I like real books and I suddenly feel very lonely

Backlighting and how this works in a TV is quite complicated. LCD displays do not produce thier own light and must have a light source behind them. This causes problems for any mobile device with regard to battery life. Plasma and LED displays are different, but I don't think that's what you are asking.

Kindle uses a system called e-ink. Each pixel contains two charged pigments, black and white. It is possible to change the colour of each pixel on demand from white to black, or vice versa. Once done, very little energy is required to maintian the page. It basically reprints the page everytime you turn over. You can think of it in the same way as a page on a conventional book. It is very light as only a tiny battery is required, and it will last over a month between charges.

Other readers produce the light that enters you eye, this means that they are visible without an external light source. They do have the problem that when exposed to a intense external light source, like on holiday, the sunlight that reflects off the screen makes them unreadable. The Kindle doesn't suffer from this, as the image reaches your eye in the same way as a conventional book. It does wonders for your baggage allowance also.

The down side that you mention is that you need a small light source to illuminate the device in low light. But that's just the same as a book, so no hardship there.

Comes down to cost then, new ones are £89. That's about the cost of 15 new books. Add to that, there are so many legit sources of free kindle books, I've saved loads over the time my wife has owned one. Some unscrupulous individuals post anthologies on dodgy wesites, but I'm not into that.

It's not something you can read in the dark, the screen isn't like a phone screen. The best way I can describe the screen is similar to a book page.

The upside is that you can read it on a beach with out the glare of the sun having any effect. Also because it's not illuminated it's better for the eyes.

The downside is that you need to buy an attachable lamp or it. (not sure how much the official kindle ones are but have seen cheaper ones on eBay for about 20 quid)

The Mrs bought me a Kindle for xmas last year and it's one of the best presents I ever received.

As for reading at night, a cheap LED book light from poundland may not be as good as a genuine Kindle light, but it does the job. I also found that a ziplock butty bag is an essential piece of 'kit' when sat by the pool or on the beach on holiday (take a few).

i have a e book reader (binatone) very much like a kindle, does the job fine. does have a back light. and can store & listen to music/ watch films as well great little thing!

Here's a deal if anyone is interested.

Go to this rlTesco direct linkrl

Buy to collect instore, and enter the code TDX-TP7P at checkout to get £10 off.

You can also get 5% quidco, and Clubcard points.

Potentially not much more than £70, if you include the Clubcard points.

Frig me, since when did RLFans become HotUKDeals?

Just kidding.

My bird works for Tesco selling them. They're hugely popular; however, I still think the original keyboard one is better than the new one. Am I right in saying that on the new one, you have to select every letter you type? Seems a bit of hassle. Also, the keyboard versions can play audiobooks, can't they? If so, that's decent for anybody who can't be bothered reading, or maybe can't read.

This thread is making me want to buy one even more than I already do......

Just download the software to your phone.

Get the Kobo from WH Smiths, touch ereader which will download from WH Smiths and Waterstones, it also reads different formats unlike the kindle which is Amazon only.

One thing nobody has mentioned here is the cracked-screen problem. The screen on the standard black-and-white Kindle has a tendency to crack for no obvious reason. This makes it instantly unusable.It has happened in my family three times, and if you Google 'Kindle cracked screen' you will see how extensive the problem is. Amazon will replace the damaged unit but it's a nuisance. The new Kindle Fire, which operates in colour, may have soved the problem but it's not yet available outside the US. For anyone thinking about buying the standard Kindle my advice would be to hang on for a while.

I was dead against Kindles, as I thought I preferred real books - however I am now converted, the search facility (useful for looking up obscure characters the author expects you to remember) and to have a dictionary all in the same piece of kit is great.

wait for the kindle fire that should be out in a few months... or buy one from the US. www.amazon.com/Kindle-Color-Mult ... 685&sr=8-1

wait for the kindle fire that should be out in a few months... or buy one from the US. www.amazon.com/Kindle-Color-Mult ... 685&sr=8-1

"wait for the kindle fire that should be out in a few months... or buy one from the US."

Be careful about buying the Kindle Fire from the US. You will not be able to access the full range of Kindle Fire content from a UK IP address. You may be able to get around this by using a proxy server but that gets a bit messy for most people. Better to wait until it is officially released.

good point