Quote:
Originally Posted by jduffy
What I am worried about is a unit that MUST be returned to the factory for an EXPENSIVE replacement when it becomes worn out and will no longer hold a charge.
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The various Jinke clones have user replaceable batteries. In the United States, this means the Astak EZReader (6") and the Astak EZReader PocketPro (5"). I have the PocketPro for my son and I think its great.
However, there is one concern about the PPro's user replaceable battery. It is easily user replaceable, but we have yet to find a generic battery for it. This means that you would have to get the battery from the manufacturer.
Have you tried replacing, say a cell phone battery after a couple of years? My experience is that you can find batteries for some of the 'hot' models, but that even phones from name brand manufacturers can be harder to get batteries for after a couple of years.
If battery replacement is a major concern of yours, I'd think that the only way to go is to buy a spare battery now. The good news is that Astak sells them now for only $15, so if this is a concern of yours, you could buy a spare battery now.
I'm not personally convinced its a good purchase, though. What is the chance that you will still have the same unit in good working order, but for the battery in two to three years? As a comparison, how many people have three year old cell phones? ipods? If, for example, your screen breaks, you might never need that replacement battery. Let's say that you have a 1 in 3 chance of having the unit last long enough to need a new battery. This means that, on average you would spend $45 for every one batteries needing replacement. You might be better just waiting to see if you need one. Furthermore, with the dropping price of book readers it might be better to simply replace the reader. The PPro is $199 today -- I'd predict a price of $99 to $125 for an equivalent device in two to three years.