[JSWolf]

[QUOTE=bill_mchale;272147]The format support concerned me somewhat, but once I figured out that it is fairly easy to convert .lit, .ereader and .mobi files into html and from there into .fb2, my concern was resolved. I hope they support other formats in the future, but I am confident I will be able to read whatever novel I want to on it.[/quite]

I'll use the 505 and Gen3 as examples here.

You say you have to figure out how to convert to FB2. With the 505 Calibre will convert DRM-free lit & prc easily to LRF. Also, HTML converts easily as well. The Gen3 will deal with DRM-free PRC as it is. Also Mobipocket Publisher will convert exploded LIT and HTML pretty easily as well. You don't have to "figure out how to go from A to B." The solutions are out there and very easy ti use.

Things I liked;
1. It simply acts as a USB drive on your computer; therefore unlike the Sony or the ebookwise 1150, no special hoops or software are needed to get books onto the device; especially since I have a Mac and a Linux box. I don't run Windows.

Both the 505 and Gen3 act as mass storage devices. So that's a feature they all have in common.

2. I like the fact that it is a bit smaller than than the 6" devices. I know the 6" devices are not huge, but for me the ideal device is one that will give me the most screen real estate possible that will fit in my pocket .

Also a smaller screen for less on screen. 6" is the minimum (IMHO) for a portable reader.

3. eInk is not really a mature technology yet. While it has a lot of advantages, its screen refresh time is not one of them. Also the glass substrate that is used makes it somewhat more fragile than LCDs (Granted in a metal design like the Sony, this problem is minimized). The grey scale LCD in the Jetbook is fast, and from the reviews easy to read and easy on the eyes. Now, I bet if we are having this conversation in a couple of years (or maybe even a year from now) this will not be true.. but I am not waiting a year to get an ebook reader.

The screen refresh of Vizplex is just as fast as turning a page in a book. By the time the page is turned, my eyes are at the top of the next page ready to read. It's really no different speed wise to turning a pBook page and having to move your eyes to the top of the left hand page. Yes, the LCD is probably faster, but it takes more power to have that image viewed on the LCD screen then it does on an eink screen. So that equates to less time reading and more time charging.

Granted, eink screens are more fragile. But I've had my 505 since they first came out, I carry it around a lot and no damage.

3. It has no DRM based reader on it. Again, I would have been willing to go for eReader based DRM, but not any other scheme. So that being said, why should I subsidize Mobi or Amazon by buying devices that pay them to have their DRM format on them? I have no intention of using that DRM after all.

If you purchased a 505, you would not be subsidizing Amazon at all. And the 505 and Gen3 also read DRM-free formats as well. LRF is without DRM and Mobipocket can be without DRM. Just purchase in LIT, strip the DRM, explode with lit2oeb, use lit2lrf or Mobipocket Publisher and you have a DRM free file you can use on a 505 or a Gen3. No money going to Amazon at all.

4. MSRP for the Jetbook might be $350, but street price is really $300, which is close to or considerably less than the street price of all the other major readers except the ebookwise.

Sony sells the 505 for $299.99. How is the Jetbook considerably less? And I took a look online last night and found B&H selling the 505 for $267.99. That's less then the Jetbook. So the prce of the Jetbook is high especially given the old technology being used. The LCD screen for the Jetbook should be selling for a lot less then an eink screen especially since the LCD screen is smaller in size.

Anyway, those are some of my reasons.

--
Bill

Did you actually look into the benefits of say a 505 or a Gen3?

Heck, get a V3 (no idea the price to get one in the USA) and you'll spend a lot less time converting content other then removing DRM.

But for the 505 & Gen3, converting content is easy and you don't have to actually go hunting the net for something to convert to FB2. Book Designer will output FB2 format. But, I don't know how good it's FB2 output is. PLus, you have to manage the text once it's in BD. With Calibre and Mobipocket Publisher, the work is a lot easier.

So basically, what advantages does the Jetbook actually have over the 505, Gen3, or V3? It's not price as the 505 can be had for less. It's not easy of content conversion as the 505, Gen3, & V3 have it all over the Jetbook in that regrad. It's not screen size as the 6" screen is nicer then the 5" screen. It's not power consumpsion as eink uses less pwer then LCD. I just don't see it.

When you see free eBook available in multiple formats, FB2 is not one of them, so you'll end up having to spend a lot more time converting then you would for the eink devices.