No Wi-Fi, color if possible?

[The T]

Hey there. I currently don't own an eReader, but I have a lot of time to read at work and feel like buying books over and over is taking up too much time and cost. So I'd like to get an eReader and explore other options! (to clarify: legal, of course.)

I don't really know if what I want exists, but here's what I am looking for:

Must have:
No wi-fi/wireless connectivity of any kind (per work rules)
No camera/audio recording
Reads PDFs
7+ hour battery life
Easy to switch on and off to conserve battery or a sleep mode.

Would ideally have:
Color screen
Ability to view images, preferable PNGs, easily and in sequence/sorted.
Decent price (under $100).

So what I am working with here? I appreciate any help!

[markom]

I would try to find any new or used e-ink or lcd reader under 100 $ which can be relatively easily disassembled for the removal of wi-fi, camera etc.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpffS2jN5Qo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSAD3l1Ub_U

[The T]

I really don't fully understand my company's policy on "no Wi-Fi devices". I don't want to take a chance with something that looks like it COULD have Wi-Fi/a camera/etc.

Surely there's a better option?

[AnemicOak]

A tablet is generally the best for most types of PDF reading & color would mean a tablet too, but I can't think of any without WiFi since that's how you'd generally install & update apps on them (some apps could be sideloaded, but a lot couldn't) and some apps need access to WiFi. That's not to say there isn't a tablet out there somewhere without WiFi, I just can't think of one.

That being said all the current generation eInk readers I can think of have WiFi too & they also aren't ideal for most PDF reading. I suppose and older Reader from Sony such as the PRS 650 might be a possibility as it has no WiFi (or camera) and does read PDF's, but it will depend on the PDF's.


Are these text or image based PDF's? Do they contain charts, tables, formulas, etc? Are they formatted for letter size (8-1/2" x 11") or something similar or are they formatted for a smaller screen?

[The T]

The PDFs would actually most likely be comics, so I know scrolling around on them would probably be what's needed. I wouldn't be bothered with the extra "effort" involved in that.

If that (and image support) is too much of an issue, I'd be fine dropping that pipe dream (and color) and just going for something more traditional...

[Shopaholic]

I'm just curious about something. Does where you work have open access to their Wi-Fi signal? Do you know the codes to access their internet via Wi-Fi? If not, it shouldn't really matter that a device has Wi-Fi capability if you can't connect to it anyways. It's not our decision to make obviously, just thinking out loud here.

You'd be hard pressed to find anything these days without Wi-Fi capability on it. Even phones & digital cameras offer that so are you not allowed to bring your phone to work?

I work at a bank in one of the towers where they're REALLY sticky with stuff like that. Client info & privacy & all that. But we can have our phones and use them only in certain areas. Areas where there is access to client info via computers or on the phones they must be turned off of course.

I would suggest clarifying with your employer their stance on Wi-Fi devices. Don't ask why you can't have it, just clarify that you would like to understand better the types of devices that are or are not allowed.

[jersysman]

I agree, if WiFi is locked, and you don't have the passcode, it really doesn't matter if a device has WiFi or not.

[Lemurion]

Locked wi-fi isn't enough. They may be concerned about someone dropping a battery powered hotspot just outside the workplace, and then having someone inside connect to that and get out from there.

[petrucci]

Originally Posted by The T

Hey there. I currently don't own an eReader, but I have a lot of time to read at work and feel like buying books over and over is taking up too much time and cost. So I'd like to get an eReader and explore other options! (to clarify: legal, of course.)

I don't really know if what I want exists, but here's what I am looking for:

Must have:
No wi-fi/wireless connectivity of any kind (per work rules)
No camera/audio recording
Reads PDFs
7+ hour battery life
Easy to switch on and off to conserve battery or a sleep mode.

Would ideally have:
Color screen
Ability to view images, preferable PNGs, easily and in sequence/sorted.
Decent price (under $100).

So what I am working with here? I appreciate any help!

Reading pdfs on an e-ink screen that is smaller than 9.7 inches is highly undesirable. There are relatively few e-ink readers that are 9.7 inches or larger. The good news is that the Ectaco Jetbook color 2 fits your specs, with the exception of price and WIFI. (I do not own one, but it does not seem to have wireless connectivity. It seems that although the user manual on their site does not mention and neither does the specs, other sites list that it has WIFI) The Kindle DX has wireless, as does the Onyx Boox M92.

So if you must have e-ink, then consider the Jetbook.

[HarryT]

The Kindle DX is the only large-screen reader I'm aware of which doesn't have WiFi.

[susan_cassidy]

It does have 3G, though, like a cell phone.

[Tarana]

If you work at a secured facility, ask Security to help you. Assuming they are trained, they can remove the WIFI capability and tag it as altered. They do this to the hardware, not the software. This is permanent though. Obviously, you can still sideload from home, but they may check it each time.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Tarana

If you work at a secured facility, ask Security to help you. Assuming they are trained, they can remove the WIFI capability and tag it as altered.

I seriously doubt that. I've worked in some highly secure (nuclear) facilities in my time, and the attitude has always been "if the rules says it's not allowed, you don't bring it in".

[Shopaholic]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I seriously doubt that. I've worked in some highly secure (nuclear) facilities in my time, and the attitude has always been "if the rules says it's not allowed, you don't bring it in".

Pretty much. That's why I suggested clarifying what is and isn't allowed to be brought it.

[Katsunami]

Originally Posted by Shopaholic

I'm just curious about something. Does where you work have open access to their Wi-Fi signal? Do you know the codes to access their internet via Wi-Fi? If not, it shouldn't really matter that a device has Wi-Fi capability if you can't connect to it anyways. It's not our decision to make obviously, just thinking out loud here.

It is possible that they have stuff like wireless security camera's. They are in the same spectrum as a Wifi device. Many older camera's have heavy distortion if Wifi stuff is about. My father has had those camera's in two of his sheds. (He keeps birds as a hobby, and monitors them using those camera's.)

They were some of the very first wireless camera's, acquired in 2000 or so. They worked quite well for about 10 years, but as older people in the street move away or die and younger people move in, there are more and more WIFI-routers around.

Last year, I helped replace all the wireless camera's with cabled ones because there was practically no image left.

In short: they may not allow devices that have Wifi, just because turning it on could disturb the camera image. Personally, I would not trust the surveillance to camera's such as those, but I'm also thinking out loud here.

(I did some part-time low-level security work a long time ago, and it was the only job I ever had that made it possible AND allowed to read on the job. "Sit there, watch those lights, and if one of them blinks, watch the screens. If you see something, call number xyz, and lock the door...." )