Kindle & PDF's

[Chrisada]

I'm thinking about getting a Nook or Kindle for my parents this spring/summer since my mom's been interested lately. My mom is OK with computers but not super proficient. How do you get the book onto them without wifi? Is it like when you sync an iPod? You can change the font size on the Kindle like on the Nook, right? Any recs for one vs. the other my parents? Also, I'm sure they'd want to take it to the beach with them. Can you get covers to protect it from sand/ocean mist?

You'd have to pay extra for 3G. You can change the font, and downloading is so easy. You buy the book on Amazon and it goes straight to the Kindle. The Kindle is very easy to use. They have dozens of covers to choose from also.

I'm thinking about getting a Nook or Kindle for my parents this spring/summer since my mom's been interested lately. My mom is OK with computers but not super proficient. How do you get the book onto them without wifi? Is it like when you sync an iPod? You can change the font size on the Kindle like on the Nook, right? Any recs for one vs. the other my parents? Also, I'm sure they'd want to take it to the beach with them. Can you get covers to protect it from sand/ocean mist?

Yes, if they don't have Wi-Fi or if they aren't in a hot spot, they can download books via the USB cable. You can change the font size, and they do make waterproof covers. Here is an example:
http://www.amazon.com/Version-Trendy...8658398&sr=8-2

(or you can go the ultra cheap route and slip into a Ziplock, LOLLOL)

I'm partial to Kindle for a lot of reasons But if they're looking for strictly e-readers, I really think probably either would be fine for them. I think Amazon has a better book selection than B&N, but on the other hand the Nook accepts more book formats than the Kindle. Still, if your parents aren't particularly tech-savvy, that may not matter either.

Even the basic Kindle has wi-fi now. I absolutely adore the display on my Kindle -- so much easier on the eyes than the Sony Reader and hands down against the iPad. I'm still getting used to the keys -- the way I'm gripping it keeps having me hit keys I don't mean to hit. I've not looked at the Nook (I decided to order the Kindle b/c I had amazon gift cards and had already downloaded several kindle books to my iPad, but wasn't reading them b/c the thing is too heavy to hold as a book while in bed).

^^ right. I should have clarified that to say if they don't have Wi-Fi in their home
I think I said this earlier in the thread, but the extra $50 for 3G would be worth it to me. Mine is a 2nd Gen, so it came with that automatically, but I LOVE that I can shop for a book anywhere.