|
In exchange for a promise to actually use it, I bought my son the very last one at our local Big Lots on Saturday. I'm not sure if it was a return or whether their refurbishing process is rather short, but it had obviously been used at least briefly (books were midway through, the manual was crumpled, etc), but otherwise looked brand new and was just fine functionally.
He's very happy with it, and I couldn't get him to look up from it all day. He kept bragging to his sister that he has a touchscreen and hers doesn't (she has a Kindle 3, but she's a very serious reader and has had it for quite some time). I was very happy to learn that the SiPix screen has a plastic substrate rather than glass, so it's likely to actually last a little while!
Here's my quick review for anybody else who might have a chance to grab one:
Pro:
Feels very solidly built, plastic substrate means that it is probably very durable! Easy to side-load. ePub support (not sure how complete or well implemented, didn't try anything complex). Generally easy to use. SiPix screen is great outdoors. I personally like the combination of physical buttons w/ touchscreen.
Con:
Screen has notably lower contrast than modern Pearl eInk, not so good in low light, similar to first generation Kindle/Nook. UI is a little clunky, though has a lot of potential and could be great with a few minor changes and a slightly faster processor. The integrated dictionary is the worst UI aspect. Yes, you touch to define, but AFTER you've hit the menu button, then click on the dictionary icon, then (if the word is still on the screen) click on the word to define. Hard to find accessories (case).
|