Quote:
Need to have:
Waterproof (for bathtub use)
Basic browser functionality (mainly Reddit text posts and comments, light articles)
Expandable storage, either a card slot or easily being able to open the back and swap an internal SD or micro SD card, or optionally 64GB+ storage not expandable
Easily sideload books in nearly any common format, probably mostly epub, maybe some mobi
Nice to have:
Physical buttons
Open / unlocked software and ecosystem, the more open the better
My budget is max $100 for a new or used reader, preferably closer to $50.
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The OP is in the U.S. I just checked ebay; and a few Kobo Aura H2O (N250) are listed for sale, for about $50; shipping extra. (although carefully read and look at the pictures, I see some of them are clearly busted).
Waterproof: theoretically yes; but I see some people on this thread have said it doesn't last--so buyer beware I guess. Possibly just put it in a zip baggie anyway.
Basic Browser: yes, under beta features.
Expandable Storage: *if* it's the older one, the N250 -- yes. If it's the newer one you get, (N867) no.
Formats: epub, mobi, and others.
Physical buttons: No
Open ecosystem: I think Kobo is pretty open. There's patches available to Kobo software to make it even more custom to your liking; as well as you can add KoReader if you like, as an alternative reading app.
So IMHO...with the budget constraints, looking at a used older model Kobo Aura H2O fits their Musts and one of their Wishes.
Of course, if their budget can be increased to consider a new device--then more options open up.