My wife wants an eReader----Pandigital Novel 7"??

[#1 Cowboys Fan]

My wife gave me a couple of ideas for Christmas gifts.

She circled the
"Pandigital Novel 7" Color LCD Multimedia eReader"

My guess is that with this product, she can read books somehow.

If I get it, do I need anything else?

Does it require a service; how does it work.

Is this what I should get?

Pat

 

[DeniseM]

I'm not familiar with that brand. With most eReaders you have to purchase books and download them digitally. There usually is no ongoing plan (like a cell phone has) you just buy the books as you want them. But that's something she can do after she has the eReader.

 

[DaveNV]

CNET reports it's a "mediocre" device. 2 out of 5 stars. Check their review: http://reviews.cnet.com/e-book-read...-34118627.html?tag=contentMain;contentBody;1r

I bought an Amazon Kindle 3 for $30 less than your device, and i'm very happy with it. Unless your wife NEEDS color, I'd say to go with what works properly.

Dave

 

[Passepartout]

Here's another set of reviews: http://ebook-reader-review.toptenreviews.com/
And my opinion- worth very little. I own the newest 3rd generation Kindle (from www.amazon.com). I love it. Huge capacity- 3500 books. Easy and free to add content (books). No need to hook it to a computer. Battery life of a month with wi-fi off, 3 weeks with it on. You can have Kindle for PC (or Mac, smartphone, Blackberry, etc.) and it automatically sync's what you are reading on both devices. An on board dictionary lets you highlight a word and get definition/pronunciation without leaving the page you are reading.- Also handy for playing Scrabble. Thousands of public domain books available free.

If color is the deal-maker, Barnes & Noble's Nook Color will be shipping soon. For me this one's 8 hour battery life is the deal-killer.

Back in Sept. I was about a day from buying a monochrome Nook when Amazon announced the K3. IMO, either of these is the best choice. There are now more than a dozen e-readers on the market. Not all will survive and continue to be supported. B&N and Amazon are clearly the best backed and have the best customer support.

Whatever you buy and gift, you'll be a hero!

Jim Ricks

 

[Kagehitokiri2]

personally, id just say i wouldnt consider ipad (3X weight of new kindle)

but then im not a fan of apple gadgets (im only a fan of OSX)

 

[Clemson Fan]

It depends on what type of reader your wife is. For in bed readers I think the color/LCD type readers are better b/c you don't need to have a secondary light source. For outdoor readers, the wink readers are better. I have a kindle and iPhone and I actually use the kindle app on the iPhone by far the most b/c I like to read in bed. I actually gave my mom my kindle and she returned it back to me just recently b/c she's an in bed reader and having to have the light on to read she just didn't use it and just read a regular book. I just bought herthe nook color for Christmas and I think she'll really like that for reading in bed.

The nook color looks really pretty cool and it's gotten some really nice reviews. It's gotten much better reviews then the one you're considering. The YouTube videos on it look pretty cool to. It's kind of like an iPad light.

 

[Tacoma]

Hi

I just received a sony e-reader for my birthday. It's not color and in Canada we don't have access to the wifi version but I wanted Sony because of the ability to use the library with only a valid library card and the ability to share books with friends and buy books from any source. I got the 6" touch version and it is great so far. I can take notes, highlight, dogear pages etc. I had to buy a cover with a light but that really makes it feel like a book. I felt wifi would distract me from the goal of reading. I for one know I spend too much time on TUG while I should be reading.

Joan

 

[#1 Cowboys Fan]

Wow---this is complicated!!

Thanks, though

Pat

 

[Passepartout]

Wow---this is complicated!!
Pat

Not so complicated. You just have to figure out if she REALLY wants an e-reader (does she read a lot of books?), OR does she REALLY want a tablet computer that she can (among other things) read books on.

For the first I'd say flip a coin between a $139 Kindle and a $145 Nook. If it's the second, get her the $500 iPad.

That's just 3 items to choose from depending on what she wants to do with it. Not complicated at all. And I guarantee she's thrilled with any of 'em.... Jim

 

[EJC]

One thing to consider is whether or not she wants to read library books on it. If she does, then some are more user friendly than others. The newest Consumer Reports Buying Guide rates e-Book readers. If you want to be able to get eBooks from various sources, including your library, you want an eBook reader with the best "file support." The following are rated "excellent" for "File support" in Consumer Reports: Sony Reader Daily, Sony Reader Touch, BeBook Neo, and Aluratek Libre Pro. "Very good" for "File support" are iRex, Nook, Sony Reader Pocket. "Fair" for "file support" are Kindle DX and Kindle. Disregarding file support, CR rates Kindle the best for 6" to 7" display. I just bought an eBook reader as a gift for someone that wants to use library ebooks. Before I decided which eBook reader to purchase, I checked that person's local library, and for library eBooks, that library recommended Sony and Nook. After comparing the two, I chose the Nook. Personally, I purchased an Aluratek Libre Pro last summer. It's pretty basic. However, I've already purchased and downloaded books from Borders and Kobobook. This evening I downloaded two eBooks from the local library. The library eBooks are on loan for two weeks. I have no clue what happens when the two weeks are up. Are they suddenly unable to be read or do they just disappear?

 

[#1 Cowboys Fan]

Ok, as far as I know, she won't want an "Ipad", "Ipod", or "wifi"---just a reader.

Also, from your responses-----she will be able to go to the library to access ebooks to read??

Pat

 

[mo1950]

Just wanted to say that DH and I both have Kindles and are in-bed readers. We could not be happier with our reading experience.

We both have the Multi-Edge cover with Multi-Edge Book Light. The light is on an adjustable gooseneck that you can position anyway you want and uses one AAA battery which only has to be changed about once a month.

But the advantage is that at the bottom of the gooseneck light is a flat plastic piece that slides into a pocket inside of the cover. I have never had anything so convenient or ingenious. My book light is always inside my cover laying right next to the Kindle, yet slid into the cover so it never falls out.

I am an insomniac and have been for many years. I can reach over to my bedside table, grab my Kindle, open up the cover, and there is the light already inside, use my thumb to switch it on and begin reading. This is all in the dark and never disturbs my husband. I love, love, love it.

Just had to post - the Kindle with the Multi-Edge cover and light is be best get-up ever for in-bed reading.

I hope I will always have a choice as to color or black-and-white for my
e-reader. The black and white is so much easier on the eyes. I read for many hours, and this keeps me from having eye strain.

 

[Passepartout]

Ok, as far as I know, she won't want an "Ipad", "Ipod", or "wifi"---just a reader.

Also, from your responses-----she will be able to go to the library to access ebooks to read??

Pat

This sounds very inconvenient to me, but each to their own. Before I bought my K3, I went to my local library to see what reader- if any- they supported. Turned out there is a national format- you access it through your library, wherein you can 'borrow' books. They work for 2-3 weeks then just disappear. It's a copyright thing. I'd suggest a visit or at least a call to your library for advice if that's where she wants to get content.

I believe, the Sony reader was said to be the best for this. Here's a link to Project Gutenberg, a repository of ebooks in many formats: http://www.gutenberg.org/catalog/

Other than Kindle and Nook, I think most other e-readers have to be wired to your computer to download ebooks. Those can go directly to their online 'bookstores' to add content. Thousands are free, the vast majority of even new releases are under $10. Very simple.

If you have a Best Buy nearby, they have several popular e-readers on hand that you can handle and get the feel of.

Among the many things I like about the Kindle is that using the device just becomes transparent- like a book- and only the story you are reading remains. The e-reader doesn't get in the way.

I fear we are just making a fairly simple thing difficult to choose..... Jim

 

[pittle]

Another Kindle WIFI vote here. I bought mine in August so that I would have it for our fall vacation. Just got back from a month in Puerto Vallarta where I read 11 books and was so glad that I did not have to lug them through the airport in my suitcase! You just use the WIFI to download books in less than a minute, not to surf the net. We had WIFI at all our timeshares on this trip, so I downloaded 3 books the last week we were there. I only had to charge the Kindle once in the 5 weeks we were gone. I do not read in bed, but do read sitting on the sofa or in a chair. I just turned on a light at night. It works even better when outside sitting on a deck, the beach, or around a pool.

I can also read the books on my netbook at night if I need it to be backlit. With the WIFI feature, and WhisperSync, I could read on one and then start where I left off on the other. Same with my iPhone.

 

[laura1957]

Another vote for Kindle 3. I love it, bought myself and both my daughters one. Received them beginning of September, and literally not a week goes by without my 20 year old thanking me again at least once She never leaves the house without her Kindle. My 25 year old takes hers to work and classes and is very happy with it. She tells me she likes it so much more than she expected that she would.

I have a goose neck clip on light that works just fine. My local library does have ANY ebooks available so that was not important to me. I do have Kindle and Nook apps on my computer and was finding more books/better prices for the Kindle than the Nook. Battery life is great, Amazon customer service is wonderful.

 

[#1 Cowboys Fan]

OK---sorry for not knowing much about this topic.

My wife does NOT have a cell phone with internet access.

I keep reading 'wifi'-----we do have internet access at home, (or at timeshares via a laptop).

So, is a kindle still a suitable item, given my situation
(no cell phone internet)

Pat

 

[Passepartout]

So, is a kindle still a suitable item, given my situation
(no cell phone internet)

Pat

Pat, you don't need cell phone access for Kindle. If you have a wireless network (wi-fi) at home a Kindle will access it. Or any other wi-fi, like at McDonalds, Starbucks, a timeshare/hotel or wherever. If you don't have wi-fi at home, you can connect with the included USB wire to a computer that's online. A Kindle is available for $189 with both wi-fi and cell phone connectivity. It will connect virtually anywhere worldwide. There's even a rudimentary web browser- yes you can read and post to TUG using it, but it's clunky and difficult to type on, but it DOES work in a pinch.

Hope this helps.... Jim

 

[laura1957]

I have no cell phone internet. The wifi will pick up signal anywhere there is a wireless signal. I use the wifi at home, and at work use the 3G. The wifi seems to be quicker.

(3G version will work anywhere you can get cellphone signal.)

 

[sun&fun]

Assuming your wife wants an e-reader, and circled the Pandigital as an example, then you can't go wrong with the Kindle. If, however, she selected the Pandigital based on her knowledge of features and her preferences, she may be disappointed with another device.

I told DH I want a Nespresso for Christmas, gave him the model no. and all the details. If he "shops" around for something he thinks is better, faster, cheaper, or whatever moves him to modify the request, I'll be exchanging it! Note that if the Kindle is not to your wife's liking, Amazon will refund in full within 30 days and I think they extend that period during Christmas.

 

[EJC]

#1 Cowboys Fan--I don't know why your wife chose the model eBook reader she did. She must have her reasons. That being said, I still think you need to find out from her how she intends to get her eBooks. If she wants access to library books, I suspect Kindle is NOT the best choice. If she would be happy just buying books from Amazon, then the Kindle would be great. BTW, I have access to my local library's eBook online. I just select them online and ask them to download. They download onto my computer, and I drag and drop them onto my eBook reader which hooks up to my computer via the USB port. On Barnes and Noble's site, if you click on Nook WiFi, you should see some videos listed. They have one called sideloading. That is the process I mentioned above--you hook up the eBook reader to your computer and drag and drop the eBooks onto your reader. With the Nook, if your order from Barnes and Noble, you'd do that using the wifi feature of the Nook and not have to physically hook up the reader to your computer via USB cable. Maybe it would help if you searched www.youtube.com for some videos that would show you someone actually using and downloading books onto the Kindle or Nook or whatever.

 

[wauhob3]

We are happy with our Kindles. Not all libraries have e-books but hopefully that will change soon. On Amazon there are thousands of free books to mostly older classics but some new ones too probably of new writers for the Kindle. It is free to use 3 G and if you have wireless at home or go somewhere wi-fi is free then there is no cost there. Web browsing is experimental and the wi-fi/3G is mainly about connecting to download books. The Nook is the same way. I would choose one of these.

You may find this article informative.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-20009738-1.html

 

[mo1950]

Husband and I went with the Kindle. Of course, our local library is small and there is usually a long wait list for all new books. I know a few people who have access to very large libraries and they have purchased a Sony for that reason.

I did download 110 free books to my Kindle from Amazon. Plus Amazon has over 700,000 books available at their website. Several are free. There are also a lot of independent authors offering their books $.99 - $2.99.

So, really depends on what you personally want and what is available to you where you live. It might be wise to call or make a trip to your local library and see what is available.

 

[Chris_NH]

Hi Cowboys fan-
First, let me wax eloquent on ebook readers in general. They have totally re-energized my reading regimen, and I can tell you that I've read more good books over the last year than I had in the previous five. They're very user-friendly and getting books, which was always the biggest hurdle for me due to time constraints, takes mere moments at home or on the fly.

Personally, I'd stick with one of the bigger competitors, for a couple of reasons. The most important is the size of the library. I have the Nook (non-color version) but I know I'd be just as happy with the Kindle. They look nearly identical, both hold more books than you'll need, and both have huge libraries available. These are the two I'd recommend you look at.

I also have the little 6" Sony reader, and I really like it a lot. I have to plug it into the computer, but frankly that's not something I find inconvenient or constraining. I actually like this device a bit better than the Nook - it's more spartan with just a few controls and none of the bells and whistles of the Nook. But it has a battery life that's forever, and there's less "gadget distraction" with this device than there is with the Nook. There was a time when the price difference between the Sony and the Nook/Kindle made the Sony worth considering; I don't think that's the case anymore, but it is a very nice little device.

As others have alluded to, I'd also avoid any ebook reader with backlighting. They have much shorter battery lives, and lead to eye strain. It's very easy to get a little dedicated light (actually, that Multi-Edge Light device that mo1950 mentioned sounds fantastic - I have a light, but I'm going to look into that). If your wife wants a websurfing device that also does double duty as an occasional ebook reader, that's one thing. But if she's looking for primarily an ebook reader, my advice is to get one of the dedicated ones.

Good luck and I hope she enjoys it as much I like the ones I have!

Chris

 

[#1 Cowboys Fan]

I thank everyone for their help.

This, however, has become more complicated than I thought at the time of my posting.

I esssentially knew nothing about eReaders---now my head is somewhat spinning with the possibilities.

I asked my wife to determine what exactly she wants (features, capabilities, accessories, color vs. black and white, etc.,) but she doesn't have time right now to research it. She didn't know of the choices---she just wanted something to "...read books on an eReader", and saw one in a department store flyer that initiated this posting.

I think this may have to delay until 2012---- with her not being able to tell me what she wants, I don't want to get the wrong thing. (unless I go to a Borders, etc to have them demonstrate)

Pat

 

[Chris_NH]

I agree with taking your time to research and finding the right reader. A trip to Staples, Barnes & Noble and other electronic stores might slim the list down pretty quickly, but I understand that's not always possible. Also, it probably is a good idea to have her hold onto it and try it. My wife tolerates, just barely, the nook; she doesn't like the Sony at all. So she's just not a ebook reader fan - there are some people who just like old-fashioned books.