jetBook durability

[Teyrnon]

One impression that came out strongly for me while researching reading devices early on is how fragile many of them seem to be. I feel the jetBook seems pretty rugged. I wonder how other jetBook owners feel about the ruggedness of their devices?

[wodin]

I don't hesitate to carry mine around in my trousers pocket, screen on the inside. Of course I don't carry my keys in the same pocket.

[Elfwreck]

I bought a Jetbook for my 14-year-old daughter. The substrate got cracked just carrying around in her purse. (In the sleeve, FWIW.) She doesn't know how; something must've bumped it. She doesn't bang her purse around, but neither was she exceedingly careful with it, which is apparently what was necessary.

It's not covered by warranty, and we can't afford to replace it, so she's sans ebook reader for the moment, and we're looking into other options. I'm debating between a REB 1100 and a Clié PDA for her. (The drawback of the Clié is that her school will likely consider it a type of cellphone and forbid use during class. Less chance of that with an obvious ebook device.)

[Kris777]

Originally Posted by Elfwreck

I bought a Jetbook for my 14-year-old daughter. The substrate got cracked just carrying around in her purse. (In the sleeve, FWIW.) She doesn't know how; something must've bumped it. She doesn't bang her purse around, but neither was she exceedingly careful with it, which is apparently what was necessary.

It's not covered by warranty, and we can't afford to replace it, so she's sans ebook reader for the moment, and we're looking into other options. I'm debating between a REB 1100 and a Clié PDA for her. (The drawback of the Clié is that her school will likely consider it a type of cellphone and forbid use during class. Less chance of that with an obvious ebook device.)

..too bad. You may try "open box" jetBook from NewEgg for $139 only
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...2E16858723001R
I think the price is the same as for Clie PDA

[Elfwreck]

Originally Posted by Kris777

..too bad. You may try "open box" jetBook from NewEgg for $139 only
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...2E16858723001R
I think the price is the same as for Clie PDA

Clies are out of production, but used ones go for $25-50 via Craigslist in my area. I own three, in various states of semi-functional. (One won't recharge unless it's held at a specific angle; one has screen problems; one is fine, except for being black & white and running on AA batteries.)

Not going to replace the accidentally-broken device with one that's just as easily broken again. I'm waiting for the tech to get more sturdy before getting her a more-than-$100 ebook reader. And she may wind up with a netbook instead; she's used to reading on computer screens.

[Andybaby]

then for netbooks I suggest this link http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...99&Order=PRICE

check back at 11 EST (what is that 8 pst?) where about 3 times a week they put up new laptops, they have been selling MSI winds/ Asus EEE 10 inch netbooks for about 210 bucks, and 9 inchers as low as 160 that I've seen. They sell out fast, ussually less than an hour, people snipe them like Ebay auctions.. for I guess resale on ebay and make a few bucks.

My girlfriends sister got the 10 inch EEE from them and its perfect, as well as someone who I've never met who I've heard back through friends that they were very happy with it. I also bought my laptop from them and open box, the one I'm currently typing this on.

[Elfwreck]

Thanks for the link; I'll tag it to check later. When we're in the market for netbooks, I'll be checking Newegg and pestering geeky friends for advice. Right now, it's all too expensive.

[Xerxes]

Originally Posted by Elfwreck

I bought a Jetbook for my 14-year-old daughter. The substrate got cracked just carrying around in her purse. (In the sleeve, FWIW.) She doesn't know how; something must've bumped it. She doesn't bang her purse around, but neither was she exceedingly careful with it, which is apparently what was necessary.

It's not covered by warranty, and we can't afford to replace it, so she's sans ebook reader for the moment, and we're looking into other options. I'm debating between a REB 1100 and a Clié PDA for her. (The drawback of the Clié is that her school will likely consider it a type of cellphone and forbid use during class. Less chance of that with an obvious ebook device.)

Sell it for parts. Might find someone like me who would want to take it apart just to see how it ticks.

[bill_mchale]

With the exception of Elfwreck's unfortunate luck, I think the general consensus (backed with experience) is that the Jetbook is among the more durable readers out there -- at least until e-ink readers with plastic substrates come out.

I am not very gentle with mine, and have dropped it on hard floors several times and aside from a scuff on the plastic, it has come through with flying colors.

--
Bill

[Xerxes]

Originally Posted by Elfwreck

I bought a Jetbook for my 14-year-old daughter. The substrate got cracked just carrying around in her purse. (In the sleeve, FWIW.) She doesn't know how; something must've bumped it. She doesn't bang her purse around, but neither was she exceedingly careful with it, which is apparently what was necessary.

It's not covered by warranty, and we can't afford to replace it, so she's sans ebook reader for the moment, and we're looking into other options. I'm debating between a REB 1100 and a Clié PDA for her. (The drawback of the Clié is that her school will likely consider it a type of cellphone and forbid use during class. Less chance of that with an obvious ebook device.)

Substrate. Is the screen ok?

[Andybaby]

Originally Posted by Xerxes

Substrate. Is the screen ok?

substrate is the screen.

think of screens like this

a Glass brick wall.

but instead of each brick being independent from the rest, the back of all the bricks have a single glass sheet. that sheet being the substrate. if that sheet breaks, then the circuitry doesn't work and you have one dead screen

[Xerxes]

Originally Posted by Andybaby

substrate is the screen.

think of screens like this

a Glass brick wall.

but instead of each brick being independent from the rest, the back of all the bricks have a single glass sheet. that sheet being the substrate. if that sheet breaks, then the circuitry doesn't work and you have one dead screen

But if the TFT screen itself is ok.... For all those jetbooks with broken screens.

[Andybaby]

Originally Posted by Xerxes

But if the TFT screen itself is ok.... For all those jetbooks with broken screens.

I'm sorry I don't follow what your saying.

but the screen is not okay if the substrate is broken.
see this image, http://www.mopo.ca/uploaded_images/b...een-754937.jpg

see how the break in the screen seems like broken glass? that's cause that's what the substrate is Glass (some times plastic, but it's a plastic as hard as glass and just as shatterable, they are developing bendable plastic substrates)

[Xerxes]

Oh ok. I thought you meant like the internal circuit board type stuff, BEHIND the screen.

[Elfwreck]

Originally Posted by Xerxes

Substrate. Is the screen ok?

No cracks on the outside of the screen. Touching the screen moves squishy ink-stuff around in cracks under the surface. (I'd give a pic but I don't have it with me here at work.)

Should offer it somewhere for parts. And probably eventually replace it with a netbook; kid needs ability to take notes more than long battery life, and she has young eyes that don't mind staring at lighted screens for hours on end.