Amazon Kindle
- Thread starter nicholasboot
- Start date
I'll always prefer regular books over reading them on Kindle (and I have a Kindle), but your assertion isn't true. Kindle versions are nearly always cheaper, at least here in the U.S. Here are some examples for Pterry's books from Amazon.com:
Raising Steam: $14 Kindle, $20 hardcover
Snuff: $1.99 Kindle, $17.58 hardcover, $7.98 paperback
Good Omens: $6.83 Kindle, $19.98 hardcover, $10.98 paperback
The Long Earth: $1.99 Kindle, $17.58 hardcover, $7.98 paperback
Again, I generally don't like reading Kindle books, but for those who are price conscious and buy lots of books, it is a more economic alternative over the long run.
Raising Steam: $14 Kindle, $20 hardcover
Snuff: $1.99 Kindle, $17.58 hardcover, $7.98 paperback
Good Omens: $6.83 Kindle, $19.98 hardcover, $10.98 paperback
The Long Earth: $1.99 Kindle, $17.58 hardcover, $7.98 paperback
Again, I generally don't like reading Kindle books, but for those who are price conscious and buy lots of books, it is a more economic alternative over the long run.
The difference on new releases tends to be in the realms of 2 pound which for me doesn't justify the difference.
And older books there are more options than Amazon.
I guarantee I can get a hardback copy of Good Omens for less than $6.38 very easily and I just checked and can get snuff for $3.00. Plus no need for a $100 device to read it. And you actually own the book rather than having a limited file that Amazon can pull at will so again I stand by the real books are cheaper stance.
And older books there are more options than Amazon.
I guarantee I can get a hardback copy of Good Omens for less than $6.38 very easily and I just checked and can get snuff for $3.00. Plus no need for a $100 device to read it. And you actually own the book rather than having a limited file that Amazon can pull at will so again I stand by the real books are cheaper stance.
I'll always prefer regular books over reading them on Kindle (and I have a Kindle), but your assertion isn't true. Kindle versions are nearly always cheaper, at least here in the U.S. Here are some examples for Pterry's books from Amazon.com:
Raising Steam: $14 Kindle, $20 hardcover
Snuff: $1.99 Kindle, $17.58 hardcover, $7.98 paperback
Good Omens: $6.83 Kindle, $19.98 hardcover, $10.98 paperback
The Long Earth: $1.99 Kindle, $17.58 hardcover, $7.98 paperback
Again, I generally don't like reading Kindle books, but for those who are price conscious and buy lots of books, it is a more economic alternative over the long run.[/quote]
And at Amazon UK
Raising Steam: £9.00 Kindle, £ 15.68 hardcover
Snuff: £3.67 Kindle, £15.68 hardcover, £3.86 paperback
Good Omens: £5.22 Kindle, £6.02 NEW ISSUE hardcover, £5.59 paperback
The Long Earth: £3.66 Kindle, £12.72 hardcover, £3.85 paperback
SO YOU DEFINITELY HAVE THE BARGINS THERE Rasin, from Com as to UK.
Raising Steam: $14 Kindle, $20 hardcover
Snuff: $1.99 Kindle, $17.58 hardcover, $7.98 paperback
Good Omens: $6.83 Kindle, $19.98 hardcover, $10.98 paperback
The Long Earth: $1.99 Kindle, $17.58 hardcover, $7.98 paperback
Again, I generally don't like reading Kindle books, but for those who are price conscious and buy lots of books, it is a more economic alternative over the long run.[/quote]
And at Amazon UK
Raising Steam: £9.00 Kindle, £ 15.68 hardcover
Snuff: £3.67 Kindle, £15.68 hardcover, £3.86 paperback
Good Omens: £5.22 Kindle, £6.02 NEW ISSUE hardcover, £5.59 paperback
The Long Earth: £3.66 Kindle, £12.72 hardcover, £3.85 paperback
SO YOU DEFINITELY HAVE THE BARGINS THERE Rasin, from Com as to UK.
I went through a whole bunch of books by my favourite authors and looked at Kindle prices. I get the impression that a lot of the bargains are there as "tasters" for certain series. For example Jasper Fforde's The Last Dragonslayer is currently 99p for Kindle. It's the first book in a trilogy and I'm guessing the others won't be so cheap. 
The Big Over Easy by Fforde is £1.49 for Kindle and it's the first of the series. Other Kindle versions of his books are around £5.
The Big Over Easy by Fforde is £1.49 for Kindle and it's the first of the series. Other Kindle versions of his books are around £5.And at Amazon UK
Raising Steam: £9.00 Kindle, £ 15.68 hardcover
Snuff: £3.67 Kindle, £15.68 hardcover, £3.86 paperback
Good Omens: £5.22 Kindle, £6.02 NEW ISSUE hardcover, £5.59 paperback
The Long Earth: £3.66 Kindle, £12.72 hardcover, £3.85 paperback
SO YOU DEFINITELY HAVE THE BARGINS THERE Rasin, from Com as to UK.[/quote]
Most of these fail to factor in the cost of the device itself though. so it'll only sit a big reader and be a while before you break even. By the time a lot of readers break even the device will be due an upgraded. And I'll also add again that you are getting something rather than renting it which is how the ebook set up works. Also took me two minutes to find a copy of snuff for less the £3.67. Paperback to kindle there is so little difference its just not worth it for me.
Raising Steam: £9.00 Kindle, £ 15.68 hardcover
Snuff: £3.67 Kindle, £15.68 hardcover, £3.86 paperback
Good Omens: £5.22 Kindle, £6.02 NEW ISSUE hardcover, £5.59 paperback
The Long Earth: £3.66 Kindle, £12.72 hardcover, £3.85 paperback
SO YOU DEFINITELY HAVE THE BARGINS THERE Rasin, from Com as to UK.[/quote]
Most of these fail to factor in the cost of the device itself though. so it'll only sit a big reader and be a while before you break even. By the time a lot of readers break even the device will be due an upgraded. And I'll also add again that you are getting something rather than renting it which is how the ebook set up works. Also took me two minutes to find a copy of snuff for less the £3.67. Paperback to kindle there is so little difference its just not worth it for me.
And at Amazon UK
Raising Steam: £9.00 Kindle, £ 15.68 hardcover
Snuff: £3.67 Kindle, £15.68 hardcover, £3.86 paperback
Good Omens: £5.22 Kindle, £6.02 NEW ISSUE hardcover, £5.59 paperback
The Long Earth: £3.66 Kindle, £12.72 hardcover, £3.85 paperback
SO YOU DEFINITELY HAVE THE BARGINS THERE Rasin, from Com as to UK.[/quote]
Most of these fail to factor in the cost of the device itself though. so it'll only sit a big reader and be a while before you break even. By the time a lot of readers break even the device will be due an upgraded. And I'll also add again that you are getting something rather than renting it which is how the ebook set up works. Also took me two minutes to find a copy of snuff for less the £3.67. Paperback to kindle there is so little difference its just not worth it for me.
Raising Steam: £9.00 Kindle, £ 15.68 hardcover
Snuff: £3.67 Kindle, £15.68 hardcover, £3.86 paperback
Good Omens: £5.22 Kindle, £6.02 NEW ISSUE hardcover, £5.59 paperback
The Long Earth: £3.66 Kindle, £12.72 hardcover, £3.85 paperback
SO YOU DEFINITELY HAVE THE BARGINS THERE Rasin, from Com as to UK.[/quote]
Most of these fail to factor in the cost of the device itself though. so it'll only sit a big reader and be a while before you break even. By the time a lot of readers break even the device will be due an upgraded. And I'll also add again that you are getting something rather than renting it which is how the ebook set up works. Also took me two minutes to find a copy of snuff for less the £3.67. Paperback to kindle there is so little difference its just not worth it for me.
Jeez, Dug, if you're going to plaigarize what I said, at least try changing a few of the words at least! :dance:
Most of these fail to factor in the cost of the device itself though. so it'll only sit a big reader and be a while before you break even. By the time a lot of readers break even the device will be due an upgraded. And I'll also add again that you are getting something rather than renting it which is how the ebook set up works. Also took me two minutes to find a copy of snuff for less the £3.67. Paperback to kindle there is so little difference its just not worth it for me.[/quote]
With a Kindle, you're not renting, you're owning. Whatever I buy in Kindle is mine. If my Kindle dies, I can download the same book for free if I get another one. If your book burns, you have to buy another one if you want to own it.
And even if (in the UK) prices for (new!) paperbacks are comparable to Kindle version, you also have to pay for shipping, so that's going to add to the total. You don't have to pay that for Kindle delivery, since it's built into the price.
And, there are also thousands of e-books available for free (the vast majority of them crap). I've download a number of e-books from a few authors I like. Generally, they're not as good as their "paid for" works, but at least I don't have to pay to find that out.
But, in the end, the economics of it isn't really the main reason for getting an e-book reader, any more than the petrol-saving economics of a hybrid are a reason to get one. You get a Kindle or Nook or read e-books on a iPad because of the convenience of the format, not because it's going to save you money. In general, I'll still read regular books whenever I can. For example, I've got the printed version of Raising Steam on pre-order from Amazon Canada. It'll probably take three weeks to get to the U.S. because of customers, when I could download the Kindle version for less and get in on the same day. But Pterry is one of those authors I always want to read in print.
Hell, I recently bought a used late 19th century 20-volume complete works of Dickens in leather-bound hardcovers for US $70. On Amazon you get these same books for free or for US 0.99 each. If I paid it would cost me around $20 or so--but I'd rather have the nice old books to remain in my library and bequeath to my children, who'll probably end up selling 'em at my estate sale for $20.
Most of these fail to factor in the cost of the device itself though. so it'll only sit a big reader and be a while before you break even. By the time a lot of readers break even the device will be due an upgraded. And I'll also add again that you are getting something rather than renting it which is how the ebook set up works. Also took me two minutes to find a copy of snuff for less the £3.67. Paperback to kindle there is so little difference its just not worth it for me.[/quote]
With a Kindle, you're not renting, you're owning. Whatever I buy in Kindle is mine. If my Kindle dies, I can download the same book for free if I get another one. If your book burns, you have to buy another one if you want to own it.
And even if (in the UK) prices for (new!) paperbacks are comparable to Kindle version, you also have to pay for shipping, so that's going to add to the total. You don't have to pay that for Kindle delivery, since it's built into the price.
And, there are also thousands of e-books available for free (the vast majority of them crap). I've download a number of e-books from a few authors I like. Generally, they're not as good as their "paid for" works, but at least I don't have to pay to find that out.
But, in the end, the economics of it isn't really the main reason for getting an e-book reader, any more than the petrol-saving economics of a hybrid are a reason to get one. You get a Kindle or Nook or read e-books on a iPad because of the convenience of the format, not because it's going to save you money. In general, I'll still read regular books whenever I can. For example, I've got the printed version of Raising Steam on pre-order from Amazon Canada. It'll probably take three weeks to get to the U.S. because of customers, when I could download the Kindle version for less and get in on the same day. But Pterry is one of those authors I always want to read in print.
Hell, I recently bought a used late 19th century 20-volume complete works of Dickens in leather-bound hardcovers for US $70. On Amazon you get these same books for free or for US 0.99 each. If I paid it would cost me around $20 or so--but I'd rather have the nice old books to remain in my library and bequeath to my children, who'll probably end up selling 'em at my estate sale for $20.
With a Kindle, you're not renting, you're owning. Whatever I buy in Kindle is mine. If my Kindle dies, I can download the same book for free if I get another one. If your book burns, you have to buy another one if you want to own it.
And even if (in the UK) prices for (new!) paperbacks are comparable to Kindle version, you also have to pay for shipping, so that's going to add to the total. You don't have to pay that for Kindle delivery, since it's built into the price.
Nope just quoted for reference against
And, there are also thousands of e-books available for free (the vast majority of them crap). I've download a number of e-books from a few authors I like. Generally, they're not as good as their "paid for" works, but at least I don't have to pay to find that out.
But, in the end, the economics of it isn't really the main reason for getting an e-book reader, any more than the petrol-saving economics of a hybrid are a reason to get one. You get a Kindle or Nook or read e-books on a iPad because of the convenience of the format, not because it's going to save you money. In general, I'll still read regular books whenever I can. For example, I've got the printed version of Raising Steam on pre-order from Amazon Canada. It'll probably take three weeks to get to the U.S. because of customers, when I could download the Kindle version for less and get in on the same day. But Pterry is one of those authors I always want to read in print.
Hell, I recently bought a used late 19th century 20-volume complete works of Dickens in leather-bound hardcovers for US $70. On Amazon you get these same books for free or for US 0.99 each. If I paid it would cost me around $20 or so--but I'd rather have the nice old books to remain in my library and bequeath to my children, who'll probably end up selling 'em at my estate sale for $20.[/quote]
Nope just quoted for your reference between the UK and States prices.
And even if (in the UK) prices for (new!) paperbacks are comparable to Kindle version, you also have to pay for shipping, so that's going to add to the total. You don't have to pay that for Kindle delivery, since it's built into the price.
Nope just quoted for reference against
And, there are also thousands of e-books available for free (the vast majority of them crap). I've download a number of e-books from a few authors I like. Generally, they're not as good as their "paid for" works, but at least I don't have to pay to find that out.
But, in the end, the economics of it isn't really the main reason for getting an e-book reader, any more than the petrol-saving economics of a hybrid are a reason to get one. You get a Kindle or Nook or read e-books on a iPad because of the convenience of the format, not because it's going to save you money. In general, I'll still read regular books whenever I can. For example, I've got the printed version of Raising Steam on pre-order from Amazon Canada. It'll probably take three weeks to get to the U.S. because of customers, when I could download the Kindle version for less and get in on the same day. But Pterry is one of those authors I always want to read in print.
Hell, I recently bought a used late 19th century 20-volume complete works of Dickens in leather-bound hardcovers for US $70. On Amazon you get these same books for free or for US 0.99 each. If I paid it would cost me around $20 or so--but I'd rather have the nice old books to remain in my library and bequeath to my children, who'll probably end up selling 'em at my estate sale for $20.
[/quote]Nope just quoted for your reference between the UK and States prices.
Got to disagree with you on the ownership. If you truly owned it you could lend it or give it away to friends etc. This is very strictly limited with ebooks. And if rights change to amazon they can delete from your device. The ownership factor with ebooks is pretty much a grey area with so little definition and lots of restrictions that you can't claim ebook ownership equates or betters physical book ownership.
I have no problem with the convenience argument you've put forward however. Its about the only valid one I think (altogh I've rarely found carrying a book in my bag excessively heavy compared to what an ebook reader would.
I just get annoyed at people quoting the price statistics but ignoring the cost of the reader or the fact that second hand books are generally cheaper than a reduced ebook price.
Ebooks will suit very heavy readers but some of the people who have argued with me might read a book every two months or only on holiday , which means they are making a loss on the deal.
Nice deal on the Dickens set by the way. Bought a first edition of Master Humphreys Clock for the missus for Christmas and got it for an absolute steal.
I have no problem with the convenience argument you've put forward however. Its about the only valid one I think (altogh I've rarely found carrying a book in my bag excessively heavy compared to what an ebook reader would.
I just get annoyed at people quoting the price statistics but ignoring the cost of the reader or the fact that second hand books are generally cheaper than a reduced ebook price.
Ebooks will suit very heavy readers but some of the people who have argued with me might read a book every two months or only on holiday , which means they are making a loss on the deal.
Nice deal on the Dickens set by the way. Bought a first edition of Master Humphreys Clock for the missus for Christmas and got it for an absolute steal.
Weightist!!!!!
Another point in the Kindle's favor is that some of the pricier versions can a lot of other things than just read books. You can play games, watch movies, surf the web and countless other trivial time-wasting activities. It's not nearly as fast as an iPad and certainly doesn't have that tablet's breadth of apps, and the keyboard is an absolute bear to use, but there is a some versatility to it if you want it to do more than just read books. But if I were specifically looking for a tablet, I wouldn't buy one for just that reason alone.
Another point in the Kindle's favor is that some of the pricier versions can a lot of other things than just read books. You can play games, watch movies, surf the web and countless other trivial time-wasting activities. It's not nearly as fast as an iPad and certainly doesn't have that tablet's breadth of apps, and the keyboard is an absolute bear to use, but there is a some versatility to it if you want it to do more than just read books. But if I were specifically looking for a tablet, I wouldn't buy one for just that reason alone.
raisindot said:
Weightist!!!!!
Another point in the Kindle's favor is that some of the pricier versions can a lot of other things than just read books. You can play games, watch movies, surf the web and countless other trivial time-wasting activities. It's not nearly as fast as an iPad and certainly doesn't have that tablet's breadth of apps, and the keyboard is an absolute bear to use, but there is a some versatility to it if you want it to do more than just read books. But if I were specifically looking for a tablet, I wouldn't buy one for just that reason alone.
Another point in the Kindle's favor is that some of the pricier versions can a lot of other things than just read books. You can play games, watch movies, surf the web and countless other trivial time-wasting activities. It's not nearly as fast as an iPad and certainly doesn't have that tablet's breadth of apps, and the keyboard is an absolute bear to use, but there is a some versatility to it if you want it to do more than just read books. But if I were specifically looking for a tablet, I wouldn't buy one for just that reason alone.
Think the tablet cost 70 euro and its fairly decent to use.
Tonyblack said:
I went through a whole bunch of books by my favourite authors and looked at Kindle prices. I get the impression that a lot of the bargains are there as "tasters" for certain series. For example Jasper Fforde's The Last Dragonslayer is currently 99p for Kindle. It's the first book in a trilogy and I'm guessing the others won't be so cheap. The Big Over Easy by Fforde is £1.49 for Kindle and it's the first of the series. Other Kindle versions of his books are around £5.
The Big Over Easy by Fforde is £1.49 for Kindle and it's the first of the series. Other Kindle versions of his books are around £5.
I still have more paper books than electronic, but it's really useful for heavier books that are a chore to take on the commute or read in bed.
