Quote:
Originally Posted by Faenad
I don't understand all this buzz for this device.
Sure, it's seem cheap, but when you add shipping, Paypal fee and the eventual import taxes it's end in the 240-300$ range, ie more or less the same than the other readers.
And it's coming directly from China, meaning that if you need support/warranty it will be as best costly, at worse nonexistent.
Not to mention the website selling the devices also sell fake Iphone and HTC devices, coming complete with pirated software and Apple/HTC logo.
And it's not like it's the only LCD device fit to serve as a reader.
If you are not convinced by E-ink, there are a lot of LCD device on the market.
If you want only an LCD ebook reader, there is the Jetbook.
If you need a multi-purpose devices, there are offerings in all screen sizes : 3.5" Ipod, 4" to 5" PDA, 7" to 11" Netbook, etc.
There are regularly good promotions on Netbooks, recently CompUSA had refurbished 9" Acer netbook with XP at 199$.
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So, your point that it is about the same price with shipping and the paypal charge as an eInk ebook device... Well yeah, that's our point too. Except it does alot more than a reader device. Its also an LCD and some of us prefer it over eInk for reasons stated before.
I don't see any pirated software on their site. I see devices that emulate an Apple device - and there are a lot of them - but nothing that is pirated. That is simply misinformation.
There is no doubt that the warranty situation could be a problem. Then again, it may not be as bad as you make it out to be either. I'll let you know if I need to do something with it.
Who said it was the only device fit to serve as a reader? I have quite a few devices that do the trick. The interesting thing about this device is that it does all the things those other devices do and is the form factor/size I'm looking for. It also does far more than just a single function device does. It runs a version of Linux and is hackable to modify even more excellent and free (totally legal) software. Have you ever owned a Nokia Internet Tablet? If you have, you know exactly what I'm talking about and you know its a pretty nifty and fun device to have.
I have an iPhone sitting right next to me right now. Its not too bad to read on, but my Nokia N770 is better. Still, I want something a bit bigger. The Nokia is great for travel and I'll continue using it for that, but this SmartQ 7 will be used around the house. I can remote into a desktop and do some cool things. I can surf the net, and I can read. Sounds perfect, and its big enough that it feels like a paperback. I like that.
As far as netbooks and notebooks - I don't want one. If I wanted a laptop or something with a keyboard sticking out I would buy one. I have a Macbook Pro and a Dell XPS laptop sitting next to me already. I don't really need a device with a teeny little keyboard. Basically, the form factor is not what I'm looking for.
I know exactly what I'm looking for. This device is a very good step in the right direction. I've studied countless devices and purchased enough of them to make my wife hate them with a passion. So now you know why *I* feel this is so cool and so useful.
Regards,
Cold