View Full Version : Need help from you techno/geeky types
With Christmas just around the corner I am in need of some advice. The wife would like an ebook reader and I have no idea which one is best or what features to look for or avoid. Pretty sure I want one that works with Amazon books. Also, have been thinking about a cheaper "tablet computer" for the daughter. She kills all of her laptops in about three to six months so thought I would try something different. Web browsing (Facebook mostly I would imagine) and email would probably be her main use for it. Do the "Android" tablets let you download apps from the Android store?
Please help me. My time is spent around firearms and motorcycles and turbines so electronics aren't really my thing.
Feel free to reply here or PM me if you are ashamed of your geekiness. [Beer]
Get one with a capacitive screen. They are better then the other kind I can't think of right now.
Don't buy a cheapy one from ebay. They are crap and will die in no time.
Android will let you download apps from their store if its a brand name one.
Kendal readers are good for reading text only.
Good luck it takes some research and a lot of questions. So go to a place that sells them and ask away.
The B&N nook is a pretty decent ebook reader.
enthusiast
11-05-2011, 16:43
Pretty sure I want one that works with Amazon books. Also, have been thinking about a cheaper "tablet computer" for the daughter. She kills all of her laptops in about three to six months so thought I would try something different. Web browsing (Facebook mostly I would imagine) and email would probably be her main use for it. Do the "Android" tablets let you download apps from the Android store?
Please help me. My time is spent around firearms and motorcycles and turbines so electronics aren't really my thing.
Feel free to reply here or PM me if you are ashamed of your geekiness. [Beer]
The kindle will work with Amazon books. You can get applications on the Android platform that will read kindle formatted ebooks. I just read that more libraries are finally adopting the kindle to work so that you can check out books onto your kindle. I originally bought my wife a nook as my local library only supported it. My wife is the furthest from a technophile and she is on her second nook (smaller, better battery life).
If you get ebooks that are formatted for the nook or PDF you can convert them to your reader using Calibre (http://calibre-ebook.com/). I really like this program. It is free.
If you get a cheap tablet just make sure it has Gingerbread on it or can support it (version >2.3). You can download all kinds of application from the Android market (https://market.android.com/) to your tablet.
mevshooter
11-05-2011, 16:56
Look into the Kindle Fire.
It's going brand new for $199 and you can do tons of stuff on it. Supposedly it is also CRAZY strong. Hardened plastic and all.
If you have Amazon prime they are offering free books to "check out" as well.
PanamaDave
11-05-2011, 17:06
Just ordered the Kindle Fire today.... Seems to offer a lot of features at a good price point. ($199)
I already own iPad2 and iPhone so decided on a cheaper alternative to avoid the kids fighting over my "angry birds" capable devices...[UZI]
jerrymrc
11-05-2011, 18:48
I am still stuck on the killing of a laptop every 3-6 months. They are almost (or may be) a requirement for collage these days. What the heck is she doing to kill it? We have 2 desktops and 3 laptops. One of the laptops is 6 years old.
I will say that the only laptop that ever died around here was because of one of the kids. Why is it when they read something they don't like they hit the computer?
As Mevshooter said the new fire is a great piece. The wife has the regular one and likes it.
Holger Danske
11-05-2011, 18:52
Apple iPad2 16GB WIFI only $499. Kindle app = free. It makes it a reader and so much more. Plus you can use the iPAD to view CO-AR15.
jscwerve
11-05-2011, 18:57
I have a Nook myself. I did not buy it to surf the internet, play games, chat online or any of that stuff, I would use a tablet for all of that. I read a lot of books, that's why I got the Nook. I didn't want the Nook color because of battery life and after reading for hours staring at an LCD screen bothers my eyes. I LOVE the e-ink that the non color versions have, it's just like reading a book. I also like the fact that in full sunlight I can read which happens (to me) more often than you think.
If you are looking for just a reader, I can't talk enough about the Nook. I also chose it over the Kindle because of the readily available books in .epub format that the kindle won't read. Also, there are many libraries that do not support Kindle, only the .epub format.
gnihcraes
11-05-2011, 19:19
just get the ereaders that support 3g or anything other than "wi fi" nothing more frustrating to be in a wireless free zone and the wife wants to download a new book and can't.
Wife loves her Kindle with the 3g, can always download what she wants whenever from amazon.
Rooskibar03
11-06-2011, 08:19
+1 for the kindle, especially if the person you are buying for isn't tech savey.
Mrs resisted an eReader for years. I finally just bought her a Kindle and she uses it daily. It's the best of them all as just a reader. If you're looking for a tablet that she might read on sometimes just get an iPad and don't look back. (again assuming she's not tech savey)
Being that I don't know how to read, I don't own an Ereader, but I do see a lot of people with the kindle and I am mesmerized by them![Beer]
Being that I don't know how to read, I don't own an Ereader, but I do see a lot of people with the kindle and I am mesmerized by them![Beer]
Maybe they should come out with one with with pop-up pictures for people like you and me. [Coffee]
jscwerve
11-06-2011, 16:05
Thought I'd throw it out there, I get a lot of books from http://www.epubbud.com/
OK site, you have to enable adobe editions on a nook or other reader, but most of the books work great.
Sorry Kindle users, won't work for you. Much like many of the library sites.
Being that I don't know how to read, I don't own an Ereader, but I do see a lot of people with the kindle and I am mesmerized by them![Beer]
You don't know how to read? I feel for you. I suffer from the inability to understand sarcasm and grasping the obvious. They are 10 years away from a cure too.
Drilldov2.0
11-06-2011, 16:15
I bought the girlfriend a Nook Color for Mother's Day. She loves it and it is actually way more than she needed. Interactive books and games for her daughter (3. y/o) are a big bonus when flying.
I am getting an Ipad 2 64gig with 3g for $600.00
cwripinz
11-06-2011, 16:16
Hey, Ray!
Get USED Laptops from Forum Member NitroxBoss... owns Action Computers! He will get you a killer deal and when that daughter of yours trashes it, it will be cheap enough to just feed her another used one! At last look, I think he had a stack of DELL's product!
Here is contact info:
__________________________________
Mark
720-289-0212
My Feedback (http://www.co-ar15.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18620&highlight=nitroxboss)
http://www.actionpc.com/ ALL COAR-15 Members get a discount at Action Computers on Sales & Service - Ask for Mark Hope when you come in.
__________________________________
I've been buying stuff over there for YEARS!!
NitroxBoss
11-06-2011, 17:08
Thanks for the kind words, we don't have some of the new tablets like iPads but I really try hard to make sure all the members of this forum get a big discount on what they need gear or service. Please ask for me when you come in, if I am not there tell the manager to call my cell phone.
Mark
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