I need some information, and I had seen threads talking about E-Book Readers in the past, so figured folks on here might have some insight.
I just talked to my mom and she asked what I thought about E-book readers. Every year, it is my responsibility to find my dad something to give my mom for Christmas. She's in her mid-50s, and I have gotten her to the point where she can do some basic internet browsing (not a painless experience for me!), but she is definitely not tech-savvy. She does like to read.
I took a look and have discovered that purchasing e-books is really not much cheaper than purchasing hard copies. I know you can download some e-books from the library, but I was having a hard time figuring out if any books she is interested in (she mostly likes true-crime stories, some nora roberts, tami hoag, etc).
They have a computer at their house, but it is 8+ years old and on its last legs. It's deathly slow, but she doesn't know any different, so doesn't mind I guess.
I'm looking at the Kobo, which seems to be the Canadian version of the Kindle or Nook. It has the E-ink screen and is $99 for the basic and $149 with wireless (I'm assuming wireless will make it much easier for her to download books, as she could do it right from the unit, instead of having to hook it up to their computer...they do have wireless internet at their house.
My question is, do you think there is a point in buying an E-Reader for her at this stage in the game? Given her technology situation and the fact that it is really no cheaper (I think she was thinking it would be, but I'm noticing there is typically no more than $1 difference in price).
I was actually hoping to convince my dad to get a new computer for Christmas (something on the lower end, cheaper side, as they don't need anything fancy). I could still try this, and get her the e-book reader from myself....or later on for her birthday or Mother's Day.
I just don't really know if it would actually be a useful device for her, or if she's better off sticking with the hard copies.
I just talked to my mom and she asked what I thought about E-book readers. Every year, it is my responsibility to find my dad something to give my mom for Christmas. She's in her mid-50s, and I have gotten her to the point where she can do some basic internet browsing (not a painless experience for me!), but she is definitely not tech-savvy. She does like to read.
I took a look and have discovered that purchasing e-books is really not much cheaper than purchasing hard copies. I know you can download some e-books from the library, but I was having a hard time figuring out if any books she is interested in (she mostly likes true-crime stories, some nora roberts, tami hoag, etc).
They have a computer at their house, but it is 8+ years old and on its last legs. It's deathly slow, but she doesn't know any different, so doesn't mind I guess.
I'm looking at the Kobo, which seems to be the Canadian version of the Kindle or Nook. It has the E-ink screen and is $99 for the basic and $149 with wireless (I'm assuming wireless will make it much easier for her to download books, as she could do it right from the unit, instead of having to hook it up to their computer...they do have wireless internet at their house.
My question is, do you think there is a point in buying an E-Reader for her at this stage in the game? Given her technology situation and the fact that it is really no cheaper (I think she was thinking it would be, but I'm noticing there is typically no more than $1 difference in price).
I was actually hoping to convince my dad to get a new computer for Christmas (something on the lower end, cheaper side, as they don't need anything fancy). I could still try this, and get her the e-book reader from myself....or later on for her birthday or Mother's Day.
I just don't really know if it would actually be a useful device for her, or if she's better off sticking with the hard copies.