Discussion · bonfire.mavnn.eu

I've just been asked, by someone who needs a new Kindle but doesn't want an actual Kindle because they're all full of adverts now, what to do. Now, this isn't a problem for me and my ancient, still working, never-connects-to-wifi Kindle 4 and me putting books on it with Calibre, but this is not a solution for her. So... for someone who wants an ereader, doesn't want ads, and wants to be able to buy books from a good selection (it should have popular books!), anyone got any recommendations?

Hein Ragas

@[email protected] · 3 weeks ago

@sil Given that all e-book stores have Android apps and I dislike having a hardware device that is tied to a specific store (because why would I pay for the privilege of having to buy from you!?) I would go for a generic Android tablet and just use the app for the store I want to buy from.
If you don't need an e-ink screen, then any 8" Android tablet will do (I have a Samsung, works nicely.)
If you need an e-ink screen, then something like the Boox could work.

Anton Piatek

@[email protected] · 3 weeks ago

@sil have an older paperwhite and the ads are just lock screen book ads, so not a big deal really. Can pay to turn the off iirc.

I've I were replacing it, I'd definitely buy one compatible with my local library so I could borrow books for that. Kindle will almost certainly never do that, because Amazon

jfroehlich

@[email protected] · 3 weeks ago

@sil I'd throw in PocketBook and the Era. I have it for a few years and am very happy with it. But: If you are searching for a throw-in-your-backpack reader, don't buy one with a glass screen.

⊥ᵒᵚ Cᵸᵎᶺᵋᶫ∸ᵒᵘ ☑️

@[email protected] · 3 weeks ago

@sil Kobo

Chris Nicolson

@[email protected] · 3 weeks ago

@sil I got a Kobo Clara BW for Christmas and love it. Kobo store has everything you'll find on Amazon including the same daily 99p deals and other discounts.

Stuart Langridge

@[email protected] · 3 weeks ago

@chrisnicolson nice. I'm leaning towards recommending a Kobo, indeed. No ads etc? Still reasonably open and so on?

Chris Nicolson

@[email protected] · 3 weeks ago

@sil no ads, I used Calibre to transfer over my Kindle library. It can access the ebook loan system used by some local libraries in the UK and integrates with InstaPaper if that's your thing. You can also get a remote control for page turning which is actually just a little BLE HID keyboard

Stuart Langridge

@[email protected] · 3 weeks ago

@chrisnicolson ooh the library thing would be cool. Do you know the name of that so I can look up whether her local library is tied into it?

1 more replies

Nine Stones Close

@[email protected] · 3 weeks ago

@sil anything but a kindle #fuckamazon #fuckbezos .. Kobo is a good option, or actual books.

Frank O'Dwyer

@[email protected] · 3 weeks ago

@sil @jsnell has a lot of stuff about e-readers here https://sixcolors.com/tag/kindle/

Six Colors

Ereaders – Six Colors

Six Colors by Jason Snell, Dan Moren and friends

Jan Lehnardt :couchdb:

@[email protected] · 3 weeks ago

@sil kobo

Michael Newton

@mavnn · 3 weeks ago

@[email protected] Sort of adjacent to what you're asking, but I've been very pleased with my Boox e-ink tablet. BUT it isn't an ereader, it is an actual android device with a good stylus. Pros: good built in ebook reader for drm free docs, runs the Kindle android app, good for note taking and even art (mine runs Krita fine, although judging colour saturation on eink is still hit and miss). Cons: enormously overkill in both price and performance if you're only going to use it as an ereader.

Florian Schroiff :damnified:

@[email protected] · 3 weeks ago

@sil here in the Netherlands a Kobo ereader is a good option. It integrates with one of the bigger local online retailers.