Engadget's Holiday Gift Guide: e-book readers
By Paul Miller 
posted Nov 16th 2009 4:30PM
posted Nov 16th 2009 4:30PM
Welcome to the Engadget Holiday Gift Guide! The team here is well aware of the heartbreaking difficulties of the seasonal shopping experience, and we want to help you sort through the trash and come up with the treasures this year. Below is today's bevy of hand curated picks, and you can head back to the Gift Guide hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the holiday season.
With the push toward convergence these days, does your prospective gift recipient really need a dedicated device for reading books on? Well, if they're a heavy reader their eyes might just thank you. The E Ink displays used on a majority of these devices is very similar to reading off of regular paper, and therefore much more easy on the eyes than those now-ubiquitous LCD screens we've all surrounded ourselves with. We've rounded up a few of our favorite devices, though be warned: with a market this much in its infancy, there's always going to be something just a bit more exciting right around the corner.
Sony Reader Pocket Edition PRS-300 - Representing the bare bones of the bare bones for major manufacturers, the Sony Reader Pocket Edition PRS-300 has a one of the smaller screens around (5-inch), no wireless capabilities, and doesn't even play back music. It makes up for these shortcomings with a sweet price tag and Sony's much improved 3.0 software, which is available for Mac and PC and syncs the device iTunes-style not only with Sony-bought books, but with thousands of free titles available through Google Books and even content available from your local library -- making it not only easy on your pocket, but easily replenished by your knowledge-loving recipient.
$199 - Buy from Sony
OpenMoko WikiReader - It's not exactly for reading books, but the OpenMoko is a single-purpose device for browsing a cached version of what is perhaps the greatest paper book killer of them all: Wikipedia. Of course, any decent smartphone has access to Wikipedia online or through an app, but for somebody unwilling or incapable of pulling up Wikipedia articles on their phone, this little touchscreen, monochrome device provides a nice alternative.
$99 - Buy from OpenMoko
Gift certificate - Like we said at the outset, many people don't even need or want a dedicated device for reading e-books, and if the book lover in your life already has an iPhone or an iPod touch it's no trouble at all keeping them drenched in prose. They simply need the free Kindle or Barnes & Noble app and they can use a Barnes & Noble gift card or Amazon gift card to purchase e-books for download and reading. Alternatively they could use an iTunes gift card to purchase one-off e-book apps, but those are a bit of a mixed bag in interface and quality, so buyer beware.
Buy from Barnes & Noble
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Apple
Amazon Kindle - The clear leader in e-book land (marketshare-wise, at least) is of course Amazon's Kindle, and not for no reason: the device itself is simple enough for your parents to love, but has enough tech to impress the nerds in your life. The well-established Whisper Sync technology lets people keep track of a single book across multiple devices, there's a physical keyboard right up front, and the device can even browse the web. Your recipient will be pretty locked down for content, since the Kindle doesn't support the open, Google-backed ePub format, but you can't do much better for paid content than the Kindle Store.
$259 - Buy from Amazon
Barnes & Noble Nook - While Barnes & Noble has shown off its new Nook e-book reader to the masses, at the time of this writing we haven't actually played with it, and odds are most holiday shoppers won't get an opportunity to try before they buy either: current pre-orderers will receive their device on December 18th. Still, Barnes & Noble brings a formidable force to the e-book market, and its dual-screen interface, open format support and in-store tie-ins differentiate it from Amazon's offering. So it's a bit of a risk from a gift giving perspective, but if you've got a Barnes & Noble fanboy in your sights, it might just be worth it.
$259 - Buy from Barnes & Noble Update: If you were slow on the trigger then you'll have to look elsewhere, since the Nook is already sold out for the holidays. Maybe next year?
Sony Reader Daily Edition PRS-900- Up against the Kindle and the Nook, Sony's Daily Edition reader seems dramatically overpriced. However, for that price you get the only 7-inch touchscreen among the trio. It's also the winner on format support, and of course works with those afore-mentioned Sony e-book store advantages. Unfortunately, it's also on backorder at the time of this writing, and has an even lower chance than the Nook of being spotted in the flesh before Christmas.
$399 - Buy from Sony
Amazon Kindle DX - Aimed at businesses and students, with a 9.7-inch screen and wider format support (like PDF), the Kindle DX still seems prohibitively pricey for what you're getting, but if you can swing it we're sure the much loved PDF junky in your life won't mind.
$489 - Buy from Amazon
IREX DR 800SG - With stylus input and an 8.1-inch screen, the IREX DR 800SG is a luxurious way to approach the e-book market, and includes a number of wireless-accessible stores to choose from for content. It also has a world roaming modem capable of downloading books in the States and internationally. It probably won't be on as many wish lists as the Nook or Kindle, but for a few (very particular) readers it might be just the thing. Unfortunately, its product page at Best Buy is down at the moment, but hopefully it's back in time for the holidays.
$449 - Buy from Best Buy
"Wait" - No, there's no e-book reader catchily dubbed the "Wait," but there's plenty of interesting stuff happening in e-book land in the near future, particularly in the premium space. Plastic Logic's QUE proReader 8.5 x 11-inch behemoth quickly comes to mind, as does the Spring Design Alex -- whose dual-screen design is litigiously similar to that of the Nook. There's also of course the steady drumbeat of technology, the ever-rumored Apple tablet and an inevitable 3rd generation Kindle to look out for, so perhaps your gift recipient would be understanding of an IOU this holiday season.
Stocking stuffer
$199 - Buy from Sony
$99 - Buy from OpenMoko
Buy from Barnes & Noble
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Apple
Oh, you shouldn't have
$259 - Buy from Amazon
$399 - Buy from Sony
We can't afford the rent now, can we?
$489 - Buy from Amazon
$449 - Buy from Best Buy
The Irex link doesn't work
I have a Kindle and reading on it is much better than reading on my iPhone. Not as much eye strain.
Astak EZ Reader Pro has holiday sale of $199. It supports more formats than Sony.
I own one, and it is one of my favorite purchases. Highly recommended.
I was reading books on my Palm V. It was acceptable at the time, but I'm guessing quality has improved since then?
sup?
I was reading ebooks on my Apple Newton 120 back in the day...
SeanO is right on this one. An ereader between $200-$500 is a rip off. You can get a netbook for less and it will support all formats, have a bigger color screen, and be able to do other work on. I can't see the advantage of an ereader over a netbook right now but I understand the appeal to new technology. It's like getting a fast 80gig SSD for $900: yes the technology is cool but it is not worth the price unless you are really going to take advantage of the benefits.
I have personal collection of thousands of books. Will they work on an ereader? Not yet. I'm sticking with a long battery life laptop/netbook until there is a discernible reason for an ereader.
lmao this troll is funny :D
If your significant other desires an ebook reader, please explain to him/her that ebook readers are stupid 1980s technology that are way overpriced. If he/she still wants one, spraypaint a cardboard border white and put it around a freaking book, then give him/her $200.
... and when your significant other wants to take a trip and have a few dozen books available as reading options, Sean O will personally carry all those books for you - using his bare hands, since suitcases are overpriced, stupid and based on centuries old technology.
Like almost all gadgets, e-book readers are not for everyone, but don't act like they're no good for anyone.
A dozen books, are you kidding me? What trip would involve such tremendous deadtime that you could get through a dozen good books? At that point, you should spend the money you would be wasting on these products to find a better place to go, or some ritalin for someone who jumps between 12 books.
The price point for the technology received is laughable for ebook readers. I cannot envision a single case where it is justifiable to spend $200-$300 on a product, unless you're looking to condense your entire book collection into a single device. If it were $50 to maybe $100 it could be justifiable, but these devices have no other value or capability.
If you're looking for something to use on the train, there's no reason this is any more convenient than carrying another book or two and saving yourself $200. If you're looking for something to use on the beach, I would hope it doesn't rain/is humid. If you're in a car or a place with power, is it really worth the threat of eye strain not to just use your laptop or netbook?
Out of all the ridiculous gadgetry that comes out of the oughts, nothing will seem as stupid as ebook readers. Maybe when they're folded into functional devices for an acceptable cost they'll be usable, but right now the only people buying are idiots who like setting fire to large piles of money.
It is not just about trips (although over Christmas while flying coast to coast both ways, plus down town at the in-laws, I will probably read at least 4-5 books).
It can also be about book storage. I have about a hundred paperbacks and hard bound books stuffed in boxes; not enough shelf space. A PIA when you move (with the military) every 2-3 years. Ebooks? All in one place... never have to go hunting through boxes to find that one book that I want to read again.
Your comment tells me that you are not a reader, and you don't understand the concept... so why are you trolling here? Go find some post about xbox/ps3 games and clutter it with your unrelated diatribes.
Quite the opposite, I actually have respect for books. We also have moved roughly every 2 years, and have accumulated hundreds and hundreds of books. Most of our wall space is taken up with bookshelves, and while I agree that it is awful to move with them, there's no real solution for that yet. Ebooks included.
Do you really have all the books you need on your reader? And is it really worth $260 and the cost of rebuying all of your books, while also carrying around a dedicated device with you whenever it's necessary? And is it worth being limited by where you're able to use the thing?
I simply cannot understand the appeal of the thing. I guess if someone only reads the latest popular fiction then it's useful, otherwise it makes no sense at all.
Are we really that lazy of a country that the thought of carrying a few books is so dispiriting? Throwing hundreds of dollars to replace a book that can be had for $3 is ridiculous. Just carry a damn book.
I've been reading a hell of a lot more ever since I got my Sony Reader Touch Edition (strangely missing from this post). I know a lot of people are in love with paper books for some reason, but I've always hated the process of operating a book. Needing to constantly hold it open, inevitably destroying the spine on a paperback, figuring out the best way to not lose your place. All minor problems, but when all of them are combined I find reading a book to be just annoying enough to usually not bother.
Reading a book on a single slate that automatically saves your place in as many books as you want (I usually skip around between 3 or 4 books at a time) just makes the experience so much more enjoyable.
Plus, my Sony reader _does_ serve multiple purposes, as its touch screen lets me take handwritten notes at work and at home. It's not the most perfect solution in the world for note taking, but so far it has proven a lot more successful than carrying around a notebook and pen all the time.
My girlfriend frequently reads 1-2 books a day, and that is with a normal working schedule and social life. She simply doesnt watch TV. When traveling, she can easily read 4-6 during transportation alone. Add in down time and the fact she is an insomniac, and 12 books is probably low. (Side note, she refuses to use an ebook reader for the sole reason that it wont have that "new book smell")
Likewise, I rarely read (1-2 books a month) but when I travel, especially on business, I will go through several books.
Oh, and when you fly... Packing a bag full of books makes for heavy (slow) travel through air ports, still limits you, and is done right insane (again, heavy travel, one more bag to worry about, etc). An ebook reader would be essential to anyone who reads a lot and flies frequently.
Sean O, you sound like the guys who questioned the viability of the first MP3 players. "Who would want to carry around several albums at a time? Just bring a couple of extra discs!"
Apparently, a lot of people liked the idea of having all of their content with them at all times. And E-readers may not be for you, but they're fantastic for a lot of folks out there.
http://consumerist.com/5404447/you-cant-use-a-barnes--noble-gift-card-for-ebooks
As the link's name suggests, you can't use B&N gift cards for ebooks, but you can for Amazon/Kindle.
In fact, as has been brought up on the B&N boards, there is currently no way to gift an ebook to a nook user. You can't give them a gift card to buy an ebook, and you can't buy an ebook and register it to their device. You just have to give them cash :(
Well, looks like B&N is finally getting on the ball with this. Their now updated FAQ:
A Gift Card or Online Gift Certificate currently cannot be used towards an eBook purchase. Please check back for updates.
The current BN web page says this:
"More good news on the eBook front: We'll soon accept Barnes & Noble gift cards as payment in our eBook store."
They claim it will work directly on your eBook reader or online starting in November (?)
Just an FYI on those looking for free content for a Kindle. www.feedbooks.com has plenty of Public Domain stuff already in the Kindle format (and other formats too).
I've heard that you can take the free Google stuff and convert them with a free app (Calibre) to a Kindle friendly format. Haven't tried that myself and of course, that's an extra step that you may or may not be ok with, but just figured I'd throw that out there in case that's important to anyone.
the stanza app on iphone/ipod touch is a very neat program for reading and downloading free books.
Calibre is awesome and it is worth downloading anyway.
that's no longer funny
@htd
When was it funny?
Dude e-books have existed since the time of the Palm Pilot. Apple has nothing to do with e-books.
Couldn't you gift one if you had access to their computer and/or device?
I was intending to reply to Dave.
Dave's not here man.
@Giroro There's ALWAYS a Dave.
I am usually an early adopter, not only on hardware, but, actually, more on software. I like to fine programs that are truly useful for a task or many tasks, and show those you maybe can't afford or don't need the newest or "best." Like, Sun's version of Openoffice, or Openoffice it self. And then, for making working on my computer anything but a chore, I try, if liked, I buy programs lie Opus, which is a great replacement for My Computer.
So, with that in mind, I wanted the Kindle, but I waited. I wanted to see how well Amazon would support it. I read a lot of business columns, where it was mentioned, and I happen to know someone pretty high up at Amazon. He would not break any rules, but he did say that it was certainly safe to purchase a Kindle.
Instead of buying one, I received one for my birthday. It is fairly easy to give it as a gift. The giver buys it and has to register it at purchase time, they can even set up a My Account page. However, once it is given to the recipient, the receiver just goes and registers the device. I believe, but I don't remember, if the giver had to first delete from their "Account." Which would only make sense. So, maybe it is a bit more complicated than giving a gift certificate with a picture of the Kindle.
For me, and I travel about two weeks about out of every month, it has worked out wonderfully. To do my job, we ship out what we call an "on-site" office. This means all of my scripts, set designs, everything is there, plus placed in two FTP sites. The Kindle allows me to get reading done, in the short time I actually can do so, but more, it allows me to take all sorts of former print materials. There are other e-book readers, I feel it really comes to what the user is comfortable with and how they want to use it. For some, it would just be one more item, for me, I like it better than reading on my tablet PC. There is something for everyone, especially a book in print.
Have fun reading no matter what you use or decide to use.
You must be drunk
wow, you're on a trolling storm today.
but still, just GO AWAY!!!!!!
I don't see how they can ban a person for posting "first" and not lay down the hammer on this guy.
Though i think neither deserves to get ban, but we should have the ability to downrank to the point where they can get completely minimized.
No mention of my beloved Sony Reader PRS-505? SOme say it is still the best reader on the market....
The Sony PRS-505 was the best gadget I've bought in the last two years.
I know when I think of 'stocking stuffer' I think of a $200 sony e-book reader.
/s
the nokia tablets make a v good reader, the v high res screen mean rendering fonts is very smooth.
the only downside is that portrait mode isn't supported by default, you have to jump through a few hoops.
I still use my old Palm T3 for ebooks, 'cos of the DRM, but in general I avoid buying/downloading such things unless the book is hard to get hold of (at least with paper books you can sell or give them away).
No mention of the cybook opus? Uh, well so much for the reliability of this advise.
Yeah, why didn't they recommend a product that features such unique capabilities as "Black & White 4 levels grey-scale?" Engadget must be on the payroll of Amazon and Sony and B&N and Irex and Open Moko.
They prefer subscription DRM'ed devices yeah, well spotted.
After the revelation of the nook, I'd settle for nothing less. That thing looks effing sweet.
Also, at this point in time, we have a subscription way to get music (Rhapsody, Zune Pass, etc) and subscription way to get movies (Netflix, kinda Hulu). However, I looked around (albeit very quickly) and I canNOT find an all-you-can-eat form of getting e-books. Can anyone point me in the direction of one if they indeed exist?
Also, I just read the blurb about the nook: it's getting shipped the 18th, a day before my birthday. Really, you shouldn't have, B&N!
The closest thing to all-you-can-eat-books is your Library's web site. Most libraries have a section on your website that lets you borrow ePub books for 14 days at a time, but they only have so many digital licenses for each book (usually one).
@ch3burashka I recently found this
http://www.ebookmall.com/ebook-club.htm#4
I gave the list a quick look and seems ok
hope that helps :) I'm getting a new
eReader very soon so might give this a try.
I was really disappointed to find the Sony Reader Pocket edition comes in Silver, Pink and Purple. The Pocket is a good product, but Sony clearly laid out the gender-lines by doing so. I realize that this is a little petty, but I don't want to carry around a Pink or Purple device - I'm a guy, and I want something with a normal color (and I'm not a fan of the silver). I don't want Camo, I don't want to put monster-truck stickers on it.
The Touch edition comes in better colors, but has it's own problems. The 505 really was a wonderful device, I don't know why they couldn't have focused on improving that, instead we got a retool of the PRS-700, a feature-burned version of the 505, and an awkwardly-sized wireless device. After waiting a month to see what Sony came out with, checking it all out in the store, I bought my Dad a 505 that was on sale at Fry's.
The Nook, I will be waiting to see for myself on the 30th. If I like it, sign me up for one, Otherwise, I'm going to send my wife out to get another 505 for me. It continues to impress me for being a 2 year old device. It turns out I don't need wireless to read books...
I have Monster Truck stickers all over my Kindle - do it - it's great for picking up chicks that dig books and trucks.
I think you may have a point there. As much as companies that are pushing these devices would like to think that folks would like audio playback, wireless this-or-that, web access, or any number of add-ons, your average consumer is just looking for an e-book ("like Oprah was talking about"). Give it a non-glossy screen, no bells and whistles, easy software, local library access, and a reasonable price and you've got a winner.
What is the best e-book reader for pdfs? Both text based (printed to pdf writer) or image based (scanned). Or a combination (a textbook with charts and diagrams).
Some consider the Foxit E-Slick to be the best at reading PDF files. Makes sense, since Foxit is already highly regarded for it’s PDF reader software.
It also has built in MP3 player.
Actually Sean O, This would be great for myself. I buy about a book a week, averaging price around 20 bucks. I've noticed the same books on amazon for kindle at 2.99. Even if you only bought a book a month, this would pay itself off in no time.