Quote:
Originally Posted by jinibiza
I strongly believe that Bookeen should replace broken screens FOC unless there is evidence of substantial damage to the case. If the numbers are so large that this creates a profits problem for Bookeen, then they should stop selling until they have re-designed the product to withstand normal wear and tear. I think if anyone actually challenged Bookeen in court, Bookeen would lose. There is no warning on their site or in the manual about how fragile these things are. I believe that if you are aware of the fragility of these devices, and you take the necessary care, they will give a decent lifetime's service. That's what I'm banking on.
John
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I am 100% with you on warning issue, but I don't believe that cared for Cybook will give you a decent lifetime. I really cared well for mine, despite the lack of warning, as even from he pictures you can see it's fragile. I asked Cybook support about the fragility warning on the website, since they have to be aware of the problem. They ignored my questions, and there is no indication that they are gong to post any warnings (that would certainly negatively impact their business). I do believe that there must be a design/production problem, and is pure luck whether you get a decent one, or one with a problem. I will steer clear of the Cybook from now on. I don't want a reader to last forever, but I want 2-3 problem-free years out of the device. And I MEAN problem-free, after which it can die, and I will replace it with a new one without complaints (although with regrets, certainly). More years would be better (you spend time on setting it up to your specs, and I'm at the point that I value my time, and don't want to spend all of it setting things up an none of it using what I set up), but anything less than two is unacceptable.
I also believe that if a class action was instigated against Cybook, they would be in serious trouble, as there is enough evidence that the device is faulty.
I am even rethinking Sony, as I dug out of the basement my old RCA reader, which is about 8 years old, for the past 4 years has been stored in a ziplock baggie in the basement, never had any protective case, and was carted all over the world, used on the beach without any protection, fell down hundreds of times, survived September 11 (I was working two blocks from WTC, and had reader with me always), was munched on by my hamster, has numerous battle scars to prove it was living a full life, AND IS STILL IN WORKING CONDITION (was I surprised!!!). Admittedly, the screen is backlit, and storage capacity is not that great, but reformatting the books is about as annoying as it would be for Sony reader, I don't have to worry about protective cases, being extra careful, or any of that nonsense. It's heavier than Cybook or Sony, but not as heavy as a hardcover book, so it's OK. Battery life probably sucks (I don't remember), but on the flip-side it can be used while charging, so there. It's hard to read in direct sunlight, but the winter is coming, so reading on the beach will be out for a few months, and backlit screens have their good side in the dark winter months. I think I will wait and see what comes next, something with a little more functionality, folder system, more native formats, more sturdy. Next generation, hopefully. Maybe for Christmas, maybe in the spring. I can only hope RCA reader and Axim will survive until then.
BTW, I totally forgot how resistant that old reader was. It had rubbery protection surface (and not a thin one either!), and was thick. Nothing damaged it! While I understand the need for a light, extra portable reader, maybe the design should be rethought - if the screen is that fragile it should have a proper support and protection, aside from the case, which did no good to me, anyhow. I am sure a few extra ounces will be better that this fragility. It is not Murano glass, and it's function is not to stand on the shelf untouched.
Dorota