How do I read iBooks on my Macbook Air

I just spent an hour trying to figure it out (assumed it was a no brainer)...NO WONDER....it doesn't work on macbook air!!! ***...how can Apple not have a reader for macbook air. Now I have to carry an iPad too just to read books. Unreal

Somewhere along the line someone mentioned it would be very helpful to be able to access ibooks on the macaire. I agree. I own desktop, aire, pad and phone but when I travel or with my old eyes it would be helpful to read the books on my laptop. I think the option should be available. Thank you for the comments.

I completely agree with everyone that would like to be able to read their ibooks across all of their devices, including their Macbooks. Since the iPad came out, I have been wondering why exactly I need this device since I have a Macbook Air and an iPhone. Most iPad apps work on the iPhone, and many work seamlessly with the Macbook. Now I understand the reason that I need an iPad: to read iBooks but that is basically the only reason. But that reason is not enough for me to go and spend hundreds of dollars on yet another Apple device, especially since the library of ebooks available through Amazon is much larger and generally less expensive and actually syncs between my two devices relatively well. For people who think that reading an iBook on their laptop is strange or unintuitive, thats fine, no one will force you to read a book on your laptop. You can use your iPad, your iPhone, Kindle, or whatever you please. But some of like reading on our laptops. To extend the example of the rotary phone, there was a time when phones were used for calling, and computers were used for writing papers, and their functionality did not go much beyond that. But now our phones do a lot more and so do our computers. There was a time that I wouldn't have imagined using my laptop to make phone calls, because that's not what computers were originally designed to do, but now I do 70-80% of my calling on skype using my MBA-not even my iPhone! So technologies change and the "purpose" of a computer isn't one size fits all--everyone uses their devices for different purposes and in different ways and one of Apple's strengths was to harness that and create devices that are flexible around the user needs. Amazon could have done the same thing...they could have refused to make a kindle app for the iPhone or the Macbook, thus forcing me to buy a Kindle. But they didn't and now I spend a lot of money on ebooks. But that is because Amazon never planned to make a profit from Kindle sales (they actually sell the Kindles at a small loss) and make up for it in the sale of ebooks. I guess I can understand why Apple would use a different logic...they won't make a ton of profit on the sale of ibooks the same way Amazon does. But it is simply disappointing because I've already invested a lot of money in Apple products and I don't like feeling squeezed even more. So I'll stick to my Kindle app on my MBA and iPhone until a decent solution is found.

Ridiculous. You are assuming that all iBooks are romance novels.

1. I for one read technical documents in iBooks and would appreciate being able to reference them on any Apple device I own.

2. The user decides what they want. If you think iBooks on the mac is stupid, don't click on the icon. Apple is a great company because they give people what they want, and this is clearly a case of missing that point (so far).

Everyone who wants ibooks - just try Calibre - its a free program for Mac and can read books on Computer , edit info and sync with itunes, seems to be what most people want , it's not ibook try but basically the same thing with different format , and until Apple make ibooks for computer its a good alternative

Hope that helps some people -

Mark

Globalmark wrote:

Everyone who wants ibooks - just try Calibre

Neither Calibre nor any other app will read paid-for ebooks from the iBookstore with DRM (or any .ibooks Textbooks), which is what most people want to do and why these threads exist. There has never been any problem to read epub ebooks without DRM on your Mac or any other platform.

Stop buying books from Apple/ itunes. It's absolutely making no sense that the e books only can be read on iphone/ ipad. Amazon Kindle store is more convenient that you can read on all the platforms (iOS, Android, Windows, Mac X ) out there. Plus, the price is cheaper than the Apple ibooks for 20% to 40%.

Mr. Jack Apple, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul....

Just kidding bud, hope the billy madison doesn't offend you....but you really should take a Valium here, it was a just simple question that was asked, no need for the rant.

Thanks

The Management

I'm glad this topic exists, but I'm amazed that it has to exist. This is ridiculous. I bought a book from the iTunes store because I wanted to read it on my Mac. I kept trying to read it and having no luck whatsoever. I tried the Help for goodness sake! Finally, I looked online and discovered that I am SOL.

a) I want to read it on my computers. I like my Macs, I am more a computer person than a tablet person.

b) why did you let me buy it if I can't read it?

c) why isn't there an error message when I see the book in my itunes library and click on it? Isn't the waste of my time worth a tiny bit of programming?

d) Is there any way to get my money back for a book I CANNOT READ?

avirr wrote:

b) why did you let me buy it if I can't read it?

Probably because they tell you on the purchase page that it requires an iOS device, and they think you will read that and will only buy the book if you have such a device.

It's no problem to read ebooks on your computer, just get them from Kindle, Nook, Kobo, or Googlebooks instead.

I don't really care about the discussion "it's necessary to have a reader on OS X" vs "You are idiots wanting a reader on OS X".

I care about my use case. And it is as such:

I buy digital books to have a faster access to tech readings and tutorials. I often read them on my iPad or iPhone when I commute or am in bed but when I want to test out the code in a book, I display the book on my 2nd screen and code on my main screen. It allows me to copy/paste parts of the text in my editor and not have another device next to my computer. Of course, I want everything to be in sync when it comes to notes, last page read, etc.

Voilà. That is my use case. I buy about 3-4 technical books per month. And so far, only the Kindle app (both for iOS and OS X) delivers and that is why I never bought a single book using iBooks.

It is arrogance like this that is going to kill Apple. I am also a long term user of Apple products but like to make my own decisions. At the moment I feel that Apple is trying to dictate what I can and cannot do. I accept that Apple have the right not to make a book reader for their Macs. Apple have to accept that I have the right to spend hundreds of dollars with Amazon so that I can read books on my Mac.

On a more practical note, if you download Calibre, which is free on your Mac, you can then connect to your itunes account and access the books that Apple does not want you to read on your Mac. The UI is not pretty but at least it works which is more than we can say for any Apple product.

Mark S Thompson wrote:

On a more practical note, if you download Calibre

Neither Calibre nor any other app will read paid-for ebooks from the iBookstore with DRM (or any .ibooks Textbooks), which is what most people want to do and why these threads exist. There has never been any problem to read epub ebooks without DRM on your Mac or any other platform.

"First, who wants to sit with a computer as a book for hours on end?"

ummm, I do. dont speak for me, please. You know nothing about what everyone wants - you dont know everyone, obviously. so the real wisdom would be found in not acting like you do....

bam...

That was actually quite mean! I am 14 years old, and it should be appreciated that I am even interested in READING! Most of my classmates won't even pick up a book unless it is for class and spend most of their time on FB.

If a lot of people are requesting this, it must have a need in peoples lives. I personally don't need it as much, but some people might. They might not own an iPad, and the iPhone has quite a small screen, making it hard to read (yes, I know it has zoom, but it can still kill your eye sight). So I suggest you stop insulting us and move on with your life!

Isabel (age 14)