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artifact · 06-03-2009, 12:00 PM

I'm happy with my jetBook purchase and not regretting the decision. The bottom line, for me, was the price. -- $170 at Frys. That lets me buy one now without majorly wincing in a year or three as technology improves or caring as much about potential breakage. I find the Kindle to be far uglier plus it wastes a lot of real estate with the keyboard and edges of the device. I've seen some comments about cheap plastic but its fine for me. I have dropped it from coffee table height to the hardwood floor. I've stuffed it in a beach bag and carry on luggage. Cats have sat on it. I've probably squeezed the screen more than I should. Nothing broken yet *knock on wood*.

I don't care about a dictionary or playing music, I just want to read books. The Whispernet connectivity is a 'nice to have' but wasn't worth $200+. I'm also on a Mac and one reason I talked myself out of the Sony is because it seemed to be more of a hassle (plus Sony has questionable ethics.)

I've also read mentions of a short battery but it seems pretty long to me. I read it down to 'critical' where it auto-shuts off and then plug it in and keep reading. Casual reading it'd take some effort to reach this point. I haven't timed it but I think it can go a week of a few hours session a day.

Benefits:
Price
Reads in sunlight
Easy on the eyes
No flash on page refresh
Threads here by eInk converts indicate the screen is sharper
Folders
SD card expandability
Charger + soft case included plus any standard mini-USB works. (I use my phone's wall plug to charge it)
International warranty
Read while its charging
Keeps track of last page opened for each book
Smaller size

Negatives:
No DRM support for legal reading of new releases.
Support seems to be ESL types judging by the Ecato forums which may make communicating a problem difficult if you are an English speaker.
No management software but supposedly Calibre works now
PDF still can use some improvements (I believe this is true for all eReaders)
Greenish screen -- I don't see it but it seems to bother some people

I haven't looked much at graphics/comics. I (and probably other jetBook owners) am willing to give it a test if you have specific examples.

06-03-2009, 12:00 PM	#6
artifact Addict Posts: 276 Karma: 3569616 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: jetBook (RIP), Kobo Touch	I'm happy with my jetBook purchase and not regretting the decision. The bottom line, for me, was the price. -- $170 at Frys. That lets me buy one now without majorly wincing in a year or three as technology improves or caring as much about potential breakage. I find the Kindle to be far uglier plus it wastes a lot of real estate with the keyboard and edges of the device. I've seen some comments about cheap plastic but its fine for me. I have dropped it from coffee table height to the hardwood floor. I've stuffed it in a beach bag and carry on luggage. Cats have sat on it. I've probably squeezed the screen more than I should. Nothing broken yet knock on wood. I don't care about a dictionary or playing music, I just want to read books. The Whispernet connectivity is a 'nice to have' but wasn't worth $200+. I'm also on a Mac and one reason I talked myself out of the Sony is because it seemed to be more of a hassle (plus Sony has questionable ethics.) I've also read mentions of a short battery but it seems pretty long to me. I read it down to 'critical' where it auto-shuts off and then plug it in and keep reading. Casual reading it'd take some effort to reach this point. I haven't timed it but I think it can go a week of a few hours session a day. Benefits: Price Reads in sunlight Easy on the eyes No flash on page refresh Threads here by eInk converts indicate the screen is sharper Folders SD card expandability Charger + soft case included plus any standard mini-USB works. (I use my phone's wall plug to charge it) International warranty Read while its charging Keeps track of last page opened for each book Smaller size Negatives: No DRM support for legal reading of new releases. Support seems to be ESL types judging by the Ecato forums which may make communicating a problem difficult if you are an English speaker. No management software but supposedly Calibre works now PDF still can use some improvements (I believe this is true for all eReaders) Greenish screen -- I don't see it but it seems to bother some people I haven't looked much at graphics/comics. I (and probably other jetBook owners) am willing to give it a test if you have specific examples.