low-budget eReader with minimum capabilities

USBoM · 03-05-2009, 10:30 PM

Hello friends of the written word,

I'm a German exchange student in America and I've fallen in love with original English(/American) literature and as I'll have to leave America some day, I need a eReader, as in I won't have access to printed English books at home.
It needs to be:
- absolutely low-budet (at most $200, but rather like $150), second-hand is possible
- compatible with Intel-Macs (software has to be able to convert pdf's and plaintext into the specific format)
- E-Ink (or something else, but in any case eye-friendly), doesn't need to have more that black&white
- as small as possible
- 6"-screened
- "Umlaut"-compatible (öäü + ß)

- charged with USB or with a europe-compatible charger
- compatible with at least one DRM-format (in case I want some newer books etc.)

I've had a look at several eReaders at eBay and the only one that fit my needs was the Sony PRS-505 and the combination out of an iPod touch + Stanza/Kindle, but I'm not sure about the display and battery lifetime of the iPod.

You know any other devices that meet my needs?

(Or write me a PM in case you want to get rid of your PRS-505

)

HarryT · 03-06-2009, 11:55 AM

If you want to go REALLY cheap, get a 2nd hand Pocket PC. That will let you read MobiPocket, Microsoft Reader, eReader, etc, at a really low price. I read on such devices for many years. Get something like an HP iPaq4700 or a Dell Axim with a 640x480 4" screen.

USBoM · 03-07-2009, 08:59 PM

2nd hand pocketpc's sound good, but what is about their battery lifetime and the screen format - isn't 4" a bit small? And what's about the conversion process to their format - is the software available for mac?

cerement · 03-07-2009, 09:05 PM

The next step up from either a secondhand Pocket PC or a Palm is the Ectaco JetBook which runs approx $200 new (reflective LCD screen, relatively decent battery life).

Beyond that, you're looking at either the eInk readers starting around $300 new or one of the netbook style PCs (Asus eeePC, Sony Vaio P, Dell Mini 9) starting around $400 new ...

dmaul1114 · 03-07-2009, 09:16 PM

Could look into a kindle 1 or Sony 505 used. I just grabbed 5 month old Kindle 1 in great condition for $200 locally from Craigslist.

AbFabGab · 03-07-2009, 09:23 PM

Did you check out the Ebookwise 1150?
It goes for about $125 USD.

There's a forum on here for that device
and you can also check it out at:
www.ebookwise.com

USBoM · 03-07-2009, 10:26 PM

The eBookwise looks like it could fit and on ebay are some for sale for a really good price, but without a ac/dc adapter it's useless. Will this one work as a replacement, and is there any chance it'll work with my mac(incl a library manager)?

AbFabGab · 03-08-2009, 11:47 AM

Note on that auction that it says "untested"..
it may or may not work.

Best bet - check out the ebookwise forum here:
Fictionwise eBookwise

Experienced ebookwise owners & users will be able to
give you better answers.

03-05-2009, 10:30 PM	#1
USBoM Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: none	low-budget eReader with minimum capabilities Hello friends of the written word, I'm a German exchange student in America and I've fallen in love with original English(/American) literature and as I'll have to leave America some day, I need a eReader, as in I won't have access to printed English books at home. It needs to be: - absolutely low-budet (at most $200, but rather like $150), second-hand is possible - compatible with Intel-Macs (software has to be able to convert pdf's and plaintext into the specific format) - E-Ink (or something else, but in any case eye-friendly), doesn't need to have more that black&white - as small as possible - 6"-screened - "Umlaut"-compatible (öäü + ß) - charged with USB or with a europe-compatible charger - compatible with at least one DRM-format (in case I want some newer books etc.) I've had a look at several eReaders at eBay and the only one that fit my needs was the Sony PRS-505 and the combination out of an iPod touch + Stanza/Kindle, but I'm not sure about the display and battery lifetime of the iPod. You know any other devices that meet my needs? (Or write me a PM in case you want to get rid of your PRS-505 )

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03-06-2009, 11:55 AM	#2
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	If you want to go REALLY cheap, get a 2nd hand Pocket PC. That will let you read MobiPocket, Microsoft Reader, eReader, etc, at a really low price. I read on such devices for many years. Get something like an HP iPaq4700 or a Dell Axim with a 640x480 4" screen.

03-07-2009, 08:59 PM	#3
USBoM Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: none	2nd hand pocketpc's sound good, but what is about their battery lifetime and the screen format - isn't 4" a bit small? And what's about the conversion process to their format - is the software available for mac?

03-07-2009, 09:05 PM	#4
cerement Groupie Posts: 170 Karma: 2000 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: San José, CA Device: Amazon Kindle 1, Sony PRS-300, Amazon Kindle 3	The next step up from either a secondhand Pocket PC or a Palm is the Ectaco JetBook which runs approx $200 new (reflective LCD screen, relatively decent battery life). Beyond that, you're looking at either the eInk readers starting around $300 new or one of the netbook style PCs (Asus eeePC, Sony Vaio P, Dell Mini 9) starting around $400 new ...

03-07-2009, 09:16 PM	#5
dmaul1114 Wizard Posts: 2,300 Karma: 1121709 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: Amazon Kindle 1	Could look into a kindle 1 or Sony 505 used. I just grabbed 5 month old Kindle 1 in great condition for $200 locally from Craigslist.

03-07-2009, 09:23 PM	#6
AbFabGab Gadget-Luster Posts: 330 Karma: 2157280 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: NY - USA Device: Kindle Paperwhite, Samsung Galaxy Tab S2	Did you check out the Ebookwise 1150? It goes for about $125 USD. There's a forum on here for that device and you can also check it out at: www.ebookwise.com

03-07-2009, 10:26 PM	#7
USBoM Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: none	The eBookwise looks like it could fit and on ebay are some for sale for a really good price, but without a ac/dc adapter it's useless. Will this one work as a replacement, and is there any chance it'll work with my mac(incl a library manager)?

03-08-2009, 11:47 AM	#8
AbFabGab Gadget-Luster Posts: 330 Karma: 2157280 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: NY - USA Device: Kindle Paperwhite, Samsung Galaxy Tab S2	Note on that auction that it says "untested".. it may or may not work. Best bet - check out the ebookwise forum here: Fictionwise eBookwise Experienced ebookwise owners & users will be able to give you better answers.

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