What ereader hardware "best" with Calibre?

[LessPaul]

I have been using Calibre to organize my library in anticipation of asking for a new eReader for Christmas. Currently most of the reading I do is in Mobi format using Mobipocket Reader my Netbook and/or Centro cell phone. I have no overt loyalty to the Mobi format. I'm happy to convert to ePub etc (thus my selection of Calibre as the tool of choice).

However, I lust for a "real" ebook reader. My desires and needs are (not in any order of importance) as follow:

- Compact size
- Dictionary support
- Supports multiple ebook formats.
- I'm not very worried about PDF support.
I find it of questionable value on a small screened
device and usually convert to something reflowable.
- Compatible with 64bit Windows 7
- Compatible with Calibre
- 10+ hours battery life.

As I write this my gut feeling favors (in order) the upcoming Irex from Best Buy, a Sony, or the newest (Europe-friendly) Kindle.

[user_none]

Originally Posted by LessPaul

- Compact size

How compact? The Sony 300, BeBook Mini, and the Cybook Opus are the three smallest I know of that calibre supports.

Originally Posted by LessPaul

- Dictionary support

You're going to need a MOBI device.

Originally Posted by LessPaul

- Supports multiple ebook formats.

Any particular reason? You can just convert to the supported formats.

Originally Posted by LessPaul

- Compatible with 64bit Windows 7
- Compatible with Calibre
- 10+ hours battery life.

Pretty much every device calibre supports that is a dedicated ereader except possibly the PRS-500.

Originally Posted by LessPaul

As I write this my gut feeling favors (in order) the upcoming Irex from Best Buy, a Sony, or the newest (Europe-friendly) Kindle.

The upcoming IRex is not yet supported by calibre. The Europe-friendly Kindle might have different device ids so I can't say if it will work without adding support. However, both being based on existing readers should be very easy to get support.

The Sony is supported right now. The two big things on your list are size and dictionary. If you want the 5" models I would go with the Sony unless you need dictionary support then the Cybook Opus. However, do be warned the Bookeen is not the best when it comes to support or releasing firmware updates.

[AnemicOak]

Originally Posted by LessPaul

- Compact size

Depends on what's compact to you. For 5" devices you have the Opus, Sony 300 or PocketPro(BeBook Mini/Hanlin v5). Not sure if Jetbook is supported or not, but I think so.

For 6" devices there's the Sony 600, 505, 700, EZ Reader Basic (BeBook/Hanlin v3/etc.), Gen 3, Kindle 1 & 2 (less compact because of keyboard) and others

- Dictionary support

Sony 600, Gen 3 w/Mobi, Kindles

- Supports multiple ebook formats.

Well the only ones that support a whole bunch of formats are the Jinke devices (EZ Readers, BeBooks, Hanlins, etc), but a lot of the formats aren't supported all that well. Not sure on Jetbooks format support.

- Compatible with 64bit Windows 7
- Compatible with Calibre
- 10+ hours battery life.

Should be just about anything you choose AFAIK. Kovid is usually good about adding support for new readers as they come out too.

[gwynevans]

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

Well the only ones that support a whole bunch of formats are the Jinke devices.

Depend on your defintion of "a whole bunch" but I'd add the Sony's in there, as they natively support ePub, LRF/LRX, PDF, RTF & TXT.