From ABC7News: “A new study by Pew Internet says the percentage of Americans who own an e-book reader has doubled over the last six months.” Yes, eReaders have surged in popularity although they have been around for several years now. Advancing technology has made them lighter and easier to carry, connect wirelessly to the Internet and most importantly, easier to read in all light conditions. No doubt some of your friends, coworkers and classmates own one and have suggested you get one as well. Still, something holds you back…what could it be?
Reasons not to get an eReader
Since I love books, I have often thought of getting an eReader myself. How nice it would be to have a library of books I have selected at my fingertips, and since I enjoy reading classic literature, this would be most convenient since many eReaders come pre-loaded with the classics.
So, what holds me back?
Three things:
- Price
- Vanity
- My collection of printed books
Price
Prices of eReaders have definitely come down in price, led by Amazon reducing its price of the Kindle dramatically to just over $100 ($139 at time of writing). Only a couple of years ago, it was over $300! I would like to see them come down to under the psychological barrier of $100, then I may consider one.
Doctor, my eyes!
OK, this is a lame excuse since I know you can adjust the display font, but then I would feel like I was reading a large print book instead of a regular sized page of print. Oh vanity!
My Large Book Collection
Here is the real reason I have held back: I have plenty of books on my self I am neither willing to get rid of, nor get the eBook equivalent of (if one were available). I rarely read new releases, and rarer still any works of fiction, so I don’t see the sense in paying good money while I literally have dozens of books in an unread condition.
My thoughts aside, I think eReaders are a great idea and the technology preserves resources and if it gets people reading, then I am all for it. Reading is one of my greatest pleasures and I enjoy my collection of books. Perhaps I am old-school, but I love to handle books while I read them, and as I alluded to earlier, I have a lot of vintage books that look and feel great in my hands. I even enjoy the smell of them!
An eReader will never replace those feelings.
Yet, I can see that ereaders have a place in many people’s lives. It saves paper, it takes up less room than a room full of books and is a lot easier to pack up and move! If you dont care like reading the book you have at the moment, you can easily switch to another, or even download a new one in seconds. That’s cool.
What is your opinion on eReaders? Do you have one? Tell us about what you like/don’t like about them.
James is the owner of WindowsTalk.org and has been a Microsoft Windows Consumer MVP since 2003.
I’ve been wondering if I should get at eReader and nobody ever answers the question of screen glare outdoors. I’m always reading books in the summer, and my laptop is useless outside in the sun. Are there any suggestions of a model number for this purpose?
Twitter: WindowsTalk
says:
Sandy, have a look at the Kobo Touch (which is probably the ereader I would go for if I ever were tempted to buy one): http://kobobooks.com/touch
It calims to be readable in bright sunlight. I have co-workers with Kindles that take them to the beach, so I assume they are readable there.
I think eReaders is great. I don’t have it, but it easy and useful. I think that in the futher more people will use it. it is true that maybe it’s not good for the eyes. but today all our life is around the computer…
amanda’s recent post ..טוינה
I like also to raed reall books. It is totally different experience to read book in the bed before you go to sleep, there is nothing that can replace it.
Anna’s recent post ..How to attract the right man?
Twitter: WindowsTalk
says:
I like to read a little before bed too, just to wind down.
nice tips and guide line. for readers. ok thanks.
Mircho5′s recent post ..BISE Dera Ghazi khan Board 10th Class Result 2011
Twitter: guidesmart
says:
You can have an e-reader and still read proper (paper) books. I have a Kindle and still regularly read paperbacks in the bath, on the beach, etc.
One of the great things about books is the ability to both find them cheaply in charity shops/yard sales/carboot sales and sell them again when you are done with them.
A second hand market for e-books would be a good idea. Although I am not at all sure how that would actually work…
SmartOne’s recent post ..What is Rooting?
Twitter: WindowsTalk
says:
Yes, I enjoy seeking out used book stores when I am on vacation as well as buying used books on the Internet.
I tought to buy an e-reader but i could not afford. In my country, Amazon Kindlle 3 is 230$, too much for my buget,i wait that the price to go down.
I really have no idea before about this eReader…Glad I have found the post…Thanks!!
Clark Minn’s recent post ..How to Lose Belly Fat After Pregnancy
I have been wanting to buy an eReader for myself such as a Kindle but what’s really holding me back is the absence of the smell of the paperback.
I like books and I like the actual books. There’s just nothing which can replace them despite the advancement in technologies nowadays. 
Minerva @ Park City Real Estate’s recent post ..A Great House in Old Town
i don’t have.. i didn’t know about it.. but sounds great!
sapir’s recent post ..Lose Weight Easily
I don’t think you should be worried about eye problems. kindle for example is very readable, if I can say this… it looks like you’re reading a real book.. the colors are pretty natural, not hard for the eye.. and if you know that you can find ebooks that you want to read… you should take this into consideration, because there might be books that you won’t find as pdf
Chris’s recent post ..Yacht Charter Italy
The kobo touch really looks great. recommend that one too.
Richard’s recent post ..Ways to win the lottery
Hi, James,
I absolutely agree with you. I have the very same opinion on ebooks…nothing can change the feeling of holding a real book in my hands, turning the pages, and thus having a true connection with it. However, some that are more into ebooks say they prefer them since they can read ebooks without turning on the light at night…what a bad excuse…it;s not even good for the eyes…I must be old fashioned, but nothing can change the benefits of paper book!
Kristina L.’s recent post ..Stamps.com Coupon Code
I think it’s nice to have a eReader but if in the case that you have a lot of collections of books…I think it’s better if you’ll continue to collect books..I also want it.:D
Please visit: Satellite TV
Such a great write ups….I’m really glad that i was be able to read this content…Thanks a lot for sharing.:)
Please visit: Sell your own home
By eReader do you mean Kindle?
James H’s recent post ..student car insurance
Twitter: WindowsTalk
says:
Kindle is just one example of an eReader, James. There are many others.
My suggestion is yes for sure because its quite helpful.
Twitter: khabri chacha
says:
kobo e reader is the best among all. i prefer this.
Khabri@khabrichacha.com‘s recent post ..What is dofollow, nofollow and NOT nofollow ?
I think it depends how much you like technology. I’m a big geek and I love my Kindle. It’s so handy having a ton of books on a small device, and my favorite part is the ability to sync with other devices. I can read on my phone and pick up where I left off on the kindle.
If you read a lot, I think it’s worth getting a dedicated ereader with eink screen over a tablet or other color device for readability. Eink readers have gotten pretty inexpensive.
Sabs’s recent post ..Battlefield 3 Alpha access details
I guess I’m old-fashioned because I don’t see myself buying an e-reader (e.g., Kindle). I prefer good old paper in my hands, no matter how heavy the book is. I do understand the power & convenience of these gadgets, however, but I’d rather have an ipad, at least it can do a lot more
.
Stephanie’s recent post ..Hormonal Acne Treatment – When Taking it Makes Sense
I find I do almost all my reading on the computer now. I always seem to be reading small chunks – I haven’t read a full length book in a while – so the accessibility of the desktop/laptop seems better for me.
John D’s recent post ..Choosing a Domain Name
This website is fascinating. It gives me more knowledge and information that I haven’t tried before. Thanks for the share.
Ashley’s recent post ..cheap car insurance
Twitter: finallyfast
says:
This has been a debate I’ve been having with myself over the past year or so. I recently decided to read an entire book on my smartphone (in ebook format) for the first time ever.
What I realized is that once you’ve read a full chapter or two, you become engrossed in the material to the point where you basically forget what format you’re using to consume the written words. At least that’s what happened for me… I recommend that people who swear off this sort of technology, at least give it a shot — I think you’ll find that you forget you’re not holding a paper book within the first twenty minutes, if the book is good!
fred @ finallyfast.com’s recent post ..When Your Credit Score… Is Not Really Your Credit Score
Maybe you should try eReader to experience the difference of real book and eReader… nice post!
Kerrie’s recent post ..Land For Sale Bratovo 610 Square Metres In Regulation
Well.. For me, if I have to buy one, I’ll buy a tablet, since it’s not only an eReader but also can be used for other entertainment or browsing, so it’s more useful.
Andrew Walker’s recent post ..ROASTe Coupon Code
iPad has so much distraction and it cannot be an alternative for ebook reader and its really not good idea to discuss about it here.
Amazon Kindle and Nook are really doing great when it comes to ebook readers. Love to own one in near future.
Great article btw.
Robin.
Mackeeper Review’s recent post ..Keep your Mac Clean with MacKeeper from Zeobit
For me, I would love to have an eReader, and for now, I would go for Kindle. I like the convenience of having hundreds of books in my eReader.
Twitter: ankurandu
says:
I do like them but still the pleasure of a book is not comparable.
Ankur’s recent post ..Essential Etiquette while writing online
I have to ask myself too, should I buy an eReader fo myself?? I am really not decided yet and I think I have to visit this blog first…Thanks for the post…
Robin’s recent post ..Some Of The Best Golden Cross Backs Around…
I am also thinking to buy an eReader or not…
Laura’s recent post ..New Car Buying Guide
Ereader can be a help in business and especially to bloggers…
Cher Shives’s recent post ..The Best Forex Trading Automated Software
New technologies become really life helpful due to the speed, mobility and convenience it offers compared to the old. These technologies offer betterment of our lives.
But these reasons may not be so true for all. Others may just settle with theri laptop or tablet that offers much functionality than just reading eBooks.
Joy Bedford’s recent post ..Cebu Pacific Promo February and March 2012 Fares