Is There a Basic Reader?

Big Kev · 01-27-2010, 05:25 PM

I haven't been able to find one but does anyone know if there is such a thing as a basic, no frills Reader.

At the moment I'm leaning toward a Kindle DX as I would like as large a display as I can afford but - I don't need it to send e-mails, make phone calls, connect to the internet, mow lawns or lick ice creams, etc. - I have a PC, telephone and me for those jobs

I just want to be able to load books (mainly what I download from sites like Gutenberg and buy off the net with my PC) and read them without too much eye strain thus saving all the trees I have to cut down to print them out.

Thanks
Kevin

lustyd · 01-27-2010, 05:38 PM

I think all of the ereaders answer that call. They are not cheap but I don't really know of any with excess features. Here in the UK the Cool-er and PRS300/PRS505 are good options without 3G/Wifi etc and have no keyboard or input methods so email is out of the question.

wallcraft · 01-27-2010, 05:52 PM

I like the Hanlin V3 and V5 as basic readers. They are sold in Australia by DA Direct (the ECOReader is a Hanlin V3). Screen size is 5" or 6", but all that means for ebooks is that you turn the page more often than on the Kindle DX's 9.7" screen. The advantage of the smaller screens is that the devices are more portable. Like most readers, except the Kindles, these support Adobe DRM (encryption). You can buy Adobe ePub (or PDF) ebooks from many ebook stores.

GA Russell · 01-27-2010, 06:41 PM

If you would settle for the short term on something inexpensive, you might look at the Ectaco jetBook/Aluratek Libre or the Ectaco jetBook Lite.

They are very inexpensive compared to the competition, and most of their owners are quite satisfied with them.

LDBoblo · 01-27-2010, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GA Russell

If you would settle for the short term on something inexpensive, you might look at the Ectaco jetBook/Aluratek Libre or the Ectaco jetBook Lite.

They are very inexpensive compared to the competition, and most of their owners are quite satisfied with them.

Well most ebook buyers are generally easy to satisfy...but yeah cheap is definitely a good way to go with ebooks, as it helps lower expectations.

markman · 01-29-2010, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GA Russell

If you would settle for the short term on something inexpensive, you might look at the Ectaco jetBook/Aluratek Libre or the Ectaco jetBook Lite.

They are very inexpensive compared to the competition, and most of their owners are quite satisfied with them.

I'll second the suggestion to get the jetBook/Aluratek Libre. I got the Libre last week and am really enjoying it. The price is great and quality seems to be fine. One thing, if you are considering ever using your library's ebook loan program, get the Aluratek, as it has support for the version of epub that is used. The jetBook doesn't support that yet but might at some point in the future.

Good luck!

Bremen Cole · 01-29-2010, 06:15 PM

By basic reader if you mean, just to read ebooks..... in other words... no wifi, 3g, mp3 playback, photo viewer, text to speech, keyboards, then I would have two good options for you.

The Sony PRS-300 and the Pocketbook 360. I have a 300, love it, and you can go to a Best Buy, Target, Wal-mart and other retailers and see it, hold it...etc.

Another I would look at is the 360. Don't have one, never seen one... but worth a look.

Jetbook is an option, but debatable how long they will be around..... Not trying to start a flame war, just an observation born of experience. On the other hand, if the device works for you, who cares if they are around or not.....

Yar-PocketBooker · 01-29-2010, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bremen Cole

By basic reader if you mean, just to read ebooks..... in other words... no wifi, 3g, mp3 playback, photo viewer, text to speech, keyboards, then I would have two good options for you.

The Sony PRS-300 and the Pocketbook 360. I have a 300, love it, and you can go to a Best Buy, Target, Wal-mart and other retailers and see it, hold it...etc.

Another I would look at is the 360. Don't have one, never seen one... but worth a look.

Jetbook is an option, but debatable how long they will be around..... Not trying to start a flame war, just an observation born of experience. On the other hand, if the device works for you, who cares if they are around or not.....

I'd add also one 6-inch device, which does have mp-3 capability, but still I call him a "good ole classic 6" reader - PocketBook 301". It's specially good if you need to read not only in English.

lene1949 · 01-30-2010, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Kev

I haven't been able to find one but does anyone know if there is such a thing as a basic, no frills Reader.

At the moment I'm leaning toward a Kindle DX as I would like as large a display as I can afford but - I don't need it to send e-mails, make phone calls, connect to the internet, mow lawns or lick ice creams, etc. - I have a PC, telephone and me for those jobs

I just want to be able to load books (mainly what I download from sites like Gutenberg and buy off the net with my PC) and read them without too much eye strain thus saving all the trees I have to cut down to print them out.

Thanks
Kevin

I just bought the Kindle 2 from Amazon... The price was AUD363.80 including leather case and delivery... I ordered it last Tuesday, and it was in Brisbane yesterday... I'll get it delivered on Monday... My Hanvon which I bought from oo.com.au (which is supposed to be a very cheap store) cost Aud357 including vinyl case and delivery. This took just a long to get here.

lene1949 · 01-30-2010, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Kev

I haven't been able to find one but does anyone know if there is such a thing as a basic, no frills Reader.

At the moment I'm leaning toward a Kindle DX as I would like as large a display as I can afford but - I don't need it to send e-mails, make phone calls, connect to the internet, mow lawns or lick ice creams, etc. - I have a PC, telephone and me for those jobs

I just want to be able to load books (mainly what I download from sites like Gutenberg and buy off the net with my PC) and read them without too much eye strain thus saving all the trees I have to cut down to print them out.

Thanks
Kevin

I just bought the Kindle 2 from Amazon... The price was AUD363.80 including leather case and delivery... I ordered it last Tuesday, and it was in Brisbane yesterday... I'll get it delivered on Monday... My Hanvon which I bought from oo.com.au (which is supposed to be a very cheap store) cost Aud357 including vinyl case and delivery. This took just a long to get here.

The Hanvon is 5" display, and the Kindle2 is 6"... I think buying from the USA at the moment, is better for the pocket than buying from Australia.

01-27-2010, 05:25 PM	#1
Big Kev Enthusiast Posts: 25 Karma: 43 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Perth, Western Australia Device: Kindle & Ipad	Is There a Basic Reader? I haven't been able to find one but does anyone know if there is such a thing as a basic, no frills Reader. At the moment I'm leaning toward a Kindle DX as I would like as large a display as I can afford but - I don't need it to send e-mails, make phone calls, connect to the internet, mow lawns or lick ice creams, etc. - I have a PC, telephone and me for those jobs I just want to be able to load books (mainly what I download from sites like Gutenberg and buy off the net with my PC) and read them without too much eye strain thus saving all the trees I have to cut down to print them out. Thanks Kevin

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01-27-2010, 05:38 PM	#2
lustyd Enthusiast Posts: 40 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: Sony PRS-505, PRS-350, PRS-650	I think all of the ereaders answer that call. They are not cheap but I don't really know of any with excess features. Here in the UK the Cool-er and PRS300/PRS505 are good options without 3G/Wifi etc and have no keyboard or input methods so email is out of the question.

01-27-2010, 05:52 PM	#3
wallcraft reader Posts: 6,975 Karma: 5183568 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mississippi, USA Device: Kindle 3, Kobo Glo HD	I like the Hanlin V3 and V5 as basic readers. They are sold in Australia by DA Direct (the ECOReader is a Hanlin V3). Screen size is 5" or 6", but all that means for ebooks is that you turn the page more often than on the Kindle DX's 9.7" screen. The advantage of the smaller screens is that the devices are more portable. Like most readers, except the Kindles, these support Adobe DRM (encryption). You can buy Adobe ePub (or PDF) ebooks from many ebook stores.

01-27-2010, 06:41 PM	#4
GA Russell Montreal wins Grey Cup! Posts: 7,583 Karma: 31484197 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Raleigh, NC Device: Paperwhite, Kindles 10 & 4 and jetBook Lite	If you would settle for the short term on something inexpensive, you might look at the Ectaco jetBook/Aluratek Libre or the Ectaco jetBook Lite. They are very inexpensive compared to the competition, and most of their owners are quite satisfied with them.

01-29-2010, 06:15 PM	#7
Bremen Cole Wizard Posts: 1,115 Karma: 2718 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Texas Device: iPad	By basic reader if you mean, just to read ebooks..... in other words... no wifi, 3g, mp3 playback, photo viewer, text to speech, keyboards, then I would have two good options for you. The Sony PRS-300 and the Pocketbook 360. I have a 300, love it, and you can go to a Best Buy, Target, Wal-mart and other retailers and see it, hold it...etc. Another I would look at is the 360. Don't have one, never seen one... but worth a look. Jetbook is an option, but debatable how long they will be around..... Not trying to start a flame war, just an observation born of experience. On the other hand, if the device works for you, who cares if they are around or not.....

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