Ever since Amazon came out with Kindle and then with Kindle 2, I've been considering buying one. However, it's a fairly expensive toy, currently priced at $359. Being a somewhat frugal shopper, I have compiled a pro/con list for the purchase.Pros:
- Coolness factor: a new exciting gadget to play with and to show off
- Fast: I don't have to wait for Amazon to ship me the book I want
- E-ink: supposed to be great for reading on the screen
- Notes: can easily take notes while I am reading or mark pages to quote for reviews! I am usually too lazy to do so if I have to find paper & pencil...
- E-books: I could read more e-books and there's a ton of free reading out there
- Slim: Looks much easier to hold and carry around than some of the hardbacks I sport around my house
- Searchable: more property of e-books than Kindle, but when I need to find a particular quote, it's much easier with electronic text.
- xkcd reason: see comic here
- File types: Proprietary format for Amazon-bought books that are non-transferable and no native support for PDF files (though it gets half a point for having a converter)
- Backlight: There isn't one. I won't be able to read in bed with the light off.
- Library: I like books on shelves. Awesome covers are important. They make me feel welcome when I come home. Kindle would reduce paper book purchases.
- Commute: I don't have any daily commute time during which I could use a Kindle
- Airplanes: I suspect an airplane would make you turn the device off for takeoff and landing and long travel is when the slim size would have the biggest advantage
- Internet: I already have a smart phone with 3G connection. There is no reason to use Kindle to that purpose.
- Laptop: I've read books on my laptop, but I don't enjoy it as much. What if I have the same reduction in reading experience with Kindle too?
- Availability: There are more books available in print than as e-books.
