[Chris @ Nov 19th 2007 9:32AM]

Cool device, I like the connectivity (I wasn't expecting that).

But let's see. I read about 12-14 books a year. I might actually purchase 3-5 of those. That is $125 in the worst case scenario. I just can't justify spending $400 on a reader when I would still have to pay for all 12-14 of the books and spend about the same.

Does anyone else like the feel and smell of actual paper?

[Bobs @ Nov 19th 2007 9:45AM]

In my highschool, they made us read for 15 minutes before second period, and in the rundown state that the school was in, we had very old books from the 80s and 90s, those smelled the best

[dazepro @ Nov 19th 2007 9:55AM]

See I was going to buy this thing until I found out it was $400 and that the books are going to have DRM on them. I have to give Amazon credit from coming as far as they did, hell they were a company that just sold books, and now they are developing their own hardware. I would be proud!

[SteveJ @ Nov 19th 2007 9:55AM]

And how do you lend an ebook to a friend? Give them the Kindle?

[Michael Emmons @ Nov 19th 2007 10:18AM]

I think I could get used to reading e-books vs paper books, but certainly not on this device. I don't mind the up-front cost so much as the cost per book. $10 for each book? $10? Really?? Despite the fact that there is no printing, paper, ink, graphics design or delivery costs compared to printed books? Most paper-back books are $7.99 so I don't understand why I am paying a premium for an electronic one.

Also, I would like to put this device up for the "Ugliest Device of the Year" award.

[Bob Sintas @ Nov 19th 2007 10:56AM]

I love how people are complaining about having to pay $10 for each Kindle Book, but so many people fail to read that it says: "New York Times® Best Sellers and all New Releases $9.99, unless marked otherwise." If you look to see the prices, you can obviously see that Kindle Books are priced as low as $.01.

[Chris @ Nov 19th 2007 11:21AM]

@Bob

Did you even look at the books that are $0.01? I'll save you the trouble...

-Chemoton Theory: Theory of Living Systems
-Kinetics of Catalytic Reactions--Solutions Manual
-Confectionery Packaging Equipment
Exciting stuff there...

The book I am currently reading is No Way to Treat A First Lady - By Christopher Buckley - 2002

Kindle price - $7.96
Amazon partner price - $1.25 + $3.99 shipping

Of course - I got it for free, and when I am done with it, I can give it to a friend.

[Bob Sintas @ Nov 19th 2007 11:31AM]

@Crhis

Notice I said "as low as". There are books that are $.40, $2.00, $4.00, etc.

Also, you quoted a "used" price for the book. No thanks... I don't want to read someone else's book they read while reading in the bathroom. I could just go on to say, "well I can get it at the library for free, so why buy it at all?"

[Bob Sintas @ Nov 19th 2007 11:38AM]

@Chris,

I forgot to mention, I was mainly targeting Michael's comment. I do completely agree with you and I personally wouldn't buy a product unless it was less than $50-$75.

[Chris @ Nov 19th 2007 11:45AM]

@Bob -

Well I am not one of those people who feels the need to spread a half a roll of toilet paper on the can in an otherwise clean bathroom before taking care of business. I don't have some fear that a used book is going to carry some communicable disease.

And yes, your library point is well taken, libraries are great! But I personally prefer to own the books so I can decide the disposition of the book when I am done. (bookmooch.com) Libraries are strictly for research for me.

Another advantage to the prosaic paper book, I can jam it in my laptop bag during my commute with worrying that my keys or pens will mark up or scratch the screen, or that a button will get stuck, or that some of the electronics will get smushed.

But, in the end, it is all about user preference. I feel like I am a pretty typical reader with a typical income, and I cannot remotely justify the expense. If you can afford to reduce the burden of carrying $400, then more power to ya.

[Chris @ Nov 19th 2007 11:49AM]

@Bob -

Didn't see your last comment before I posted... understood =]

[Vu Nguyen @ Nov 19th 2007 4:16PM]

Dude, reading 15 minutes a day is useless in HS, I went to a HS too that made us read for 15 minutes, which also meant do as much homework as you can. The device looks good, but again the price is way to high, why not just get an IPHONE.