[Halk]

For the third time in the 2 years I've owned a Cybook my screen broke today.

First time - my fault, it flew off the bed (I had forgotten it was there). Direct impact on the screen...dead.

Second time, in the case, case closed... a very small amount of pressure on the edge of the case, audible crack, dead screen.

Today, didn't hear it, don't know exactly when it happened, but it was in the same pocket it always goes in, in the case, turned off.

The second one I blame on Bookeen - the light plastic cover offers no protection at all, any pressure on that is transferred to the screen. The third time I blame on them, the case offers no protection against torsion (twisting). I do NOT suggest anyone does this, but you can easily show how flexible the case is (and how badly this transfers to the screen) by simply holding two opposite corners between two fingers each and twisting slightly. This WILL BREAK your device, so only do it to a broken one.

When these first came out we were all saying be careful with them, and nobody seemed to dispute that they needed to be kept in the "protective cover". I've now come to the conclusion that the device has been badly designed, and no protective cover short of something entirely rigid can protect these. By rigid I mean something that will ensure no pressure applied to the case is transferred to the Cybook itself.

As far as the device itself is concerned it's very good, the folder support that finally came at Christmas is fantastic, but the device itself is too fragile, and rather than have the screen replaced I went out and bought a new one (within 2 hours of the screen breaking... I believe I'm addicted to eink!).

I'm over in the states just now and at the time I didn't have a laptop (I bought one at the same time as the Sony Reader) so couldn't easily shop around, I had a look at the Nook and the Reader, neither offered folder support, but they are both a whole lot more secure.

So to anyone thinking of buying a Cybook Gen3, only do so if you're prepared to not take it around the house/travel with it, or you are happy finding a metal case for it. It's easily the best reader around, but the case is a killer for me.

And to anyone who has one, please please don't make the assumption that I did, that if it's in the case it's safe - it isn't! Please be careful and don't end up in the same boat as me!