Quote:
Originally Posted by daisies
I should have added at the beginning that I'm hoping to stay under $100 or at least not a whole lot higher -- used is fine. We are very low-tech, so she's not picky -- she'll be thrilled with anything that gives her access to books.
OK, off to read a little about some of these things.
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The ebookwise 1150 runs $99. New. Old tech a decade old but robust and works like a charm. No library access but rechargeable batteries. Enough RAM for about a 100-200 books. You can find plenty of PD books here or at Munseys.com already in ebookwise format; just download and copy.
The Jetbook Light at Newegg.com is currently running $129. Price seems to vary a bit. If overseas power might be an issue the fact that it uses regular AA batteries (one-use or rechargeable) may be a factor.
PDA: if you can find a Sony Clie or HP Jornada 6xx series and install the free Mobipocket Reader you'll have access to library books *and* the ubiquitous PD books using the PRC/Mobi versions. Jornadas had outdoor readable transflective color screens and a great side-mounted rocker switch for paging plus a flip-up hard screen cover. Games and music are an option. Jornadas use Compact Flash card, Clies Memory sticks for flash memory both of which are readily available and cheap. Just copy the books to the card and plug it into the reader. Jornadas look like the classic STAR TREK comunicator, too.
iPod Touch: if you can find a used or refurbished one in your range (Amazon has the newest 8GB version at $149 refurb, $179 new) you could install the Kindle Reader app which can handle the Mobipocket format PD books *and* the Txtr Reader App which should *theoretically* handle Adobe-DRM Library ebooks. (Haven't seen it verified.)
http://www.teleread.org/2010/01/15/t...or-ipod-touch/
Don't know if the new Kobo app supports library books but the iPod Touch can be configured to read most ebook formats with one reader app or another (stanza in particular seems to be very popular) and you do get a media player and game platform on the side.
Of the eink readers, the Sony PRS300 is currently running $169 new, $130 refurbed from ecost.com, among others. It will handle Adobe DRM library ebooks, the usual PS books, and last up to 2 weeks between charges. Since it an be recharged off any PC via USB overseas power shouldn't be an issue. You get no extra features like media playback or gaming but you get the sharpest text display and the largest screen size of all the listed options thanks to the eink.
The project sounds doable; the kid should be pleased.
Edit: I'd like to pass it as a typo but it was probaby a braincramp; the HP Jornada I wanted to reference was the Jornada 56x series PDAs, not the 6xx clamshell pocket computers. Both are good devices and both run Mobipocket, but the 56x is the one that is best for ebook reading, of course. Sorrry!!