What's the downside of a Libre Pro versus a Jetbook?

theusualuser · 10-24-2010, 08:40 AM

EDIT: I just noticed that there is a very similar thread already on the forum comparing the firmware of the libre pro with that of the jetbook. Maybe we can use this one to shed some more light on the situation? If not, sorry for wasting a thread

I know that there have been other threads asking which one you should buy (JB, JBL or Libre Pro or I guess JB Mini, now), but I want to know which device has the best firmware (the jetbook firmware is different than the JBL, right?).

Also, is there any advantage to buying a Jetbook over a Libre Pro? I haven't found a cheap original Jetbook (I HAVE found the JBL for $99 at Newegg) but I've been seeing a lot of Libre Pros on ebay and I think I could get one for around $100, maybe less, with shipping if I'm crafty. Is there any downside to owning a Libre Pro versus a Jetbook or Jetbook Lite?

And yes, I do know about the AA batteries in the JBL. That's not too important to me, since I'm often very close to an outlet when I read (I read the most at my night job at a hotel).

Hopefully this didn't come out as too confusing. It's late, and I'm starting to fall asleep at the keyboard.

Catlady · 10-24-2010, 12:27 PM

I'm too new to the world of e-readers to answer any of your questions, but I did want to let you know that Borders has the Libre Pro on sale for $99.99 through November 15.

Jack Tingle · 10-25-2010, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theusualuser

EDIT: ... I want to know which device has the best firmware (the jetbook firmware is different than the JBL, right?).

Not quite.

1) IMO, the jetBook has the better firmware, since it reads a wider variety of ebook formats.
2) The jetbook/JBL firmware is functionally identical in its latest versions (AFAIK). The difference is the JBL doesn't have any way to operate its non-existent MP3 player. For some reason, ebook manufacturers seemed at one time to think that making a good ebook reader into a bad MP3 player is a selling point.

Regards,
Jack Tingle

Ken Maltby · 10-25-2010, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack Tingle

Not quite.

1) IMO, the jetBook has the better firmware, since it reads a wider variety of ebook formats.
2) The jetbook/JBL firmware is functionally identical in its latest versions (AFAIK). The difference is the JBL doesn't have any way to operate its non-existent MP3 player. For some reason, ebook manufacturers seemed at one time to think that making a good ebook reader into a bad MP3 player is a selling point.

Regards,
Jack Tingle

So does the latest Jetbook firmware now support .pdb and the "Secure
eReader" DRM scam? I haven't been keeping up.

Luck;
Ken

hiaig · 10-26-2010, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken Maltby

So does the latest Jetbook firmware now support .pdb and the "Secure
eReader" DRM scam? I haven't been keeping up.

Luck;
Ken

the Jetbook does support .pdb and ADE DRM. I'm not sure about "Secure ereader" ... is it the same as ADE?

Cheers

Ken Maltby · 10-26-2010, 04:35 PM

Good, there are a lot of us who still have .pdb files from our PDA reading days.

The Secure eReader DRM is for .pdb ebook files, and is the reason B&N bought
Fictionwise, who owned eReader.com and the DRM technology. It is the basis
for the B&N .epub DRM scam, and works the same (except that that no spaces
are allowed in the B&N .epub version for the name field of the unlock data).
The latest version of the ADE DRM scam implementation now also supports the
B&N .epub DRM. (It does not support .pdb so it doesn't support Secure eReader
DRM either.)

**Correction it is not ADE that has changed to include the B&N DRM scam, but
the Adobe Reader***

Luck;
Ken

alroy · 10-28-2010, 01:51 AM

I don't think there is any downside to owning a Libre Pro over the JBL. Both have the same software. The JBL has replaceable batteries which will cost you a lot over the rechargeable Libre Pro battery. You can use recharageable batteries in the JBL but I doubt they will last more than 10 hours of reading before needing recharging. The JBL has a dictionary lookup that the Libre Pro does not have.

dixieknits · 10-28-2010, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack Tingle

Not quite.

1) IMO, the jetBook has the better firmware, since it reads a wider variety of ebook formats.
2) The jetbook/JBL firmware is functionally identical in its latest versions (AFAIK). The difference is the JBL doesn't have any way to operate its non-existent MP3 player. For some reason, ebook manufacturers seemed at one time to think that making a good ebook reader into a bad MP3 player is a selling point.

Regards,
Jack Tingle

Jack, I don't quite understand the above. Does JBL have an mp3 player? If not, yes it would be hard to use and if so, is there no software in the flashdrive to operate it?
I'm quite happy with the MP3 player in my Jetbook pro. It works well and I use it frequently. The Kindle also has the external speakers that are really nice for quiet listening in the evening . I wouldn't call either of them bad MP3players, though neither have alot of search, playback speed, etc. features.
I have a coworker trying to decide between an Aluratek and Kindle and I don't know the features of the Aluratek or how it operates so can't offer much help except I do like my Kindle and love my Jetbook..(more)

GA Russell · 10-28-2010, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alroy

You can use recharageable batteries in the JBL but I doubt they will last more than 10 hours of reading before needing recharging.

alroy, the rechargeable batteries last 24 hours of reading on the JBL. For me, that's about two weeks.

jbcohen · 10-28-2010, 11:52 AM

Looks like they are the same thing except for the firmware. Here is the differences that I can see:

Jetbook:
1) Can read a lot more formats, not really important as far as I am concerned since the dominant formats tend to be epub and pdf which both can read;
2) the jetbook can use a lot more different spoken langueges; not real important since english is my native tounge and both can converse in that languege.

Only difference that I can see is $79, the Aluratek costs less.

Kris777 · 10-28-2010, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbcohen

Looks like they are the same thing except for the firmware. Here is the differences that I can see:

Jetbook:
1) Can read a lot more formats, not really important as far as I am concerned since the dominant formats tend to be epub and pdf which both can read;
2) the jetbook can use a lot more different spoken langueges; not real important since english is my native tounge and both can converse in that languege.

Only difference that I can see is $79, the Aluratek costs less.

The price for jetBook Lite - $99 with Free leather case:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16858723010

jetBook Lite has support for B&N epub ebooks (Aluratek and regular jetBook has no support for it )

soondai · 10-29-2010, 12:45 AM

where is it going for 79? Is this referring to the sale a month ago at Fry's?

Checked there, Borders, Newegg, and Google shopping and I'm not finding a better price than the 99 jBL on Newegg

theusualuser · 10-29-2010, 05:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soondai

where is it going for 79? Is this referring to the sale a month ago at Fry's?

Checked there, Borders, Newegg, and Google shopping and I'm not finding a better price than the 99 jBL on Newegg

I'm looking into ebay for mine. There are about 5 or 6 at a time up for auction. I've been watching to see what the general price for them is. Here's what I've seen over the last few days.

Ectaco Jetbook:

Sold for $58 plus $10 shipping

Ectaco Jetbook Lite:

Sold for $51 plus $8 shipping

Aluratek Libre Pro:

Sold for $56 plus $13 shipping

Sold for $61 plus $13 shipping

Sold for $94.50 plus shipping (this one included 2gb card)

Sold for $51 plus $10 shipping

That's what I've seen in about the last week or so. I'll keep watching, but it looks like you've gotten a pretty good deal if you can get one below $65 including shipping.

NOTE: There are currently 2 ectaco jetbooks for sale and about 6 Aluratek Libres, just in case you wondered. I've got them all on my watch list. The real question I have, is why is the Astak EZreader selling for so much on there. Those have been going at well over $100 not including shipping. Is it the .lit support?

GA Russell · 10-29-2010, 12:21 PM

Those are great prices! Are those new units, or are they used?

Ken Maltby · 10-29-2010, 01:16 PM

Buying something from Ebay, or even an unknown net retailer, that can be so easily
damaged by mishandling, seems a risky undertaking. With the Jetbooks and the Libres
there seems to be quality control issues at the manufacturing end and you can get one
like those I've bought that have no issues or you can get one with some real problems.
There are those who seem to have no problem selling defective devices they may
acquire. (Some have even bragged of doing so.)

On the other hand, I have had no problems with factory "Refurbished" devices from
reputable sources.

Luck;
Ken

10-24-2010, 08:40 AM	#1
theusualuser Enthusiast Posts: 37 Karma: 102 Join Date: Oct 2010 Device: none	What's the downside of a Libre Pro versus a Jetbook? EDIT: I just noticed that there is a very similar thread already on the forum comparing the firmware of the libre pro with that of the jetbook. Maybe we can use this one to shed some more light on the situation? If not, sorry for wasting a thread I know that there have been other threads asking which one you should buy (JB, JBL or Libre Pro or I guess JB Mini, now), but I want to know which device has the best firmware (the jetbook firmware is different than the JBL, right?). Also, is there any advantage to buying a Jetbook over a Libre Pro? I haven't found a cheap original Jetbook (I HAVE found the JBL for $99 at Newegg) but I've been seeing a lot of Libre Pros on ebay and I think I could get one for around $100, maybe less, with shipping if I'm crafty. Is there any downside to owning a Libre Pro versus a Jetbook or Jetbook Lite? And yes, I do know about the AA batteries in the JBL. That's not too important to me, since I'm often very close to an outlet when I read (I read the most at my night job at a hotel). Hopefully this didn't come out as too confusing. It's late, and I'm starting to fall asleep at the keyboard. Last edited by theusualuser; 10-24-2010 at 09:07 AM. Reason: Noticed another thread that's very similar

10-26-2010, 04:35 PM	#6
Ken Maltby Wizard Posts: 4,466 Karma: 6900052 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: The Heart of Texas Device: Boox Note2, AuraHD, PDA,	Good, there are a lot of us who still have .pdb files from our PDA reading days. The Secure eReader DRM is for .pdb ebook files, and is the reason B&N bought Fictionwise, who owned eReader.com and the DRM technology. It is the basis for the B&N .epub DRM scam, and works the same (except that that no spaces are allowed in the B&N .epub version for the name field of the unlock data). The latest version of the ADE DRM scam implementation now also supports the B&N .epub DRM. (It does not support .pdb so it doesn't support Secure eReader DRM either.) Correction it is not ADE that has changed to include the B&N DRM scam, but the Adobe Reader* Luck; Ken Last edited by Ken Maltby; 10-28-2010 at 07:35 PM.

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10-24-2010, 12:27 PM	#2
Catlady Grand Sorcerer Posts: 7,406 Karma: 52613881 Join Date: Oct 2010 Device: Kindle Fire, Kindle Paperwhite, AGPTek Bluetooth Clip	I'm too new to the world of e-readers to answer any of your questions, but I did want to let you know that Borders has the Libre Pro on sale for $99.99 through November 15.

10-28-2010, 01:51 AM	#7
alroy Enthusiast Posts: 46 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Toronto, Ontario Device: Bookeen Opus/Pocket Pro/eSlick/Libre Pro	I don't think there is any downside to owning a Libre Pro over the JBL. Both have the same software. The JBL has replaceable batteries which will cost you a lot over the rechargeable Libre Pro battery. You can use recharageable batteries in the JBL but I doubt they will last more than 10 hours of reading before needing recharging. The JBL has a dictionary lookup that the Libre Pro does not have.

10-28-2010, 11:52 AM	#10
jbcohen Wizard Posts: 3,030 Karma: 11196738 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Where am I? Device: Kindle Paperwhite Signature edition and a Samsung S24 Ultra	Looks like they are the same thing except for the firmware. Here is the differences that I can see: Jetbook: 1) Can read a lot more formats, not really important as far as I am concerned since the dominant formats tend to be epub and pdf which both can read; 2) the jetbook can use a lot more different spoken langueges; not real important since english is my native tounge and both can converse in that languege. Only difference that I can see is $79, the Aluratek costs less.

10-29-2010, 12:45 AM	#12
soondai Guru Posts: 672 Karma: 1109784 Join Date: Aug 2010 Device: Paperwhite	where is it going for 79? Is this referring to the sale a month ago at Fry's? Checked there, Borders, Newegg, and Google shopping and I'm not finding a better price than the 99 jBL on Newegg

10-29-2010, 12:21 PM	#14
GA Russell Argos win Grey Cup! Posts: 7,674 Karma: 31487351 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Raleigh, NC Device: Paperwhite, Kindles 10 & 4 and jetBook Lite	Those are great prices! Are those new units, or are they used?

10-29-2010, 01:16 PM	#15
Ken Maltby Wizard Posts: 4,466 Karma: 6900052 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: The Heart of Texas Device: Boox Note2, AuraHD, PDA,	Buying something from Ebay, or even an unknown net retailer, that can be so easily damaged by mishandling, seems a risky undertaking. With the Jetbooks and the Libres there seems to be quality control issues at the manufacturing end and you can get one like those I've bought that have no issues or you can get one with some real problems. There are those who seem to have no problem selling defective devices they may acquire. (Some have even bragged of doing so.) On the other hand, I have had no problems with factory "Refurbished" devices from reputable sources. Luck; Ken

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