E-Book Reader Poll Results: 26.6% want an Apple tablet

Thanks to all those who responded to my poll earlier this week. 244 people responded. I realized that very few were familiar with ALL the e-reader devices I listed, but one of my goals was to see what basic reaction you had to the list: an “off the top of my head” reaction, based on what you do know.

Before actually buying one of these or asking for one, I’m sure you’d be doing more research and comparison. Plus, as some of you pointed out, more are coming out all the time and we still don’t know anything about the Apple tablet.

Despite the lack of info about the Apple tablet, however, nearly 27% of you want one. 18% want an e-reader device but aren’t yet sure which one. 16% have no interest in e-reading devices. Nook and Kindle are pretty close in popularity (15.1% Kindle, 15.5% B&N) in the “I want” category. 6.6% want a Sony Reader, and a small minority are interested in the iRex, inteRead and Jinke Hanlin.

Here are the results:

Here are the summary of the results as well as all the open-ended responses from my online survey page about e-book readers.

1. Which of the following e-reading devices do you currently own?

45.4% said they didn’t own any e-reading devices.
25.3% own an iPod.
13.2% own an iPhone
7.3% own a Sony Reader PRS-505.
7% own an Amazon Kindle 2.
5.5% own an Amazon Kindle (2007).
1.1% (3 people) own a Sony Reader PRS-700.
0.7% (2 people) own a Junke Hanlin.
0.7% (2 people) own a Sony Reader Touch Edition PRS-600.
0.4% (1 person) owns a Bookeen Cybook Gen3.
0.4% (1 person) owns a Foxit Software eStick.
0.4% (1 person) owns an iRex Technologies Digital Reader 1000.

In the comments section, several people said they use their Palm devices, one uses a Sony Reader Pocket PRS 300, their Macbook, RCA (but it’s no longer supported by the e-book community), an older HP Pocket Computer (likes it despite limited formats).

2. If Santa (or a fairy godmother or other generous benefactor, take your pick) said he was going to give you the newest version of ONE of these devices but ONLY ONE, which would you pick?

26.6% said they wanted an Apple tablet when it comes out.
17.7% said any good e-reader would do; they don’t have a strong opinion.
16.2% said they didn’t want an e-reader.
15.5% want a Barnes & Noble Nook.
15.1 % want an Amazon Kindle.
6.6% want a Sony Reader.
1.1% (3 people) want an iRex Technologies Digital Reader.
0.7% (2 people) want an Interead COOL-ER.
0.4% (1 person) want a Jinke Hanlin.

A LOT of people posted comments for this second question. Here are just a few:

I’m personally waiting for a colour e-ink reader
and I really hope that publishers will fix the residential restriction problem!

For some value of “good”. Haven’t looked at recent models. Strong preference AGAINST those which can pull a license out from under the user, and FOR writers who make the material available in a form that lets me make proper backups (which DRM almost always forbids). Realistically, anything much larger than a paperback book is an awkward form-factor and less likely to be carried/used… and I’m not a huge fan of single-function devices generally.

Part of my love for reading is my love for books. Books aren’t the same on a screen. Though, I can definitely see the space-saving benefits when travelling.

I’m not convinced I actually want an eReader, but I’m sure once I have one I’ll love it. There are a lot of legal/DRM issues that need to be resolved first, though — hence my not leaping on a Kindle froom my fairy godmother.

I won’t buy a standalone reader — the ereader app needs to be incorporated in a PDA/phone.

I want to wait until the quality of the software improves–by that time another hardware device might be better.

looks like it will have the most books available. I like the size too. Easy to find. With BN behind, could wipe others out

Probably Kindle for now–not sure about the Apple tablet, if that came out, then probably that, but I would have to see how they compare.

My husband works for Amazon, and I’ve been surprisingly pleased with the Kindle we recently got.

I chose the tablet cause of all the devices it’s the best one, I think, not only good for ebook reading but for e-comic reading, for photos, for videos, it sounds brilliant.
in fact, I’m not entirely sure it belong in this poll. I don’t know *all* the other ones but if not the tablet, I like the Kindle.

Depending on how clear the ink is to read. I love my Sony 505 because it’s so clear. And because it’s NOT internet connectible. (Have to have SOME way to control my bookaholism…) But the Apple Tablet sounds so totally cool. I think I would like to have one

I prefer the Kindle Nano — small, portable readers priced between $10-$25, printed on a disposable medium called “paper.”

didn’t even knew there were so many options. I don’t know the difference betweet them, wouldn’t know how to chose, and I prefer actual books anyway.

Since I already have an ereader, I would rather have a multi-use device (i.e. for internet, video etc.) I also like the nook but it’s not available in Canada yet.

I read in the bath. I love paperbacks.

I want a life.
e-reader interest would be limited to updates on info for me

2 reasons: 1- am amazon.com loyalist – believe they will always have the most and best offerings for books to download and 2- not up-to-date savvy on anything but Kindle and a little on Nook

I find too much comfort in the turning of pages and in the feel of the weight of a book in my hands… e-readers won’t have the same papery smell

I picked Kindle only because I haven’t heard of most of the others. Plus I like the convenience of my iPhone anyway since it’s ALWAYS with me. I read instead of playing suduko (most of the time).
But I chose Kindle since I heard it wasn’t as limiting as the Sony Reader, & I’d like to try it out. I pretty much want anything they won’t make me turn off during take-off/landing. That’s the major drawback to ereaders for me (& battery life).

Android. ePub. Color LCD/e-ink combo. Expandable memory. Ability to loan books and more.

I have too many electronic gadgets already! It’s not about the price (well, it is) so much as it is the clutter and wastefulness of getting the newest thing. I know, only a spoiled North American could say that, right?

Amazon’s squicky business practices have put me off the Kindle, and my local store is a Borders, not a Barnes * Noble. Plus, I’ve got a PS3. I’m a loyal Sony fangirl.

I would prefer a DRM-free e-reader.

While my gut reaction would be a Kindle, my techy friends tell me that a Sony Reader is better. So, I would probably go with the trusted opinion of my pals. The thing I like about the Kindle is that there is no need to plug into a computer to download books (as I understand it). But again, since I don’t know much in this area, I’m more likely to trust the opinions of others. To be honest, I have only heard of three readers on this list (the two mentioned above and the Barnes & Noble Nook). Guess I’m out of the loop!

I don’t *really* like ebooks, but if someone is giving them out as a freebie I’ll download them to my laptop. I’m too old fashioned. I prefer paperbacks.

Web. Color. Size. (But I’m really waiting for the iPhone-meets-Tablet thing.)

With the Apple Tablet in the equation, then the additional functions it woiuld provide would make it worth it (including presumably the ability to annotate).

Has all the features of a Kindle, plus color touch screen and ePub format. If Kindle were to start using epub format, I’d be torn. As it is, it’s a no-brainer. Sony Reader doesn’t have wireless capability right now, though it probably will in the future.

Why waste space with a device that only holds ebooks, when I already love reading on my iPod? Plus I find most dedicated readers are too big to shove in my pocket, unlike iPod.

The only thing I do NOT want to see is the abandonment of books. I love my books. I love their smell, their texture and the ability to notate in them. I never want to see them replaced by this new technology.

I haven’t heard of quite a few of these (*gasp) so I’d have to look into them more to decide. Preferably one with wireless delivery, such as the Kindle or Nook.

But only if the tablet does more than only reading, I don’t like having to carry more devices with me than I have to.

I want one that’s compatible with ALL publishers and booksellers.

I’ve learned that anything Apple is worth investing in, and the Tablet looks really quite amazing (I’m hoping it lives up to its hype).

I already have a palm, cell phone, and my I-pod (basic shuffle), I’m gadgeted out. I can read e-books on two of the three, I don’t need just a reader.

B&N seems to have solved some of the issues with existing devices and ecosystems. Touch screen nav without decreasing readability; integration with brick and mortar bookstores; lending (though it’s limited); and futureproofing formats. It’s not perfect, but certainly a good evolution from Kindle/Sony. That being said, when spending my own money I prefer a reader that is not tied to a particular bookstore and allows many formats–that’s why I recently purchased an EZReader Pocket Pro.

If I’m going to pay for books, I’d prefer to pay for physical books that I can keep and read without the intermediary of a device. If libraries begin offering ebook download lending, I might consider ebook device for traveling (but only if it cost less than $5)

Just me giving in to hype. I am not about to go spending money and buy one on my own and don’t have an urge to own one, but I like the talk around the Nook. And I do hope B&N has some display ones to play with to actually get a feel for the things. Ya know, while I’m picking up my paper books.

I freakin love my Sony PR505! I am getting a second one – so I have one that stays in the house and one that travels in my purse!

It’s obviously going to be so much more than an e-reader. If I could read in e-ink, which is easier on the eyes than a back-lit screen, I’m all over it. Of the ones existing right now, I’d choose the nook.

Yay for actual, honest-to-the-goddess paper books. Y’know, one technology that works and doesn’t end up in landfills? l0(

Plastic Logic is also a high contender – think this should be on your list

My primary concern is the availability of content. I’m not resident in the US, and the Sony E-Reader was only launched in Europe a year ago, and the Amazon Kindle last month. At the moment, there is serious availability problems. Very few books are available for the Sony Reader and whilst Amazon has a much bigger range, a lot of the content is very American-specific and many publishers have yet to sign a deal with Amazon for international rights. There are also problems with pricing, that mean with exchange rates and download fees, some content is actually more expensive than their paper equivalent. I’ll be very interested to see how the Apple Tablet will work, and if Apple have learnt their lessons after the DRM issues on iTunes. But I won’t be purchasing one until there’s been substantial advances made in the amount of content available and not merely in US territories.

I don’t want want YET (though I’ve never heard of some of these so maybe they fit the bill). My requirements for size, legibility, configurability, and supported formats haven’t been met in one device yet.

I’m only familiar with the Sony Reader and the Kindle. I don’t agree with Amazon’s business practices, so I choose Sony.

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You can see the summary of responses as well as all the open-ended responses inmy online survey page about e-book readers.

Tagged as: ebooks