I just don't get the whole
eReaders craze. These gadgets are getting more and more popular by the day, but what you're really doing is paying $200 or more for the privilege of reading a
book—which you can get for significantly less at a bookstore (or free, at a library).
eReaders have come a long way from the original models, like the first Kindle by Amazon, which allowed you to read all your favorite books through all the clarity of a calculator screen... awesome. The Barnes & Noble Nook is much more impressive, featuring two color screens, the larger of which looks remarkably realistic.
Still, all that these products are doing is approaching the experience of
reading a book—a timeless, wonderful activity that, frankly, ain't broke.
I'm normally in favor of new technology. I love iPods and cell phones, and I'm glad most of the country has vaulted past the dial-up Dark Ages, but to me eReaders just seem like a waste of money. I hope these babies die out like scrunchies and snap bracelets, because ordinary reading is fine with me.
What do you think of eReaders? Are there any popular products you just won't buy?Comment here, or submit a full-on rant to Dollarish!Image Source
Comments (94)
i've never understood why these are so popular. it's just so much cheaper to buy books...
i guess it's just for the techie who has everything.
that thing looks like a real pain in the ass. you have to move it every time you turn the page, right? maybe for people with a 4th grade reading level it's kewl, otherwise? regular readers are best for oldies like me, I do say!
Reading books on paper is a lot better for your eyes then reading them on a screen
The Digital Rights Management is what bothers me. That and the high price. If one looks up the Amazon 1984 scandal they can see part of the problem.
Essentially what happened was Amazon sold 1984 on the Kindle believing it to have an expired copyright, as it is old enough to in most countries. What they forgot was that the US is overly influenced by corporations and that the copyright here is considerably longer. They remotely deleted 1984 from all Kindles. For them to do that to my paper copy of 1984 they would have to first break into my house. Quite a difference.
The other thing is that books are nearly free now. People can get them at the library for free, or they can buy them cheaply and loan them out. You can't borrow an ebook from the library as it would be contributing to piracy, and you can't loan it out (without loaning the Kindle) for the same reason.
If there were an eBook provider that didn't protect the books with DRM software, couldn't remotely delete or alter books, and had a reasonable price plan I would have one tomorrow.
My hope is to see Amazon back away from the DRM entirely, like they did with music, and price the Kindle books for a few dollars when purchasing the dead tree version. So I would purchase a dead tree version of 1984 and Amazon would ask me if I want the eBook version for $3 more.
@And_I_love@xanga - You don't have to move it... the picture in the article here shows it sitting on top of another book. It doesn't do anything with the paper book, it is it's own book. The picture is misleading in that sense. All one has to do to turn pages is hit the turn page button, which from my understanding on the Kindle is on the sides where the user would already be holding the Kindle from anyway.
@MagisterTom@xanga - I dk, these things called readers in walmart? they are just glasses that magnify the page and make life so much easier if you are of age to need them.
@And_I_love@xanga - Not heard of that, but this isn't like that at all. Look on Amazon's site at the Kindle and you'll see what it is.
@Kristenmomof3@xanga - The Kindle, and other new eReaders are supposed to fix that problem. They aren't backlit like a screen is, it looks a lot more like paper.
@soyeahthatswhathappened@xanga - In the long run a digital device would be cheaper than books. Assuming it continues working and doesn't get upgraded/replaced with the newer model. But, the real advantage is that one can carry a huge amount of books on one little card instead of having to carry a several pounds of paper.
I would like to get one, but they're just way too expensive. I have a lot of books in PDF form that I would love to read while I'm not sitting in front of my huge monitor, but saving money trumps reading from a screen on the exercise bike. :P
never heard of readers? LOL. you just wait. that day will come. in the mean time, thanks for keeping us up to date on the latest trends.
If you're a big reader, you read alot and fast, it's WAY cheaper. I mean, a few hundred for one of these, and the the cost of the books on there (which is cheaper than a real book)... and for people like me who spend a hundred dollars plus on books everytime they walk into a book store and finish all those books within a couple of weeks, it's definitely cheaper in the long run to get some kind of eReader. Also... the library in my town doesn't have a good selection of books really, so I can rarely find anything I want to read there at all.
Not to mention, it's definitely easier to carry around.
Anyway, I don't have one and don't want one. I love the idea of owning books, I like organizing my bookshelves, and think it'd be a bit weird to read off one of those kinds of things. BUT I can see how it would definitely be convienent for some people.
There are drawbacks to some things, but there are also drawbacks to regular books too, so you have to look at the pros and cons and decide which appeals to you more. It's a personal preference thing, I suppose.
I want one so badly! I like to read multiple books at once, and it'd be great if I could carry each book I'm currently reading in my purse. My mother got one for Christmas and she LOVES it. I'm totally jealous, and totally getting one.
i rather stay with paper while it's still affordable and cheap! eReaders are just as useless as smartphones and iphones and twitter! i'm not into all that shit... a phone is a phone i need one to make phone calls if i wanna check my email i'll use my laptop or desktop... if i was famous i'd use twitter otherwise i don't giva fuck what you're doing with your mediocre life! eReaders is not worth my money i rather be on budget and stay with paper even if i have to lug a ton of books... and the library is free! why would you pay 200 bucks when the library is free! not interested in shit like that! i'm all for technology if it's something useful!
i don't need 10,000 books with me at once. what am i doing, reading on shuffle? :P
I totally agree with you. I would understand if ebooks are free and you pay a one time thing for the reader.... but this gimmick is just ridiculous
I love books and as long as they remain the cheaper source, I'll the paperback/hardcovers in my life.
i love books and this gadget is ridiculous.
There are both pros and cons to these things. I took a course that covered the history of the novel, and I attend a university that has one of the largest digital libraries ever, so this came up in discussion a lot. :)
I have two toddlers who have a paper fascination. An e-reader would be a Godsend. Seriously. I do have problems reading something on the computer, though, so it might not work for me. I don't know.
In the long run, I think it would be cheaper. Sure, the gadget itself is pretty expensive, but the books are what, $2 or something a piece? That's a lot cheaper than purchasing hardcovers. And it's less room to take up in your home, and well, not to be a total hippie, but well, it's more environmentally friendly than printing books.
if you read a lot, it is a great idea. personally, i read about 3 books at one time. i cant put them down.
not all books come on audio, and ereaders have the capability to read to you. so when you're in the car, or your eyes hurt, it is perfect.
most of the books are only around $10, so once you buy the reader, it is cheaper. borders and barnes &noble prices are beginning to skyrocket, so this is wonderful.
I love books & I'm a forever fan of just carrying a big ass bag for them. LOL
However, when the price goes down, I may look at it. This would be EXCELLENT for school age people. On average you have 6 classes a day (out of 8 periods, 1 is lunch & 1 is gym usually. Im using my old schedule), so having this would help with the task of carrying books around, which would help reduce back problems. Not only that, digital copies of books are cheaper & since you never read the whole book, they can just download the chapters they need. I'm surprised no one has brought this up.
@ShimmerBodyCream@xanga - I thought that's what it would be like too. They want almost $300 & you still have to pay for the books? That's crazy.
I like flipping through the pages of the book and leaving my cute bookmark where I left off
I ordered one today. The Barnes & Noble Nook. Though I love the feel of an actual book in my hands, I can't beat the convenience of storing a library in one place. As a college student, it's difficult enough to pack my entire library every time I move.
The screen is hardly akin to a computer screen. It actually looks like paper, strangely enough. Of course it's not going to be exactly the same experience, but the strain on the eyes isn't like being on the computer for hours. I'm looking forward to having this with me. It'll make my commute to school and kendo that much less boring without the weight of an extra book in my bag (especially hardcovers). :3
I would love to own one actually. It's like the iPod for books. I love to read and I tend to go through books fast so it would be convenient for people like me. It's also great for those who travel a lot too. Why take half your library of books when you have it all on one device?
But on the other hand, I like to actually own books too. If I were to get one, it'd be for traveling purposes pretty much.
I see your point, but I'm still a fan. My mom got me one for Christmas (a Sony), and I'm in love with it! I travel a lot, so it's great for me, because I can take as many books as I want on my trip. I read very quickly, so I now I don't have to worry about lugging a bag full of books with me on my trips.
In addition, eReaders use something called "eInk." It's supposed to simulate that of regular ink, so it's no better OR worse for your eyes. There is no backlight, but regular books don't have that, either.
Buying books through an eReader source is a little cheaper, as well. There is no such thing as a hardcover book in "eBook world," so there's no reason for eBook sellers to jack the price up on books like that. The only downsize I can find to this is that it takes a little while for newer books to be out.
One thing I haven't heard anyone mention is that fact that you CAN borrow books from your library to read on an eReader. I'm not sure about the Kindle or the Barnes and Noble version, but my Sony allows me to sign into my local library branch with my library card and borrow as many books as I want. So those of you that are intrigued by being able to carry a ton of books around in one convenient device, but aren't so sure about buying all your books can rest assured that buying is an option.
Finally, I'm a grad student, and college books can be pretty heavy, especially when your classes are back-to-back and you have no time to stop anywhere in between. I've been able to buy some of my books in PDF format and upload them to my eReader. This makes going to class a much lighter experience. :) And with my Sony, I can highlight on the page (although it shows up as a dark gray) and make notes as I need to.
So while I can see your point (and was hesitant to use it since I love the feel of real books), it sounds like you -- okay, your commenters -- don't quite have all the facts.
...And I just re-read my comment and found several typos. Whoops. Guess I was in a hurry to post. lol.
I want one because in May I'm moving to another country and will only get to bring two suitcases with me. I definitely won't have room for my entire book collection.