[Jim]

looking to get the misses an ereader/kindle thing for xmas.
Are they still good at what they do or does a tablet do the same/more or are they too heavy/big/compromised battery life etc...?
We already have a 7" cheap tablet that she doesn't use much as me and the kids are always on it.
Does any one use a tablet primarily as an ereader?

[Monk]

Battery life is the big thing - a kindle lasts about a month between charges, but a tablet lasts about a day. The e-ink screens are much softer on the eye, but I don't personally have a problem with reading books on a tablet screen. I know others do prefer e-ink, so this is probably a preference thing. If the intention is simply to read books on it, then I suspect an e-reader would be the better buy. For anything else... a tablet. 

[IanP]

Completed converted to the joys of 7 inch tablets in our house.  Wife has a playbook I picked up cheap and it's great for emails / surfing net / reading newspapers etc - the main problem is arguments over who gets to use it!  To this end daughter is getting a Nexus 7 for her birthday this weekend.

However if the main purpose is for reading books dedicated e-readers do have definite advantages in particular e-ink displays are easier on the eyes and read just like paper in full sun but also significantly lighter, longer battery life and cheaper.  Given missus doesn't use the existing tablet much I'd be tempted to go down the Kindle route - unless of course you're really just looking for an exuse to upgrade your existing tablet  .

[tomtom]

I have a kindle and an iPad. I read books on the Kindle and do all the other shizzle on the ipad.

For reading books the Kindle is superb. Much less strain in the eyes - flick a switch your page is there... I think I've charged mine 5 times in nearly two years - battery life is excellent. Its much lighter (weighs about as much as a phone) and easier to use than the tablet...

If Mrs Jim reads alot, and thats its main purpose then go for a Kindle/reader.

[cofe]

If it's just for reading books, get a dedicated e-reader. And look at other options to evil Amazon, such as the new Nook Simple Touch. If you do want Amazon, the new Paperwhite is really nice. For 7" tablets, don't get a Kindle Fire, it's awful. Terrible UI, yellow cast on screen, limited functionality, heavy.

[Jim]

cool, so an ereader it is then.
Which one, kindle paperwhite or other?
anyone one got the paper white or this nook simple touch. Any other recommendation?

[Dolly]

Paperwhite is very nice.
Be aware though that the way the screen is illuminated is not even - ie at the bottom there are some areas which are brighter than others. I haven't read on it for a long time so I don't know if that would be a problem. The lit screen also means that the contrast is less than you'd expect.
Only £50 more gets you a Nexus 7 though with all the other advantages.


I would think that the real test therefore would be a kindle vs  Nexus 7 which is £90 difference.

[Paul B]

Nat has asked for a kindle for Christmas (dreaded word) and seeing as though her folks are in the US currently they'll be buying it (£s for $). They were advised that the old style is still favourable for reading.

I think the limited battery life of a tablet would be the main downside and an overriding issue for me for something to mainly use for reading. I do wish I'd waited on my Android tablet for the Nexus 7, mine is almost really good but it isn't, and the flaws are so frustrating I've come close to snapping it over my knee a few times.

[IanP]

Nat has asked for a kindle for Christmas (dreaded word) and seeing as though her folks are in the US currently they'll be buying it (£s for $). They were advised that the old style is still favourable for reading.

Given that the 'new' old style is £69 against £109 for the paperwhite I'd need to be convinced that the paperwhite had significant advantages to be worth considering.  I'm very happy my old style bought for me last Christmas.

[tomtom]

Paperwhite is basically just lit.. But cleverly,so bugger all battery is used. If you don't mind the mrs reading in bed with the light on id get the cheaper one.... And spend the extra ££ on beer or amazon vouchers for books

[magpie]

I want one and if I do end buying I'll be going for an old style Kindle, there are countless little lights you can get to add on to a Kindle for a few quid if you want to read in the dark and I haven't heard enough good things about the lit screens to make me think it's worth splashing the extra cash on the newer version.

[Bubba]

Paperwhite is basically just lit..

Isn't it white rather than grey as well though?  My only beef with the Kindle is the grey hue.

[mrjonathanr]

Anyone like to comment on smaller tablets like Nexus 7 for both reading and general use? Thanks.

[Falling Down]

Another vote for Kindle for reading and tablet for everything else.

Plus you can take a kindle to the beach, camping, stuff in a rucksack, spill food on it without worrying too much.

[IanP]

Anyone like to comment on smaller tablets like Nexus 7 for both reading and general use? Thanks.

Use a blackberry playbook - very impressed by the usability of a 7 inch tablet, always on and instant start up means it's great for generally surfing, reading newspapers etc.  Very portable too, ability to tether to a mobile means don't need 3g.  Really like it for reading stuff on the net feels much more relaxed than a laptop, also good for showing photos etc.  Haven't used it for much video watching but good when I have, could be good for watching vids on the move.  Also haven't used as an full e-reader, sure it would be fine for general indoor reading, as above if you read a lot or want read outside in the sun an e-reader would do the job better.  Bought the blackberry because it was ridiculously cheap, would recomment the nexus 7 after the current price drops - I've only set up / had a quick mess with the one for my daughter but was very impressed, and better apps etc are probably worth having for most people.   

[chris j]

Anyone like to comment on smaller tablets like Nexus 7 for both reading and general use? Thanks.

I use a Galaxy Tab 7.7. Great for internet browsing, games etc, don't like it for reading books, I much prefer my e-reader (or even paper!) for that. Video watching is good (this is the main reason I got it - watching films on flights, trains and places I can't be bothered to get out the laptop), except for full HD which it struggles with.

[mrjonathanr]

Thanks for the replies. I wondered if it might seem a bit small but it appears not - and the convenience of that size of tablet is obvious. My luddite opposition to these gadgets is beginning to crack.

[Fiend]

Are there any 7" e-readers available or forthcoming??

I have this curious idea that I'd quite like my book replacement to have the same page size as a, errrr, book.

[underground]

 

Another vote for Kindle for reading and tablet for everything else.

Plus you can take a kindle to the beach, camping, stuff in a rucksack, spill food on it without worrying too much.

Totally agree with FD - a Kindle is 'made' for reading books on. Love it.
I'd only use the iPad in a darkened / non bright room as any peripheral light is reflected, and its a bi heavy to hold comfortably 'as you would a book'...

[chris j]

Thanks for the replies. I wondered if it might seem a bit small but it appears not - and the convenience of that size of tablet is obvious. My luddite opposition to these gadgets is beginning to crack.

That is a really good thing I hadn't thought about before I bought them but the 7" tablet and the e-reader are basically the same size and slip into the same side pocket in cargo pants so when I walk onto a plane I don't have to frig around digging things out of hand luggage before stowing it. Little things that make life simpler...

[cofe]

We got an iPad mini in at work last week and the screen is noticeably larger for a device that's pretty much the same size as others. It's also lighter than e.g. Kindle Fire.

[Paul B]

Visited my folks over the weekend and it turns out they have a Kindle Paperwhite (after carelessly misplacing an original). I have to say I was pretty drawn to the apple-like simplicity of opening up the case ($$$) and the backlit screen coming on at the correct page.

Having said that I'm currently trialling reading a book on my cheapo, pretends to be a samsung tablet using Aldiko and I found the tablet (with its ability to switch to night mode) a lot easier on the eye (it also has an auto brightness function which works very well).

Whilst it was good, the paperwhite seemed pretty pricey (£109), especially with an Amazon case such as this (£30?).

Thanks for the replies. I wondered if it might seem a bit small but it appears not - and the convenience of that size of tablet is obvious. My luddite opposition to these gadgets is beginning to crack.

I'd pretty much forgotten about the cheapo 7" tablet I have until recently, favouring a dying netbook instead. However, it really does come into its own for reading blogs, articles, pdfs etc. and 'consuming' information from the internet. Where I think it falls down is when there's a decent amount of typing to do (or the use of code). For instance I didn't reply to this post via the tablet when I first saw it a few days ago as it seemed like too much work!

I still wish it was a Google Nexus, simply for an additional processor so it could do what I ask it to do whilst whirring away in the background sync'ing at annoying times.

[tommytwotone]

Have to say I'm knocked out by how good the Nexus is, I use it so much and barely touch my laptop any more.

That said, I'm really struggling with the concept of reading an e-book...I just like the ownershhip / tactile nature of a proper book! Might just need to trial it to see what it's like.

[Paul B]

For me, it's the convenience of having an 'all-in-one', that is usually with me when I have 15mins to kill rather than being at home on a coffee table!

[miso soup]

I actually like the idea of an e-reader being smaller than a book, if it's the same size then I might as well just carry an actual book around.  I'm considering the Kobo Mini or Txtr Beagle.  I quite like the second generation (I think) Kindles, after they took the keyboard off but before they introduced the touch screen, something like that but smaller so it actually fits in my pocket would be ideal.

[slackline]

I actually like the idea of an e-reader being smaller than a book, if it's the same size then I might as well just carry an actual book around.  I'm considering the Kobo Mini or Txtr Beagle.  I quite like the second generation (I think) Kindles, after they took the keyboard off but before they introduced the touch screen, something like that but smaller so it actually fits in my pocket would be ideal.

So a smart phone or Galaxy Note then?

(I actually bought a couple of programming books whilst in Peru after finishing the books I took, selected white text on black background and found it quite easy to read, certainly easier than I was expecting, best of O'Reilly don't use DRM so I could export it to ePub and then convert to whatever I wanted, far, far cheaper purchasing books through Android rather than direct from O'Reilly!).

[tomtom]

We got an iPad mini in at work last week and the screen is noticeably larger for a device that's pretty much the same size as others. It's also lighter than e.g. Kindle Fire.

MrsTT received a mini as her combined birthday-Xmas gifts... She likes it - a lot. It's even managed to displace the 3 month old uneaten croissant from her handbag...

[slackline]

(I actually bought a couple of programming books whilst in Peru after finishing the books I took, selected white text on black background and found it quite easy to read, certainly easier than I was expecting, best of O'Reilly don't use DRM so I could export it to ePub and then convert to whatever I wanted, far, far cheaper purchasing books through Android rather than direct from O'Reilly!).

Might be useful if I said what I was reading them on which was a Samsung Galaxy S2 which I thought I'd hate due to size, but didn't get bothered by.

I realise not everyone will get on with reading books in this manner, but its a computer that I carry around in my pocket anyway, and with a new laptop I won't be buying a tablet of any form for sometime.

[mrjonathanr]

Could anyone help with a duffer's question about Nexus's 'HSPA+'? Is that a way of saying it uses a phone signal, or is it 'merely' enhanced quality WiFi?

Thanks.

[tomtom]

AFAIK HSPA+ is 3.5G... its 3G but tweaked up to run faster... gets pretty close to 4G speeds if some are believed..

[mrjonathanr]

Humour me here.  3.5G....is that a mobile phone or a Wifi signal? Thanks.

[tomtom]

Humour me here.  3.5G....is that a mobile phone or a Wifi signal? Thanks.

Mobile phone signal

[slackline]

Wifi signals are on the IEEE 802.11 standard and have ratings a/b/g/n (a being the oldest and slowest, n being the newest that has been ratified).

Most devices you buy these days should be 802.11n.

[mrjonathanr]

Thanks.

[IanP]

Humour me here.  3.5G....is that a mobile phone or a Wifi signal? Thanks.

Worth being aware that you'll need a sim card and data contract to use the mobile signal.  Other option is to use your existing mobile as a wifi hotspot of your contract allows tethering.

[slackline]

Other option is to use your existing mobile as a wifi hotspot of your contract allows tethering.

And if your mobile permits it as many contract phones from mobile companies have had this feature disabled.

[tomtom]

Humour me here.  3.5G....is that a mobile phone or a Wifi signal? Thanks.

Worth being aware that you'll need a sim card and data contract to use the mobile signal.  Other option is to use your existing mobile as a wifi hotspot of your contract allows tethering.

You dont need a contract... I use a GiffGaff micro-sim in my iPad - 500mb data (enough for when I'm not near wifi) for £5 a month. PAYG...

[IanP]

You dont need a contract... I use a GiffGaff micro-sim in my iPad - 500mb data (enough for when I'm not near wifi) for £5 a month. PAYG...

PAYG or contract you still need to pay for something most of us already pay for on our mobile contracts (and also get a mobile enabled tablet).  I can tether a tablet to my wife's phone on Virgin Mobile and it works great.  My Orange phone doesn't currently allow tethering and Orange state that they charge for tethering - I'll be look to change that in the new year when my contract is up, or will consider changing to a supplier who doesn't charge. 

[Paul B]

Is there any way that they can tell you've tethered (apart from maybe increased load)? I'd guess not.

Depending on which phone it is, it may be very easy to get back the ability to 'wireless tether'.

[slackline]

Is there any way that they can tell you've tethered (apart from maybe increased load)? I'd guess not.

Depending on which phone it is, it may be very easy to get back the ability to 'wireless tether'.

There has to be some way of them telling because I did an experiment with my new laptop....

Me : Bought my own Samsung Galaxy S2, rooted the phone but use stock firmware/ROM, and I've a rolling contract with Three (no idea if it even permits tethering)

Mate : Contract Samsung Galaxy S2, also rooted (not sure which firmware/ROM he's using), two year (possibly 18 month) contract with Orange (explicitly DOESN'T permit tethering)

Connect my phone to the laptop and I can turn on USB tethering on the phone and access the net no problem.  Disconnect and swap over to friends phone and whilst USB tethering can be enabled no net connection is ever achieved on the laptop, yet the phone, whilst plugged in can surf the net.

No idea how this is done, can't be on total data usage as otherwise he wouldn't be able to use his phone normally. 

[miso soup]

So a smart phone or Galaxy Note then?

But with e-ink, not backlit, and cheaper...

[dave]

I often use my phone (on t-mobile) as a wifi point for the ipad, works well, not had any problem with the network.

[Bubba]

Orange don't charge me on pay monthly for (Android) tethering but I had to ring them to get them to turn it on.

[slackline]

So a smart phone or Galaxy Note then?

But with e-ink, not backlit, and cheaper...

Note the clown, and the first two are obvious advantages of a dedicated reader over a tablet/phone but if you've already got a smart phone how is it cheaper to buy another device?

[Oldmanmatt]

Well, at risk of taking a slating for being lazy...
I find my iPad just fine.
I have the Bluetooth keyboard for creating more long winded bumff, but generally get by without.
I don't use my laptop at all anymore and I use the pad for reviewing and correcting autocad drawings and igs 3ds as well as word processing and spreadsheet creation/editing. It took me quite sometime to get used to the pad and workout how use it effectively. I still prefer to create dwg/igs on my desktop as I have a huge screen.
Now that I know how to hook up to projectors and third party screens, I also use it for presentations etc.
I have an iPhone on O2 and the pad on Orange/EE so I can always (almost) get 3G, here and abroad (I only have roaming on the phone, so tether when Abroad).
IBooks works well and I have no problem reading the screen. The fact that my phone becomes a mirror of my pad is great and vice versa (all ways have the data at my fingertips).
It was expensive, but cheaper than my laptop!

[IanP]

Is there any way that they can tell you've tethered (apart from maybe increased load)? I'd guess not.

Depending on which phone it is, it may be very easy to get back the ability to 'wireless tether'.

Quick nose around on google and have managed to tether successfully on my Orange HTC Desire by changing details for the Consumer Broudband access point to match the Orange Internet one.  As you say not sure how they could now differentiate between the 2.

[Fiend]

Quick question:

Kindle Paperwhite or Kobo Glo ??

Ta.

[andy_e]

Do Kobo pay tax?

[Fiend]

Anyone got any ideas? I've been reading various reviews and the conclusions are very mixed...

[andy_e]

Ah, Kobo is part of play.com/Rakuten therefore is based in Jersey and don't pay tax either.

[IanP]

Anyone got any ideas? I've been reading various reviews and the conclusions are very mixed...

Not an expert but what does the Kindle Paperwhite have over the standard Kindle - £40 seems a lot to pay for a light.

[Fiend]

Higher resolution, touch screen, clearer/whiter/more contrasting screen, more font options AFAIK.

Same with the Kobo.

[cofe]

There's also the Nook readers to look at.

[IanP]

Higher resolution, touch screen, clearer/whiter/more contrasting screen, more font options AFAIK.

Same with the Kobo.

Do you need those?  My kindle works very well as an e-reader, not sure the above things add much (as compared to on a tablet where they would be very significant).

[Fiend]

Not bothered about touchscreen but yes I want the rest (esp. the light), hence me asking for advice about those e-readers.