Non-Amazon eReaders - got one? needed cust svc? cust svc good or bad?

[masraum]

The missus wants an eReader. She's read some reviews, but the one that she found has reviews that talk about bad customer service. I think it would be pretty rare to need customer service, but she's wanting me to ask if anyone here has an ereader where they've got anything to say, good or bad about the customer service.

[stevej37]

My first one was a Sony. It worked perfect and then they discontinued their reader store.
Since then, I am on prob my third Amazon Kindle reader. Paper White is the way to go, esp if using it outside.
The only thing I have had go wrong with the Kindles is when the battery completely discharges....it takes a little time to get it back to charging. Amazon customer service always will help when needed.

I would recommend a Kindle paper white. Go for the basic one....the loaded ones have features that are not worth the price.

(I believe the Barnes and Noble Nook readers are going the same way as the Sony's)

[Steve Carlton]

I dunno about service but Paper White was the way to go for reading comfort. It probably still is.

[hbueno]

This article covers the major players: https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-ereaders. One takeaway, if you eliminate Amazon, you'll pay much more for the hardware.

In the past, we had a Nook, but now my wife uses her iPad Kindle app and I do the same with my Android tablet. We also use whatever app our local library supports.

[schwarz633]

I use a Kindle Paperwhite, battery life is excellent and you can use it in bright sunlight or total darkness. I get all of my books from the library online for free. You'll have to put a hold on a new release and wait a few months to get the book, but I'm frugal so it doesn't bother me. You can have 10 books on hold and 10 books checked out.

[911boost]

I also use the iPad Kindle App. I have considered one of the Amazon ones, I really liked my OG Kindle but it was destroyed accidently.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by hbueno

This article covers the major players: https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-ereaders. One takeaway, if you eliminate Amazon, you'll pay much more for the hardware.

In the past, we had a Nook, but now my wife uses her iPad Kindle app and I do the same with my Android tablet. We also use whatever app our local library supports.

barely. The article mentions "kobo" devices, but there's no info/rating/review of the device mentioned.

[stevej37]

A good share of my e-book reading is done outside on my deck..on sunny days.
I've tried reading books on my phone or laptop....it's next to impossible.
The Kindle paper whites are the opposite...they are easy to read in direct sunlight.

I would recommend the first or third one on this page.
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=kindle+reader&crid=YFNEB38X821A&sprefix=kindle+reader%2Caps%2C190&ref=nb_sb_noss_1

[Alan A]

iPad all the way here.

[stevej37]

^^^ I've never used an iPad.
Can you read the screen when outdoors on a sunny day?

[masraum]

Originally Posted by stevej37

^^^ I've never used an iPad.
Can you read the screen when outdoors on a sunny day?

Meh, not like a paperwhite/e-ink screen. It depends upon the light that you're running into. For reading in strong sun, the black/white screens that emulate paper are the best. For bright sunlight, color screens aren't ideal. Some are better than others, but I don't think any are great.

[stevej37]

^^^ yeah, my Kindle Fire tablet is a reg screen. It's really hard to read anything in the sun...the Kindle Reader has never been difficult on a bright day.