Kindle E-reader Debate

Users debate preferences for Kindle e-readers versus alternatives like Kobo or physical books, focusing on convenience, Amazon's ecosystem lock-in, pricing, and ownership concerns.

➡️ Stable 0.6x Hardware
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#4899
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Activity Over Time

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Keywords

DX e.g US UX HN HumbleBundle PRS imgur.com DRM Flqfp.png kindle books ebooks kobo amazon book buy ebook bought read

Sample Comments

BoringTimesGang Apr 23, 2024 View on HN

Reading ebooks doesn't mean submitting to Amazon's ecosystem.

arccy Nov 3, 2024 View on HN

so books are not accessible: kindles are better

gaza3g Mar 26, 2014 View on HN

Maybe he just prefers to buy books in kindle/epub formats.

Insanity Feb 22, 2025 View on HN

Maybe not a super popular opinion on HN, but this effectively changes nothing for me. I love reading on my kindle, by far the most convenient way to buy and read books for me (esp when traveling often).It’s good that they are now being upfront about it, but it won’t impact my buying behaviour and it won’t for the majority of readers.

ashleyblackmore May 30, 2016 View on HN

What's stopping you from ditching the kindle and finding a bookstore?

Noos Sep 17, 2020 View on HN

Well, that's the side effect of having the increased convenience and often dirt cheap prices the kindle ebook ecosystem gives. If you don't like it do what some of us do and just buy physical media.

nothingneko Feb 16, 2025 View on HN

i have owned kindles for the better part of a decade and purchased books from the store a total of 4 times - the library and friend’s epub collections were far more appealing

syntaxing Dec 19, 2025 View on HN

Just get a kobo instead. The price difference between with ads and a new kobo is minimal. Not worth the Amazon headache with a locked down device.

kraftman Mar 9, 2017 View on HN

Why has the kindle been relegated in favor of hardcovers?

simeonrumy Nov 16, 2022 View on HN

Can't wait to buy a house to actually own physical books - until then kindle is the best approach!