PRS 505 vs Kobo N647

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by meeera

I can't see that requirement at all.

While the OP did not specifically specify ePub as a requirement, it's inferred given that both the 505 and Kobo are ePub capable Readers.

[AnemicOak]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

While the OP did not specifically specify ePub as a requirement, it's inferred given that both the 505 and Kobo are ePub capable Readers.

Your anti-Kindle bias is showing.

[faithbw]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

While the OP did not specifically specify ePub as a requirement, it's inferred given that both the 505 and Kobo are ePub capable Readers.

Really? I get that you love Sony (I do too) but you are letting that get in the way of giving good advice to the OP.

Anyway, I would look at the Kobo Mini. Yes, Kobo's software might be more buggy than some others but for a basic reader, it works. Plus, the price is good ($79.99). The Nook STR is $79.99 as well. The basic Kindle reader is also good. At $69.00 it won't break the bank.

I would also look online at eBay for the PRS-350/650. You might be able to find a used one for ~$50.00. If you go this route, just make sure the seller is reputable and has good reviews before shelling out your money.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

Your anti-Kindle bias is showing.

Nope. I'm going base don what the OP posted. The OP asked about two ePub capable readers. No place did the OP mention Kindle. But if the OP does come back and say the Kindle is OK as a choice, I will still say to stay away from the PW because of the number of issues with the frontlight.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by faithbw

The Nook STR is $79.99 as well.

The nook STR needs to be registered with B&N. That cannot be done in India.

[faithbw]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

The nook STR needs to be registered with B&N. That cannot be done in India.

That's fair. Still the OP should consider multiple options before buying.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by faithbw

That's fair. Still the OP should consider multiple options before buying.

But if the OP does want ePub, that would rule out any Kindle.

[Hitesh1]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Given prices and devices, I would suggest going for a Sony PRS-T2. You aren't tied to any store. You don't have to register it other then with Adobe. You don't have fragmented memory. Also, it uses ePub. So overall, it's a win-win.

130$ is quite high
Plus 20-30$ shipping cost, customs etc

Originally Posted by l_macd

Based on the fact the OP is someone on a really tight budget, your advice is to buy the most expensive e-reader, dismiss the Kindle PW but ignore the fact there are far cheaper Kindle's available, and rubbish all Kobo's because their firmware isn't perfect. That is pretty unhelpful.

Hitesh1, where can you buy from if buying new and not via ebay?

Also when you rule out a small screen do you just mean the Trekstor Mini (with it's 4.3" screen), would the Kobo Mini or Sony PRS-350 (they have 5" screens, compared to the standard size of 6") be ok?

The Kobo's do have a reputation for buggy firmware but it doesn't make them unusable, and plenty of people are happy enough with them. If you can get a cheap deal on a Kobo Touch for example, take it!

The cheapest options new are the basic Kindle - 69$ (USD) @ Amazon, Kobo Mini £50 (GBP) @ WH Smith, or the Nook Simple Touch which has already been mentioned.

You could also look at used or refurbished, you should be able to find things like the Kindle Touch, Kobo Touch & Sony PRS 650 on ebay for reasonable prices (though more than your original $30 budget!). Or a cheaper option would be the Kindle Keyboard

You can get the Kindle Touch refurbished from Amazon via the UK website for £65. Sadly I don't see it on the Amazon.com.

Sony Outlet UK did have refurbished PRS 350's for £50, but they are sold out. They do have the PRS T1 at £79. Can't see anything on the US site currently. Also in the UK Morgan Computers often have refurbished Sony Readers for sale, though sadly no 650 or 350s at the moment, although they do have the slightly older PRS 600 or PRS 300 for £40 & £30 respectively. They are still quite old though, just not as old as the PRS 505.

New and not from ebay?
bestbuy, amazon etc
Umm basically sites mentioned here -
http://www.ishopinternational.com/home.asp

5 inch would work too but right now want to focus on 6''

Yeah after lurking around the kobo forum for a while, I feel that I can live with the bugs.


How about these ?-

Kindle first gen Seller refurbished
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Amazon-Kindl...1c775#viTabs_0

N647 Used
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kobo-eReader...item53f4aba6e8

PRS-500 Used
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sony-Portabl...item4d096c7e65

Kindle 2nd gen Used
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Amazon-Kindl...item2a29a17abd



But the best deals IMO are-

Kindle keyboard Used
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Amazon-KINDL...item2ec681e710

Kindle Keyboard Demo Used
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Amazon-Kindl...item27cec51d00

Kindle touch Used
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Amazon-Kindl...item23285c3b01

[Hitesh1]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

But if the OP does want ePub, that would rule out any Kindle.

We can convert epub to kindle format using calibre, right ?

[Asawi]

I haven't read the whole discussion, but I would suggest that the OP keep an eye on the flea market here on MR. I have found MR members to be very reasonable an up front when selling their devices. I have bought quite a few here for friends and family.

[Asawi]

And FWIW, I don't think the "old" Kobo is such a bad buy! Several of my friends have them, and are very happy with them. Sure, if you've tried a more current device it feels very outdated. But it does the job of displaying a book without too much hassle!
Keep an eye out for Sony 350 on eBay as well. Sometimes you can find them dirt cheap, and all of us who has one love ours! Still!

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Hitesh1

130$ is quite high
Plus 20-30$ shipping cost, customs etc



New and not from ebay?
bestbuy, amazon etc
Umm basically sites mentioned here -
http://www.ishopinternational.com/home.asp

5 inch would work too but right now want to focus on 6''

Yeah after lurking around the kobo forum for a while, I feel that I can live with the bugs.


How about these ?-

Kindle first gen Seller refurbished
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Amazon-Kindl...1c775#viTabs_0

N647 Used
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kobo-eReader...item53f4aba6e8

PRS-500 Used
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sony-Portabl...item4d096c7e65

Kindle 2nd gen Used
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Amazon-Kindl...item2a29a17abd



But the best deals IMO are-

Kindle keyboard Used
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Amazon-KINDL...item2ec681e710

Kindle Keyboard Demo Used
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Amazon-Kindl...item27cec51d00

Kindle touch Used
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Amazon-Kindl...item23285c3b01

You can buy a replacement battery for the first gen Kindle. But if not being able to read KF8 is a deal breaker, don't look at it any further.

The Kobo is buggy.

The PRS-500 you won't like as it's very old and slow and has a screen that's not all that good plus the battery could be shot. Also, it's fairly heavy.

The 2nd Gen Kindle is broken.

The Kindle Keyboard has a defect on the screen. Look at the upper right of the picture. Also, it's blacklisted and you don't want to get one that's blacklisted.

The Demo Kindle Keyboard is out. You do not want a demo Kindle as it's not fully functional.

Thee Kindle Touch could be OK.

[l_macd]

Probably just better to ignore JSWolf's comments on the Kindle, he seems to be a pretty intelligent, helpful guy, but he simply can't contain his anti-Kindle bias..... (Edited to add: of course he's now just posted a more reasonable answer while I've been typing out my reply! )

You can use Calibre to convert between the different formats, but be aware that when you buy books they normally contain DRM and you need to search for Apprentice Alf on the internet for help on how to utilise some plug ins to remove that DRM before you can convert.

It depends where you will be buying ebooks from too, if it's likely that your ebooks will be .epubs, you'd be as well buying an ereader that uses that format. But if you are likely to buy a significant portion of your books from Amazon, the Kindle makes more sense. But you don't need to be restricted to one or other.

As for the links you've posted, I personally wouldn't buy any of them. The age of the older readers (Kobo N647, 1st/2nd generation Kindle's and the Sony 500) and the affect on the battery has already been pointed out to you. I'd personally wait and keep my eye out for a Sony 650, Kindle (Keyboard, non-touch or Touch) or Kobo Touch to see if you can pick one of them up cheaply.

The Kindle Keyboard could also be a good option, though as an example, the one you linked to states "Item needs to be reprogrammed ! > For some reason item can not be registered", which suggests to me that it's a stolen or lost Kindle and that's why it can't be registered? The other one is a demo model and you need to know what you are doing re jailbreaking to have any chance of getting it to work. The Kindle Touch you linked to mentions in the details "Fair Amount Marks Body & Screen", which might be ok but the seller doesn't have any photos of it and is instead using a stock photo, so that's a no, far too risky.

If you can't find any of them cheaply enough, then ok, try the Sony 600 or the Kobo, but buy one knowing that the battery in it is likely to be a bit old and tired. I guess Asawi makes a good point about the old Kobo model, it is slow and feels very outdated, but if it's your first ereader and you can get it for <$30, then it might be fine for you.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by l_macd

Probably just better to ignore JSWolf's comments on the Kindle, he seems to be a pretty intelligent, helpful guy, but he simply can't contain his anti-Kindle bias.....

Did you bother to read what I've actually posted?

[l_macd]

See my edit, up to your last post, yes I had read your posts.

I almost fell of my chair when I read your last reply to Hitesh1, you've hidden your anti-Kindleness!

Do you feel unclean now?!