Best e reader and why

[rowanwitch]

think I may have to give in and get one... it used to be kindle or kindle but there seem to be a lot more out there any recommendations?

[Gromit]

If it is just for reading books then it is a choice between Kindle or iPad. Both have the Eco-system and Sync necessary to give a good reading experience. Both haver their plus and minus points. There is a new iPad tomorrow, so the existing one (iPad 2) will be retained but at a cheaper price.

If it is for tasks other than e-books, then a cheap Android device would do. The Microsoft Metro tablets look good but they are many months before they hit the shops.

[rowanwitch]

Thanks gromit one key issue for me will be image quality as I have real problems with screen displays

[rojash]

Kindle every time.
The ipad has a luminescent screen like a computer - useless on the beach and bad for your eyes in bed.
The Kindle looks like printing on paper and can be read in all the circumstances that you would expect to be able to read a real book.

[bednobs]

it will depend on if you want to borrow books from your local library. Many libraries (in this area anyway) don't support the kindle format. If you do want to borrow library books, contact your local one to see what formats they support.
It'll also depend on price you wanna spend. My dad got a sony colour ereader for xmas, and i like it as much as the kindle, but it was twice as expensive.

[AB Editor]

Kindle, e-ink is easy on the eye with no "burn" from a backlight (as you'd get on a tablet).

You're also looking at a fairly different price £400 vs £89

I'd suggest picking up both. The iPad to replace your usual browsing machine and the kindle for reading.

I'm looking forward to the Win8 tablets too Gromit.

[sunny-dave]

Kindle screen is clear - but *not* illuminated (passive e-ink).

Therefore it is readable in any sort of light - in many ways the brighter the better. But you do need a decent light source after dark - which can annoy other people depending on when/where you want to read.

iPad is the other way round - can be crap in bright daylight, but is self illuminating & so OK at night.

[rowanwitch]

price not a consideration, but screen is the big one I pad a non starter if it is backlit, didn't know libraries dis e books will look into it thanks for that.

[rowanwitch]

I really don't want to be tempted with mobile browsing I am retiring in June and spend enough time online anyway. its why I have never used that facility on my phone

[bednobs]

ps i completely disagree that the only choices are ipad or kindle!

[Gromit]

// a non starter if it is backlit //

Everything except the Kindle is backlit.

Android and Apple screens can be dimmed. I have an iPad and a Kindle. The Kindle is great on the beach, but unfortunately I am only able to read like that for one fortnight in the year. Reading at night or in bed and the iPad is better.

[rowanwitch]

Its a shame you can't get them on short term rental just seeing things for a while is no substitute for a proper 'test drive'

[ChuckFickens]

"Everything except the Kindle is backlit."

Apart from all the other 50 or so e-ink based e-readers!

[Gromit]

thanks for the correction Chuck. PC World have 13 E-Ink readers

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/r/e%20ink/0_0_0/

[riptide]

I have the ipad and kindle, much prefer kindle for reading. I also have the cover for the kindle with the integrated light, absolutely brilliant, you can read in any part of the room and if in a dark spot, just pull out the light.

[stoofur]

Moneysaving Expert says that you can get £10 off Kindles until Monday 12th March.

http://www.moneysavin...ebook-readers-kindles