Optimistically "Simple" List

tehtas · 12-31-2010, 01:38 AM

Hello all,

I've spent the past few days lurking here and reading all the posts. You're all so nice and helpful! I was surprised to such a forum, since I'm used to seeing people throw fits and yell at "newbs" who are confused by how to go about making a decision about an eReader. In case it wasn't clear...

<--newb who is confused by how to go about making a decision about an eReader.

I saw some people suggest to make simple lists, and I figured I'd do the same thing since I couldn't really match a lot of other posts that were already listed. Forgive me, and thanks in advance for your time.

~

1. Plain reader.
-I'm not really looking for anything but a straight forward ebook/document reader. I'd just like a lot more variety in that (being able to read from the most sources): ebooks, different types of them, documents such as word or pdf or anything else.

2. Connectivity not necessary.
-While I only want an ebook reader, I'm not looking down on 3G, WiFi, etc. They're just not vital. I'm not going to be websurfing. I think it's necessary for library books, which I haven't explored but may want to, that's all.

3. Multilingual support.
-I want to be able to read in a multitude of languages: everything from Chinese character script to Arabic to Russian to etc. The more, the better, as it's rather vital to my study and work. Dictionaries are not necessary, but definitely encouraged.

4. Constant use.
-Must be able to read at night, and last for many hours. The more, the better. I'm not sure if eInk does this, but I'd also like eInk.

5. I'd like to keep the budget to below $200.

~

Thank you again, and if I need to be more detailed than this, I can be.

So far, I was thinking either Kindle (I don't like how it can only read its own documents, and not really much else) or BeBook (I like how it can read almost anything, but its cost is a little bit more than I like).

Bests,
Tas

wallcraft · 12-31-2010, 02:10 AM

You might be interested in eReader for the Hebrew reader, because this is a RTL language that many reading devices have trouble with. Essentially, the choice for Hebrew is PocketBook or an Android tablet (PocketBook also sells an Android tablet, the IQ, which seems to be one of the better ones in your price range).

PocketBook make excellent E Ink readers, and they would be a good fit to your needs. They use FBReader for non-DRM ebooks, and you can check out FBReader's multi-language support on a Linux or Windows PC. PocketBook also provides mobile Adobe Digital Editions for DRMed ePubs and PDFs, which makes them equal in this regard to practically all other ebook readers. If you buy any E Ink device, don't forget that they are like paper in needing an external light source.

Most ebook readers support any language in PDFs with embedded fonts, but a small screen is not well suited to the usual PDF page size. If you can reformat to the screen size, PDF works very well.

A rooted (Android) Nook Color is outside your price range, but probably the best LCD-based mid-sized reading device at present.

tehtas · 12-31-2010, 04:23 AM

Hebrew is actually not one of the leading languages I'm worried about. Particular scripts include:

Japanese
Chinese (modern, not traditional characters)
Russian Cyrillic script
Greek script
Arabic and Persian script

I don't mind going outside of the price range - it was just a self-imposed cap. However, I'd prefer eInk to LCD and don't want to be tied down to only one source of books (BN, in the case of the Nook).

What exact is PocketBook?

wallcraft · 12-31-2010, 05:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tehtas

What exact is PocketBook?

PocketBook is a company designing and selling ebook Readers.

My point about Hebrew was that any right to left language (Arabic, Persian, etcetera) will likely have poor support on many ebook readers. For example, likely not supported by Kindle or Adobe Digital Editions - which covers nearly every available device.

ProfCrash · 12-31-2010, 05:13 PM

You do not need WiFi or 3G to use the library. My understanding is that library books are downloaded to your computer and then side loaded onto your e-reader.

If you want to read at night and do not want to use a light then you will have to get an e-reader with an LCD screen. Wallcraft already covered your options if you are going that route.

If you are willing to use a light then you have a ton of choices in your price range. The Kindle, Nook, Kobo, Sony 350, and a few others that I am less familiar with all fall into that price range.

If you live in the US I would suggest going to Best Buy and looking at the Nook, Kindle, and Sony. All three are found at the one store. You can get a feel for which e-reader feels the best to you. Check out the button placement and make sure you are comfortable with how each one navigates.

Then check out the online bookstores. Which of the bookstores has the majority of the books that you are interested in at a price you are willing to pay.

Hopefully that will help you narrow down you choices.

Catlady · 12-31-2010, 10:05 PM

You might want to consider an Ectaco Jetbook Lite, currently on sale at Newegg for $85. It uses AA batteries, so all you need to do is get a couple of sets of rechargeable AAs and then swap them out as needed, without any downtime. It's not backlit, so you would need an extra light. But it supports various formats and languages.

OtterBooks · 12-31-2010, 11:46 PM

I'm not sure how the readers differ in language support, but your other criteria match most of the popular readers. Then it would just come down to what suited your tastes regarding the form factor of the device itself.

Of the big three, Sony, Nook and Kindle, the Sony and Kindle have newer display technology. Whether that matters, only you can say. As was said, it's probably best to check them out somewhere where you can look at all of them in one place.

12-31-2010, 01:38 AM	#1
tehtas Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2010 Device: none	Optimistically "Simple" List Hello all, I've spent the past few days lurking here and reading all the posts. You're all so nice and helpful! I was surprised to such a forum, since I'm used to seeing people throw fits and yell at "newbs" who are confused by how to go about making a decision about an eReader. In case it wasn't clear... <--newb who is confused by how to go about making a decision about an eReader. I saw some people suggest to make simple lists, and I figured I'd do the same thing since I couldn't really match a lot of other posts that were already listed. Forgive me, and thanks in advance for your time. ~ 1. Plain reader. -I'm not really looking for anything but a straight forward ebook/document reader. I'd just like a lot more variety in that (being able to read from the most sources): ebooks, different types of them, documents such as word or pdf or anything else. 2. Connectivity not necessary. -While I only want an ebook reader, I'm not looking down on 3G, WiFi, etc. They're just not vital. I'm not going to be websurfing. I think it's necessary for library books, which I haven't explored but may want to, that's all. 3. Multilingual support. -I want to be able to read in a multitude of languages: everything from Chinese character script to Arabic to Russian to etc. The more, the better, as it's rather vital to my study and work. Dictionaries are not necessary, but definitely encouraged. 4. Constant use. -Must be able to read at night, and last for many hours. The more, the better. I'm not sure if eInk does this, but I'd also like eInk. 5. I'd like to keep the budget to below $200. ~ Thank you again, and if I need to be more detailed than this, I can be. So far, I was thinking either Kindle (I don't like how it can only read its own documents, and not really much else) or BeBook (I like how it can read almost anything, but its cost is a little bit more than I like). Bests, Tas

12-31-2010, 02:10 AM	#2
wallcraft reader Posts: 6,977 Karma: 5183568 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mississippi, USA Device: Kindle 3, Kobo Glo HD	You might be interested in eReader for the Hebrew reader, because this is a RTL language that many reading devices have trouble with. Essentially, the choice for Hebrew is PocketBook or an Android tablet (PocketBook also sells an Android tablet, the IQ, which seems to be one of the better ones in your price range). PocketBook make excellent E Ink readers, and they would be a good fit to your needs. They use FBReader for non-DRM ebooks, and you can check out FBReader's multi-language support on a Linux or Windows PC. PocketBook also provides mobile Adobe Digital Editions for DRMed ePubs and PDFs, which makes them equal in this regard to practically all other ebook readers. If you buy any E Ink device, don't forget that they are like paper in needing an external light source. Most ebook readers support any language in PDFs with embedded fonts, but a small screen is not well suited to the usual PDF page size. If you can reformat to the screen size, PDF works very well. A rooted (Android) Nook Color is outside your price range, but probably the best LCD-based mid-sized reading device at present. Last edited by wallcraft; 12-31-2010 at 02:15 AM.

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12-31-2010, 04:23 AM	#3
tehtas Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2010 Device: none	Hebrew is actually not one of the leading languages I'm worried about. Particular scripts include: Japanese Chinese (modern, not traditional characters) Russian Cyrillic script Greek script Arabic and Persian script I don't mind going outside of the price range - it was just a self-imposed cap. However, I'd prefer eInk to LCD and don't want to be tied down to only one source of books (BN, in the case of the Nook). What exact is PocketBook?

12-31-2010, 05:13 PM	#5
ProfCrash Tea Enthusiast Posts: 8,554 Karma: 75384937 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Somewhere in the USA Device: Kindle1, Kindle DX Graphite, K3 3G, IPad 3, PW2	You do not need WiFi or 3G to use the library. My understanding is that library books are downloaded to your computer and then side loaded onto your e-reader. If you want to read at night and do not want to use a light then you will have to get an e-reader with an LCD screen. Wallcraft already covered your options if you are going that route. If you are willing to use a light then you have a ton of choices in your price range. The Kindle, Nook, Kobo, Sony 350, and a few others that I am less familiar with all fall into that price range. If you live in the US I would suggest going to Best Buy and looking at the Nook, Kindle, and Sony. All three are found at the one store. You can get a feel for which e-reader feels the best to you. Check out the button placement and make sure you are comfortable with how each one navigates. Then check out the online bookstores. Which of the bookstores has the majority of the books that you are interested in at a price you are willing to pay. Hopefully that will help you narrow down you choices.

12-31-2010, 10:05 PM	#6
Catlady Grand Sorcerer Posts: 7,418 Karma: 52613881 Join Date: Oct 2010 Device: Kindle Fire, Kindle Paperwhite, AGPTek Bluetooth Clip	You might want to consider an Ectaco Jetbook Lite, currently on sale at Newegg for $85. It uses AA batteries, so all you need to do is get a couple of sets of rechargeable AAs and then swap them out as needed, without any downtime. It's not backlit, so you would need an extra light. But it supports various formats and languages.

12-31-2010, 11:46 PM	#7
OtterBooks Wizard Posts: 1,262 Karma: 2979086 Join Date: Nov 2010 Device: Kindle 4, iPad Mini/Retina	I'm not sure how the readers differ in language support, but your other criteria match most of the popular readers. Then it would just come down to what suited your tastes regarding the form factor of the device itself. Of the big three, Sony, Nook and Kindle, the Sony and Kindle have newer display technology. Whether that matters, only you can say. As was said, it's probably best to check them out somewhere where you can look at all of them in one place.

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