[hoboslobobabe]

Hi!
I can't and don't want to recommend a specific device, I haven't had one myself yet.
But generally, I have to say that buying electronic stuff for other people, especially when they are a little older isnt easy.

When I go to find something my parents, I have learned to either not look at the price but solely on the convenience or not buy anything (because if unconvenient they wont use it anyway or I'll have to exchange it).
I made that mistakes when I bought wireless phones for them, and I wont make that mistake a 3rd time .

You have to consider the usability in a big way.
The haptics, the ergonomics of the device, the size and the contrast of the screen, the intuitivity of the menus.
Ruggedness might be a factor too.

It shouldn't have too many buttons, but enough so you can use the Ereader without having to go too often and too deep in menus.
The buttons should be easy to handle, I read about the Opus that the buttons are a pain for example.
I know people with arthritis who totally dislike small buttons especially when they are closesly arranged.
I am not sure how a menu "joystick" of a PB 301 and its buttons on the side would work for them, if that's okay I guess that Ereader is an option.

An Ereader also must have the buttons logically arranged, so for example you can hold the device in one hand or both hands and turn the page easily.
There are examples where you would hold the device in say your right hand on the right side of the reader, and have to turn the page with your left hand on the bottom of the reader which is altogether a pretty unstable and inconvenient approach.

I would opt for a bigger screen than 6" since you mentioned she has vision problems.
Which would apparently narrow down the alternatives.
For example Irex, the Sony PRS 900, and if it should be released soon the PB 901.
They have touchscreens (the PB doesnt) are about the same weight at 360g.
Sounds heavy perhaps, but your PRS 600 already weights 285g.
So you can compare how heavy that might be for your mother.
Perhaps the older PRS 700 is an option, I’m not sure.
Some touchscreens are said to have either contrast problems or problems with reflections or both.
For someone with vision problems (and for a lot of other peole too) that is a NoGo, so if you would prefer a bigger screen you have to check whether their touchscreen hasnt got these problems.

The Kindle 2 as recommended by Jezebel might be a good option.
My prejudice is, it might be simple to use and personally I dig the side buttons.
However, I am not sure whether she will be happy with a 6" screen and whether she really needs the keyboard.
Plus, the Kindle doesnt do epub does it?
I dunno, maybe that's all okay for your mother.

Concerning the PB 302 I read a review whose author was pretty unhappy with the Home-Button, it's right in the middle of the device at the bottom, which might be inconvenient for both lefties and righthanded people, and the button doesnt have the joystick functionality of the button that the 301 has.

Have you thought about how your mother will get ahold of books and how she can get them on her device?
I am just curious, because I have never considered 84 year people as interested in Ereaders especially getting used to them andwhat comes with it (using a PC, buying books online etc.).
Indeed a Kindle might be pretty neat for that because you can buy the books and get it on your Ereader without a PC.


]Greetz
Hobo


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