So far, this is a great machine and I strongly recommend it.

Pros:

Portability, plenty of material to be downloaded, intuitive design. When I first started with it, I was unsure if I would like the screen. Having read a few hundred pages now, I can emphatically say that it does not strain the eyes. Buying stuff is easy and it can be done from the unit -- no computer interfacing necessary AT ALL. But you have the option of hooking it up if you want to.

Cons:

$400. Not every title you may want is available. The selection of magazine available for sale is currently limited, as are the newspapers. The case that comes with it is serviceable, but they need to offer something better in the near future. I hope that this thing will catch on and we'll get some good third party cases.

And, of course, you don't get that new book smell.

The utility of this thing depends on how you use it. I am excited to travel with it as it will save me a lot of space.

Overall, I think this is an incredible piece of technology and could not be more pleased with it.

Out of curiosity, what does an average book cost to download? I know affordability was touted as one of the advantages of the product (outside of the initial cost), but I haven't seen prices of downloadable material.

Also, can you subscribe to magazines and pay a one-time fee, or do you have to purchase the issue after each publication period?

I think it was $9 or $10 per book.
Corio, does it use Wi Fi for downloading the books? Meaning, you have to be in a place where there is Wi Fi?

quote:

Originally posted by lawstudent10:
Out of curiosity, what does an average book cost to download? I know affordability was touted as one of the advantages of the product (outside of the initial cost), but I haven't seen prices of downloadable material.

Also, can you subscribe to magazines and pay a one-time fee, or do you have to purchase the issue after each publication period?

Book prices range. New releases are usually $10. But you can get a lot of classic literature for $2-5. The best thing to do would be to search for stuff that you like and see what comes up. You can search the Kindle Store at the Amazon website.

For magazines, you can buy one issue for around $1 or subscribe for the year.

quote:

Originally posted by LuckyBreak:
I think it was $9 or $10 per book.
Corio, does it use Wi Fi for downloading the books? Meaning, you have to be in a place where there is Wi Fi?

No, it is not a Wi-Fi system. Amazon has their own system for delivery and it works much like a cell phone. I have not yet been anywhere where I did not get a signal. My guess is that if you are somewhere where a cell phone would work, the Kindle will too. And there is no monthly fee for the wireless, either. I assume that the fee for the transfer is built into the price of whatever you're buying.

You should speak with Amazon about whether it works internationally, Lucky. And if you do, let me know what you find out.

Thanks, Coriolanus! I want one... Enjoy!

quote:

You should speak with Amazon about whether it works internationally, Lucky. And if you do, let me know what you find out.

I don't think this download system would work internationally. From what you say it sounds like a feature from the cell phone network. We have Vodafone, Etisalat and Mobinil here, but I think the Kindle would need AT&T or AOL.

Anyway, while I find this device to be useful, I am not much of a traveler, and I like reading real books and collecting them. I might consider the Kindle in the future but right now there are other priorities; new golf clubs, new car CD player, a new book shelf for my old one is over stuffed and my very first box of Cohibas

"Note: There is no wireless coverage available currently on Sprint’s data network for Kindle in Montana and Alaska."

It's Sprint not AT&T or AOL. And they don't have it in Alaska and Montana yet. They could be expanding it to international though, if there was demand, but rest assured, reading is the last thing on people's minds here, so I can easily tell you this coverage will never reach the Middle East.

Thanks a lot for the info. I'm going to look into this a little more. Maybe it'll be a nice way to treat myself towards the end of the year.

quote:

Originally posted by LuckyBreak:
"Note: There is no wireless coverage available currently on Sprint’s data network for Kindle in Montana and Alaska."

It's Sprint not AT&T or AOL. And they don't have it in Alaska and Montana yet. They could be expanding it to international though, if there was demand, but rest assured, reading is the last thing on people's minds here, so I can easily tell you this coverage will never reach the Middle East.

I wonder if you could download stuff onto your computer and then load it into the Kindle.

quote:

Originally posted by Coriolanus:

quote:

Originally posted by LuckyBreak:
"Note: There is no wireless coverage available currently on Sprint’s data network for Kindle in Montana and Alaska."

It's Sprint not AT&T or AOL. And they don't have it in Alaska and Montana yet. They could be expanding it to international though, if there was demand, but rest assured, reading is the last thing on people's minds here, so I can easily tell you this coverage will never reach the Middle East.

I wonder if you could download stuff onto your computer and then load it into the Kindle.

Yeah, this could probably be possible.