The definitive ebook reader
353064
This is a great ebook reader.  It is so easy to operate and download books and I highly recommend it.
212735
this is a very good ebook reader and has many different formats. it plays music as well. i like the feature that you can enlarge or reduce the print. has very long battery life as well. i really like it but the reason for the 4 stars is slow page turning. other than that it is an awesome reader. nice and clear and for me i really do mot mind the slow page changes.
3310281
I was planning a trip and I didn't want to lug around hardcovers to read on the plane, etc.  This unit does not disappoint. The color display is bright and clear.  As a reader it's very intuitive to use, which is a good thing, because the printed and identical online manual is skimpy and hard to understand.  I have a feeling this unit has features I'm not aware of because I couldn't find explanation for some of the buttons.

The unit has a nice zoom feature, and you can rotate text to read in landscape, although I don't know why you would want to.  It comes pre-loaded with many of the books you read in high school, and some you didn't.  Also check out gutenberg.org for thousands of free e-books.

Settings are very basic, for brightness, etc.  All file management functions must be done while connected to a computer as a USB device. Some pages are slower to load than others, and I can't figure out how to stop the unit from powering down if I haven't turned a page in 30 seconds or so.

I haven't tried the radio, video, or photo functions much. The music player is pretty standard.

I wanted a basic E-book reader and got a lot more, and at a good price, too.
4513867
I never thought I would enjoy having an e-reader until I got the Kindle and with my particular tastes I got the Kindle with Keyboard. I've tried the Kobo and found it (for myself) to be a most unpleasant experience but this Kindle is all Love.

I now am happily reading 1334+ novels on my Kindle and I love the look and feel of my unit. I carry this device all over the place with me and my back is beyond grateful for this Kindle (as before I would carry around at least four books minimum and none usually under 330 pages in my book-bag) and never looked back.

The QWERTY keyboard, the buttons and directional tabs are all nice and solid feeling, giving a satisfying click when used. The size of the screen is just right. The weight very reminiscent of a fair sized trade paperback in the hand. And what I enjoy most is the fact this Kindle is mainly focussed on being an e-reader.

I didn't want the added frills, lace, bells and whistles of having a mp3/ma4 player, a movie theatre, or a internet browser (beyond getting books) as I already have these items. I just wanted a nice and sturdy e-reader which is what I love in my Kindle!

If I have grumbles nowadays it would be mostly on my being rather tired and accidentally pressing the wrong buttons. I would gleefully recommend this delight for any avid bookaholic to add to their collection!! Especially if you enjoy the thrill of using a keyboard!

So Two Thumbs and Two Big Toes waaaaaay up!!  So Kindle with Keyboard - you ROCK!
4438941
This is how Ebooks should be.  An engaging and well written book at an affordable price.  I highly recommend for all readers.
4350134
This is a great and simple eBook reader. It's light enough that I can hold it in one hand when reading, it's small enough that it's easy to take with me, the battery life is long enough that I forgot where I put the charger, and the screen lets me read for hours on end without eye strain. It does one thing and does it well. Get a tablet computer (I am partial to the Toshiba Thrive) if you want to play games, do email, browse the web, do video conferencing, etc.
1936447
I was hesitant to purchase an eReader since I use Linux, not Windows or Mac. This review is to let everyone know that the Sony eReader works absolutely well and easily with Linux. I researched online which eReader would work best for Linux. There were hundreds of discouraging blogs about using Linux and trying to use ebooks on most readers. There were specific notes saying, "Sorry, not supported on Linux."

I just want to make a post to counter those naysayers. I purchased a Sony PRS-505 today, and within 5 minutes of getting home, I had loaded 5 full length novels on the reader using Ubuntu 9.04 and Calbre. It was an absolute breeze, start to finish.

Without reading the eReader directions, I plugged in into my PC, then turned on my computer. Immediately the eReader icon showed up on my desktop. The next thing I did was download the library application Calibre. Calibre is a library cataloging and file conversion tool that is free. It downloads in a minute and works well. It will catalog all your ebooks, and convert files to any format suitable for your eReader.

While that was downloading I looked for free ebooks on the net and landed on [...]. I pursued the novels, selected several, and selected download. I downloaded the files as ".epub" files. It's a new open format, and they worked well. They downloaded so fast I wasn't sure the download had worked. I even downloaded a thousand pages of the BBC news. The "Fetch New" is already in the toolbar of the Calibre app.

The Gutenberg files appeared on my desktop. I dragged them into Calibre and the books showed up. I highlighted them and clicked on the "Send to" icon in the top tool bar. Again, it was so fast I couldn't believe it. But sure enough, when I unplugged my eReader and looked on the menu, there were the novels. I selected one at a time, they opened, and I was reading.

So, please don't let the blogs or notices about Sony eReaders not working with Linux hold you back. Also, the Sony PRS-505 is very intuitive. I have yet to read the instructions. Yet I could ride the bus to work tomorrow and have a fine read without having looked at the intructions, and with no hassle using Linux with the Calibre application. Who needs wireless when this is so easy on Ubuntu using Calibre.

The PRS-505 is a great value and the ease of use is amazing. The format is open source, so there are all kinds of books you can download for free. I didn't like the new Daily Edition Sony reader because I didn't think I needed wireless, and the text is a little less sharply displayed on the New Edition. It has to do with the touch screen. I actually found that I liked the buttons on 505 better than the touch on the Daily.

The Sony 505 is a great value with Linux, and the free books so easily obtained is a marvel. I would recommend the product.
4775097
I must admit, I was very skeptical with e-readers in general. There is nothing, I thought, like the smell and feel of books. If this is you, read on:

I had purchased my 100th physical book (I started reading a couple of years ago), and I decided that I'd give the 101st book the chance of being an eBook, since I had also purchase an iPad a little before that. With devices such as the iPad, the backlit screen really burns your eyes after hours of reading. It's basically just like reading on a PC, and while you can definitely adjust brightness, font size and even font on devices such as the Kindle Fire and the iPad, it still gets very tiring to the eyes after a while.

The Kindle is a perfect size for you to hold in your hand easily while on your favorite chair, bed, floor, lawn, etc. It's not as heavy as other e-readers thanks to the lack of unnecessary features such as touch screen (it's a book reader, people, not a tablet) and it is fast (compared to the original Kindle, it's like lighting). When you're switching pages on the device, it gives you right enough time as if you were flipping pages, which after your 1st hour of using the Kindle, switching pages to keep on reading becomes automatic, even. (I.e. by the time I get to the middle word in the last sentence of the page, I push the button for the next page.)

To wrap-up: give it a try. You can even adjust font size, in case you're worried about screen size not being sufficient enough (trust me, it is!). All in all, it is a great device, very simple, and it easily lets you get lost in that magical world that all us book readers love.
3199033
I've had this for several years.  I researched with my online friends, and found the consensus was this was the best reader out there.  The battery lasts forever, it's got a great back light, you can change the font to reflect your likes, it'seasy to navigate between both pages in a book, and the bookshelf itself.  I did purchase the Librarian to make it easier to upload books, and I somtimes wish there was more out there I could purchase formatted for this.  I will admit to some having me some Kindle lust, lol.  The eBookwise is about the size of a paperback novel...easy to carry, but could be lighter.  One of the things that I don't like about my eBookwise is that all the buttons are on the left hand side.  I'm a serious righty, and when I lie on my right side and read it makes for awkward page turning.  I have to position it just so where I can prop it up to hit the page turn buttons.  I've often wished it had buttons on both sides and you could choose which you'd like to use.  Overall this is a wonderful product, and I don't know what the heck I did before I had it.  I can remember printing out entire ebooks to read.  This is pretty inexpensive, and it holds a charge forever, and holds many, many books.  It's like taking a whole library in your purse.  And no one can be checking out the cover to see if you're reading a bodice ripper!!!
All avid readers are SO missing out if they don't have an eReader of some sort, and this and easy to use, priced right place to start.  I think we'd all love to have a Kindle, but we can't all rush out and spend that kind of money.  You'll be thrilled with your investment here!!
777316
I'm not an avid reader of books but when I saw this latest reading device I had to purchase it. I live in a small apartment and I just don't have room for books lying around. This device is the BEST! I read daily now without the storage issue, driving to get the book, paying a much higher price for the lastest releases. This digital book reader couldn't be better. Since I have received mine several members of my family are looking to purchase one as well. I look forward at the end of my work day to relax with my Kindle and let the world disappear.
1777361
The Kindle eBook Reader - wireless 3G, White - 2nd Generation device met or exceeded my expections.  It is remarkably easy to read even in direct sunlight.  It appears to be very well made and the layout of the controls makes using it intuitive.  The ebooks download very quickly, and the available book selections are numerous.  Cost of the ebooks is reasonable.  I've had and used mine for about 2 months and plan to add to my library as soon as I've read the ones I downloaded.  I chose the wireless 3G 2nd Generation Kindle (white) even though it was more expensive than the newly released, cheaper Wi-Fi model.  This was based on hands-on usage and convenience.  No regrets.
1497926
I am thrilled with it. By far the best Kindle ever. Lots of people are saying they aren't sure about the price. It is worth every penny. If you love to read, and use an ebook reader, this is the only one.
823820
I have had my Sony Digital Reader for about two weeks now.  I researched this and the Kindle.  The biggest turn off with the Kindle was the price and strict limitations on where the books could come from.

 I finally decided to try the Sony Digital Reader.  The construction of it is awesome.  I have dropped it twice.  The first time while stanind on a linolium floor.  No problems and it wasn't in a case.  The second time I dropped it (in the case it came with), it fell on concrete.  It reset to the prior setting.  Meaning, the prior download of books I had.  It wiped about 50 books off.  There was an extremely small dent in the right front corner.  No other problems what so ever.  I simply re-downloaded the books wiped off.

A negative for me is the Sony e-library.  It freezes and is a pain to get the titles or authors just right.  Suggestion:  If the downloads are from another source, simply rename the title or author as you wish so that they will display alphabetically.

The reader displays even better than the page of a book in just about any lighting situation.  Laying down reading with one hand or eating and reading with one hand is much easier than holding an actual paperback.

I use Calibre to organize my reader.  This takes longer as the reader does not automatically sync with Calibre, but, it does with the Sony E-library.

I am concerned that the battery is only supposed to last for two years with a replacement cost of $125.  Sony needs to get on the ball as I use my reader every day at least two hours a day.

I have christmas requests for readers from two family members and scores of people I meet in stores or restuarants.

I absolutely love my reader.  The cost is high to me, however, it is worth it.  If I go back to school I will get the Touch.  I do not like restrictions, so Kindle won't do it for me.

Also, the formating.  I have mostly read PDF's, which do tend to put a word or two together on each page.  Yes, there are only 3 font sizes, however, they are sufficient for those with average sight.

I give this reader 4 stars due to the battery issue and the software issues.  Other wise, it would be perfect.
3011853
I am the Original Computer Dummy and wouldn't know Wi-Fi from hi-fi.  I also resisted getting an e-reader for years.  I like to turn pages when I read.  However, I played around with this e-reader at the Barnes & Noble counter and was instantaneously and totally hooked.  It is an absolute pleasure to use.  The images on the screen are clear and crisp and the adjustable font makes it easy on anyone's eyes.  The color is glorious.  I liked the social connect to Facebook and found web surfing no problem at all.  The one drawback is that the Nook Color doesn't come with 3-G yet so if you're not at a Wi-Fi hotspot surfing will have to wait until you find one.

Setup was very easy; the directions are all on screen.  You have to charge it up before you start using it and this will take about three hours.  After charging it up you have to register your Nook Color before you can begin using it, and if you don't have Wi-Fi at home you'll have to take it to a Barnes & Noble or any other hotspot to complete the process.  Once that's done, you're off and running and can start downloading books, magazines, or whatever.

The magazine selection is somewhat limited at this point although I understand more will become available.  But as far as books are concerned, the sky's the limit.  I was able to download books I never thought would be available.  And the prices are unbelievable.  The complete Jane Austen (all six books plus some extras) is available for 99 cents.  Most other books run between $3.00 and $10.00, and I was able to find a few freebies that didn't cost a dime.

I love my Nook Color.  It's becoming a part of me.

Judy Lind
2202024
I recently purchased a Kindle 9.7" as a birthday present for my wife, who is an avid reader.  She absolutely loves it. It is easy to use, and books download in a minute, as promised. And we live in Australia! There are many excellent bargains also available (e.g. the Collected works of Dickens for $7). What I was most surprised about was just how clear and readable the screen is. Contrast and resolution are brilliant, and reading is easy and comfortable. And the prospect of all those books in the palm of your hand is very enticing. I would highly recommend this version of the Kindle to anyone.
196049
Outstanding product, the very best Kindle to date!
1554332
READER WOULD NOT BE COMPLETE WITHOUT IT.  MY 7 HAS ONE ALSO.