Do I need a Kindle to read ebooks?

[MichaelZZ]

Do I really need a Kindle or another make of ereader in order to read ebooks? Can I not just download the books, presumably via iTunes, and read them on my computer?

[hc4361]

Course you can. In fact Amazon have a free Kindle reader program for your pc, or there are plenty of other free readers/organisers.
My favourite is Calibre.
http://calibre-ebook.com/

[boxtops]

My OH can download books onto his smartphone, don't ask me how though.

[boxtops]

^ perhaps that's how, Trim!

[Old_Geezer]

If i read a book at least part of the attraction is to get away from a screen for once.

[boxtops]

I agree, O-G, I spend all day in front of a screen at work, and a fair bit of time staring at AB when I'm at home - my book at bedtime wouldn't be the same if it wasn't printed on paper.

[hc4361]

Some people have sight problems which make books on screen easier to read - larger font, darker text as examples.
Arthritis can make reading paper books difficult, as can Parkinsons or other health problems.
Don't know ebooks until you've tried them.

[heathfield]

If you visit the Gutenburg Project website, you can download any of 30,000 out-of-copyright books to your computer - for free. From Dickens to Wodehouse, Kipling to Homer...

http://www.gutenberg.org/

[annie0000]

I think there is a difference between reading a book on a normal screen and reading on a kindle specifically (as apposed to other e-book readers) is the use of something called (I think) e-ink technology. which is supposed to make it more book like and less like tying on a screen. I don't have one (yet!) to say if it makes any difference

[annie0000]

*sp opposed.

[hc4361]

My Sony Reader uses e-ink, the same as the Kindle. I think it was Sony that invented it, it certainly makes it easy on the eye and is easy to read in bright sunlight.