MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - Suggestions for e-reader "upgrade"?

Freso · 12-26-2023, 08:10 PM

I currently have/use an old PocketBook 515W which serves me okay most of the time, but I have a few things I've been desiring for a while...

Built-in light -- I've been trying out clip-on lights but they are very cumbersome to deal with, IME so far, and I'd like to be able to read in the dark
Colour -- doesn't have to be 32bit colour, but a dash of colour beyond white/grey/black to e.g. be able to decipher graphs/charts and such would be quite helpful sometimes

Some very nice-to-haves:

Touchscreen, esp. with ability to take notes directly on the screen -- this doesn't have to be super involved, but having to press 50 buttons (on the 515) for every letter (once you've actually navigated into note taking) just makes me not do it, and I think it would be helpful for me if I was able to
Physical page turning buttons
Slightly larger than 515 (5") but not too much (<10", maybe?)

Also nice-to-haves:

USB-C connector -- for recharging and data exchange
Ability to interface directly with Libby and/or Open Library/archive.org
Open system -- allowing me to put my own software on it, either others' or if I write it myself (e.g. to add options to interface with Open Library, BookBrainz, or other services)
Waterproof enough to sit outside in the rain with it or to have it survive a water bottle spill accident in a backpack
Bluetooth -- for audiobooks or "music for reading"; possibly for external keyboard; possibly for interfacing with phone/PCs

Some things I am not interested in:

LCD or other innately backlit screen tech
Anything Apple or Amazon or other proprietary walled garden systems

So far the best(/only?) fit I've come across is PocketBook InkPad Color (2? 3?), but some reviews are not all too stoked about the colour, complaining mostly(?) about its lack of vibrancy, which isn't my biggest concern, but maybe it's worse than I imagine? And are there any other candidates I've missed that fit the above?

12-26-2023, 08:10 PM	#1
Freso Junior Member Posts: 7 Karma: 9144 Join Date: Dec 2023 Location: Sweden/Denmark Device: PocketBook 515W → Kobo Libra Colour	Suggestions for e-reader "upgrade"? I currently have/use an old PocketBook 515W which serves me okay most of the time, but I have a few things I've been desiring for a while... Built-in light -- I've been trying out clip-on lights but they are very cumbersome to deal with, IME so far, and I'd like to be able to read in the dark Colour -- doesn't have to be 32bit colour, but a dash of colour beyond white/grey/black to e.g. be able to decipher graphs/charts and such would be quite helpful sometimes Some very nice-to-haves: Touchscreen, esp. with ability to take notes directly on the screen -- this doesn't have to be super involved, but having to press 50 buttons (on the 515) for every letter (once you've actually navigated into note taking) just makes me not do it, and I think it would be helpful for me if I was able to Physical page turning buttons Slightly larger than 515 (5") but not too much (<10", maybe?) Also nice-to-haves: USB-C connector -- for recharging and data exchange Ability to interface directly with Libby and/or Open Library/archive.org Open system -- allowing me to put my own software on it, either others' or if I write it myself (e.g. to add options to interface with Open Library, BookBrainz, or other services) Waterproof enough to sit outside in the rain with it or to have it survive a water bottle spill accident in a backpack Bluetooth -- for audiobooks or "music for reading"; possibly for external keyboard; possibly for interfacing with phone/PCs Some things I am not interested in: LCD or other innately backlit screen tech Anything Apple or Amazon or other proprietary walled garden systems So far the best(/only?) fit I've come across is PocketBook InkPad Color (2? 3?), but some reviews are not all too stoked about the colour, complaining mostly(?) about its lack of vibrancy, which isn't my biggest concern, but maybe it's worse than I imagine? And are there any other candidates I've missed that fit the above?