Ebooks - your verdict

The cover story in the latest issue of Computeractive magazine is all about ebooks and ebook readers, such as the Amazon Kindle and Sony Reader. The issue is on sale in the shops from today but those who subscribe to the magazine receive their copy a few days earlier, and some have already been in touch to say they found the article really useful. We've had lots of feedback from people who have already purchased an ebook reader, with their views of the respective pros and cons of ebooks and their printed forebears.

Angie Ford said that while she had no intention of giving up her collection of books, a sudden impulse to buy the Amazon Kindle had convinced her that books and ebooks could live alongside each other.

"The weight of several paperbacks and a well-known airline's weight restrictions tempted me to an impulse buy of the Kindle. I have been delighted with it. It is intuitive and easy to use: a pleasure to read. I find it lighter than most paperbacks and you don't need to hold it open.

"I also was able to sit by the pool and download books, none of the hassle of trying to find a decent book in English and then paying over the odds for it while on holiday. I have also read a couple of classics free of charge that I wouldn't have paid for. Overall, an excellent buy."

The idea that books and ebooks can coexist peacefully and complement each other was a common theme in the correspondence we received. Chris Webb takes up the point about the tactile experience of printed pages.

"Since buying my reader I have continued to buy paper books, so I think there is definitely a case for using the two systems side by side. It all depends on what kind of books you wish to read. With the ebook reader you still get a pleasing tactile experience that is somewhat different to but just as satisfying as holding a traditional paper book.

"Also, if you are going on holiday you can take a whole library with you (having remembered to first charge up your reader) instead of one or two paperbacks. A reader is also a lot lighter and so saves weight. So, long live the e book reader and long live traditional paper books," said Chris.

Some, though, had reservations over price - a point that is explained in full in the article. Keith Taylor was looking for a book by the author Tarquin Hall called The Case of the Missing Servant.

"The book is available on both sites. However the paperback book can be purchased from Amazon for £4.55. Waterstones sell the ebook for £6.75! Kindle costs £4.32. This gives a saving of 23p. This means it would take about 474 books to recoup the £109 cost of the reader and as 80% of the books I recently purchased were not included this means I would have to read 2,370 books to get my money back."

The general tone of the comments we received was that ebooks add a choice, rather than being seen as a replacement for printed books. The inability of any of the e-ink based reader to display colour pictures was a drawback for many, especially in non-fiction works. But the majority of readers who contacted us about the article said they found their ebook reader a good-value addition to their stock of gadgets.

You can find out more about the content of the latest issue of Computeractive in our 40-second preview video, and if you want to know more about the best devices, take a look at our reviews of the Amazon Kindle, Sony Reader and more articles about ebooks.