I bought an iPad for my business, but both Hubby and I use it for everything.  He has decided he won't buy paper books anymore, because they are cheaper on line, and he has joined an ebook library system that our local library is connected to.  

This system also offers e-audiobooks too, so we can use the iPad to listen to books when we are travelling on long trips for work.

I just got an eReader for Christmas - I agree with you I've received enough of the same conflicting info on environmental-friendliness that didn't play a big part in my desire for one one way or the other, pro or con. Nor do I consider having bought my eReader making a 'choice' between it or traditional books - I still like the experience of 'reading a book' and intend to still buy some on occasion. But I also appreciate the eReader's (a) compactness, as opposed to some of the big tomes I read from time to time, and (b) the price it knocks off of books at a time we're watching our pennies and books can be a bit of a luxury (although on that score the library is still my book source of choice lol).

 My hubby got a couple Chapters gift cards for Christmas which combined took a considerable chunk out of the cost of a Kobo.  He likes that Kobos have 100 classic novels included, pre-installed. We both like our classics. He figures "$100 books for $150. Good deal!"  I am looking forward to when  we can share individual ebooks between friends, like with real books.  It will be very handy on vacations, to only have to bring the ereader.  My  new phone has the Kobo application so I am going to figure out how that works between his ereader and the phone. There are, apparently, free ebooks out there.

I find the Kobo reader a touch annoying to read. The contrast is poor, and the pages seem short. I'd also like something a little bigger to hold, more like a real book. It's adequate for light entertainment. But I find it tougher going if I'm reading anything heavier.

Nothin' like the smell of a book. I tried to sniff a Kobo and got a few weird looks.

my sweetie was 'gifted' with an ipad at work.  He's not sure how he'll make use of it there, but has decided he doesn't mind reading on it.  And he's having fun with various 'apps'. 

I could care less about having a gadget to read on.  Though my friend wants one to make room for more stuff in her suitcase rather than carrying a stack of books. I read the news on my laptop, but I prefer short articles with white space & graphics.  I find long articles on a screen tedious & not worth my time.  Sometimes that's the same here on the cafe too, though I can be guilty of some novels from time to time.

For me, the environmental friendliness is a huge factor, which is why I'm so frustrated that I can't find solid information.  Personally, I like books.  I like paper and the feel of it, and I don't like the looks of the screens that I've seen...BUT, if the readers are better for the environment, I think I should move in that direction.  I'm hoping to find out that they aren't, but I hate that I can't really find out much of anything.

I'm planning on getting a Sony reader soon.  The Kobo seems too small and the Kindle doesn't support epub files which is the format that Google books and most libary books use.  My friend has a Sony reader.  She brought it in to work and we took it out in the sun and we could still read it.  Also it's red and she has a little case for it that opens up just like a book.

I have one and like it because I'm not accumulating books anymore.  I find the prices of books in e format more affordable and can (most times) easily get the latest book I want to read as I find the local Coles has a very limited selection.

At times I do find the shortness of the pages a bit annoying and my screen gets a bit grubby with prints but the pluses outweight the minuses.  I recommend the Kobo reader.

 On a side note: Hubby is nearly done reading "Huckleberry Finn" on his Kobo. We have the real book and I've been telling him for years what a great story it is. But now with the Kobo he's reading it and enjoying it (the story and the device) immensely.  Next: Don Quixote.

I love my IPad. It's a tad heavy however, but great for reading in bed, no light required.

 We got "Peter Rabbit" on the iPad for hubby's grandaughter.  All the adults read it too, every one of them!  Its so cute, its the original story with the original paintings, but they move and make sounds when you touch the screen.  

I've never seen so many adults grabbing for a kids book, lol!  I highly recommend the iPad, because its so intuitive, and it does so much more than a reader.

 and it does so much more than a reader.

especially to one's wallet, hahah!

I've never actually used an ereader but I have found from University that I can't stand reading articles online. It takes me twice as long to read them and the screen full of text just seems daunting. I'd rather spend the money to print things out then read them online (which I do), therefore I can't see myself getting an ereader. That and I love the feel of a book in my hands, I love the smell of books, new and old, I love watching the pages of a new book turn slightly dirty as you read from the ink coming off on your fingers. I love being able to see how far through the book I am when I shut it. There's just so much I like about books I don't think I'll ever switch over.

 Do any of the e-readers other than the ipad allow you to view magazines? I subscribe to the Runner's World digital edition, which I read on my laptop. It's only $10 instead of $35 for a subscription. 

How breakable are those things, what happens if you drop it?

Instead of having one book damaged, you loose your whole library. Can it crash like computers?

Now that is a DARN good question and good point!  No problems with Kobo so far but if we were living in a situation with no power to recharge the unit, then same thing. No library. And if you were stranded on a deserted island with one then the no glare screen couldn't even be used to start a fire or signal passing air and seacraft.

I use my iphone for reading ebooks, as it's more versatile than most of the dedicated book readers.

I tend to split my books into two types. Books I will read once, and books that I read many times, or reference constantly.

Books that I read once I usually take in ebook form. That way I'm not wasting paper by having it sit there unread for years.

Books that I use many times I perfer to have in paper form, because like many others have mentioned, I like the look and feel and smell of a book.

I have a few of my most used books, many of which are quite old and in public domain like Lady Gregory's works, and Culpepper's Herbal, in both forms, since it's easier to search an electronic edition.

 Witch, like you I have my particular 'treasures' that I will always want to keep in 'hard copy' form, both reference and literature.

 I love my Kobo.  Its so thin I can take it everywhere in my purse.  Like Witch though if I have a book that I particularly like, I think I will still stick to paper for the time being.  Check out the Kobo site though - there are tons of really cheap or free books on it.

I've never seen an actual e-book. They seem overpriced for what they do.

Simple, rugged SD card or memory stick readers could be manufactured for a retail price of less than $100.

Download the book to the memory stick or the SD card (they can hold several). Plug into the reader and take it with you. The reader would be about as technologically sophisticated as a digital picture frame.

E-books strike me as a techno-con, not real technology.

 It's the screen that makes them unique and so user friendly for reading.NO backlighting, no glare,no reflection,  off white background and it's  like looking at a page in a normal book. Next time you are in an electronics store or Chapters check one out.

 Yes I totally agree with trishcuit - I am still loving my e book.

Does anyone have difficulty with downloading though.  Now that I have my MAC I am having less trouble but when I was trying to download with my netbook I was having a lot of trouble getting the books to download to my desktop.  Anyone else?