Are Kindles Really Worth It? – Forbes

This question originally Appeared on Quora: Are Kindles really worth it?

Answer by Marcus Geduld, Shakespearean director, computer programmer, teacher, writer , on Quora

It depends on your tastes and lifestyle. Is central air-conditioning worth it? Maybe, if you live where I do, in NYC, where the summers can be brutal, but probably not if you live in Alaska.

For me, the Kindle HAS BEEN A game-changer for Multiple Reasons. I,Äôm a voracious reader, and I prefer to own books rather than borrow them from a library or friend (though note That you-can check out eBooks frommost libraries).

But I live in a small apartment . THERE ARE Already bookshelves lining the walls. I don,Äôt’ll have room for more of Printed Books. It,Äôs Reached the point where I’ll have to get rid of a book if I want to buy a new one, so I love the fact that i can buy as many eBooks as I like. The other thing I like is The Cost: Kindles are under $ 100, Which Means That if I’ll have to buy one a year, it won,Äôt dent my finances too much (as a middle-class person). They,Äôre pretty rugged devices, and I,Äôve’ve been using the same one for a couple of years, but I don,Äôt get that feeling I get with my iPhone, thats it,Äôs this incredibly pricy gadget and I’ll have to ask the super -careful with it. If my Kindle breaks, it,Äôs no big deal.

By the way, there are various Kindle apps. I have one on my phone, and i also use Amazon,Äôs online readership. I prefer the Kindle, but sometimes I forget to bring it with me, or I want to read on my work desktop (while on my lunch break, of course). Amazon syncs everything, so I can start on the Kindle, continue on my phone, and keep reading on my desktop, without having to search for my page.

Another plus is the fact That Most eBooks are Significantly cheaper than paper books. Some folks complain That They are not cheap enough. Maybe not, but They are definitely cheaper. And you-can thwart download a chapter for free, to try before you buy.

One final thing: I,Äôm getting older and my eyesight isn,Äôt as great as it was. I love being Able to change the font-size and column width Whenever I want.