think this is the key.^

I personally found the iPad Mini to be a worse experience for PDFs than the iPad, due to it's even smaller screen. And for novels, the "much easier on the eyes" aspects of the Kindle Paperwhite e-ink display - plus the enormous battery life - to be a much better fit. Each to their own, I guess.

I've just actually come back from my local PC World. They had all the Apple iPad, Nook and Kindle range in-store to play around with. I'd suggest anyone who is on-the-fence to pop along to their local store for a "play."

[Spacecadet]

I meant to write earlier. As soon as the ipad mini arrived I scrapped my Kindle (given to my Dad) and ipad 3 (given to the wife) and just use the ipad mini for everything. The ipad is the only device I've seen that can handle pdf's well and the ipad mini is the first ipad which I can use to read in bed for an hour or so.

Before you decide have a play with one for a while. Granted its more money but it does just work.

Has the ipad mini got the retina screen? if not then get a tablet which has, I believe the next iteration of the Nexus 7 will have it.

[NotAllThere]

I recently got an Asus Vivo Tab for my wife, which runs windows 8. Technical manuals are a breeze on it.