What a good e-reader?

[theshnizzle]

Thinking about getting one. But.....I am totally computer dummy,so it has to be something that is really,really easy to DL books onto or drop and drag or,actually, I don't really know how they work.

( I try to think and nuttin' happens!!!)

I have read that some need to have files converted, I don't think I even know what that means, I don't need beels and whistles, just be able to maybe make font bigger and ease of use is paramount.

I have an Iphone, someone said just use that, but I think I would find it way to hard to use that as a an reader. I struggle to just put music on my phone.

So any suggestions , not from techno-nerds who can figure computer things out in 2 seconds,but but from ordinary non computer literate pple like myself.

[zukracer]

well you have a ton of options but they really boil down to a short few.

First as a pure e-reader the Kindle. It comes in several varieties. The standard size that is wifi, wifi with ads, 3g and 3g with ads. Then there is the larger screen size version wifi or 3g. My wife has the standard 3g no ad version and loves it. She reads books like crazy with it. It can do a variety of other little things but its pretty much an e-reader only. One nice thing is that your kindle books can be "played" on any kindle device. They have apps for pretty much every type of phone, laptop, ipod/ipad, etc so buy once read anywhere...plus it saves your spot when you move around devices (this is reallly nice ) It works pretty much in any situation, direct sun or if you get the case with the light its perfect. That case btw runs on the kindle battery so no need for keeping up with if the light has juice

Then there is the iPad. Again wif vs 3g models and various sizes. We have 2 iPad 2s and though you can read on them it is a back lit screen so it sux a bit in direct sun. There are some narrated books (mostly kids stuff) and the e-reader on the iPad will read the words, highlight them and turn pages for you. You can ONLY play these books on Apple's e-reader app on iPad/iPod/iPhones. Price can be a barrier to entry on this one but its soooo much more than a e-reader you would need to weigh the cost vs other uses. As a pure e-reader I still think the Kindle is in the lead.

The Nook (or color) is also a great option, my daughter has the color Nook. As an e-reader it works great but it is back lit, thus direct sunlight isnt as good. It is android based and can be rooted to allow other stuff to run on it. It can do more web stuff with it and being color is nice for magazines if you get them. The self reading books do not highlight woods nor turn pages for you. It has some expansion via micro-sd cards & nook apps for iPod/iPad/iPhone, laptops, etc. The books are a little more money and selection is different....not better or worse just different availabilities of titles.

In the end if you want an e-reader thats a great e-reader for books the kindle 3g wins hands down. If you want a little more functionality beyond just e-reading, like color magazines, etc the Nook color is great. Definitely look at some books on the two sites that you would buy and see what is available & pricing. If you want a tablet that can do 100x more get the iPad.

Hope that helps, let me know if I can answer anything for you on these 3 readers

[chrisjp]

why read books when live action storys are so much more fun lol

[Kildore]

I really enjoy my Nook. Very user friendly with the touch screan.. more so than the kindle. Now have the Nook Color for mags and childrens books with color. My nook does have internet capabilities also. Pretty cool stuff. One time purchase and also have a decent savings on the books your purchase. Mine have almost paid for itself in a short time of owning it!

[ResidentEvil]

Color nook