I am contemplating buying a Kindle 2. . Most people that I've seen using them say they love then - including BOTH people sitting next to me on my last flight. .So, I'd appreciate it if some of the Kindle 2 owners out there could give me their thoughts. .I had planned to wait at least one more generation (I waited until 3Gs for my iPhone) but now am contemplating going ahead and pulling the trigger. .I absolutely love my iPhone and frequently recommend it unreservedly to people - is the Kindle (for the dedicated purpose of reading ebooks) equally great? .Do you big readers out there that have one love it, or do you not enjoy it and stick with dead tree books?

A little more info. .I read a lot, frequently carrying a book around with me, and when I travel always take multiple books. .I already own an iPhone and a Macbook. .I read the NYT and WSJ on the iPhone, and have read ebooks on both, but don't enjoy the experience. .iPhone screen is far to small for me to read books on (as I am a very fast reader). .The Macbook screen isn't particularly enjoyable to read books on, the Macbook isn't held as easily or comfortably as a book for long periods of time, I can't easily carry it around and use it outside, and I end up getting distracted with it (e.g., surfing the web) - part of the reason I would prefer a dedicated ebook reader to a multifunction device. .I realize the Apple iPad is coming out shortly, but don't think I want one: .it is IMO is the worst of both worlds - basically a bigger iPhone but other than the bigger screen doesn't do anything my iPhone won't do, because of its size it isn't readily transportable (or at least doesn't have much of a size advantage over my Macbook), the LED screen won't be easily readable outside, and it won't be a dedicated ebook reader. .Although in general I appreciate multifunction, in this case I think I really just want an ebook rather than a multifunction device b/c of the distraction issue. .(Please do not hijack this thread with pro/con discussion of the iPad.) .

So, Kindle 2 owners: .thoughts and opinions?

love it. Love the screen, the lack of distractions. It is really like a book only better. My wife and I both use the K2 constantly.

In case this is helpful, I've used (quite extensively) several different Kindle models as well as Kindle software for iPhone and BlackBerry.

The various test reports are online here.

I have one and like it a lot, though it does get a little spendy when I go through my bouts of compulsive reading...

There are several threads about the Kindle - here's one:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...e-2-today.html

:-::-::-:

Couldn't agree more.

A couple other threads worth perusing include:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...kindle-dx.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...sm-kindle.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...thout-you.html

I love, love, love my Kindle. I gave my Kindle 1 to my wife, who is also an enthusiastic convert. Your mention of the eye strain associated with the LCD is exactly the right reason to prefer Kindle. The e-Ink display is really spectacular for a reader -- I spend hours at a time reading and find the Kindle every bit as comfortable on the eyes as a printed book. Not only do I not need to lug a bunch of paper around, but the minute someone tells me about a great book, I can have it downloaded and in my to-read queue. This is both a feature and a problem, but I choose to focus on the positive. I'll also get an iPad when it comes out, but I don't expect it to replace my Kindle in the carry-on. I hope it will replace the laptop.

I love my Kindle 2 too.

I subscribe to a couple of newspapers on the device in addition to the books. What's great is that every day the new editions are auto delivered to the device with the integrated wireless.

The newspapers are a little different than online editions of papers, but the adjustment has been easy.

I love my Kindle 2...I can read it comfortably for a long while with no eye strain. I'm a voracious reader, so a 2 week trip used to mean at least 3-4 large books - the Kindle is a dream for that.

I have a Sony Reader which I love. The books are a bit more expensive than Kindle, but the Reader isn't nearly as clunky as the Kindle.

What about an iPad?

Actuallly I have the Kindle app on my iPhone and enjoy reading on it. When I travel I have physical books. the Reader and the iPhone. Each has a different place and function.

I've had my K2 for a few months and love it. It's great to not haul around a few heavy books/magazines during a long trip, and I love the ability to download a book on the fly (no pun intended).

Another advantage is that you can also get the Kindle application for your iPhone 3GS. The books are kept synchronised, so if you're out and about without your Kindle, and have a bit of spare time, you can just use your iPhone to read a bit further

When you get back home to your Kindle, it resynchronises to the latest page you read on the iPhone.

Cheers,
Rick

If course I love reading the NY Times and books on the Kindle, but when I want a little change, I switch to the blogs I subscribe to. Vanity Fair, Walt Mossberg, and Gawker all have blogs which cost a buck or two a month. Gawker updates a couple of times a day.

Got my wife one for Christmas (not sure which one the 2 is, she got the smaller of the two size wise) and she thought it was a waste of money. Till the first time she used it. She totally loves it for flying, and loves being able to download books until they close the door. She use to travel with a carry on with six or ten paperback books in it because she has this need to read when she's waiting or flying, now she just carries the Kindle. She raves about it all the time.

Totally agree and I do the same. I L-O-V-E my Kindle.

Another perk is I like to read while I am on my elliptical. It is so much easier to read with the Kindle that with a book when exercising. I always had to rig a way to keep the book open and when I had a fan blowing at me in summer it was impossible to be able to read a book because the pages kept flipping. Not a problem with the Kindle. I just place it on the ledge and my exercise time flies by without a hassle. ^

I read my with my Kindle app on my iphone when I get a chance to read on my lunch hour. It's great not to have to worry about remembering to bring a book. The syncing capability betw the kindle and the iphone is great.

Oh, and it's also easier to read with a kindle in the tub. I put it inside a ziploc freezer bag just in case, but it's lighter and easier to manage for sure.

I knew I would like this gadget but I can't imagine not having one now.

Cruddier battery life and harder screen to read, among other reasons not to get one versus a Kindle.