What do you have and how do you like it? What are the pros and cons. Why did you select that particular product? Do you let your kids use it?

Cat

Great topic

Kindle
LOVE IT!
Just released a new version too.
Can get a cheaper version without wireless for as little as $139
I have the one with wireless.
DH just bought the new version without wireless (he can buy books from his phone and have it sent to his kindle if he is in need of a book and isn't home to buy it.)
I love that if you have more than one in a house (or registered under the same @mazon acct. you can share all books on up to 4 devices.)

My only con, which I am not sure if the other ones are this way or not, but it doesn't show page numbers because you can change font size etc. but it shows you percentage of book completed. I am very used to that now, but I was used to seeing page numbers. Now it doesn't bother me. I like the percentage completed.

Love the built in dictionary feature (great for kids who use it too).

I picked the kindle because at the time the only other competition was the sony reader and this had better reviews. I also like that the books come from amazon, not particularly an affiliated bookstore.

No glare on screen, not backlit like a computer. Very easy on eyes, like a book would be.

Can't live without it!

Well, I really wanted to get one device that had everything...Woohoo! Found it and love it! I got the cellphone Droid X that has a kindle right in it. Now I don't have to lug around a laptop, cellphone, kindle...Everything is right in one device and the screen is plenty big...Love my phone, love the kindle!

I have a Kindle DX and am mostly happy with it. I like the larger screen size and being able to get a book immediately, for example. I can load PDFs onto my Kindle, which is great.

I (really) don't like the fact that the publishers are starting to increase prices for electronic editions of books. They all used to be around the $10 price point, but prices have been going up lately. I'm extremely hesitant to buy an electronic book that costs almost as much as hardcover. This problem is presumably not isolated to the Kindle.

Amazon could improve the UI.

I was thinking about getting an iPad for other stuff, and I played with one in Fry's last weekend. For me at least, navigation was awkward. Also, I don't know how fragile it is when dropped. iPods and iPhones are very fragile, so I'm reticent to trust an iPad.

Just my two cents!

Val

Interesting that you should post this topic since we have been debating this exact thing in our household. I have the IPad and I love it but I didn't buy it just for the reading function. I wanted a computer that I could also read on. My DD uses it as well but I have strict rules about her usage. She is not allowed to get up and walk around with it. If we need to move for any reason she is to give it to mommy and I will carry it where ever we are going. She accepts these rules with no issues because she has dropped her leapster numerous times. She loves all the applications we can download on it. Just the other night I downloaded a translator so I could help her read a library book she got from her school. I want to be able to pronounce the words properly. She can also watch movies on the Ipad. A nice bonus since I am looking to trade in my minivan and go with a more fun car but it won't have a dvd built in so when we do go on long trips she can always use the IPad or even the IPod touch.

My mom just got the new Kindle, literally 2 days ago. We considered the kindle and the nook. Both are in the same price range. Since the Kindle is on it's third generation they have really considered the layout and function of it and perfected it. The nook is close but I think they need some improvements and chances are the next version will address the issues. We got her the $139 model and it is WiFi. The higher price one is WiFi and 3G. Funny thing ... yesterday her Kindle locked up and wouldn't attach to the network and finally wouldn't shut down. We did a quick search and found that this is a bug with the new Kindle. We had to hard reset it a few times but finally got it back on. We called the tech support and they pushed a new software out to it. It is suppose to take care of the problem.

Really it depends on the individual and what they want from the device. I didn't want exclusive reading ability but when I do read a book on the IPad I enjoy it. My mom, however, finds the IPad too cumbersome and awkward. I do like that the IPad not only allows for ibooks but you can download apps for the nook and kindle and have access to all the major ebook distributors. While we were trying to work on her Kindle we thought we might have to send it back since it was not powering back up. She had just bought a book and was upset that she couldn't read it. So I gave her my IPad with a downloaded copy of her book. It made her even more thankful when her Kindle was fixed! She hated the weight of the IPad.

The other thing to consider is the way the device is lit. IPad is more like a computer screen and I certainly wouldn't find myself outside on a sunny day reading. Too much glare. With the nook and the kindle you can do this. But you certainly can not read the nook or the kindle at night without some form of light on. The IPad doesn't need additional light to read. I know the kindle has covers with built in book lights which solves this problem and we bought one for my mother.

We are in the middle of a long trip and got kindles for the two kids and ipads for the parents just before we left home. Kindle is way cheaper and for the kids, we like that it is strictly a reading device, so they are not tempted by other features when they are reading. We have mixed feelings about the convenience of downloading books instantly - it is awesome for traveling, especially since we don't speak the language here, but I don't like the one-click shopping which cannot be turned off. The kids have been admonished that they must have permission to purchase, but a required password would be much better. When we get back home, we'll probably go back to using the library most of the time, since the books are free there....

I have a droid x as well. Love it! Thanks for the tip about the kindle. I bought a Nook and wasn't happy with it. It is now sitting in my cupboard reset to default. It is waiting to be sold. I was looking for a functioning online source at a cheaper price, while my DS was at his activities, moreso than a book reader. I didn't like the small window on the bottom and I didn't like the dark screen, as my eyes are getting old - it was straining to see the page. I was looking for more online use though; and by the time I paid for the Nook, cover, taxes, etc. I could have bought an ipad, which still may happen once I sell the nook. It was one day over my two week trial return date.

To turn the instant click function off on the kindle, do it from your main amazon account. that way you can edit your preferences (I believe so it's not on one click purchasing.)

I agree, it depends on what your needs are as to what device would be best. I only wanted the ereader, and I too, thought the Ipad was too bulky, big, and awkward. You are right, about the new versions of the kindle being 3G etc. I forgot what the diff. was. Thanks for correcting that

Great idea! When DD is older I will definitely consider getting her a kindle or nook.

DH has a Droid and I have a Kindle. For pure reading the Kindle is far superior. My eyes KILL me after reading anything on the Droid (and I read an insane amount of books). The Kindle also has a big advantage in that you get free 3G abroad (very important since we travel internationally a lot!) whereas my husband's Droid only works in the US (ok, obviously, you still have the apps but no 3G).

We're actually considering buying DH a kindle too now that they are a lot cheaper because we always end up fighting over the kindle!

I agree that it's annoying that the prices are going up but, honestly, I'd still prefer the electronic version so I can have easy access to them at all times. I do wish the interface was better, I hate that stupid joystick but I still love my kindle!

Oh, and I really, really, really wish they had more kids books on there!!!!

We have an iPad and love it. We have a Kindle app on the iPad, so that opens up the options quite a bit for reading. My high school son has downloaded numerous free college textbooks for reading on it, and I use some of the apps on it for my younger son to practice multiplication tables, etc. And he loves the Paint app we have - the multi-touch screen makes for a fun non-mess finger painting project.

Thank you so much for all of your responses. They are so helpful. We are looking specifically for my mom, who is older, for a pure reader, and it sounds like the inexpensive Kindle would be perfect (she doesn't frequent B&N and the less technology the better).

I am considering an I-Pad, as I am going back to school for my MLIS in January. I have a laptop at home, but would like something that is easy to carry around (and I don't need a phone function as I always will have my small basic cell phone with me and I don't want more).

And I am considering the Wifi Kindle for my DS as a holiday gift. He reads like a fiend, and it is likely we will be in Europe for 3-5 months in a year or two during my husband's sabbatical, and it sounds like it might be just the ticket while we are away. But can someone tell me more about the lack of (or availability of) kids literature - he is at the Percy Jackson/Warriors stage.

Thanks again, super helpful. Cat

Google is developing their own version of the IPad. It is suppose to be smaller than the IPad but have the same capabilities. My DH is waiting for that one. I have the Google phone and I have an IPod touch. I have to confess that the IPod keyboard is much nicer but the nice thing about the Google is the open market where anyone can design software. It doesn't have to be approved by Android like Apple's. This opens the door to some interesting software. IE. my DH is a programmer and he quickly became annoyed with the IPod limitations. If you upload a playlist to the IPod you can not download it to your computer. So he designed a software which allowed him to do so but I guarantee Apple would never approve such an application on their site because it would take away from their itune profits.

So I'm curious to see the Google Pad when it comes on the market.

He'll have zero problem finding books at that stage! DD's a lot younger and we're reading stuff like The Cat in the Hat/Early readers together and I just haven't seen those on there but chapter books are definitely there! I've even seen the Percy Jackson books on there, don't worry!

Also, I think you're right on getting your mother a Kindle, it's by far the best for pure readers. Plus, I'm not sure how her eyesight is, but it's definitely the easiest on the eyes.

I have a Kindle. Love it!

I think DS7 will be getting one for Christmas since he has a netbook but would never read on it.

I have the iPad. I LOVE it. I initially liked the idea of the kindle for travel but didn't like the idea of having a device that just did one thing. For me the iPad is perfect, on my last business trip I read 4 books, gave a PowerPoint presentation, checked email and played scrabble all with one device.I agree that the iPad is heavier than the kindle but it's WAY lighter than my laptop. I also have an iPhone, iPod and iMac so I am pretty much a convert. DS 4.5 loves the apps, like Katelyn'smom we have rules about using it but I am letting him do more and more with and he can't download without a password. It allows us to do a range of apps from math to the periodic table to building cars. He loves it, but he does know it's mine. If considering an iPad I would invest in the 3G model not just wifi because if you are out somewhere you might not have access. Although my favorite part is being able to type this sitting in bed!!! Or walking around the house!

DeHe

My 12-year-old son has an iPad in addition to an iPhone. I have an iPad. My husband started out with a Kindle but found out he couldn't get library books on it like he could if he had a Nook, so he gave the Kindle to his adult son and got himself a Nook. My husband sometimes borrows my iPad and I intend to borrow his Nook whenever I go to Barnes & Noble.

Our laptop does not get used any more. It sits on a table gathering dust and we are too busy reading on our iPads to dust it.

Another thing I like about the the iPad is that the battery lasts a lot longer than the battery in our laptop. I like everything about the iPad. For educational purposes it is wonderful. I think my son, who has dysgraphia should use it to take notes in class, but our homeschool co-op classes do not allow electronic devices of any kind to be used and he doesn't want to ask for any accommodations. I think if he is allowed to use something like this when he goes off to college some day, his dysgraphia won't be much of a problem.

I did read that it causes some people to have insomnia when they read with it at night, but I have not noticed a difference. My husband said he fell asleep just as quickly when he read from the iPad and Kindle and Nook as when he read a regular book. My son has not slept well from the day he was born so it is hard to tell if there is any difference now that he reads from his iPad or iPhone in bed. If he can't sleep, he might as well read.

I'm so happy to be reading this thread! We are going to be an iPad family this holiday...DS7 has been begging for one since they came out. The main selling point for me is reading in bed without a light on or a light attachment. That is SO incredibly luxurious to me ha ha!! My husband was trying to convince me to get the less expensive Sony reader.

Another thing I like about the iPad is that my son, when he is tired of just reading, can participate in online debates with people from other countries. He has to read even more to find information to support his arguments. My son and a girl from Canada were the last two people still arguing about whatever it was they were arguing about until 3:00 a.m. Everyone else in the debate got tired of it and went to bed. My son loves this kind of thing. One of his online friends is in college studying political science and whenever he mentions some of the things he is learning, my son looks up information about that. He really learns a lot this way.

Have you asked your library about online checkouts? Our library recently (within the last year) teamed with some of the other libraries in the Montana to bring e-books and audio books to readers that either don't have the time or means to get to the library. I recently used it for the first time to check out four audio books that I then transferred to my iPad for easy listening at work.

My sister has the Nook, with latest OS, apps, etc., she loves it, it does have a color option, which I think Kindle does not, as yet...

Oooo-- we love our e-readers.

DD (11) has a basic Sony reader, the pocket edition (non-touchscreen) That thing is a ROCK.

I have a Sony touchscreen, which I also love, though it is somewhat more tempermental overall. It bricks up fairly regularly and the USB trickle-charging can be fickle. A PSP wall charger solved that problem, however.

DH has a B&N Nook color. It is AMAZING.

We were given a Kindle by a family member-- and (honestly?) RETURNED IT. The reason is that the proprietary format of materials made it an unholy pain in our estimation.

All of our devices will run multiple formats (E-PUB, PDFs, WAV, etc.) and we can check things out for free from our public library anywhere we have a wireless connection and a computer.

DH's Nook has wireless capability, which he likes. He loves the freebies from B&N, too.

The iPads are really nifty, though.

you can get a refurb iPad from Apple.com starting at $349 which includes the standard warranty. Refurbs from Apple are like receiving a new device. The Apple refurb process is quite thorough. Also, AT&T & Verizon are clearing out 1st gen iPads from stock a some quite insane prices. I heard of some for $289. If considering the iPad, visit iTunes and check out the extensive App selection.

Today is DH's birthday and I was able to get him a great deal on the original iPad (brand new, not refurbished) from Best Buy. They are indeed clearing out the stock after the release of the iPad2. It did take a little searching on my part to get my hands on one (even the Apple Store did not have any in stock).

I have had the iPad, myself, since last fall and it is one of my favorite possessions. I use it as a kindle, an outlet for my scrabble addiction, as well as a wonderful source for getting my email and surfing the web. I highly recommend it!

I have wireless in the house so I just bought a Kindle for $114, I love it for reading, and as an avid reader, I do not like the backlit devices.

I am waiting for prices to come down on an android tablet of some sort, but not until next year at the earlies.

We just got Kindles, and are really loving them.

I really want a Nook. I read a lot and get most of my books from the library, so it makes the most sense to me. Now that the Kindle dropped in price, I'm waiting for the Nook to follow suit.

FYI...

iPad 1 64G wiFi is at sams club for 560.00

I only have the iPad but I love it